Scale ModelWorld 2024

[John Tapsell]

1 hour ago, John B (Sc) said:

A truly extraordinarty bit of work, that Vimy. What scale is it?

 

1/32 scale

[John Tapsell]

1 hour ago, 81-er said:

My only complaint about the contest area was all of the photographers. People with their phones and hand-held cameras are fine, but there were several in there with tripods and various reflective things for the flashes totally ignorant of the bottlenecks there were causing by blocking off the gangways to get that "perfect" shot.

 

James

Unless the rules have changed, tripods are strictly verboten in the competition area so they shouldn't have been any in evidence.

Regarding your description of people with reflective things for flashes and perfect shots - I have a suspicion that I know who you mean and unfortunately some people have a skewed understanding of who the competition area is for the benefit of.

 

I know the stewards were being fairly vigilant because I was challenged about the large camera bag I was carrying - I'd just finished some of the official competition photography at the far end of the room and was removing my camera kit from the vicinity via the only way to do that, which was through the competition room.

[81-er]

That's good to know, John, if I spot any next year I'll speak to a steward. The chap I think we're both talking about had a smaller one, only just taller than the tables, but I saw at least one other that was over 4ft high in there, as well as a few people using self sticks with 360 degree cameras on them.

 

James

[Whofan]

My Sunday at Telford followed the pattern of Saturday, I.e club tables primarily and pick up pre ordered items, and hopefully get around both Hall 2 and Hall 3.

 

I had a few breaks to sit down (my knees were giving me gyp) but I did get around to almost, but not quite see all club stands in hall 3.

 

I made a conscious decision as 2.30 approached to give some of the single type SIGS a miss, rather than club stands. 
 

Some of the single types are aircraft I’m not necessarily interested in, and I know I’ve seen them before at SMW and other shows. 
 

I did also have a look at the Dorset print man, and ended up ordering a 1/72 Whirlwind HAR. 9 helicopter to replace the Airfix kit that is out of scale in my Austrian Air Force collection, and a 1/72 goalkeeper, to be posted time.

 

I wonder if anyone looked at the Agora models stand? Impressive 1/8 or 1/16 kits, with pressed metal body parts as well as injection moulded plastic parts. 
 

They were around £1,000 a kit!!

 

I also picked up some paint off from the AMS paints stand, but gave myself a tongue lashing afterwards for not buying the “bust”, if you like of Iron Maiden’s Eddie in poses from the cover of Somewhere in time and 7th son of a 7th son.

 

They were £69, and given what I’d already spent at Telford, just a bit rich.

 

I did ask what they would if I offered him £40 for the somewhere in time bust, and I’m not entirely sure what he said, but it didn’t sound like “go on then”!

 

Generally, I had a great two days. Lots of discussions with chaps on club tables about their models, some lovely items purchased - oh, and I won an Italeri 1/48 Mirage III in a trader raffle!

 

I didn’t miss seeing the competition, I did regret that once again, I didn’t get to see all of the club tables in all halls, and in a way I regret not having more time to look at some of the traders.

 

And I managed to get an Airfix badge and coin.

 

I hope everyone who went had a safe journey home, bought everything the wanted or needed, saw everything to be seen, and the wonderful volunteers who put it all on are happy to do it all over again next year!!

 

well done to them and IPMS.

 

 

 

[Paul Thompson]

3 hours ago, John Tapsell said:

 

1/32 scale

Indeed. There is a commercial 1/48th kit, latterly upgraded and released by Alleycat if IIRC, which I've built, so I can tell you the winner dwarfs that entirely. Very impressive. I'm not usually a fan of peeled back coverings and the like but this time the work was to such a high standard I couldn't muster a single humbug.

 

Paul.

[Matt_]

I hope everyone who went had a great time. I got back late last night after packing up and driving all the way back to Sussex. We (Tangmere) had a couple of lovely club dinners, and lots of nice chats with people coming up to the table (so if any of those were you, hello! 👋)

 

As usual, some of the stuff on display was stunning. Whilst it's often an exhausting experience, there are always many things to be inspired by for the year ahead. Personally I was inspired by a few builds around the show to grab my first Maschinen Krieger kit. Maybe if I can finish one of the five or six things I've got on the go at the moment, I may even do something with it for next year. Or is that just wishful thinking? 😅

 

 

[IanHx]

I don't know if it has changed any in the last few years, but the last few times I went I found myself wishing there were some chairs or benches in hall 2 for people to sit down and rest.......given the amount of space free in hall 3 is this something the organisers could consider , or is it the venue insisting on "no chairs except at the breakfast bar" ?

Edited November 11 by IanHx

[Whofan]

36 minutes ago, Matt_ said:

and lots of nice chats with people coming up to the table (so if any of those were you, hello! 👋)

Hi, yes I was one of those who spoke to several chaps on the table, dammed if I can think what about!

[Whofan]

26 minutes ago, IanHx said:

I found myself wishing there were some chairs or benches in hall 2 for people to sit down and rest

Ian,

 

Absolutely. It is one of my list of annoyances about Telford, there does need to be more seating for the public in the halls.

[3DStewart]

30 minutes ago, IanHx said:

I don't know if it has changed any in the last few years, but the last few times I went I found myself wishing there were some chairs or benches in hall 2 for people to sit down and rest.......given the amount of space free in hall 3 is this something the organisers could consider , or is it the venue insisting on "no chairs except at the breakfast bar" ?

 

There were lots of chairs and tables in the room next to the competition.  Maybe better signage is needed?

[mick b]

8 hours ago, Flying Badger said:

Best in show was this:

 

 

Completely scratch built apparently! 😲

 

 

That guy is thinking ‘I’m gonna need a bigger tool bag’ 😁

 

Personally I would have given it to the phenomenal HMS Arrow model. Reminded me of the Glossop (?) models you’d see in recruitment office windows back in the day but even better. 

 

Mike

Edited November 11 by mick b

[MikeC]

1 hour ago, 3DStewart said:

 

There were lots of chairs and tables in the room next to the competition.  Maybe better signage is needed?

Yes  but there is more to SMW than the competition, and if you're in Hall 2 (say) and in need of a sit-down (let's face it, nobody is getting any younger, and there are no doubt people with mobility issues) the Competition area is a bit of a trek.

Edited November 11 by MikeC

[treker_ed]

3 hours ago, IanHx said:

I don't know if it has changed any in the last few years, but the last few times I went I found myself wishing there were some chairs or benches in hall 2 for people to sit down and rest.......given the amount of space free in hall 3 is this something the organisers could consider , or is it the venue insisting on "no chairs except at the breakfast bar" ?

There used to be more seating. Difficult to explain... But as you are walking towards the entrance to hall 3 down the corridor past the Costa,, keeping the costa to your left, on the right there is an open area the other side of a barrier. I am pretty sure, and so is my wife, that there used to be a seating area there. This year there wasn't.

[gengriz]

23 hours ago, kev67 said:

Wonderland were selling of a selection of kits from a loyal customer of theirs who passed away at 87, he had about 9000 unbuilt kits, all stored around his place, quite sad really 

Did anyone else find this really distressing? 

 

I certainly did and thought of my own stash (607 unbuilt and growing) and how many would be left when I finally checked out.  I bought quite a few, one of which was a real bargain.  Would have bought more, but then felt guilty that I wouldn't ever build them (ye canny change the laws of physics Captain - and time waits for no man). 

 

So best I get building to minimise the distress !

Edited November 11 by gengriz

[Noel Smith]

Seating areas scattered around the halls was lacking as always. But creating those spaces would necessitate loss of some club and SIG displays to facilitate them as IPMS cannot afford to turn down paying trader space that pays to fund the event each year.

I'm getting on a bit and the concrete floor is a bit hard on the legs and feet after a day's walking about I have to admit tbough.I

 

John Tapsell is correct about no tripods being allowed in the competition area. It's there in the rules.

Members get notice of this in the magazine, but Joe Public may well not. So big signs at the entrance and a bit more steward presence around the room might avoid this.

 

Edited November 11 by Noel Smith

[Captain Glumbo]

According to my step app on my phone, I walked 5.7 miles around on Saturday and 4 miles on Sunday.  There was the occasional chair dotted around which I utilised, mostly between the halls if I recall.

[binbrook87]

13 minutes ago, gengriz said:

Did anyone else find this really distressing? 

 

I certainly did and thought of my own stash (607 unbuilt and growing) and how many would be left when I finally checked out.  I bought quite a few, one of which was a real bargain.  Would have bought more, but then felt guilty that I wouldn't ever build them (ye canny change the laws of physics Captain - and time waits for no man). 

 

So best I get building to minimise the distress !

It is a little sad yes but I'm sure at the time the Gentleman in question spent hours and hours of enjoyment just buying and collecting the kits with maybe or maybe not a view to building them at some point. I think most of us do the same but on a smaller scale. As has been mentioned in a previous post a lot of the enjoyment in this hobby is hunting for a particular kit or finding that hidden or unexpected gem that sparks the enthusiasm.  Then onto the research into what you may do with that kit, what colour scheme, aftermarket etc etc. Sure...a lot will never get built but that's not the point of the hobby all of the time. And now this Gentleman's collection will live on in other modellers attics and garages and even on the odd occasion....the modelling table! What better way to remember him.

[DaveJL]

I really ought to try and make it over to the show at some point!

[3DStewart]

1 hour ago, gengriz said:

Did anyone else find this really distressing? 

 

Not really distressing, but a bit sad.  I'm reminded of an old saying about the sadness of wealth horded to the harm of its owner.  There was huge cost in money and time in building up that stash and I hope it gave him happiness in proportion to its cost, but I think possible not.  I bought three of the kits and two had been opened and the plastic fondled, which is the behaviour of someone who hopes to build rather than a collector.

[Whofan]

59 minutes ago, DaveJL said:

I really ought to try and make it over to the show at some point!

@DaveJL ,

 

You should.

 

It is a terrific two days worth, each year I go - and I'm a relative novice, having only gone each year for the last ten years - there are Britmodellers who've been to dozens, probably!

 

Accommodation might be a pain, but there are plenty of hotels etc around telford, and if you come over by car, within 15 to 20 minutes drive from Telford there are probably dozens of hotels.

 

I normally don't like to recommend things to people, as their taste and mine can often be very different, but I;ll say this for SMW  you need to visit it at least once, because it is a wonderful experience!

[bobsyouruncle]

Great show as usual, made more entertaining by being invited in to a sort of surreal episode with the Czech mates stand. It was like the same sort of bizarre ‘escape interval’ thing as the ‘here fishy fish’ scene in Python’s meaning of life and was an almost dreamlike period of levity despite the serious subject matter. Thanks for it anyway guys. You put a smile on my face.

[Rich G]

On 11/11/2024 at 8:18 PM, gengriz said:

Did anyone else find this really distressing? 

 

I certainly did and thought of my own stash (607 unbuilt and growing) and how many would be left when I finally checked out.  I bought quite a few, one of which was a real bargain.  Would have bought more, but then felt guilty that I wouldn't ever build them (ye canny change the laws of physics Captain - and time waits for no man). 

 

So best I get building to minimise the distress !

I think it's great, you're left over stash gets to make lots of other people happy.

 

All those people finding that old rare kit or hard to find kit at a good price to bring smiles to peoples faces!

 

He clearly wanted Wonderland Models to benefit from it probably in receipt of all the happy times he had popping into his favourite model shop to pick up another kit.

 

Rich

Edited November 13 by Rich G

[John Tapsell]

56 minutes ago, bobsyouruncle said:

Great show as usual, made more entertaining by being invited in to a sort of surreal episode with the Czech mates stand. It was like the same sort of bizarre ‘escape interval’ thing as the ‘here fishy fish’ scene in Python’s meaning of life and was an almost dreamlike period of levity despite the serious subject matter. Thanks for it anyway guys. You put a smile on my face.

Ah - I think you mean the IPMS Stafford stand. Yes, we are a strange bunch but mostly harmless...

Czech Mate

[BD757]

My second year of attending Telford and again it was on the Sunday. I brought my friend's son for the day and he loved it (his dad was meant to join us but was occupied by a family medical issue)!

 

The silence falling at 11 was special - amazing to see such a genuine show of respect and observed impeccably.

 

My highlights were the 1/32 SIG - great conversation with the gents manning it. Inspiring me to return to my Typhoon and get it finished! Also bagged the Kotare Brian Lane edition Spit from Jadlam and a smattering of accessories from a range of other traders.

 

One thing that was so great to see and experience was how the SIG and branch member engaged with my young companion. He loved telling them about his models and what he wants to build next (an ekranoplan no less!). He loved being encouraged and took his time selecting the kit he wanted to buy - a 1/48 Kinetic F-16 that the gent on the Kinetic stand sold to him with a very healthy discount. Making the lad feel valued was so appreciated - he is the future of the hobby and maybe he will be taking me to SMW in the future! 

 

The best in show was immense to see up close. But I would have given it to HMS Arrow - what a stunning piece of craftmanship! I cannot comprehend the skill, patience and time needed to create that masterpiece!

 

Overall a fantastic show! Looking forward to next year already!

 

A huge thankyou to all who make the show what it is - volunteers, group members and traders!

[Tim R-T-C]

Really good show from my perspective as a displayer. Lots of interest in the tables, good footflow across both days and efficient access on Friday. Loads of amazing stuff to see across all the tables and plenty of new bits picked up.

 

My particular favourite thing about shows is finding kits that you would never stumble upon online - in this case a nice 1/48 display base with adjustable metal tracks for railway line made by a French one-man band and two 1/150 scale Japanese Pagodas which my wife picked up for pairing with 1/144 Gundams (look out for that at Telford '25 hopefully!).

 

I liked the open carpark for Friday but not sure about the new setup team wristband approach, one person collecting all four - makes it slightly harder to co-ordinate when you have folk arriving from across the country and does mean that there were no checks of membership cards for these four.