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Here are some exciting updates for the April 10-12, 2008 show at the WW2 Victory Museum in Auburn, IN.

I. ***NEW EVENT ADDED*** TACOM factory specs drawings exhibit. Approximately 1/4 million drawings spanning US tank development from the 1930s to the 1980s are archived at the WW2Victory Museum. Art Pope of the MVPA is the head curator and has agreed to put on a display of some of the drawings from the immense collection (the vast majority is still to be sorted). These drawings vary from 11"x8.5" sheets to 10' x 4' sheets. The value of these primary documents cannot be underestimated.

II. Vendor Table registration update: Vendor packages are being prepared and will go out in late October with registration beginning on Nov. 1. If you are a commercial vendor and have not spoken with Roy Chow, please email him to be placed on the mailing list (roy.chow@aya.yale.edu).

III. Speaker update: Our ninth seminar presenter will be Mr. Mark Steacy (who is quite the impressive modeller as well! See here: www.network54.com/Foru...rille+17). He is an author and researcher on WW2 German camouflage uniforms. He will be bringing in samples of Heer and WSS zeltbahns from his collection.

IV. Hotel registration and Field Trip information: Attendees are already booking their accomodations. See this www.amps-armor.org/amp...&ShowID=21 for area hotels that are offering a special show rates. Please let them know that you are attending the AMPS show. For those planning on attending the April 10 field trips, we recommend you spend the evening of April 9 in Indianapolis area (rather than Auburn) as Crawfordsville is 45 minutes West of Indy.




Our confirmed speakers are as follows:

1. Nick Cortese, author and frequently published modeler. Topic: scratchbuilding and advanced modelling techniques.
2. Chris Mrosko, author and frequently published modeler. Topic: Model Photography
3. Robert Manasherob, IDF reserve officer, former Latrun Museum staffer, author of recent books on the Achzarit & Puma and Sherman M50 and M51. Topic: current IDF AFV research.
4. Ron Volstad, military subject artist, DML and Concord artwork. Topic: Uniform and vehicle research.
5. Tom Jentz, author and German WW2 researcher. Topic: current German AFV research.
6. Mark Steacy, author and German WW2 uniform researcher. Topic: German zeltbahn camouflage patterns.

Previously we annouced the confirmation from three WW2 tank combat veterans of different nations who will speak at the show. Not only did these three experience combat and can relate their wartime experiences, but each is thoroughly conversant with their particular vehicles and the tactics involved.

1. Mr. John "Jack" Irwin (USA). US 3rd Armored Division, ETO, 1945. Mr. Irwin wrote about his experiences as a 20-year old gunner aboard M4A3 Shermans and the T26E4 "Super Pershing" during the final months of the European landwar in his memoir "Another River Another Town". He has spoken to current US Army tankers in training and has graciously agreed to speak to our show attendees.

2. Mr. Gerry Chester (UK). North Irish Horse tank regiment, Tunisia and Italy 1943-1945. Mr. Chester has compiled a stirring narrative of his combat experiences -- serving as a wireless operator in several marks of the Churchill tank in the Mediterraean. His unit killed German Panthers and Tigers using the oft-misunderstood Churchill Infantry tank. Mr. Chester has frequented the various AFV modelling forums, adding his first-hand knowledge of the Churchill tank and British operations in general in the MTO. Previously residing in Arizona, Mr. Chester now travels between various friends and family -- spanning several countries. He'll make a "stopover" to Indiana next April.

3. Mr. Wolfgang Kloth (Ger). 2nd Panzer Division (Heer). Eastern Front 1943-1945. Mr. Kloth joined the German Wehrmacht in 1943 and was posted as an officer candidate, commanding Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs in the East. Wounded several times, he eventually was returned to train crews in Stug IIIs. He finished the war as part of the armor contingent in the surrounded Kurland pocket having spent his entire career fighting the Russians. After Soviet captivity, he escaped E Germany to the West, eventually emigrating to the USA in 1951. Mr. Kloth is an active advisor and friend to re-enactment and modelling groups in the Midwest.

Please join us for this extremely unique opportunity to hear three surviving WW2 tankers share their experiences as well as from some of the most well known and respected modellers and researchers in the modelling field. Mark your calenders!



Roy Chow
AMPS 1st Vice President
2008 International Show Chairman
April 10-12, 2008. Auburn, IN
www.amps-armor.org

Oh,

how I'd love to be able to go there, just to meet Nick, Robert, Ron, Gerry and the infamous Mr Chow who shanghai'd me into joining AMPS...

Gents, I urge you to not only visit Gerry's spectacular website, but to go the AMPS show as well. You may also consider joining AMPS, it's not expensive (you also enjoy a lot of discounts) and "Boresight", AMPS's very own magazine, is excellent- a lot has been happening at AMPS and all for the best.

Just another satisfied AMPS member sounding off...

Thnx Jens and thnx for your kind words about AMPS. As of this weekend, the membership is over 650 -- quite a leap since our show in April of this year when we were near 500!

As far as I know, this is the highest we've ever attained -- and new memberships are being added daily it seems.