BuffCon 30 - IPMS Niagara

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The BuffCon Model Show is an annual event organized by the IPMS Niagara Frontier Model Club. The club makes its home in the city of Buffalo located in western New York State. The club has the distinction of being the first and only four time IPMS/USA National Chapter of the Year and seven time IPMS/USA Region I Chapter of the Year. Their "BuffCon" event is held each year in April and continues to be one of the larger shows of its kind in this part of the United States. This year’s show was the thirtieth, and was held in Tonawanda, New York, a suburb of Buffalo, on April 14.

buffcon 30, the 2013 show
There were twelve major competition categories available including Aircraft, Military Vehicles, Automotive, Ships, Figures, Science Fiction & Real Space, Dioramas, Collections, Miscellaneous, Humour in Modelling, Master Modeller and Junior Entries. Each of these was in turn further subdivided into 67 individual subcategories. The number of subcategories varied from category to category but for each a first, second or third prize award was available.

Models were displayed on tables, by categories, in one large room while a similarly sized second room provided a venue for a total of 33 vendors at 55 tables selling almost anything and everything pertaining to the hobby. This second room also provided an area for show participants to partake in refreshments and light snacks. During the show and while the main display room was closed for judging, numerous raffles were held with the prizes provided by a number of show sponsors, including some internationally known brands.

sponsors
Numerous businesses, local clubs and even individuals from both the United States and Canada contributed to the funding for both category and subcategory trophies and awards. IPMS Niagara Frontier was most grateful for their continuing support of this event.

buffcon 30 by the numbers
Initial statistics provided by IPMS Niagara Frontier were as follows:
  • There were about 111 competition entrants.
  • 355 models of all types were entered.
  • 385 people, not including entrants or children under 12 years, visited.
  • Numerous IPMS Niagara Frontier members were present in addition to the above.
  • My thanks to the IPMS Niagara Frontier Chapter, and in particular Richard Schulenberg and Tom Faith, for providing information in the preparation of this feature.
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About the Author

About Jan Etal (tread_geek)
FROM: ONTARIO, CANADA

I've been building models since about age 10 with the occasional hiatus due to real life events. First armour model was a 1/76 Airfix Tiger I and was followed by a 1/72 Revell F4U Corsair. I've built primarily 1/76 and 1/72 armour and aircraft but occasionally have tinkered in other larger scales....


Comments

Nice feature and quite good pictures from the show (turned out better than mine). There were all kinds of vendors but the 1/72 offerings were extremely limited. Jan, I didn't stay for the awards but hope you did we'll. I saw what I believe was your LVT, the T80 and the Panzer III. That last one looked really super in person. Regards, AJ
MAY 09, 2013 - 03:03 PM
@firstcircle - Matthew, Thank you for getting this Feature prepared and posted in such a timely manner. Much appreciated. @weathering_one - AJ. Yes, the three you mention were entered. Glad you were impressed by the Pz III and I guess the judges were too since it was one that came away with a trophy. Sadly, Braille scale military vehicle offerings at the vendors were extremely limited. However, I'm sure that you'll agree that there were some very fine models to see at the show, even the subjects not pertaining to Armorama. Cheers, Jan
MAY 10, 2013 - 03:08 AM
@tread_geek – Jan, Thank you for sharing this event with all of us, this is especially true for me because I live on the west coast. It’s good to see braille scale modeling so well represented and seriously taken by the participants entries reflected through the numerous photographs taken by you. I also noted a few of your builds on the contest room, a well-deserved congratulations Jan, on the Panzer III win. From the photographs you presented the competition looked to be quite fierce, your builds not helping that situation either! ~ Eddy
MAY 17, 2013 - 07:56 PM
@Braille - Eddy, Thanks for taking the time to comment and glad that you found the pictures interesting! As for Braille Scale, since I started going to these shows a little over a year ago I've noticed several trends, including the number and quality of small scale entries increasing. The numbers have increased to the point where the number of competition categories for the area has also been increasing. At the first shows that I attended there were at most two but in several of the last shows I've seen increases to as many as five categories! So yes, Braille scale is being taken seriously. Of course with the increase in popularity of the scale there has also been an increase in the quality of the competition. Several veteran and award winning 1/35 builders in local clubs have now begun trying their hand at Braille and are bringing their years of experience in the hobby with them. Fortunately for me, what applies to finishing larger scale builds does not always translate to be usable in the smaller scales. Cheers, Jan
MAY 18, 2013 - 03:25 AM
Thanks for the photos Jan, great shots. It's nice to look back at the show pics as I was too busy to get a good enough look at the tables and to take any of my own photos. Happy Modeling, Joe
MAY 18, 2013 - 05:37 PM
@mother - Joe, Appreciate you taking a look and leaving a comment. I've always loved looking at show pictures and felt that those that couldn't attend might appreciate seeing what was there or in your case, not having the time to just be a casual observer (I saw you "bouncing" around like a pinball doing your staff duties)). If you or anyone else is interested, there is also the BuffCon Aeroscale Feature for those flying things. Cheers, Jan
MAY 19, 2013 - 03:08 AM
Great show! I happened to be in town that weekend and got a chance to actually attend the show! It's come a long way in 30 years, I was at the first ones, and they've gotten better over the years, although BuffCon was always an excellent event! Hopefully I'll be able to make it next year! My best to all the Niagara Frontier IPMS guys who work their butts off to make BuffCon the event that it is!
OCT 17, 2013 - 09:45 AM