Make-n-Take at SJ AFB

[Ronv]

Yes Matt thanks for doing this!! You must have some girlfriend, she went from "0 to 60" in helping with the make n take and building kits!
Thanks
RonV

[Bill L2]

Great work Matt. Looks like you had good time.

[JonE]

Matt,

Thanks again to you and Stephanie. I have sent an e-mail ti Jim Brooks from IPMS USA (head of make-n-take program) along with the pics to post. Let me know if I can be of any help with future builds you mentioned. I picked up 83 kits donated at the Columbia show and am awaiting some sprue cutters from Xuron.

Jon

[Matt C]

Thanks for the thanks guys!  We both had a great time, and I may have converted my girlfriend into a model builder in the process.

I appreciate Jon passing along my email, and for his help setting it all up.  One error from my email, we actually helped kids ages 3-12 build.  Also, we had about a 50/50 split boys to girls.

Tony,  didn't get any contact info off the WSO, it was hectic, but I'm sure if we got in touch with the 4th there are a lot of folks that would be interested in a build, or even just knowledge about the various kits available, and where to buy them.  In fact, if you want, I'd be glad to spearhead making an info flyer about just that. Someone could probably even teach a "How to build the Revell Strike Eagle class."  If we went through those instructions and bought the right paints and tools, we could donate a couple of tool kits with everything needed to build the kit that ideally could be passed around the members of the squadrons.

If anyone does this in the future, here are some tips:
-Build one of the Corvettes beforehand!
-You'll need glue, we had both sprue removal damage (a whole new meaning to twist and rip!) and a few poor fitting parts.  Super glue and the insta-set spray were very useful (SR-71 intake cones, broken steering wheels).  White or clear part glue would have been very handy, especially on the Tomcat.
- Sprue cutters/hobby knife were vital, the F-117 would not go together without some cleanup on the vertical stabilizers part and the fuselage/wing joint.
-Try to work with a small number of kids, 3 between the two of us was the max without near chaos, and let kids/parents know it will take 10-15 minutes.

Also, as a side note, if you're down at SJ, there is an awesome burrito place, Bonfire's Tortilla bar, just off Berkeley about a half mile before the main gate.  Great food!

-Matt

[Anthony Leger]

AWESOME Nice job on representing the club and helping out. If you have any contact info for the WSO  me know...I have a few more Strike Eagles in my pile that need a good home.

Tony

[Lee_K]

Thank you Matt and Stephanie for representing our club so ably.  Wow -- a make 'n' take to run all by yourself.  It has exhausted me when I had ten or more club members to help.  You truly are to be commended!

Lee K

[Ryan K]

Outstanding job Matt and Stephanie. We thank you both for helping out with this event.

Thanks again Jon for getting this together.

[JonE]

Matt Cottrell and his girlfriend Stephanie went to SJ AFB this past weekend for a make-n-take sponsored by the USO at their Month of the Military Child Celebration. A total of 36 kits were built; corvettes, hummers, SR-71s, Tomcats, and F-117s.

Many, many thanks to you both for your time and efforts.

Here is Matt's recap in an e-mail to me:

Hi Jon,

Went great yesterday! Very busy, I think the event coordinator said 1000-1500 people came through. We made it to just after noon before we ran out of kits.  Patricia and the rest of the USO crew were very helpful in getting us setup. We ended up outside under a USO tent, but it was a pleasant day. I didn't have power for the picture frame, but I set out your photos,  and a couple of IPMS Journals. Had a few parents that were interested enough to take our info slips. I also talked to a F-15E WSO who was very interested in the F-15E model kit Tony had built. He said that he hadn't be able to find one in stores, I directed him to the Revell kit in Michael's. At any rate, there probably are many members of the 4th that would be interested in models of the planes, might be some sort of opportunity for veteran builds there.

Patricia read through the Models for Troops info, and mentioned that they'd likely be willing to support some sort of event at a Raleigh area hobby shop to encourage a kit donation day of some sort, so you might want to chat with her about that.

All in all, It was a lot of fun, although that Corvette was a challenge to build!  I think the kids had a great time.  We helped build with kids ages 12-13 I'd say. The USO and base reps were very appreciative of the support!

I've got a couple photos of our booth setup, I'll pass them along to you once I pull them off my camera. Additionally the USO photographer caught a couple of "in acton" shots, although sadly things were a little too busy for the two of us to get any action shots, but they said we can ask for a copy of the event photo CD they'll make.

Thanks again for your help in setting all this up, do let me know if you need help again in the future!

Matt