Go offline with the Player FM app!
Floods, Crashes, and Models Unscathed: Bruce McRae's Epic Journey
Manage episode 498423679 series 2597540
A journey that could only be described as a country song come to life. Professional modeler Bruce McRae returns to share his unbelievable cross-country expedition to four scale modeling competitions – a trip marked by disasters that would have sent most people packing for home.
What began as an ambitious nine-week journey across America turned catastrophic when Bruce and his wife woke to find their campsite in Louisiana rapidly flooding in the early morning darkness. With water rising to waist level, they evacuated with their two golden retrievers, only to discover their vehicle disabled and their trailer ruined. Most would have called it quits, but Bruce's models had miraculously survived dry in their elevated containers, and the competitions beckoned.
Renting a replacement vehicle at considerable expense, Bruce continued to Florida's Armorgeddon show, showcasing both armor and figure modeling. He highlights the benefits of open judging systems that provide detailed feedback to every entrant, allowing modelers to understand their strengths and weaknesses – a stark contrast to traditional competitions where non-winners leave with no insight on how to improve.
The most remarkable aspect of Bruce's tale isn't just his perseverance after a second disaster – when a van ran a red light in Albuquerque and destroyed their rental vehicle – but his unwavering passion for the hobby community. His reflections on different show formats provide valuable insights for competition entrants.
Bruce's extraordinary determination reunited him with friends at each show and allowed him to share his exceptional modeling work despite overwhelming obstacles. His story reminds us that sometimes the greatest modeling adventures happen far from the workbench, and that the true spirit of this hobby lies in the connections we forge and the challenges we overcome together.
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
PMM Merchandise Store
Support the show with PMM Merchandise!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
Paypal
Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
Ad Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" Bair
Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
Chapters
1. Welcome to Plastic Model Mojo (00:00:00)
2. Personal Updates and Show Preparations (00:07:25)
3. Interview with Bruce McRae Begins (00:16:00)
4. The Flood Disaster in Louisiana (00:20:30)
5. Texas Model Mania Show Experience (00:36:20)
6. Florida Show and Judging Systems (00:50:10)
7. AMPS Nationals and Diorama Judging (01:00:22)
8. Ohio ModelCon and Category Confusion (01:16:12)
9. Current Projects and Future Plans (01:24:55)
209 episodes
Manage episode 498423679 series 2597540
A journey that could only be described as a country song come to life. Professional modeler Bruce McRae returns to share his unbelievable cross-country expedition to four scale modeling competitions – a trip marked by disasters that would have sent most people packing for home.
What began as an ambitious nine-week journey across America turned catastrophic when Bruce and his wife woke to find their campsite in Louisiana rapidly flooding in the early morning darkness. With water rising to waist level, they evacuated with their two golden retrievers, only to discover their vehicle disabled and their trailer ruined. Most would have called it quits, but Bruce's models had miraculously survived dry in their elevated containers, and the competitions beckoned.
Renting a replacement vehicle at considerable expense, Bruce continued to Florida's Armorgeddon show, showcasing both armor and figure modeling. He highlights the benefits of open judging systems that provide detailed feedback to every entrant, allowing modelers to understand their strengths and weaknesses – a stark contrast to traditional competitions where non-winners leave with no insight on how to improve.
The most remarkable aspect of Bruce's tale isn't just his perseverance after a second disaster – when a van ran a red light in Albuquerque and destroyed their rental vehicle – but his unwavering passion for the hobby community. His reflections on different show formats provide valuable insights for competition entrants.
Bruce's extraordinary determination reunited him with friends at each show and allowed him to share his exceptional modeling work despite overwhelming obstacles. His story reminds us that sometimes the greatest modeling adventures happen far from the workbench, and that the true spirit of this hobby lies in the connections we forge and the challenges we overcome together.
Your source for Harder & Steenbeck Airbrushes and David Union Power Tools
SQUADRON
Adding to the stash since 1968
Model Podcasts
Please check out the other pods in the modelsphere!
PMM Merchandise Store
Support the show with PMM Merchandise!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Give us your Feedback!
Rate the Show!
Support the Show!
Patreon
Buy Me a Beer
Paypal
Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
Ad Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob" Bair
Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.
Chapters
1. Welcome to Plastic Model Mojo (00:00:00)
2. Personal Updates and Show Preparations (00:07:25)
3. Interview with Bruce McRae Begins (00:16:00)
4. The Flood Disaster in Louisiana (00:20:30)
5. Texas Model Mania Show Experience (00:36:20)
6. Florida Show and Judging Systems (00:50:10)
7. AMPS Nationals and Diorama Judging (01:00:22)
8. Ohio ModelCon and Category Confusion (01:16:12)
9. Current Projects and Future Plans (01:24:55)
209 episodes
All episodes
×Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.