30 July 2013

The Australian Model Expo 2013

Ernie Hastas won the 'Best of Show' award with his Mack 1988 Captain Bligh Superliner II

The Australian Model Expo was held over the weekend of 8-10 June 2013 and this year celebrated its 30th Anniversary, which is truly a significant milestone. Although this years event didn't set any new records there were still some 600 models entered into the 63 competition categories from 200 competitors. In addition to this there were also 20 individual/club displays and 23 traders in attendance, with the latter offering loads of goodies at discounted prices, which ensured a brisk trade over the entire 3 days. Once again modeller's traveled from far and wide to attend, made the most of the opportunity to pick-up some bargain's and used it as an opportunity to socialise with their friends and fellow modellers. Full details of award winners can be found at http://modelexpo.com.au/gallery.html










23 July 2013

IPMS Annual Modellers Retreat

My workspace for the weekend
IPMS Australia held its annual modellers retreat over the weekend of 12-14 July 2013, at the YMCA Lady Northcote recreation camp located in the picturesque Rowsley Valley, just outside of Bacchus Marsh. Essentially this is just an excuse for a boys weekend away that allows for some serious not-stop modelling - if that's what you want to do - with no interference from domestic responsibilities as there's no mobile phone coverage......bliss!

The weekend started at 3:00pm on Friday and finished around 2:00pm on Sunday, so depending on the need for sleep it means you can get in around 30-35 hours of modelling, of which I only managed about 24. 

With 18 members in attendance (a new PB) it was also decided to utilise the full in-house catering services for the duration of our stay this year, so that we didn't have to venture to far for our meals and therefore could maximise the amount of time available to us. Only one hardy sole managed to pull an all-nighter though and after some 40 hours of modelling, finally succumbed to sleep around 1:00am on Sunday morning......what a legend.

A variety of beverages were also consumed over the weekend - not constantly of course - with an impromptu wine appreciation session taking place on the Saturday night. This resulted in a number of bottles of Shiraz being consumed over a period of 2 hours - each ranging in age from 20+ years - with those participating seeming to be a little worse for wear thereafter.......

'The Buffer Zone' - had plenty of access to fresh air
'The Long Room' - was a toxic no-go zone after a mix of bacon, eggs and onions
In the weeks leading up to the retreat I procrastinated over which kits to take with me - as it's all about building - and finally settled on something easy to start with, the Hobby Boss UH-34D Choctaw. Although a simple kit to build, I soon discovered it lacked a lot of detail and even though I managed to clean up and assemble most of the parts, I wasn't completely satisfied. I then discovered that a fellow modellers was also building the same kit - albeit the Revell boxing - to which he'd added an Eduard etch set. This convinced me I needed to do the same and I have since obtained the Eduard etch set as well as alternative decal sheet - via another friend - meaning that I now have to re-do some of the bits I've already done, but it will make for a better looking model.......right?

This was simple build but lacked detail, something I had to fix
After doing as much as I could on the Choctaw and with my mojo humming it was now time to tackle something a little more challenging, the Academy 1/32 F/A-18C Hornet. By comparison this a large and complex kit and in some respects a little over-engineered. As if that isn't enough to contend with I also have to incorporate a Cutting Edge resin cockpit as well as a Eduard 'Big Ed' etch set.  Why do I do this to myself?

Surprisingly though, I did manage to cleanup and assemble most of the major components on the Saturday, without any problems - it's almost as good as a Tamiya kit - which has allowed me to make some significant progress on this project and given me a good head start. Something that would have taken me weeks normally.

A big complex kit that I feel is a little over engineered
With the retreat over and done with for another year it was time to return to reality. However, our booking has already been made for next year - 11-13 July 2014  - and I can't wait for it to come around again..............