Those Gundam Guys

Those Gundam Guys is the official group name for the random collection of gunpla, mecha, and anime figure modelers that gather once a month in Southern California to build, laugh at one another, and sometimes drink copious amounts of alcohol all the while trying to sing and play rockband without failing. This group has been gathering since July 2007. When asked if we had a name to our “club” the usual response was a shrug, we were just a bunch of modelers that liked to build plastic robots, why make anything official. Almost like some creepy underground movement.

The idea for naming the group came about again last year when we were asked to sponsor a trophy for the 2010 IPMS OC OrangeCon event. Still we half-assed a name to use on the trophy placard. We spent all of 10 minutes trying to come up with stupid witty acronyms for our group, but still wasn’t able to find something good enough. And nothing stuck. Fast forward a few months later when the idea of naming the group had long vacated our memories; a group of us come up with the brilliant idea of hosting our own competition. Tired of griping and whining at the end of every model competition we attend where we’re just looked at and talked to as little more than glorified toy painters; it’s time we shut the hell up and just see if we could do something.

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Southern California Gundam Model Competition 2011

The first annual (hopefully) Southern California Gundam model competition has a date and location set. A set of entry categories and special awards has also been created. However, since it’s still fairly early, the group can decide to modify the categories and special awards. But these should be finalized by the end of this month. As far as I know, nothing like this has been done in Southern California. I don’t count the contest at Anime Expo or the local IPMS/Model club shows as the focus of both events are not Gundam centric.

I know there are tons of gunpla modelers in Southern California. There are so many shops that sell gunpla. It’s time that the gunpla modelers gather to show off their skills and compete with one another in a completely Gundam models for the sake of Gundam models show.

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SCAHMS 2011 Show

This past weekend was the annual Southern California Area Historical Modelers Society (SCAHMS) show. It is a two day event with workshops, vendors, and a competition. The main focus for the contest is figures, but they do open the competition up for all models. The main judging criteria for this contest is painting. I missed last year’s competition, so I’m making it up for it this year.

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Oh the dream of a Gundam-centric model competition in the United States…

This past Sunday was the Pasadena Modelers Society’s annual model contest, ValleyCon. A few of us from the build gathering went and entered our kits into the competition. Not all of us are gunpla builders, and congrats to Sean for his wins in the 1/48th tank, 1/350 ships and 1/700 ships categories. Brandon on in the figures category. There were tons of excellently built models across all genres of plastic/resin/vinyl. Our little niche of gunpla builders made a pretty good showing as well. I think we impressed upon the show’s chairman that not all the gunpla builders actually know one another.

Or click here if you want to read about my crazy idea that formed in my head as a result of this year’s competition participation.

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