Greetings Armor Modelers everywhere!
We are less than 90 days before the largest armor modeling convention in North America. The AMPS 2025 International Convention is fast approaching. This year’s convention theme is African Armor and runs from Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17, 2025. Visit the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) for the full description.
Hotel Accommodations
Don’t forget–you can make your Penn-Harris Hotel reservations online via the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) at the AMPS show rate to ensure your room for the convention weekend. Penn-Harris Hotel is merely steps away from the convention location and several restaurants, so attendees are not far from all the action.
M3 Stuart Lady Lois on Display
For one day only, Friday May 16th, Lady Lois, the M3 Stuart will be on display at the AMPS 2025 Convention site. The Berwick Tank Memorial Association will have Lady Lois, a fully restored M3 Stuart on display for most of the day for an up close and personal walkaround and for plenty of pictures.
Convention Pre-Registration (and Registration)
AMPS Pre-registration remains open and runs until May 11, 2025, but don’t wait till the last possible minute. Between now and May 11th, modelers will have plenty of time to pre-register and write out all the work done on each entry before the show. Simply visit the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) and follow the simple instructions to get your entries paid which grants access to all the entry forms you will need. Remember–your model entry paperwork does not have to be completed at the time you pre-register and, if you’re ambitious enough, you can add more models to your pre-registered ones and print out your forms up to Saturday, May 17, 2025. If you need help pre-registering, please contact Neil Stokes, Brian Eberle or Chuck Rothman on the AMPS website.
Model Registration: IMPORTANT NOTICE–Please read!
For those who choose not to pre-register but still wish to register their models for the contest, we are offering digital registration on-site during the show. Handwritten registration forms will not be accepted for AMPS 2025!
AMPS will have a separate Walk-In Registration area for those who did not pre-register for the show. A laptop and printer will be provided for members to complete the registration process and enter their models. AMPS will also provide Registration Coaches to assist members as needed.
Avoid the hassle, lines and delays of Walk-In Registration - Pre-Register today!
“How to Do” Seminars
Members who pre-register for the AMPS 2025 Show can also sign up for one of our eight seminars. Four of the seminars include “How to Do” seminars that are sure to be a hit. All of the “How to Do” seminars will cost between $10-$15 dollars each to cover the expenses necessary to deliver these seminars to our members. Reservations for the “How to Do” Seminars are limited to 25 members. These seats are filling up quickly, so don’t hesitate.
The complete list of seminars can be found on the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) and cover a variety of topics for modelers that are sure to please.
Call for Judges
AMPS is always looking for more judges to help spread the work around and allow more modelers to participate in the various activities during the show. Sharing in the judging duties allows others to enjoy the show who might be otherwise be working several judging shift and the added benefit is being able to view very cool models up close and provide useful feeback. If you would like to get a jump on training, feel free to review the on-line AMPS Judges Training sessions that can be accessed on the AMPS home page (https://www.amps-armor.org). Otherwise, in April, AMPS will be conducting on-line Zoom judging classes for those who would like to get involved in judging and for those who need a ‘refresher’ course. These on-line sessions are an excellent way to go through the AMPS judges training in the comfort of you home and ask questions.
AMPS Category Sponsorships
AMPS sponsorships are going fast and there are only a few in need of a sponsor. Frank Froment, our sponsorship coordinator, has sponsors for almost all the categories and “Best of” awards supported. Category sponsors are $20 per level (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) and $60 to sponsor the whole category. “Best of” sponsors are $60 each. Sponsorships are an excellent way for individuals and/or chapters to support the AMPS convention. Contact Frank through the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) if you have any questions. Available categories and “Best ofs” can be viewed on the AMPS homepage.
Raffle Donations
If you’ve ever attended an AMPS convention and experienced the raffle, then you know there’s plenty of excellent kits, aftermarket items, figures, reference materials and tools just waiting for a new home when their number is called. Vendors and model manufacturers have provided fantastic items for the famous AMPS raffle… Still AMPS would like to make this the biggest and best AMPS raffle yet. Consider going through your stash for newer kits, reference materials, unused aftermarket/conversion sets and make a donation to the raffle. Proceeds go directly into the AMPS treasury to help finance future shows and preservation projects. You can contact Georg Eyerman, AMPS Raffle Coordinator on the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) and let him know what you would like to donate. Raffle winners will be glad you did.
Vendors
Visit the AMPS homepage (amps-armor.org) to check out the list of vendors attending this years’ show. Plenty of supplies to carry modelers for a while that include paints, figures, tools, aftermarket, conversion sets and,…yes, kits.
AMPS Officer Voting
AMPS Officer voting is now open until March 15, 2025 with winner announced March 16,2025. Two positions, President and 2nd VP Eastern Region, have multiple candidates vying for these respective positions. I would encourge all AMPS members to visit the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) and review each candidates
Boresight
Boresight is filled with articles from AMPS members like you. Got an idea for an article or have a project in the works that other armor modelers would like? Then reach out to Shon Stephens on the AMPS homepage and let him know what you’ve got. Chances are high modelers will enjoy your article
Don’t forget to keep checking back to the AMPS homepage (https://www.amps-armor.org) for news updates, important AMPS convention information and officer contacts.
Until next time, enjoy the new year, keep building and stay tuned for the next AMPS 2025 show announcement.
Cheers!