Scale Modelworld makes triumphant return
Welcome to this latest edition of our Workbench blog and all the news, updates and modelling exclusives from the fascinating world of Airfix.
We have decided to re-schedule the blog we originally intended to post this week for a rather significant reason, one which hopefully signals something of a return to normality for the modelling community, the triumphant restoration of the Scale ModelWorld show. Held last weekend at Telford’s International Centre, this event is the showpiece gathering of the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (UK) and sees modellers from not only across the UK, but also from right across the world in attendance, as this joyous celebration of our hobby continues to enjoy extremely healthy support from the public, clubs and societies, along with the wider modelling trade. We will be bringing you an exclusive series of pictures from this year’s show in this latest edition, but with something of an Airfix flavour, as you may well expect. In future editions, we will be taking a slightly less focussed view of some of the displays and individual societies at this year’s show, as we pay our own tribute to the intrepid modellers who played their part in this little piece of Scale ModelWorld show history.
Modeller gathering in Shropshire
Destination Telford, the great and the good of the modelling world headed for Scale ModelWorld 2021 last weekend, as this modelling extravaganza returned after cancelling last year’s event.
For many years now, the annual Scale ModelWorld show has been the highlight of the modelling calendar and for thousands of people from all over the world, their only ‘must do’ event of the year. A huge gathering of like-minded enthusiasts, this show is a real celebration of the scale modelling hobby and whether you are attending to show the world the latest modelling masterpiece you have spent the last few months creating, or just looking for a little modelling inspiration, this magnificent event always lives up to every expectation.
Clearly, the worldwide situation we have all been facing over the past couple of years has not bypassed this event and the 2020 show was one of many public events to fall victim to the necessary national restrictions imposed by the government, but as these restrictions slowly started to ease, the modelling world looked towards Telford in the hope that the International Centre would once again be playing host to this modelling extravaganza. Deep down, we were probably all aware that the team behind the show would be facing a monumental task if the show was to take place this year, with the continuing fight against Covid-19 and the effects of Brexit creating a unique set of challenges for them to overcome and with many people still feeling a little wary about joining large numbers of people in the same indoor venue.
There was a change of location for this year’s competition tables, but as usual, the standard of modelling on show was simply astonishing.
With details of this year’s show only emerging over the past couple of months, it appeared as if the organisers were dealing with a host of different factors which were changing on an almost a daily basis. It was also clear that if an event was going to be taking place this year, it would be quite different from what we had become accustomed to in years past. Overcoming numerous organisational obstacles, it appears as if the team behind the show were forced to call upon almost superhuman powers of resolve in arranging this latest show, but how it seemed as if they were determined to make something of a modelling statement of intent with their determination to hold the event this year. Sure enough, once details began to circulate and tickets went on sale, modelling groups and societies immediately confirmed their attendance and began to prepare their displays, whilst the general public showed their support by buying their tickets and making plans to head for the Midlands and modelling heaven.
As expected, the event itself was a little different from traditional Scale ModelWorld shows and it could even be described as something of a ‘Telford Light’ show. In an attempt to keep costs to a sensible level, the show was condensed into two halls this year, with the competition area moving from its usual elevated first floor position near the main entrance, to one situated at the head of Hall 2. Usual attractions such as the Kit Swap could not be held this year and unfortunately, several of the regular overseas exhibitors were unable to make the trip to Telford this year, for obvious reasons, however, the two display halls were packed with both models and people, and above all else, we were back at Scale ModelWorld and it was such a treat!
Early judging responsibilities for the Airfix team
It’s not all fun for the Airfix team at Scale ModelWorld, as they also have the significant responsibility of selecting a winner of the Airfix Trophy for the year.
As the battle against this hated pandemic is still ongoing and in line with an existing decision covering all the Hornby brands and exhibition attendance, we knew Airfix would sadly not be in a position to exhibit at this year’s show and whilst the team were sad not to be showcasing all our latest models, we fully understood why. On an individual basis, a small number of us were keen to take our place at an event which represented a significant development in the history of our hobby and to document proceedings for Workbench and Airfix Club readers, as well as supporting our social media team’s work. It was also an opportunity for newer members of the team to experience the Telford phenomenon for the first time and for us to bump into many familiar faces from Scale ModelWorld’s past.
In the day’s immediately prior to the show taking place, it became clear that the organisers were still intending to hold their world renowned model competition and whilst this may not be quite as large as it had been in previous years, as far as we are aware, all classes were included and a breath-taking selection of models were laid out in preparation for this annual contest of excellence. This being the case, we wanted to play our own small part and as is traditional during Scale ModelWorld weekend, the Airfix Trophy would be contested once more. For our small team, this meant that no sooner had we arrived in the exhibition centre and obtained our show bearings, the very serious business of judging the latest entries contesting the trophy had to be undertaken - these shows are not all about enjoyment, you know!
This next selection of images feature some of the models which attracted the attention of our adjudicating trio and were certainly in contention for taking this year’s title. The final image shows Airfix Head of Brand Dale Luckhurst presenting winner Garth Nicholson with his prize and a selection of Airfix goodies - this image carries a copyright restriction and is the property of John Tapsell IPMS (UK).
Image copyright John Tapsell IPMS (UK).
Surrounded by stunning model builds everywhere we looked, the only obvious criteria to place you in the running for Airfix Trophy is that the build project must be based on an Airfix kit, a criteria which usually dictates that the team have plenty of models to assess, each one impressive in its own right and for many different reasons. With the standard of competition always being incredibly high at the Telford Nationals, this is a modelling responsibility the team takes very seriously indeed, but one which really can be quite a challenge to negotiate. With so many beautiful models in the category, the team have a scoring system which helps them select their eventual winner, but with so many models scoring high marks, any decision is always going to be a difficult one and one which comes down to fine margins, maybe even splitting the judges and requiring further discussions and negotiations.
Before we announce this year’s winner, we would just like to thank everyone who entered a model in our category and contested the 2021 Airfix Trophy. The standard was as usual, extremely high and we had real difficulty in selecting our winner, but most of all, it was a real privilege to be allowed the opportunity to inspect all your beautifully finished model kits. We are delighted to confirm that this year’s winner was Garth Nicholson with his absolutely stunning 1/72nd scale inter-war Bristol Bulldog Mk.IIa in RAF 29 Squadron colours. Congratulations to Garth, this is a model worthy of winning any modelling competition and it was incredible to see what you managed to do with this classic little kit.
Stunning Bristol Bulldog takes the 2021 crown
Classic Airfix done Garth Nicholson style - his Bristol Bulldog is simply stunning and a worthy winner of the 2021 Scale ModelWorld Airfix Trophy.
With so many Airfix model kits released over the past 66 years, it is always interesting to find out which ones have a special place in the hearts of modellers everywhere and which ones they enjoyed making during their formative years. For this year’s Airfix Trophy winner Garth Nicholson, that model happened to be the Bristol Bulldog, originally released in 1969 and one he remembers enjoying building as a young man. He described the model as being quite impressive to build, with appealing levels of detail and looking really attractive when finished, even when not painted.
What makes this winners story all the more interesting, Garth told us that he actually picked up an original bagged version of the kit at the 2018 Scale ModelWorld show and his original plan was to make few changes to the standard kit. He intended to use new decals, add a little extra detail to the cockpit and to use bare metal foil and polish sections of the model, making the Bulldog look like an accurate representation of this much loved inter war Royal Air Force fighter. He describes the most impressive feature of the model being its engine detail, which is really rather good and he wanted to carry this level of detail right through the build.
As usual, once he embarked on the project, some aspects of the build went as planned, whilst others caused a little head scratching to be done. Some of the most interesting features of the build included scratch building cockpit detail using items from his spares box, adding wing rib detail to the model, which added an incredible level of realism, fully rigging the model and using chrome and aluminium bare metal foil on the forward section of the fuselage. Other fine detail included the scratch building of machine guns from brass tubing, the use of similar items to produce a new strut mounted pitot tube and the use of a new acetate windscreen. The final details included detailing the twin bladed propeller and producing new bombs which were first modelled in CAD and then produced in resin using a 3D printer.
This next selection of images were supplied to us by Garth and feature shots of his finished Bristol Bulldog model, along with his Telford competition entries all packed up and ready for the journey home, after rather successful weekend.
The scheme in which the model was to be finished was that of an RAF No.29 Squadron Bulldog Mk.IIa, which was based at North Weald during the early 1930s and was an example of one of the most capable fighter aircraft of the inter-war years. As Garth progressed through the build, his vision slowly started to take shape and spurred him on to try more ambitious things in his search for realism. The finished model is absolutely magnificent and a fine scale representation of this historic British fighter, one which was a deserving recipient of this year’s Airfix Trophy. Incredibly, this was the first year that Garth had ever entered one of his builds at Scale ModelWorld and by all accounts, he actually did rather well. In addition to his Bulldog Airfix win, several of his other entries received various accolades, making this an extremely successful year both for him and his modelling son. If all his modelling is up to the standard of his magnificent Bristol Bulldog, we are certain that this won’t be Garth’s last successful weekend taking part in the Scale ModelWorld modelling competition.
We would like to thank Garth for sending us this stunning selection of build images and also for taking the time to talk us through his Bulldog kit build. On behalf of everyone here at Airfix, congratulations on your win, you are a very worthy winner.
Airfix friends old and new
You are always certain of finding a fantastic display of Airfix model kits on the Airfix Modelling SIG stand, with both classic and contemporary toolings represented, along with a few surprizes.
Even though last Saturday turned out to be a very long day indeed, it was so good to be at a model show once more, around people with a shared interest and just enjoying looking at, talking about and in many cases buying models, after what seems like such a long time away. We couldn’t end this first Scale ModelWorld overview without featuring our friends at the Airfix Modelling Special Interest Group, whose display tables were positioned at the head of Hall 1, opposite to where we would normally have our own stand in any normal show year. With a healthy turnout of team members for the show, this group first displayed at a Telford show in 2009 and are proud to have attended every show held since that date.
Having met these chaps many times over the years, it seemed somehow fitting that they were the first appointment we had at this year’s show, not only so we could exchange pleasantries, but also to see what they had been up to over the past couple of years in a modelling sense. Having the opportunity to speak with SIG team member Andy Kirby, it was clear that he, and his fellow members were just as excited to be back on the show scene as we were and they were more than happy to spend a few enjoyable minutes showing us around their display, pointing out some of the things they had been working on since the previous Telford show. Andy told us like most people, the group had been staying in contact ‘remotely’ during the past few months and how face to face meetings have been few and far between. The one good thing to come out of that situation was that the entire display at this year’s show is made up of new models, which shows just how active there members have been over the past few months.
This eye-catching display of classic Airfix car kits shows how the brand has never been afraid to look at many different subject areas for subject inspiration, which is probably why Airfix is such a familiar name to so many people.
New Mustangs in unusual liveries were attracting plenty of attention on the Airfix Modelling SIG stand.
The Airfix Modelling SIG is a very active group on the model show circuit and in a normal year, would usually attend around twenty different events, with the Scale ModelWorld show being the highlight of their displaying season. With members, as well as the shows they attend being scattered all over the country, individuals can volunteer to man the stand and display models at the most convenient event for them and they would typically have at least three or four members available for any given show. On any day when two shows are taking place at the same time but in different parts of the country, the group do have two complete sets of display cloths and banners and assuming they can muster enough manpower, are more than capable of having a presence at both shows. There are also no particular rules regarding the types of models which can be displayed on their tables, although an Airfix kit is obviously preferred. As you would expect, team members do have their own specific interests, which could be as diverse as Star Wars related models, or classic Airfix figures, however, they can all usually find a home as part of this fascinating group’s show display.
Andy told us that he is not only an avid Airfix modeller, but he also loves nothing more than sourcing and collecting all kinds of Airfix and Humbrol memorabilia, from old shop display furniture, to marketing materials and even original branded modelling products. The group have also recently commissioned the production of some rather appealing branded historic logo plaques for use as part of their model displays and we have to say that they look rather effective. Andy also showed us a little Humbrol paint pot figure he created, in honour of the short period when this character was used to promote the Airfix and Humbrol collector clubs.
Andy Kirby produced this little display which is an interesting link back to Airfix/Humbrol marketing in years past.
This beautifully finished Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress was representing one of the more recent kits produced by Airfix designers on the AMSIG tables.
For anyone with even the slightest interest in Airfix models, a visit to the Airfix Modelling SIG display at the next model show you attend is always a fascinating way in which to spend an enjoyable few minutes. It is almost like a visual walk down Airfix memory lane and often includes models from the very early days of Airfix kit production, right through to the latest models produced by our talented designers. With every kind of modelling subject matter represented, from fantasy sci-fi figures to Flying Fortresses, could there possibly be a finer way to start any model show visit than by enjoying a fabulous selection of Airfix modelling delights?
If you do seek out the Airfix Modelling SIG’s display, please do engage with the team behind the table, who have worked so hard to produce this display for your enjoyment, as they are a friendly bunch and extremely knowledgeable on the subjects of modelling and Airfix history. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Andy Kirby and the rest of the AMSIG team for making us so welcome during this year’s Scale ModelWorld show and we hope you all got home safely and without suffering too many model breakages.
We are afraid that’s all we have for you in this latest edition of Workbench, but we will be back next week with more modelling news from the wonderful world of Airfix. As always, if you have any comments about the blog or would like to suggest a subject you would like to see covered in a future edition, please do drop us a quick line at our usual workbench@airfix.com address.
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