The Fleet Air Arm Museum

 Model Show 2004

by Philip Jones

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The Fleet Air Arm Museum's annual model show was held on the 14th of February this year. I attended this show as a participant for the first time, since joining IPMS Avon just before Christmas 2003. The setting for a model show couldn't be much better - all stands, stalls and exhibits are arranged around the aircraft of the museum which include the British prototype of Concorde, and many WWI and WWII aircraft.

The first 3 pictures show the Concorde Hall and World War 1 Halls which were absolutely chock full of show goers and stands. To be surrounded by some of the most important types in aviation history like this was very inspiring and a great opportunity to get up very close indeed.

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This is the IPMS Avon stand, which I made a small contribution to in the shape of my recently completed 1/48 F-15E. We had a very diverse range of models on display - fixed wing, rotary wing, armour, ships, the list goes on. The wing tip of the Concorde can (just about) be seen in this picture too.

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THE COMPETITION ROOM
 
The next few were my pick of the competition entries. The standard here was amazing - my two favourites being the 1:72(!!!) Royal Navy Phantom and the Messerschmitt 109 diorama.

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A meet of UK ARC'ers was one of the many highlights for me. From left to right, Grant, myself (Phil_J), Kaysersoze and Cloggy can be seen in the picture below, which was taken next to the Concorde prototype G-BSST. I have included a picture of part of Cloggy's display table which was full of beautiful models. The number of them that had been handpainted was very impressive.

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The next four pictures are from various stands that caught my eye - A big model of a Bear, a great NMF on a 1/48 Lightning, a nicely finished Crusader, and a very striking Tigershark model.

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In conclusion, this was an excellent model show. There were a great number of stands to look at and stalls at which to buy your show bargains, both of which I did plenty of I might add! The museum is an excellent setting for this sort of event where scale modellers mix in with the real thing. It was also a good opportunity to look around the exhibits of the museum itself as I had not visited for some years - the carrier part especially. Long may this event continue!
 
Phil

Photos and text © by Philip Jones