Hendon Scale Model Show
Each year in May, IPMS Barnet and Harrow (North London) host a model show in the exhibition halls at RAF Hendon museum. This year, there were around 25 different clubs/SIGs participating, together with a trade area where sales appeared to be brisk.
Club displays are set in and around the actual aircraft displays, so there's a feeling of historical presence throughout the event. A competition also takes place; our club was awarded a first place, two runner-up placements, and two 'honourable mentions'.
I've taken a few random photos to give you an idea of the day. There is in fact another exhibition hall, where Airfix had a large company display. In that hall, among the wide range of aircraft on show, were a Mustang and Me262, while suspended from the ceiling are a Sopwith Camel, a Fokker DVII and a Harrier.
An interesting day.
Thanks for this, Rob, needless to say I especially liked the Ducatis!
Thanks for sharing your experience. What a great event and some really terrific models.
Thanks Rob, after attending Scale Model World at Telford last year, I've found myself converted to the IPMS/UK show format. The emphasis on comradeship rather than completion was very refreshing. Unfortunately whether because of distance or attitude, we just don't get the large club and sig participation in the US. Our loss I think.
Thanks, Rick.
For information, a few months ago, I posted a series of photos from Hendon under the Airshows & Museums tab, if anyone is interested in viewing more detailed images of exhibits.
http://imodeler.com/groups/airshows-museums/forum/topic/raf-hendon-museum-part-1/
http://imodeler.com/groups/airshows-museums/forum/topic/raf-hendon-museum-part-2/
Great photo's Rob. As Rick says we have virtually no Sig groups over here. Seems like on the aircraft & armor side it is either a competition or nothing. The car guys heve 3 or 4 non-competitive events called NNL's. These bring out more participation than the contests.
Do the Sig groups have any competition within the groups at the shows?
What is the wood hulled aircraft behind the life raft "which is fantastic by the way"?
Thanks again. Looks like a tremendous museum.
Hi Al,
It's a Supermarine Southampton I (N9899). The Southampton flying boat was designed by RJ Mitchel for reconnaissance duties the 24 Mk.1s built were of wooden construction (cedar and mahogany) followed by 40 Mk.2s with hulls of aluminium alloy. Entering service in 1925 the reliable aircraft remained in service for eleven years, flying all over the world.
The Southampton Mk.1 flying boat N9899 was built in 1925 at the Supermarine Aviation works in Southampton. It entered service with 480 (Coastal Reconnaissance) unfortunately it was damaged beyond repair at Portland in a Gale and the hull was sold in 1929. In 1930 the hull was converted to a houseboat. Recovered in 1967 the hull only had been found on the mud flats of Debden river in Suffolk. The all wooden hull was the subject of extensive restoration starting in 1984 at Cardington and completed nearly eleven years later. The wings could not be rebuilt as the drawings no longer exist.
There are further more definitve photos of museum displays at http://www.targeta.co.uk/hendon_museum.htm. Naturally, as one of the premier national aviation musuems, Hendon attracts a lot of images across the Internet, so I'm sure there are as many as the time you've got to do the looking.
The regional shows tend to follow set patterns. Clubs provide individual displays, with individual members deciding what to 'bring to the table' in respect of model types/scales. Display space available depends on venue and host club organising the event. It's not usual that clubs are charged to mount a display, the organisers depending instead on public footfall through the door (entry fee) and charges made to traders to set up sales areas.
Competitions can fall into two types.
Club/SIG displays are viewed in situ, and decisions about individual category winners are decided by the judges (usually from host club) from all models displayed by all participating clubs/SIGs. So, it's possible that a particular club might in fact win in more than one category, e.g., armour and figures.
A separate competition area is provided, and modellers submit to the categories of interest. The models displayed here are separate from those on club/SIG stands. The competition area becomes by defintion a 'competition SIG'. Awards are trophies, plaques, or simple certificates, depending on venue budget.
Thanks for the photos Rob. Great location for a show. We don't have a collection to compare to that over here.
I was gonna ask about that beautiful wooded aircraft, but Al beat me to it...but I also wanted to know about that 3-man raft. Is that a full scale replica?
Yes. 1:1 of a downed crew.
Rob, I am so jealous I can't see straight ! Another place to add to my bucket list...Thanks for posting. Wonderful stuff !
Really nice pics Rob, thanks for sharing.
N.
Rob, thanks for posting, and for your great photos. Looks like it was a wonderful event. I can't imagine a better place. I was lucky enough to see the RAF Museum at Hendon many years ago, in September 1974. I am sure it is larger and better than it was then. I remember I was particularly happy to be able to see a Hawker Typhoon (and I think a Tempest--my favorite) in the flesh, my first and only time for that. I am probably showing my lack of knowledge, but what does SIG mean? Many thanks for a most interesting presentation.
Hi Robert, SIG means "Special Interest Group" its usually a group of guys interested in modelling one subject .i.e as in the photos The Russian aircraft SIG or modelling subjects from just one conflict say the Vietnam War.
Regards
Mark
Looks like you had a great time there Rob.
We are off to Tangmere Air Museum this week.
When I get the chance I will post a report with pics hopefully.
Nice photos Robe, looks like it was a great model show
thanks for posting
Thanks for posting! I like the Lightning group photo. I need to get an F.1/F.1A/F.2/F.3 kit so I can do a T.5! I also like the real Bristol Bulldog. I've never seen one (even a picture) other than my old Lindberg kit!