We are only a week away from Model Expo 2016, with most of us chipping away at the final touches to both competition and display models. Not all members were able to come along to this meeting but I did manage to take a few pics of completed and works in progress, from thoses that did. We also had a range of new items recently purchased, while most of us are holding onto our cash for the pending Expo.
Model Expo 2016 Coming Soon
Well its almost here and is perhaps the best modelling event on the calendar. Held over the 3 day Queens Birthday long weekend this show has it all in terms of competition models and traders selling thier products. On the third day the great model Swap & Sell is on which is a mega mart for anything from second hand kits to books and down to hard to find accessories and after market addon’s.
Warbirds will also be presenting a club display show casing member builds as part of our Stormbirds theme, so make sure you come over to have a look and a chat – look forward to seeing you all there.
Sprue Finders Garage Sale
Next Meeting Sunday 1st May
This Sunday is our next meeting so we look forward to seeing you all there. Dont forget to bring along all your inprogress and completed builds as well as any other goodies you may have.
Tyabb Airshow 2016
Rene De Konig has kindly passed on some additional images for the Tyabb Airshow so be sure to check them out in the gallery – Thanks Rene
April meeting update
Here are some images of a few goodies that were brought in by our members for our April meeting. We love to bring along new kits and a mix of completed or in progress builds to our meetings as they form a conversation point and add to our successful format. Our last meeting was at the Tyabb Air Show so there was much discussion and reflection on the terrifc warbirds on display, and the fact that the crowds were much larger than predicted. Suggestions were put forward for possible modelling demonstrations such as ‘how to execute wood grain finishes’ and ‘how to establish a smooth finish prior to airbrushing’. As a club we try to be as informative as possible and one method of doing this is by demonstrating techniques and raising topic based discussions.
Planning for Expo is well under way with members providing a list of kits to fill the tables and will also include a general club display. The dreaded ‘Build-A-Bitch’ is coming again soon only this year the participant will have a month to complete the nominated kit.
Tyabb Air Show Report
I was really looking forward to going to the Tyabb Air Show but for some reason have had a bad track record of getting there. Or should I say navigating that way without a GPS and having to rely on printed instructions and the memory of a 50 year old.
I did all the pre checks the night before like camera ready and battery charged, money sorted and those nasty directions of how to get there. The bag was ready to go and the biggest challenge was to convince my 14 yo son that there is a big blue world out there and that life away from the Play Station can be fun after all.
The day finally came and I was up at 8:00am and Luke was all set and looking forward to spending a day with his dad. The car was packed and in we went and left home base at 10:00am sharp. The boys from Warbirds were scheduled to meet at around 11:30am but not sure where, just somewhere I guess!
Ok, my printed maps worked just fine and made perfect time to the general area and found that the road leading to the airfield was well sign posted and basically led directly to the designated car park. As we were driving in there were cars everywhere and at the end of a long dusty road there was a huge open paddock where attendants were directing traffic. Out of the car, collected bag and child and headed over to the shuttle bus pickup point. So far really good and managed to get on the first bus and made it to the airfield drop off point only to join a long line.
Left for cash and right for card, two long lines but they were moving rather quick so back on track. Made it to the card payment tent and we were in – YIPPEE!
This was my first time to Tyabb Airfield and I could see many hangers and spotted the tail of the Corsiar sticking out, which was inside a larger area designated for aircraft parking. Inside the pen I could see a Boomerang, Grumman Avenger, P-51 Mustang, 2 x Spitfires and a P-40 Kitty Hawk all next to each other, and what a sight it was.
The crowds were gathering as these babies were stealing the show and one couldn’t help take lots of photos and look in awe at these classic aircraft. There was still no sign of the boys so Luke and I headed over towards the airfield and snapped open the fold out chairs with a perfect view of the runway, and just in time for the opening show. Here we were watching a small flight of Wirraways taking off and performing some aerobatics which was really nice to see. This set the stage for a whole bunch of flying demonstrations, more aerobatics and some plain old fun.
I did have a schedule of sorts inside a brochure that I picked up at the gate, but due to the nature of these mechanical beasts not all was in exact order – but who cares anyway there was so much going on anyway.
To see and hear those radials fire up and then to see them in the sky with all the different sounds and visuals, it really was just an awesome day and one I will remember for a long time. Since December 2015 with my trip to NZ I have managed to see a short list of aircraft such as a Zero, Spitfire, Corsair, a dozen or so flying replica WW1 aircraft and now all these wonderful examples.
I have really enjoyed actually seeing real examples of the kits I have built or only seen in books or on the screen. To see these aircraft up close puts a whole new perspective into the hobby and fires up some new inspiration and drive to tackle these in kit form.
My son Luke enjoyed the day and more importantly gave us some much needed quality time and a day that can be added to the memory banks.
I have added a batch of the best images from my collection but other members will follow as soon as they are available – click here.
Michael Tabone
Vice President
warbirdsamg.com 