Show Report

Model Expo 2019 Report

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Model Expo is the biggest model show and competition in Australia with over 800 competition models, a large number of traders as well as the famous Swap&Sell. It was held on the Queens Birthday long weekend – 8th – 10th June at the Sandown Racecourse.  Warbirds have contributed to this even since we have been a club and is marked very high on our calendar.

At this years Model Expo, Warbirds presented a club display with the theme of ‘Jets’ featuring member builds of jet aircraft from WW2 to the present day. It was also the 75th year anniversary of the first jet flight (German ME262), and as such this display featured several beautifully built examples.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Wingnut Wings, Warbirds also put  together a display of Wingnut kits with each model representing each year of their successful journey. To top it off Richard Alexander (who could not be at this years show) kindly sent us test shots of the massive Lancaster and Handley Page bombers to display to the public. Overall the response was huge with countless people coming by to see these personally, and to see first hand the high level of detail that can be expected from the final production release, later this year.

For Warbirds this Expo was a huge success as we met many people and got to talk all things modelling regarding our club and for Wingnut Wings. So whats on for next years Model Expo – mmmmm – we will have to get back to you on that one but I am sure it will be fun.

Click here to view photos of the club display and the Wingnut Wings 10th Anniversary display

Click here to see a selection of photos taken at Model Expo 2019

 

Wings & Tracks 2019

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Today was the Wings & Tracks 2019 model competition held at the 13th Malvern Scout Group Hall in Malvern East. There a was a good turnout of competitors with some high quality kits. Traders were also in attendance including SMS, Wargame Miniatures, Brunel Hobbies and Firestorm selling much needed goodies and accessories. It was great to catch up with people and to chat about all things modelling with a few I know coming out with well earned places. All in all it was a great day with a huge thanks to the IPMS boys putting on yet another great show with all the hard work being much appreciated. Also, an equally huge thanks to the Malvern Scout Group for providing their Scout venue for all us plastic nerds.

Click here to see more images of kits on the table!

Model Expo 2018 Review

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Click here for Warbirds Expo 2018 Club Display images

The Queens birthday long weekend Model Expo is over and now its time to brush off the dust and think about what just happened…….

As usual it was a great show and I’m completely exhausted but have managed to catch up on some sleep. I managed to spend a bit of cash and pick up some lovely goodies in the form of a TAKOM Panther A Late with the full interior, a few 1/35 resin figures, some airbrush replacement parts, 1/48 British figures, 1/32 Bf109G-6 and an airbrush cleaning pot – mmmmm. I also got involved with the Saturday night judging which is always a great learning experience and got to see things from the dark side – lol.

The event itself saw a near record number of kits at around 770 from 200 odd entrants which was great to see, especially for the organisers. The competition was right up there on quality with a highlight for me being the large number of well done figures and busts. Most of the local clubs put on a club display with the winner this year going to IPMS with their very cute Teddy Bear display.

A special thank you goes out to the event organisers, supporting staff, traders and clubs, who commit time and resources to provide us with a world class show and modelling competition!

Here are some photos of the show.

 

Wings & Tracks 2018

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For those of you who are unaware Wings & Tracks is the first model comp for the year acting as a prelude to the mega Model Expo in June. This event showcases a collection of aircraft and military vehicles and almost anything related to the above such as dioramas and figures. Awards are covered for the usual place categories common with many competitions, but what sets this show apart from the others is that it has a theme related to aircraft and vehicles. This year’s theme for the ‘Golden Wing’ award was ‘Floatplane & Amphibious Aircraft’ and for the ‘Golden Sprocket’ award this was ‘Amphibians – Any AFV/Vehicle’.

The show itself was well attended including traders Brian from Wargame Miniatures and Scott from SMS. These guys put in a lot of effort and time to be at these shows and without their support and time these shows would not be what they are!

Drum roll please…………. and the winner for the ‘Golden Wing’ was our very own Martin Reid with his superb Wingnut Wing 1/32 Hansa-Brandenburg W.12 Early. Martin also took out 1st in its category for his Wingnut Wings Taupe which also won the ‘Entrants Choice – Best of Show’!. This is a fantastic effort and well deserved, as I know first hand the amount of work Martin has put into these kits.

Click here to see pics of this years show.

Tyabb Airshow 2018 Report

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Today saw the return of the Tyabb Airshow in Tyabb Victoria which included a great selection of  WW1 and WW2 Warbirds, RC displays, Static military vehicle displays, and various aircraft flybys. The weather was around 24 degrees with cloud cover which made a comfortable day. The crowds were large but there was plenty of room to move around and to take advantage of the food stands and displays around the aerodrome.

My favorite aircraft of the day were the Sopwith Snipe,and Sopwith Pup replicas as well as the CA-12 Boomerang. There was even an aerial display by the only flying Lockheed Hudson and was a great sight to see. The RAN MH-60R Seahawk took to the sky and was very impressive and large. The Grumman Avenger was there again this year and if you have ever built one, you would be impressed at how massive it is on  the ground even with its wings folded. For the auto enthusiasts there was a classic car show with some real beauties on show. There were several military displays that were kind of setup as living dioramas which were amazing.

All in all is was a great day and as usual very well organised and catered for and for images of the day click here

SAPMA Show Report

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Our third visit to the SAPMA Expo over the weekend of October 14 / 15 proved to be as enjoyable as the previous two. The SAPMA team really know how to put on a great show combining an excellent competition with a wonderful array of displays from traditional modelling subjects to the ever growing Gundam genre to Lego!

A big thank you to the members who contributed to our display, The Flying Seaman – A Naval Aviation Retrospective. With a final tally of 31 models on display from 10 members, we were able to mount a display that won first place as the “Best SIG Theme” for the show as voted by the contestants.

In addition, members Michael Tabone, Stephen Portelli, Rene de Koning and David Couche went home with an impressive haul of trophies across a range of categories.

The organisers reported a successful event with good figures in visitors, entrants and general profitability. Well stocked traders provide an opportunity for the modeller to go home with a range of kits, tools and modelling accessories. Regular workshops in separate rooms offered the opportunity learn without distraction.

The hobby is alive and well in South Australia.

Many Thanks go to SAPMA for making us feel so welcome, we look forward to returning in 2018. I highly recommend a visit to the SAPMA Expo, a well run event by a friendly, accommodating and enthusiastic crew ensures a great time.

Click here for images of this event.

Regards

Martin Reid

President

Bayonet Model Comp Review

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Although this event was on last weekend I have only just managed to extract the images from my iPhone, which was giving me a few issues – love technology. Anyway the day was great with full credit to the Bayonet Military Modelling Club and of course the hosting group who are restoring the amazing B24 Liberator. The event itself is setup inside the restoration hanger with the B24 as the back drop, which really adds the the atmosphere.

The Swap & Sell is probably one of the best aside from the Model Expo and you can always find some great bargains, not to mention that there are plenty of traders so the available kits is huge.

We ran a club display which included aircraft and some armour which attracted much attention and comments from the public and competitors alike.

Here are some pics of the day so look forward to next year!