Show Report

Wings & Tracks 2015

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Wings & Tracks 2015 was held Sunday March 22nd at the Copland Room, Ashburton Library, the very place we have our club meetings. The great weather brought out a nice selection of models and modellers for the viewing public and competitors. Run by IPMS, this annual event seeks to bring together aircraft and AFV modellers in a fun environment where the competitive can strive for victory and the not so competitive can take in the hard work of their fellow military modellers. A number of traders were on hand to empty modellers wallets also!

A healthy turnout of warbirds and warmachines hit the tables with Warbirds members Larry d’Argaville taking out the Golden Wing award for this years theme aircraft, the Mitsubishi Zero and Vice-President Michael Tabone took out the Golden Sprocket for the theme AFV, the Panzer III and derivatives. Both subjects were to be built to IPMS out of box rules.

Congratulations also to IPMS for a well run event and congratulations Larry and Michael and here’s a small selection of what was on the table – check the gallery for photos of the event.

IMG_0523Larry d’Argaville’s superb captured A6M5 Zero taking out the Golden Wing award

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Michael Tabone’s 1/48 Panzer III winning the Golden Sprocket award

Timber Finish for the Horten 229

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Last year’s release of the 1/32 Horten 229 by Zoukei-Mura created quite a stir in the modelling world. While we’ve become accustomed to their exciting releases, this kit was particularly interesting in that the subject matter was one of the mysterious late war What-Ifs that actually had a substantiated base with a captured prototype. Also of keen interest was the ability to do something special with the wooden finish.

Ho229

Uschi from Germany have released a set of wood grain decals that will also be released soon under Zoukei-Mura branding. While the art of replicating wood-grain has become somewhat of an art-form driven by the Wingnut Wings phenomenon, this is one subject that as wonderful as it looks in natural wood may not actually be all that realistic based on the research at the Smithsonian on their example of the aircraft.

The team at the Smithsonian have exhaustively been analyzing the aircrafts structure and materials working out how to preserve and restore the Horten. Interestingly it appears the wood was treated with a semi-transparent green coating. While the grain is visible, it may mean natural timber panels, while stunning to look at are not truly representative.

Here’s a link to the research done by the Smithsonian on the wooden structure:

Wood

And here are some specific panel samples

Belly Panel After Cleaning

Horten H IX V3

Horten H IX V3 Acrylic

And here’s a view on the metal coatings, it appears to be a similar colour!

Painted Metals

So perhaps as nice as the natural wood and metal finish looks, it may not be all that accurate based on how it appears they intended to produce the Horten Ho229?

You be the judge!!!

Show Report – South Australian Scale Model Expo 2014

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The 2014 SA Scale Model Expo (SASME) was hosted by the SA Plastic Modellers Association (SAPMA) on the weekend of 11& 12th October 2014, this was the 32nd running of the event! A little background, the SASME is the South Australian (SA) State Championship model event for the year and is also a general model display for those wishing to exhibit and display their work without the entering formal competition.

The completed models are assessed by teams of two judges (positions open to all modellers who wish to judges) to a technical schedule, based on a point score system against worksmanship, finish and accuracy to references.

Over three hundred models graced the tables for the public’s viewing pleasure at this event. 229 models were entered for the competition, spanning more than 30 categories ranging from sci-fi, armour, automotive/trucks and, of course, aircraft! The event attracted interstate entrants, with modellers from Victoria, ACT & NSW attending. As can be seen from the accompanying photos the quality of models was high. For additional photos and the list of place getters in all classes please visit the SASME website.

The Event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the many hobby industry traders that exhibit and sponsor the event along with the event corporate sponsor Rheinmetall Defence and MGA Insurance Brokers. No show like this is possible without the help of a committed team, the membership of the SAPMA club, along with the volunteer judges who gave freely of their time are the reason this model show is able to be held and conducted to a high standard.

SASME/ SAPMA have chosen “Soldier On” to support as their charity of choice. The Soldier On stand at the SASME was well supported by the public and helped raise awareness for this very worthy veteran’s charity. Over a $1100.00 being raised for the charity over the weekend. All raffles prizes were generously donated and all proceeds being directed to Soldier On.

The next SA Scale Model Expo (SASME) will be held at our NEW VENUE on10 &11 October 2015, at Immanuel College, 32 Morphett Rd, Novar Gardens.

Show report by Stephen Portelli

All photo credits to Dan Sells.

image1Show from above overview early Saturday

image2Best Of Show Winner – Laurence Farrugia with the show winning Hind.

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