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.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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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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image below to see larger image
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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.
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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images below to see larger images
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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.
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!
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