Red Dot Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 hi all, I have just finished leading the 4Aviation 2024 modellers aviation tour to Japan. We had the most amazing time exploring 19 model shops and visiting seven air bases for some photography from outside the fence. I've shown some of my images of aircraft as well as just some of the items that were purchased by the group during our ten day stay. Extra bags were needed! It has been suggested that we do the same again next year, but this time in May, so that we can visit the Shizuoka model show at the same time. If it happens, it will certainly be fun again. Andy 23 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latinbear Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 Fantastic images Andy and some great hauls too! How did you fit all the bags in the van as the shopping accumulated throughout the course of the trip 🤭? I think I need to drop Stefan a message about next year's trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 Hi LB, Hope you're well. We had an extra large toyota HiAce van and had no issues with luggage space although it was full by the end of the tour. There were a couple of very special shops that we visited that were new to me, so they will be on the list for next time. I still need to break the 20 barrier on a trip! Andy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 Great shots mate! Those items brought back look great too! I'd love some of those F-4 books for my upcoming EJ Kai build! Coincidentally, the missus and I are considering a trip to Japan next year; will have to assure her that she needs to visit some model shops Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 10 Author Share Posted March 10 Hi Dave, Send me a pm if you decide to go and I will let you have a few details, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted March 10 Share Posted March 10 3 minutes ago, Red Dot said: Hi Dave, Send me a pm if you decide to go and I will let you have a few details, Andy Thanks Andy! We're looking at Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima over 2 weeks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 9 hours ago, DaveJL said: Thanks Andy! We're looking at Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima over 2 weeks. You won't have much time for holiday once you see the model shops in those cities 😉 Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canberraman Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Fabulous photos Andy of some wonderful, colourful and exotic aircraft. It's good to se also that you did your bit to support the model shops of the Far East and well done for getting so much back home without issues! Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 Thanks Mark. It's all about careful packing. By putting small items inside kit boxes space is saved. I did cheat by having a small fold-up holdall too though. Weight wasn't an issue between the two bags and I now gave the feeling I should have bought more books! Andy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Great pictures and a great haul. Thanks. I do see though that no one brought back any machine Krieger kits for me, tsk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Hi Andy, great photos and model haul. I will be picking your brains later regarding which shops are better. Hope you left some Platz Mitsubishi F1/T2 for us ! Regards Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 1 hour ago, Pete in Lincs said: Great pictures and a great haul. Thanks. I do see though that no one brought back any machine Krieger kits for me, tsk! What on earth are they? Andy 4 minutes ago, Robert said: Hi Andy, great photos and model haul. I will be picking your brains later regarding which shops are better. Hope you left some Platz Mitsubishi F1/T2 for us ! Regards Robert As they are 1/72, yes 🙂 Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Great pictures and that is quite the haul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 And that wasn't everything. There were a lot more decals and tanks too Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveJL Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 11 hours ago, Red Dot said: You won't have much time for holiday once you see the model shops in those cities 😉 Andy Sounds like you speak from experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 Who me? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinChipmunkfan Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Super quality photos- is there anything left in the model shops over there? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 Fortunately (?) we ran out of suitcase space Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Hi Andy, was you luggage allowance 23kg per suitcase ? Just to get an idea to see how much you can bring back. Regards Robert 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cklasse Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 On 11/03/2024 at 05:07, DaveJL said: Great shots mate! Those items brought back look great too! I'd love some of those F-4 books for my upcoming EJ Kai build! Coincidentally, the missus and I are considering a trip to Japan next year; will have to assure her that she needs to visit some model shops If wife is going along, Yodobashi Camera is a good place. She can shop, so can you. I visit Japan every year but do not have much time for hobby shops visit other than Yodobashi camera due to family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 Fantastic photographs, thanks for posting them. There's something other worldly about Japan that really fascinates me. Colours seem just that bit more vivid for instance. Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filler Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 They are superb photos Andy. Pity I couldn't follow you to Gifu as it looks like you had a great time there. The C-1 FTB shot is absolutely beautiful and you certainly got a very good selection of the ADTW aircraft flying, and in lovely sunshine. The weather in Komatsu remained rather harsh, but you clearly still managed some good shots on the Monday. And that kit/tool/book collection is something special. The price of our hobby in Japan is remarkably less than here, but my wife had already filled our cases with hand me down clothes from our sons cousins and half a supermarkets worth of Japanese foodstuffs. I did get one kit as a gift (unfortunately a kit I'd sold a couple of years previously!) and bought a few tools and a couple of books. It was really nice to meet you and some of the lovely people in your group too. I'm glad you all enjoyed your trip. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 7 hours ago, Robert said: Hi Andy, was you luggage allowance 23kg per suitcase ? Just to get an idea to see how much you can bring back. Regards Robert Yes. I had one case at 18kg and one bag at 12 kg. That included a lot of books snd magazines, so no issues at all. Andy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 4 hours ago, TonyW said: Fantastic photographs, thanks for posting them. There's something other worldly about Japan that really fascinates me. Colours seem just that bit more vivid for instance. Tony. Thanks Tony. The same with me and that's why I am hooked on the aviation scene there. Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 13 Author Share Posted March 13 1 hour ago, Filler said: They are superb photos Andy. Pity I couldn't follow you to Gifu as it looks like you had a great time there. The C-1 FTB shot is absolutely beautiful and you certainly got a very good selection of the ADTW aircraft flying, and in lovely sunshine. The weather in Komatsu remained rather harsh, but you clearly still managed some good shots on the Monday. And that kit/tool/book collection is something special. The price of our hobby in Japan is remarkably less than here, but my wife had already filled our cases with hand me down clothes from our sons cousins and half a supermarkets worth of Japanese foodstuffs. I did get one kit as a gift (unfortunately a kit I'd sold a couple of years previously!) and bought a few tools and a couple of books. It was really nice to meet you and some of the lovely people in your group too. I'm glad you all enjoyed your trip. Thanks Phil. The C-1 was new to me as well, the the perfect weather made it all the more special. It was nice to put a face to a name. Just let me know if you need any more informatoon next time you visit Japan. Take an extra bag next time. The airlines don't seem to mind if you have a couple of bags as long as they aren't too heavy. Andy 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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