The Gong Show
As we said in our AMMS 2006 Modelling Calendar, great bunch of guys, good venue, well organised. This show goes from strength to strength - the number of entries and people through the door were up (again) and the modelling standards were WELL up (the 100 gold ribbons ordered weren't enough!). And they managed to attract a significant amount of local media coverage.
AMMS was well represented, both in terms of entries and the number of people making the drive down. Also spotted were strong contingents from Canberra and Wagga.
Below, we've included some images which indicate the high quality of the entries this year. We haven't tried to cram in every model there or even every model receiving an award, just a reasonably large cross-section of what was there. And if anyone's got extra / better (wouldn't be hard) images to share, just let us know.
Also, Frank Morgan from Model Art Australia magazine was there with a proper photographic setup, so expect to see much better quality pics than these in the near future. An issue to look out for.
Images - Click on thumbnails below for larger images.
To start off, here are some general views from around the show:
| Here's IPMA stalwart Clay Butler modelling the new judging equipment introduced this year. | |
| Here's a special award the old "panda stroker" won. You had to be there. | |
| IPMA Prez Bob Starkey provides valuable "background" for the Illawarra Mercury. | |
| When Bob said he felt like his head was in a vice, we all laughed, until... | |
| ... either his optometrist is making house calls or that pesky press photographer has come up with another creative idea. Page 3 perhaps?? | |
| Who IS that fat bastard (the one without the beard, that is)? While Ronnel tries to regurgitate breakfast, Frank Morgan politely looks elsewhere. Guess who's about to wear it? Meanwhile, in the background, Ley Reynolds has already vaulted two tables and made good his escape. | |
| Having changed shirts, we resumed our efforts to attract customers. |
Some other views around the show giving an idea of the number of entries and layout of the venue:
Thanks to John Quinnell and Adam O'Brien for the additional images which were actually in focus!
Best of Show
Best of Show went to Pieter Stroethoff's 1:350 scale USS Enterprise. This model featured detailing work which has to be seen to be believed. We understand that the figures on deck were individually cut from thin metal!!
Here's a good clear shot from Adam O'Brien to kick off with:
The remaining photography doesn't really do it justice, but enjoy anyway:
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the button you can see in some of the images lights up the fully detailed hangar deck when pushed!
Armour (Large Scale) & Special Tiger Category
The first few images are of Adam O'Brien's Merkava which is featured in the Gallery section of this site.
The Bergepanther below is actually 1:24 scale.
The M4 and Tiger in the cases below are Luke Pitt's 1:48 scale models featured in separate Gallery pages on this site.
Armour (Small Scale)
The AAVP7 is Rolando Raffault's rendition of the 1:144 scale Trumpeter kit with extensive detailing. We saw it unpainted at one of our meetings and couldn't believe (see????) the detailing then, and it's still a bit difficult! The 1:72 scale Marder is Glen Porter's, as is the M3 Grant.
Dioramas
The Centurion on landing craft is by IPMA's Brian Richardson. The landing craft itself is completely SCRATCHBUILT! This dio took out Best in Category and you can see why - it created quite a buzz.
This impressive work was built into a real ammo case:
Here is a selection of other entries. The Soviet dio below is by Andrew Judson:
Scratchbuilt
The Soviet gunboat below was built by Jim Hough of IPMA in an unbelieveably short period of time. Beautiful work, as is the WWI Spiked German Siege Gun, also by Jim.
Figures
Something perky to start off with! The Korean and Japanese warriors are by Andrew Judson, as is the female Japanese warrior. The US Desert Shield figure is from Jeff Thompson and is an old friend, with a separate Gallery page on this site.
Aircraft (Large Scale)
Many thanks to Adam O'Brien for his images of Jeff Thompson's amazing F-117 and to Adam and John Quinnell for their images of Jeff's Fw 190.
Aircraft (Small Scale)
Ships
Soft Skins
This is another amazing piece from Pieter Stroethoff, a kit enhancement in 1:9 scale. Apparently, the hand brakes work! Somehow the term "enhancement" doesn't quite seem to cover it.
Club Displays
Local clubs turned out in force. Here is an overview of the displays. APMA ran modelling demos throughout the weekend, a marathon effort.
Conclusion
Well, that's the NSW Model Expo for another year. A big congratulations to the IPMA crew for another successful comp and display. This event shows no signs of stopping - onwards to next year!
And to those of you within range of Wollongong and who have yet to attend, do yourselves a favour and bung this one in your calendar early for next year.
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