IPMS Scale Model World 2021

[dr_gn]

Went to the Telford show for the full weekend for the first time this year. Of course, due to COVID and the absence of some overseas visitors, attendance was down about a third from what I heard, and this was reflected by only having 2 halls instead of 3:





…and around 700 competition entries rather than about 1000.



My son and I really enjoyed it - despite initial misgivings, we didn’t feel short-changed, and the quality of models on display on the club tables was right up there. I was surprised at the lack of mask wearing, we were among I’d estimate about 10% of people who chose to wear them. At certain points of the morning and lunchtime on the Saturday, I felt quite claustrophobic, especially in and around the ‘walk-in’ stalls - it got pretty crowded at times, so we went outside and had a few fresh air breaks.

Because we’d not been to a show since the beginning of lockdown, we decided to enter the competition - first time for both of us. My son won a Gold and two Silvers for his Panda Monk, Skitarri Warhammer figure, and a Warhammer dragon diorama:





I entered several of what I thought were my best models, plus the recently completed Airfix Swordfish (which I decided to take come what may due to the monumental struggle it’s been over the past year):



In the end, the judges thought better of it than me, and it picked up a Gold medal, plus the Jim Howard Trophy for best seaplane or flying boat:



Got a Bronze medal for the Airfix Bristol Bulldog, plus the Airfix Trophy (best Airfix model) which, among several other very generous items, included the new-tool Vulcan:



Also got a Gold medal in the super-detail class for the Mk1a Spitfire:



In all, 2 Golds, 2 Silvers, 2 Bronze, 2 Commendations, 1st, 2nd & 3rd Hannants awards for best aftermarket decals (Macchi 202, Spitfire and wood-grain Mosquito), the IPMS Czech Republic award (best WW2 RAF aircraft - Eduard Lysander), the Airfix Trophy and the Jim Howard trophy. I thought I might get a couple of minor placings…no way did I expect that.

Model of the show was this scratch-built War Horse:





Here are some other competition models:







Also had some nice chats with a couple of show regulars, which was great. Didn’t buy much - I’ve been really struggling with modelling motivation recently, but got some materials, and a Tarangus/Special Hobby Saab Viggen, which I was going to build OOB, but that idea went out of the window with the Hannants vouchers I won. Ah well.



We’re both still processing the weekend - it was a hell of a modelling based experience. So…better get building, I’ve now got nothing else to enter next time.

[louiechevy]

Congratulations you've built some nice models there, I can see why the war horse model won best of show its stunning.

[dr_gn]

louiechevy said:

Congratulations you've built some nice models there, I can see why the war horse model won best of show its stunning.

It was - the modeller was a true artist.

[r159]

Well done on the pots, my lad picked up a gold and bronze.

We really enjoyed the show, as you say quieter but non the less enjoyable for it.

I was very good, didn’t by anything for myself kit wise (mainly after he said - dad we could have a trade stand with the amount of kits in the house…and that’s the ones he knows about).

Booked the hotel today for next year…

Next year we’ll try and get a PH meet up.

[dr_gn]

r159 said:

Well done on the pots, my lad picked up a gold and bronze.

We really enjoyed the show, as you say quieter but non the less enjoyable for it.

I was very good, didn’t by anything for myself kit wise (mainly after he said - dad we could have a trade stand with the amount of kits in the house…and that’s the ones he knows about).

Booked the hotel today for next year…

Next year we’ll try and get a PH meet up.

Congratulations to your son on the medals - which models were they?

We said that it was more enjoyable than past shows too, although I did miss the CMK and Eduard stalls. Staying overnight makes it easier too because you can split looking at the displays one day, and buying stuff the next.

I think our next show will be SMW 2022; Cosford’s already cancelled, and looks like Huddersfield/Halifax won’t be on either next year. We only go to those three shows. Anyway, it is what it is.

[r159]

Freddy Bananaaa & the Millennium Falcon, entry for jnrs was very low but if you don’t enter…

Main thing is he came away buzzing.

This was the first time we have come up on the Friday night, but not going to bother next year. Being a branch member (Rutland) makes things a lot easier as you have a base, normally the lad would have been on the Role Models stand but unfortunately that didn’t happen this year.

[dr_gn]

r159 said:

Freddy Bananaaa & the Millennium Falcon, entry for jnrs was very low but if you don’t enter…

Main thing is he came away buzzing.

This was the first time we have come up on the Friday night, but not going to bother next year. Being a branch member (Rutland) makes things a lot easier as you have a base, normally the lad would have been on the Role Models stand but unfortunately that didn’t happen this year.

My son remembers those. He was also in the junior category, but dioramas - his was a dragon, but a rather good tram scene won gold. The other two were in figures. There were one or two other entries in those classes, but as you say, make the effort and see what happens. The junior classes usually cover a huge age range, so it’s can be a bit hit and miss. Whatever, I’m glad the rewards motivate them - I think there are a lot of positives for kids building models.

[r159]

dr_gn said:

My son remembers those. He was also in the junior category, but dioramas - his was a dragon, but a rather good tram scene won gold. The other two were in figures. There were one or two other entries in those classes, but as you say, make the effort and see what happens. The junior classes usually cover a huge age range, so it’s can be a bit hit and miss. Whatever, I’m glad the rewards motivate them - I think there are a lot of positives for kids building models.

In 2019 the aircraft and armour were swamped, as for the age difference there it’s one hell of a difference between abilities between top and the age my lad is (12). I agree about kids and modelling, they can learn a lot of life skills. The year before last my son learned about the alternative uses of superglue after he stuffed a scalpel in his thumb!

[allegerita]

Very nice work you entered dr_gn and congratulations to you and junior for the rewards.

Dutch IPMS/ Euro Scale Modelling 2021 is in 2 weeks. In order to manage people flow and minimise waiting lines tickets are available online only for an entry slot in which you are allowed to enter. Not earlier, not later. No face mask requirements. Looking forward to go, enjoy the atmosphere and possibly score a few kits from my wish list.

[lufbramatt]

Congratulations on the medals, some superb models there! glad you both enjoyed the weekend.

Felt weird not being there, previous to last year I had done 11 SMWs in a row. 3 of my colleagues went up even though we didn't have a trade stand to judge the competition and talk to modelling press etc. I did fancy going but it ended up clashing with a cycle race I wanted to enter so that made my mind up.

Hopefully be there again next year manning our stand, although depends on the cyclocross fixture list. Might just go up for Friday setup and Saturday morning.

[dr_gn]

lufbramatt said:

Congratulations on the medals, some superb models there! glad you both enjoyed the weekend.

Felt weird not being there, previous to last year I had done 11 SMWs in a row. 3 of my colleagues went up even though we didn't have a trade stand to judge the competition and talk to modelling press etc. I did fancy going but it ended up clashing with a cycle race I wanted to enter so that made my mind up.

Hopefully be there again next year manning our stand, although depends on the cyclocross fixture list. Might just go up for Friday setup and Saturday morning.

Thanks very much! There were three of your colleauges who judged the Airfix Trophy, and presented the prize. I had a quick chat with them afterwards as well. I really, really appreciated that prize, and I'm glad one of the gold medals was for a new-ish tool Airfix kit, and the trophy was a very old Airfix kit. Both the Swordfish and Bulldog took some effort, but as I said to your guys, I probably make it overly frustrating and difficult for myself by trying to add too much detail...and in the process of focussing on a tiny area I then find issues that are really non-issues once you look at the big picture.

Anyway, as well as the Vulcan, I got a £100 Airfix voucher, so I'm going to go for a 1:72 Harrier, possibly a Blenheim, and after that...I wonder if it's worth waiting for next year's releases? Any hints?

Out of interest, if you had to choose models from your range up to about £100, what would your choices be?

Cheers.

[dr_gn]

allegerita said:

Very nice work you entered dr_gn and congratulations to you and junior for the rewards.

Dutch IPMS/ Euro Scale Modelling 2021 is in 2 weeks. In order to manage people flow and minimise waiting lines tickets are available online only for an entry slot in which you are allowed to enter. Not earlier, not later. No face mask requirements. Looking forward to go, enjoy the atmosphere and possibly score a few kits from my wish list.

Thanks. We wore masks throughout the two days. It was pretty frustrating though because my glasses then steam up, and my eyesight has deteriorated through age so I'm at the stage where my near point is exactly between needing glasses and not needing them for looking at the models on display.

[lufbramatt]

dr_gn said:

Thanks very much! There were three of your colleauges who judged the Airfix Trophy, and presented the prize. I had a quick chat with them afterwards as well. I really, really appreciated that prize, and I'm glad one of the gold medals was for a new-ish tool Airfix kit, and the trophy was a very old Airfix kit. Both the Swordfish and Bulldog took some effort, but as I said to your guys, I probably make it overly frustrating and difficult for myself by trying to add too much detail...and in the process of focussing on a tiny area I then find issues that are really non-issues once you look at the big picture.

Anyway, as well as the Vulcan, I got a £100 Airfix voucher, so I'm going to go for a 1:72 Harrier, possibly a Blenheim, and after that...I wonder if it's worth waiting for next year's releases? Any hints?

Out of interest, if you had to choose models from your range up to about £100, what would your choices be?

Cheers.

Some very exciting (IMO) releases planned for next year, no hints though! so may be worth waiting...

My choices- that's a tough one, as I have had a bit of a hand in picking some of the subjects in the range so I have my favourites, but I'd say (in terms of nicest kits to build and end result) a mix and match of:

1:48th:
Blenhiem
Javelin
Chipmunk
Mustang
Defiant
Hurricane

1:72nd:
Wellington
B-25 Mitchell
Victor (soon to be re-issued)
Harrier GR1/3

1:144th
H.P.42 Heracles (I did actually buy one of these last week!) - would love to see you work your magic on one!

Personally I think in 1:72nd Harriers the GR1/3 kit is the nicest, followed by the GR7/9. The Sea Harriers are older and a bit clunky. The 1/48th Blenhiem is much better than the 1:72nd one.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 16th November 10:10

[Eric Mc]

Well done on the prizes. I think you are often way too hard on yourself.

I was there the whole weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have picked up a bit of a head cold though - and I did wear my mask on and off (depending on how crowded I felt things were getting).

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

Well done on the prizes. I think you are often way too hard on yourself.

I was there the whole weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have picked up a bit of a head cold though - and I did wear my mask on and off (depending on how crowded I felt things were getting).

Thanks very much. The problem with my approach is it's difficult to build OOB when you notice missing details. I had intended to build the Viggen I bought OOB, but I won some Hannant's vouchers, and there are several CMK resin kits, and Master Model pitot tubes etc. to imporve it...

[dr_gn]

lufbramatt said:

dr_gn said:

Thanks very much! There were three of your colleauges who judged the Airfix Trophy, and presented the prize. I had a quick chat with them afterwards as well. I really, really appreciated that prize, and I'm glad one of the gold medals was for a new-ish tool Airfix kit, and the trophy was a very old Airfix kit. Both the Swordfish and Bulldog took some effort, but as I said to your guys, I probably make it overly frustrating and difficult for myself by trying to add too much detail...and in the process of focussing on a tiny area I then find issues that are really non-issues once you look at the big picture.

Anyway, as well as the Vulcan, I got a £100 Airfix voucher, so I'm going to go for a 1:72 Harrier, possibly a Blenheim, and after that...I wonder if it's worth waiting for next year's releases? Any hints?

Out of interest, if you had to choose models from your range up to about £100, what would your choices be?

Cheers.

Some very exciting (IMO) releases planned for next year, no hints though! so may be worth waiting...

My choices- that's a tough one, as I have had a bit of a hand in picking some of the subjects in the range so I have my favourites, but I'd say (in terms of nicest kits to build and end result) a mix and match of:

1:48th:
Blenhiem
Javelin
Chipmunk
Mustang
Defiant
Hurricane

1:72nd:
Wellington
B-25 Mitchell
Victor (soon to be re-issued)
Harrier GR1/3

1:144th
H.P.42 Heracles (I did actually buy one of these last week!) - would love to see you work your magic on one!

Personally I think in 1:72nd Harriers the GR1/3 kit is the nicest, followed by the GR7/9. The Sea Harriers are older and a bit clunky. The 1/48th Blenhiem is much better than the 1:72nd one.

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 16th November 10:10

Thanks for that. The Harrier looks to build into a very nice model - it was the GR.3 I was after. I saw one for sale at the last Huddy show - under a table for £5, but opted not to buy it because I've got quite a stash already that I probably won't have time to build. Anyway, now with some free money to spend that idea has gone out of the window.

I know that you can't say much about future releases, but I'd really like a Jaguar GR.1.

Can you say whether any new releases will be 1:72? That is the scale I prefer. I have to spend the vouchers before December 2022. No problem if you're sworn to secrecy. When are the announcements due?

Cheers.

[Eric Mc]

It was a pity that Airfix and Revell chose not to come.

[lufbramatt]

Eric Mc said:

It was a pity that Airfix and Revell chose not to come.

From our point of view it was a corporate decision to not attend any trade shows or exhibitions until 2022 at the earliest, across all the brands. SMW wasn’t singled out as one to avoid.

To be honest I wouldn’t have felt comfortable talking to people face to face for two days in a noisy environment, even as a fit and healthy 37 year old. Especially as the level of mask wearing was apparently quite low.

[tangerine_sedge]

@dr_gn Good medal haul - well done and your work deserves it.

More importantly, I need to see more pictures of your mosquito - it looks great!

[Eric Mc]

lufbramatt said:

Eric Mc said:

It was a pity that Airfix and Revell chose not to come.

From our point of view it was a corporate decision to not attend any trade shows or exhibitions until 2022 at the earliest, across all the brands. SMW wasn’t singled out as one to avoid.

To be honest I wouldn’t have felt comfortable talking to people face to face for two days in a noisy environment, even as a fit and healthy 37 year old. Especially as the level of mask wearing was apparently quite low.

And I've picked up a head cold - so you may have been right.