Show Report: Scale ModelWorld 2011
As it is November, it must be Scale ModelWorld, the self proclaimed ‘biggest and nest model show in the world’. This year’s show was held on the 12th and 13th November at the Telford International Centre as usual. With over 150 traders and 170 exhibitors spanning 3 large halls SMW really lives up to its billing and is the show to attend for all modellers.
Newbury Scale Model Club headed up on Friday afternoon to get our tables set up ahead of the normal Saturday morning rush. We arrived at 5pm and were pretty much done within 15 minutes which gave us an opportunity to look around the halls and get orientated for the weekend. Most traders were already set up and some were even selling kits! Wonderland Models specifically had some very attractive offers and were very busy for the whole weekend.
After a good curry on the Friday night we were ready to go for the main event on Saturday. We arrived at TIC at about 7.50am on the Saturday morning and parked up without queuing or problems, and were able to get straight into the halls to finish setting up the tables. The venue soon started getting busy as more exhibitors and traders arrived and with general IPMS members being allowed in from 9.
Apart from the queues in the Kit Swap, the day flew by and we all managed to pick up a few bargains, necessary consumables and total impulse purchases from around the halls. All the traders seemed to be busy and all the NewMod 2012 confirmed traders said that they were having a good day. Before we knew it, it was 6pm and time to clear out for the day, tired of feet and lighter of pocket.
Sunday was also a busy day, but there was nowhere near the number of visitors around which made it an ideal day to look around the many Club and SIG stands as well as the competition entries and admire the many exceptional builds on display — have a look at the show photos below, or over in the gallery pages.
Overall the Club enjoyed a great weekend away and we’re already looking forward to (and saving up for!) next year.
