Welcome to SoCal AMPS
This is the SoCal Chapter of AMPS - The Armor Modeling and Preservation Society. The Armor Modeling and Preservation Society, Inc., or AMPS, was founded in 1993. Although AMPS’s main function is as a modeling club, it is definitely a different type of modeling organization compared to IPMS or other mainstream groups. AMPS has a Constitution and Bylaws to govern how it is run and the AMPS judging system rewards individual effort using a point system to minimize subjectivity. The purpose of AMPS is to foster a knowledge and appreciation of the history of armored vehicles, through examination of preserved examples located in both museums and private collections, in miniature through modeling. To this end, AMPS publishes a 32-page journal called Boresight six times a year. This journal covers reviews, tips, articles on preserved vehicles, and comparisons of models and related items. AMPS membership entitles you to product discounts from some of the most innovative products in our hobby. AMPS also hosts an international convention every spring in which the subject of armor is supreme. The convention features the best armor model vendors, seminars from armor experts and an excellent example of the best armor models from around the world in its competition. Competition is organized into five levels - junior, basic, intermediate, advanced and master - and the judging system rewards the modeler for his individual effort, not in comparison to other modelers. If you like to build armor models, we’d love to have you as a member.
Meeting Info
SoCal AMPS meets the second saturday of each month from 4-8pm at Brookhurst Hobbies 12188 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Click for Map and more InfoSo Cal AMPS Facebook
We use Facebook for discussions, information and much more. Please click the link below to join us!
Facebook1/28/25 Plastic Model Kit Garage Sale
1/28/25
Plastic Model Kit Garage Sale
11261 Pine St, Los Alamitos
90720, 9:00-1:00.
2/1/25 Model Kit and Aviation Collectible Show & Swap Meet
Model Kit and Aviation Collectible Show & Swap Meet
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Gillespie Field, 335 Kenney St., El Cajon, 92020,
9:00-1:00
2/23/25 Modelfest
2/23/25
Modelfest Model Contest and Swap Meet
Seaside Park, Ventura County Fair Grounds,
10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, 93001
3/16/25 Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale
3/16/25
Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale
UFCW Union Hall 324
8530 Stanton Ave., Buena Park
90620, 9:00-2:00
TBD
Recent Posts
NOTE LOCATION CHANGE: SoCal AMPS Live Meeting, Saturday, 1/11/25
Hi, guys,
Sorry for the late meeting notice, life just kept getting in the way this week.
Just a reminder that the next SoCal AMPS Live Monthly Meeting is this Saturday, 1/11/25.
Note Location Change.
SoCal AMPS Live Monthly Meeting:
Saturday
1/11/25
4:00 – 9:00 PM (or whenever)
Brookhurst Hobbies
12188 Brookhurst St.
Garden Grove 92840-8312
714-636-3580
Meet in the tented area behind the store-adjacent gaming room.
Special Request: Please park behind the store so as not to take up the limited customer parking spots in front of the store during our meeting time.
Meeting Theme: Kick off the new year in modeling
Agenda:
(1) Local Hobby News and Updates
(2) Briefly Review Updated 2025 Schedule
(3) New Stuff
(4) Show & Tell
(5) Dinner Break-SoCal AMPS will provide pizza and soft drinks
(6) Kick off Model For Orangecon: T34 Family of Vehicles (Bill E.)
(7) Special Show & Tell: T34 Stuff: Completed Models, Model Kits, Aftermarket Parts & Decals, and References
(8) Special Show & Tell: Show Us Your Uncompleted Models
(9) What Are You Working On?
(10) Help Needed
(11) Next Meetings
Homework Assignment:
How many started but uncompleted models do you have?
Special Note: Goodbye Mr. Frye:
After 42 years in the sign business, Jim Frye has retired, sold his business, the Frye Sign Co.; sold his house, and bought a new house in Kentucky to be close to his 2 daughters and 8 grandchildren. After a short transition with the new company owners he expects to be moved to Kentucky by the first of February.
So Cal AMPS wishes him and his family well and thanks Jim for the use his business for our monthly meeting over the last some 15 years. He will be missed.
Jim expects to be at our January meeting so this might be the last time for you to say goodbye to Jim in person.
With Jim’s retirement SoCal AMPS has now lost our meeting location.
Fortunately, Henry Trembly has graciously allowed us to move our monthly live meetings to Brookhurst Hobbies. We will now be meeting in the tented area behind the store-adjacent gaming room.
Thank you to Henry and Brookhurst Hobbies for accommodating us.
Brookhurst Hobbies Update:
(1) Order your aftermarket products through the store at a 25% off discount with no shipping charges. Deliveries are usually within one week.
(2) Sign up for the Brookhurst Hobbies Weekly Newsletter at info@brookhursthobbies.com
to stay appraised of all the new model hobby and gaming product releases available in the store.
(3) The B24H Formation Model Build Project:
This new project entails building a WW2 USAAF mass bomber box formation of 21 B24 bombers
that will be suspended from the ceiling at Brookhurst Hobbies.
The models will be made from the new Airfix 1:72 scale B24H Liberator bomber kits.
Brookhurst Hobbies is looking for modelers who would like to participate.
Details are provided at the SoCal AMPS meetings, Sprue Cutters meetings and at the store.
2025 SoCal AMPS Meeting Schedule:
A slightly updated now current version of the 2025 SoCal AMPS meeting schedule is attached at the bottom of this email. Please save or print the schedule for your future reference.
Club Website Build Contests:
The following is a list of 2025 SoCal AMPS Model Build Contests listed by completion date.
Although the contests may be related to live meetings, Zoom meetings, or online social media activities,
you are encouraged to post your model projects status on our SoCal AMPS online social media sites listed below.
If you cannot post to any of the sites email your photos to Kevin Hjermstadt and/or Robert Yeatman and they will post them for you.
Their email addresses are listed in the To: section of this email.
(1) Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Military Vehicles
This is a SoCal AMPS online social media contest.
Completed models are due to be posted online by 1/31/25.
Contest Awards will be Brookhurst Hobbies gift certificates provided by SoCal AMPS:
First Place $50
Second Place $35
Third Place $25
You must use a non-started kit for this contest.
(2) Team Diorama Contest
This is a SoCal AMPS live meeting contest.
Completed team dioramas are due at the SoCal AMPS live meeting on 7/12/25.
Contest awards are TBD at this time.
4 teams of 3 guys each were selected by random draw.
The 4 teams are:
(1) Team Einst: Jim Frye, Konrad Schreier and Bill Evans
(2) Team Dos: Jim Spellmire, Ed Davies and Jose Medina
(3) Team Brown: Jim Wechsler, Jon Trask and Luis Castillo
(4) Team Busting Heads: Kevin Hjermstadt, Ted Kawahara and Pascal Zandt
Group Build: M113 Family of Vehicles-1/35th scale:
The goal is to complete over 100 models for the Group Build Display category at an upcoming IPMS Nationals Show.
Completed models are due TBD since the earliest time that the next IPMS Nationals will return to a western regional location is 2027.
You are encouraged to post your project status on the SoCal AMPS online social media sites.
The 2 M113 Group Build Status Reports, one a Name Sort and the other a Vehicle Sort, were updated and attached to the 6/11/22 meeting notice.
Please check out what everyone is planning to build (so far) and try not to duplicate models based on the same camouflage and markings.
Please email me your updates:
-adds, deletes or changes to what you plan to build (vehicle/country/camouflage colors/markings)
-status on what you are currently building (planned/started/completed)
Save the Date: SoCal AMPS Field Trips;
TBD Palm Springs Air Museum and Rare Planes Detective Warehouse
to be scheduled in 2025.
TBD Planes of Fame and Yanks Air Museums
to be scheduled in 2025
Model Show Update-the next 3 months:
1/17-19/25 Las Vegas Open, Rio Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
1/28/25 Plastic Model Kit Garage Sale, 11261 Pine St, Los Alamitos, 90720, 9:00-1:00.
2/1/25 Model Kit and Aviation Collectible Show & Swap Meet, San Diego Air & Space Museum, Gillespie Field, 335 Kenney St., El Cajon, 92020, 9:00-1:00
2/23/25 Modelfest Model Contest and Swap Meet, Seaside Park, Ventura County Fair Grounds,
10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, 93001
3/9/25 West Coaster Toy Soldier Show, Doubletree by Hilton, 700 Beach Blvd., Buena Park 90620, 9:30-3:00
3/16/25 Kit Collectors Exposition & Sale, UFCW Union Hall 324, 8530 Stanton Ave., Buena Park, 90620, 9:00-2:00
Stay connected with fellow SoCal AMPS modelers on Social Media:
Website: socalamps.org
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/21007030912816
Upcoming SoCal AMPS Meetings:
Saturday 1/25/25 1:00 – 5:00 Online Zoom Meeting
Review plans for 2025
Saturday 2/8/25 4:00 – 9:00 Live Meeting
Build Night
Club Swap Meet
See you at the meeting.
John
AMPS Membership
Elevate your knowledge and modeling skills to the next level! AMPS membership brings a number of benefits:
Boresight is our membership magazine. It’s written by and for tank modelers. Every issue is jammed with research material and modeling articles.
Purchasing discounts come with your membership and are good at many hobby vendors. Your membership will pay for itself.
The AMPS International Convention is the largest all-armor show and hobby convention in the world! Your membership grants you access to the model contest to have your work judged by your peers.
Want to find out more or Join AMPS?
Visit the membership page for all the details.