[Phantom Phan1200]

I want to thank all who made it out, I cant thank you enough for your support.
I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off for a while, but everything turned out great & I had a lot of fun.
It was nice to Meet Duxford, Todd & Lot737 in person too.
Heres to the next one being bigger.

BTW congrats to Louie to his B-25 win.
Also Mike B gets the Big Baller award for taking home a box of diecast (yeah a box not a bag).

[Louie]

Holy Cow Gerry (phantomphan) throws a good party!!

There were drinks and pretty girls and the drawing made it even more exciting. I rarely win anything and that B-25 made it that much sweeter. The store is packed full of delicious diecast models of all makes. It was really nice to meet Duxford (Jim) and Mikeb (Mike) Todd (non-forum member) and also Theodore(Brian). Gerry playing host did not get to enjoy dinner and drinks across the dtreet at the German restaurant with us as he was too busy playing host. It is funny but it was standing room only and his store within a store was full of folks.. Man was I jealous. Mikeb almost needed a fork-lift and pallette to haul all his stuff out of the store. I acquired a model I have really wanted for some time the Corgi Legends Butch Taylor Typhoon it is awesome. At this juncture I really feel it is Corgi's best Typhoon. The FOV B-25 is heavy and not at all toyish. It is just as good as any Corgi B-25 and has weathering and full crew I believe. The new AT-6 Texans look fantastic and boy was it nice to see the new HM SBD in person love the 3 tone camo. Between all the pretty girls, free beer, the raffle,meeting the forum boys, Todd the Vietnam F-4 Phantom pilot, and delicious models and aviation memorabilia it was one great time. I cannot wait for the next one! Thanks again to Gerry and his support team at Bigguns for pulling off the first FDAC shin-dig.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by Phantom Phan1200

I want to thank all who made it out, I cant thank you enough for your support.
I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off for a while, but everything turned out great & I had a lot of fun.
It was nice to Meet Duxford, Todd & Lot737 in person too.
Heres to the next one being bigger.

BTW congrats to Louie to his B-25 win.
Also Mike B gets the Big Baller award for taking home a box of diecast (yeah a box not a bag).

Last night was a blast at Big Guns Collectibles up in Sanford. Dispite the heavy rain, there was a decent turnout. It was great to see Louie and Gerry again as well as meeting some new folks (well for me anyway). Outside on 1st Street in historic downtown Sanford, the monthly "Festival in the Street" was going on. There was various venders in the street and along the sidewalks. A great turnout and the "Assorted malted beverages" was flowing at the Festival, just like the rain into the gutters....
A group of us walked (or ran due to rain) across the street to a great German resturant that had live music. Great food with various "German malted beverages" was sampled by 6 of us (or most of us). Of course, diecasts and various discussions of movies and wars gone by, was the main discussions at the table, except for the 2 wifes at the table. The ladies (one was mine) was more interested in singing and toasting to the music by the 2 man band, then part taking in the various discussions of "warbirds". But that was just fine. As it was a bit difficult to talk over the loud music anyway. It was a great time! Prosit!
The new FOV B-25 was being raffled by Gerry for a $1 a ticket. I bought 10 tickets, I believe the most overall but Louie's ticket was called at 8:30 sharp and was the lucky winner of the B-25. I am glad he won actually, since his 40th birthday is tomorrow, the 22nd. A very nice birthday gift. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAN LOUIE!!! To be honest, if I would of won the B-25, I would of gave it to my man Louie for his birthday!
But my loving wife, said "Honey, buy anything you want" was said AND since that is like 'throwing gas on a fire'...I followed her words to a tee. Since Gerry had put back a little group of "goodies" from my previous visit 10 days or so ago...PLUS some new items in stock, it was very successfull buying spree, since I had the "go ahead" from the wife. These words she said was actually refereing to herself too as she went on a buying spree in the Antique Store that Gerry's corner (I should say "upstairs") is located. I came away with 10 diecasts planes plus 2 new Dragon Armors that Gerry had pre-ordered for me.
The armor is the new SU-100 Russian tank destroyer #60299 and Sherman M4A3 (105mm HVSS) from Okinawa '45 #60315. Both are very nice and I really like the SU-100.
The planes consisted of the new Corgi Russian Spitfire (White 538) AA31927, Corgi blue Recon Spitfire AA31928, Corgi Black Lysander AA36804, Corgi's checker-nosed P-47 US33821, Corgi P-47 US33822, Dragon's F-6F "00" in the new scheme 3 toned with outlined red ensignia, #50242. A sweeeet plane for sure! Also bough a Dragon P-47 "Big Ass Bird II" #50203", Dragon FM-2 Wildcat (White 29) in dark blue USS Petrof Bay '45. and the new Hobby Master A-10A "Worthog" that was with the 81st TFW, 511th TFS at Bentwaters AFB, England. A real nice aircraft. Last but not least was the new silver AT-6A Texan at Luke Field, Arizona '45 (#HA1504). This is another sweet little plane. Very happy with it as with all the above items. Christmas in September.... . Santa stopped by early after his summer vacation here in Florida with presents, with some help from the wifes "get what you want honey" attitude too.
It was a great night and looking forward to the next get together with Gerry, Louie, Theo and others next time. I think it will be actually at the next "Festival in the Street" which will be October 11th during "Octoberfest". Can't wait and also by then Gerry will have a few more goodies in from pre-orders, etc.
My thanks to Gerry and Mike, the owner of the Antique store that Gerry's corner is in. Both are great guys and super nice folks. Hats off to both of them and looking forward to the next time we get together! Also want to thank my sweet loving wife Nancy who went along, and also said "Buy what you want Honey".

[Louie]

"Buy what you want honey"

When I heard that suddenly there was the sound of soft angelic voices singing accompanied by a harp The clouds parted and a ray of blinding golden sunlight beamed down and illuminated Mike.

I would only hear something like that in heaven.

Sad I would have to die first huh!