Model Show / Sales in Buena Park, CA

Nice pics.... the only thing new to me is that signed George Barris-Mercury display.   It appears there was a collection (series ) of those.  🤔 🤔 

Sorry Chris, this time I'm going to STOP and TALK with the vendors when I see something interesting. I've many more pics but didn't want to take up space and perhaps bore anyone. The model show covers everything Chris.You'd have a field day with all kinds of military models, naval models consisting of ocean liners, battleships, destroyers & aircraft carriers. Think of any sci-fi model imaginable and I'm sure it's there. There's all kinds of magazines and books for sale along with sheets of decals. Matt sponsors this model show twice a year. And believe me it gets crowded ! Right now I'm only aware of one brick and mortar hobby place here in SoCal and that is Pegasus in Montclair. I know Marty has recommended it. I also know that Hobby Lobby carries model kits and there's quite a few of those locations here. Anyhow, time to check my bank account....🤔

Steve 

Where was/is this show, exactly?...

Posted by: @lloyd-mecca

↑

Where was/is this show, exactly?...

Hi Lloyd,

It's held at a hall right across the street from Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. BP is west of Anaheim. 

Steve 

@100ford2003 Steve thanks for the pictures.  I remember back in the late 80', early 90's I used to travel to Southern California a lot for my job.  While I was there I would visit every hobby store in and around the vicinity I was staying.  I let me tell you there were a lot.  I was big into HO scale trains back then and plastic kits.  Still have my trains but they are stored, since I do not have room in my house now.  Maybe one day when all the kids move out, but knowing my wife she will say we need the rooms to remain so the Kids have someplace to stay for holiday's and such.  Now it is all diecast and plastic kits and you are right about only a very few hobby stores around.  Fortunately there is still one in my hometown of Spartanburg, SC and it is quite good, and of course Hobby Lobby.  But I have every kit that Hobby Lobby sells, and it seems they do not really change their inventory.  If they do it might be one model at a time.  So it keeps me checking.  I use to got to shows like your pictures but here in the south, they have dried up.  Use to have at least 2 shows in Charlotte, NC, and usually 4 per year in Atlanta.  Boy do I miss those days.  Just think about when you were a kid, I know for me building models probably started around 8 or 9 and I could go to store and by a kit for as little as a $1.  Now that same kit is $40 plus.  I do not see how kids can ever get into a hobby unless their parents help finance it.  Even the HO trains have gotten out of hand.  Sorry just me returning to my youth for minute.

A LOT of nice stuff! Thanks for the pics!

Great coverage, Steve. Thanks!

The Hirohata Mercury was a Design Studio model made by Motor City USA. The made a limited number of several models with a custom plinth. You can see some of them here; click here. 

Posted by: @jkuvakas

↑

The Hirohata Mercury was a Design Studio model made by Motor City USA.

Thanks John!   The model at this CA show is different than Design Studio's offering.... notice the "silver chrome"  bumpers and absent side window trim, etc...      I doubt anyone would mess with a Design Studio model...  so, I wonder just who made that Hirohata Merc.   ?? 🤔 🤔  

@jkuvakas John, I bought this model from you at Countryside a few years ago.

It looks like a fun event...ENJOY!

Posted by: @carsman1958

↑

@100ford2003 Steve thanks for the pictures.  I remember back in the late 80', early 90's I used to travel to Southern California a lot for my job.  While I was there I would visit every hobby store in and around the vicinity I was staying.  I let me tell you there were a lot.  I was big into HO scale trains back then and plastic kits.  Still have my trains but they are stored, since I do not have room in my house now.  Maybe one day when all the kids move out, but knowing my wife she will say we need the rooms to remain so the Kids have someplace to stay for holiday's and such.  Now it is all diecast and plastic kits and you are right about only a very few hobby stores around.  Fortunately there is still one in my hometown of Spartanburg, SC and it is quite good, and of course Hobby Lobby.  But I have every kit that Hobby Lobby sells, and it seems they do not really change their inventory.  If they do it might be one model at a time.  So it keeps me checking.  I use to got to shows like your pictures but here in the south, they have dried up.  Use to have at least 2 shows in Charlotte, NC, and usually 4 per year in Atlanta.  Boy do I miss those days.  Just think about when you were a kid, I know for me building models probably started around 8 or 9 and I could go to store and by a kit for as little as a $1.  Now that same kit is $40 plus.  I do not see how kids can ever get into a hobby unless their parents help finance it.  Even the HO trains have gotten out of hand.  Sorry just me returning to my youth for minute.

John, 

Prestige Hobbies was my go to hobby shop. They were just south of Knott's Berry Farm on Beach Boulevard. There was also a children's amusement park that had goats I believe and some sheep and they had roller coasters and a few other rides. It was a nice inexpensive place to go for kids and you could always bring in your own lunch and have a big picnic. My niece threw a big birthday party there for her son when he was 4 years old. All of the friends that showed up could not believe that they had not known about this little amusement park. It was so inexpensive and so close to everyone. Do you recall ever stopping at that hobby shop ?

Now the only one I know of that is here in the Orange county area is Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove. And then there's Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair which I've been to only twice in the last 30 years. I'm pretty sure that Marty is familiar with it. 

Steve