Telford 2004 Part 4

By Tony Oliver

International Plastic Modellers Society
SCALEMODELWORLD 2004
NOVEMBER 20-21
Telford International Conference Centre

Absence makes the heart…

It's been something like 5 years since I last attended what used to be known as the 'Nats' and for various reasons, not least being curious to see just what has changed, I found myself travelling the 200 miles down the M6 motorway to Shropshire and the Telford International Centre.

Now firmly identified as the home of Scalemodelworld, the centre is a venue worthy of the event and whilst there are some minor drawbacks, more of which later, it has many advantages previous venues lacked.

For sheer scale and variety of exhibit, Scalemodelworld boasts that it is the world's premier modelling event and few who attend would argue.

Perhaps the biggest draw is the fact that commercial model companies rub shoulders with the club stands and the Special Interest Groups. It all makes for a truly eclectic mix and for the scale junky, the one event in the modelling calendar which can't be missed. Add an international competition which attracts entries that are at the top of their game and what more could any modeller want?

The Phantom Mafia

As far as large scale exhibits went, most club stands and SIGs had at least one large scale exhibit, most notably Leicestershire IPMS who had some superb 32nd aircraft including a vac F-100D, a brace of F-15s and several Starfighters all displaying a very high level of build and finish, the Hun in particular had a superb NMF finish on its tail feathers. IPMS Rutland also had a couple of F-105s in their Vietnam themed display both of which took centre stage as the focal point of their display table.

There did seem to be a bit of a covert 'Phantomfest' going on and as I wandered around it became more apparent that this aircraft is incredibly popular with large scalers, so popular in fact that a couple were class winners in the competition with stunning commemorative Luftwaffe and JASDF anniversary schemes. I was impressed with an F4J which had been finished with the Yellowhammer decal sheet to turn it into a 74sqn machine.

Notably there seemed to be relatively few examples of large scale Spitfires and other allied aircraft such as P-47s and P-51s were also notably absent. Not because these aircraft aren't popular with European modellers but I suspect perhaps an indication that there is a gap in the market for new accurate kits of these aircraft. A lone example of an Airfix 1/24th Sea Hurricane conversion resplendent in the colours of the preserved example at the Shuttleworth Collection and an equally beautiful Paragon converted PRXVI Mosquito being exceptions. A lone P-40B in the ubiquitous AVG scheme in the competition was flying the flag of a genre of aircraft that were sadly under-represented in the show.

'Doin' it large in a small way'

Doing my bit for LSP, I did visit some of the manufacturer's stands and although the mainstream is always interesting, the Revell He 162, a bold choice whilst the Tamiya F-16 was uninspired; most of this year's releases are now behind us so it is down to the smaller 'cottage industry' outfits to fill the gaps. I feel that there is always just that little more in terms of commitment and interest from small companies who have a more at stake with their releases.

So it's a nice surprise to see subjects such as John Wilkes' SAAB J29 Tunnan make it into reality. John also had a Sea Harrier conversion on display and a review of this item will follow soon on LSP.

Roy Philpot's Panther Productions is perhaps well known to people who have been waiting for his Skyraiders and built up examples of the A-1H, AD4 and AD6 were on display, 'Tigger' Wilkes' AD6 was superbly finished with weathering that just isn't visible in the photographic conditions that are a problem with the venue.

Some of the more esoteric subjects set to appear from Panther are a De Havilland SeaVixen and wait for it, a Westland Wyvern! For more details on release dates and prices contact Roy at royphilpot@btconnect.com and John at john@skywriters.net.

Also next to John and Roy was the 32ndSIG. Largescale friend of LSP, Ian Ogilvie is the man behind the excellent UK based website.

It was good to finally meet Ian and he told me that they are currently planning and producing decals with an ALPS printer, the first set being for a Croatian unit Bf109G14. There is a review of this sheet to follow. His Tamiya A6M on the 32nd SIG stand with motor prop and engine sounds was well built and finished.

A word from our sponsors…

Besides the opportunity to wander aimlessly around two halls of models, vendors, book stalls and other assorted stands selling everything from new glue and airbrush compressors to weird tools for making circles, I was a guest on the Model Design Construction stand. A great opportunity to get up close to MDC's products and meet and talk to the people behind the name. Bob Brown, Vincent Kermorgant and Franck Oudin not only provided a chance to talk models and drink beer but were great company, proving that this fantastic hobby needn't be 110% serious.

Bob's commitment to producing the finest resin details is only surpassed by Vince's seemingly endless knowledge of the subject both of which mirror the detail and quality of the products. Franck's excellent Hasegawa Bf 109G-2 sported the Finnish MDC decals and cockpit set and hopefully an article on this model will appear on LSP in the not too distant future, that's if Franck managed to make it home to Geneva!

More product news and joining MDC in 2005 will be Warbirds UK. Although this is by now 'old news', Vasko Barbic's well known range of resin conversions/detail sets will be complimented by the addition to these sets of MDC extras.

Perhaps the biggest draw to the MDC stand was the long awaited Typhoon kit. Although it is still in pre-production the first shots were on display and are of superb hollow cast quality. Incorporating the Typhoon details already available, such as the cockpit, cast landing gear and ordinance, the full kit looks every inch Hawker's ten ton brute. Release should now be first quarter 2005 although price is yet to be finalised. For more info log onto the MDC website and follow the links.

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy!

I also had a chance to chat with Arthur Bentley. Arthur has long been somewhat of an icon for me and as a tyro illustrator; his work is what I used to aspire to (and try to copy shamelessly, although not for profit, if you're reading Arthur!). Long realising I could never attain his standards let along the engineering knowledge and skills a lifetime in the aviation industry give, I've settled with just being happy to look at his work. Talking to Arthur he said that he was involved with the new build of the Flugwerk Fw 190A airframes that recently flew in Germany and he produced the new engineering constructional drawings for the missing Focke-Wulf fuselage drawings, praise indeed that his abilities and knowledge of the 190 are held in high regard. His Typhoon drawings have also played a large role in the planning of the MDC kit.

Will ye no come back again..?

Well, to be honest nothing much has changed in the intervening years but the show still has that strange allure of plastic, paint and dodgy bacon rolls that draws people from all over the UK and Europe and even from farther a field to come and be a part of a great weekend modelling event.

Despite the lacklustre/expensive catering and the smoking tent that doubled as a food hall, despite the poor lighting that must drive photographers nuts, Scalemodelworld continues to be a success for its organisers, IPMSUK and for the many people who attend year on year.

If you've never been but always promised yourself a visit, Shropshire and Telford itself have enough attractions in the shape of the Aerospace Museum at Cosford and Ironbridge living museum plus a modern city for shopping to make an extended visit a must next year.

Hopefully the images convey what it's all about, great models, expert craftsmanship and an inclusion of all modelling styles and abilities. A truly eclectic mix of aircraft, tanks (targets) ships (floating targets) sci-fi, and fantasy. Trade stands selling everything from the sublime and items that are just totally indispensable to the downright weird. Then there are the perennial hobby faces Neil Robinson 'magazine editor at large', Trevor Snowdon 'Mr Airfix', and a host of others from the world of commercial modelling, some of who've been around nearly as long as sliced bread.

But without whom… the modellers... Lots of 'em, short ones, tall ones, ones with no dress sense, ones who were too cool for their own good and even the occasional good looking girlfriend/wife (hey, it's not a hobby that sees too much female participation!) but all with a common passion in life.

If you spot your model here and haven't had a name check or would like to tell us more about it, don't be shy and get in touch with the editorial staff via the discussion board or me directly at: aviagrafik@freeola.com or you might even have picked up one of our cards at the show (I gave enough of them out!).

We'd love to be able to feature the kits here in more detail with extended articles.

Make a date for next year and broaden your modelling horizon.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4