So then, another show has come and passed already! Personally I had a very good weekend. By travelling up Saturday afternoon I was fresh for Sunday morning (aside from a mild hangover and avoiding the snow!) Dan and I brought everything we had that was still 'showable' including some new stuff making it's first public appearance. It was good to have a chance to chinwag about bikes and cars and motorsport to Steve Lorriman, MickBench, SAABOY, Duncan, Hiroboy and The guys of Les Garagiste and others.
On the downside, I managed to break my camera late Sunday afternoon and so my photo report is missing a few modellers work, so apologies to Gary C and Richard F.
Pat Watson brought along a smaller display than normal, but it didn't lack in quality. His four 206WRC's were excellent.
This is a converted 1/18th diecast with Renaissance decals!!
Dan Parratt debuted his new MG Models Ferrari 156 seen here 99% complete...
The sharknose in the background was featured in TMMI last year...
This is Dan's MG Models F12000 in 1/12th....
This is my own Tamiya Ferrari 312T...
My Lancia S4 made it's first show appearance....
For the first time in public in the UK was this kit by MG Models of the glorious Lotus 79 in 1/12th...got a spare £500?..this kit is very complete and is just superb. Much better than the earlier MG offerings..
And two shots of our table...
One of my favourite modelers is TMMI contributor Mike Easter....here's a few of his..
This Bentley was very nice...
..and on the same stand..
On the West Berks stand...
An overall shot of the display...
and this lovely Merc GTR...
Meanwhile, on the newcomers table was this bike SPC forum members will recognise (took home a trophy too! 8) )
..against some stiff opposition..
This Enzo on the same table took home the best roadcar award..
TMMI writer Andy Wright had this trio of Rossi Honda's..
This 2002 RC211V is his latest creation...
Also from Andy, seen in the MotoGp display were his TMMI featured #3 Honda, and in Scale Auto Modeller a few years back, his 1986 Wayne Gardener Honda. My 2000 Rossi Honda completes this part of the display...
...also on the MotoGP display were some of Co-show organiser John Mackay's bikes. This is his Hayden Honda with rider..
and his 2003 Rossi Honda..
Fellow organiser, Shane Price had this superb Sheene Yamaha alongside his 2007 UK Scalemodelworld award winning Stoner Honda....
These were Shane's too...
...and more of Andy work along with my 2003 Biaggi Honda...
Check out the heat staining on his 04 M1...Wow...
...and an overall shot of the MotoGP display..
Steve Lorriman /Ian Barron won best display again...and deseveredly so..
Alex Payne's lovely 330 Ferrari...
...and his gorgeous Aston Martin DBR1 in 43rd...
...and an oldie but goodie, Alex'x Maserati 250F from the Revival kit...
...and for sheer number of models Tony,Alex and Don's display was excellent...
Several members of Les Garagiste contributed to the 'Boys from Brazil' display....
There were plenty of models to please rally fans too...these from East Nuek...
...and DTM too...
The IPMS F1 and car sig made their first visit to the show....
Ian and Rodney Knott always put on a great show with their museum style display..here's some of my favourites..
The boys from BAMS had some nice stuff too...
These are all by Mike Easter and all in 1/12th, awesome builds, but that Ferrari is my favourite.
Star of this years show was Mark Oakley. Each year he has turned up with his largely scratchbuilt collection of period F1 cars, all in 1/12th. We've seen his Hesketh, Mclaren and brace of Matra's before.....
This year however, Mark's new model was jawdropping. His Lotus 49 R1 was based on the Tamiya 49 kit but reworked to such a degree that the base kit was mostly discarded. The monocoque was reprofiled, all new suspension, firewalls, frontend, a one-off cast Cosworth DFV with correct gearbox, a corrected cockpit (the gearstick was brilliant!)..the list was endless. I must imagine that aside from Andy Matthews jewel like model of Clark's Dutch GP car, this maybe the most accurate 49 in existence. The trip to the show was worth it, just to see this model. Everyone I spoke to agreed that this was something very special. Mark won Best F1 car and Best in Show.
And there we have it. If you check some of the other photo postings from the show on the SPC forum, they should fill the gaps.
My thanks to my friends at Les Garagiste for making Dan and I feel very much part of the team and show, and congratulations to the various winners. The main benefit from this show of course is the hobby of automotive modelling. The effort and sacrifice that Gary, John, and Shane make to to enable this event happen can only be rewarded with the enthusiasm, support and attendance from those it is aimed at. Without these three, the UK would'nt have a dedicated automotive show. If you couldn't make it this year, try and attend next. Photos are one thing, but there's no substitute for being there.
Paul
A very proud member of Les Garagiste.
