I went to our local IPMS show last Saturday. I had to work the registration booth for a few hours, no I did not "have to", I volunteered.
I did spend about 30 minutes before the show to help some vendors set up, and used that time to try and find a 1/48 TBD "Devastator" that was not the $100 one from GWH. It seems they are unicorns these days. Some vendors said they had the Monogram one back at their shop, it is a known PITA and the raised panel lines are a big ick. Was hoping to find the AMT/Hobby Boss one, no luck.
Then I worked a few hours doing the judging...IPMS rules...and I am a 100% noob. It was a bit heart breaking to see so many gorgeous kits ruled out instantly because a wheel or strut was wonky, or a horizontal stab was drooping by a degree. That whine/rant belongs somewhere else, so I'll drop it.
So what did I get (back on-topic for this thread)?
Got this gem for $25, after getting home I realized how complex it is, and it has a "full interior" (yikes), but it is a cool subject matter and I've never touched a kit from Dragon before.
I won this guy in the raffle. Did not know my ticket was pulled since I was "working" so it was among the choices left when I did hear last call. But I did not know until reading the box that there was such a thing as a biplane "night fighter" and I've never touched a kit from "eat a L:arry" before too. I think I'll paint the North African theme in honor of our friend
@BarleyBop.
Final acquisition was this open-box kit. I got it for $60, and intend to try to make a USAF Thunderbird out of it, will paint most of the markings since the base will be a gloss white, and I want to challenge myself.