SMW (Telford) 2025

[DogfighterZen]

This video came up on my Youtube feed, it's a rather long one with the full exhibition. Excellent models all over the place but if you want to jump straight to the What if/Project cancelled SIG stands, go to 54:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgpGxmGXs_s 

[kitbasher]

This video came up on my Youtube feed, it's a rather long one with the full exhibition. Excellent models all over the place but if you want to jump straight to the What if/Project cancelled SIG stands, go to 54:10.

Should there be a link (or is it there but just not showing on my phone)?

[DogfighterZen]

This video came up on my Youtube feed, it's a rather long one with the full exhibition. Excellent models all over the place but if you want to jump straight to the What if/Project cancelled SIG stands, go to 54:10.

Should there be a link (or is it there but just not showing on my phone)?

Yes, i had a brain fart there...     Link is now in the post...

[Weaver]

This even longer livestream by Kathy Millatt poped up on mine. I haven't watched it myself yet, so I can't vouch for how good/useful it is. Kathy has a modelling Youtube channel which is mainly focussed on sci-fi and dioramas, so that's the type of model she focussed on at the show.

[Martin H]

This video came up on my Youtube feed, it's a rather long one with the full exhibition. Excellent models all over the place but if you want to jump straight to the What if/Project cancelled SIG stands, go to 54:10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgpGxmGXs_s 

We show up around the 54:11 mark 

[Old Wombat]

Thank you both for the photo's! Almost like being there!   

[steelpillow]

Ah, OK. The 'conversion kit' is SO small I'd feel bad asking even 2p for it, you're welcome to it. PM me your address and I'll sling it in the post.

Class 32 was a disappoint for me I'm afraid.

OK, I admit I'm biased as my Bv 148 didn't even get a 'Commended', but there were only 5-6 entries and there was a VAST amount of space for them.  The winner was a 1/48 th (I think.....) model of a the HS P.139B AEW aircraft for the FAA, the little, short, fat ugly f****r with a big radome at each end. But it wasn't really a Whiff as all the imagination had been supplied by Blackburn/HS, and not the modeller. 2nd place was a VERY small gossamer winged thingie that was so small I could only just see it! Done by the guy who won the class last year.

PM sent

When I first entered, about 5 or so years ago, there was only one other entry. That built to a whole 4 last year, with not enough space. Result: my trademark booklets were banned this year as wasteful of both space and the judges' time. At least they didn't require a mains power cable like the LEDs sprouting everywhere these days.* 6 is at least still moving in the right direction, and if I'd made it that would have been 7. The rules are pretty broad, covering any and all "Hypothetical aircraft (paper projects and imaginary)", so even an OOB build of a Revell wunderwaffen kit is admissible. Still, with so few entrants, beggars can't be choosers. The What-If SIG should surely be able to make more of a show, fingers crossed for next year.

* Wonder if mains power should be challenged. Unless the model is inspected and tested by a qualified technician, it represents a potential safety hazard, e.g. fire. I'll bet if that happened, the insurers would put up two fingers to the Society and that'd be the end of it. Also, it's too close to the "no powered models, we are not the Model Engineers" mantra, along too with flashing light patterns. I think lighting should be allowed only where it illuminates an internal space that would otherwise be too dark to see properly, and must be battery powered with no recharging during the show. Anybody got any thoughts on that?

[Weaver]

* Wonder if mains power should be challenged. Unless the model is inspected and tested by a qualified technician, it represents a potential safety hazard, e.g. fire. I'll bet if that happened, the insurers would put up two fingers to the Society and that'd be the end of it. Also, it's too close to the "no powered models, we are not the Model Engineers" mantra, along too with flashing light patterns. I think lighting should be allowed only where it illuminates an internal space that would otherwise be too dark to see properly, and must be battery powered with no recharging during the show. Anybody got any thoughts on that?

There's now a company called Make Them Move (they were at the show) who are selling hardware that effectively turns a tank or ground vehicle model into a smartphone controlled rolling RC model, so expect that distinction between scale modelling and model engineering to get even more blurry in future.
 


https://makethemmove.com/en/home/

[PR19_Kit]

When I first entered, about 5 or so years ago, there was only one other entry. That built to a whole 4 last year, with not enough space. Result: my trademark booklets were banned this year as wasteful of both space and the judges' time. At least they didn't require a mains power cable like the LEDs sprouting everywhere these days.* 6 is at least still moving in the right direction, and if I'd made it that would have been 7. The rules are pretty broad, covering any and all "Hypothetical aircraft (paper projects and imaginary)", so even an OOB build of a Revell wunderwaffen kit is admissible. Still, with so few entrants, beggars can't be choosers. The What-If SIG should surely be able to make more of a show, fingers crossed for next year.

One of the entries this year WAS an OOB Luft '46 model, the flying wing bomber with four jets on the trailing edge between its two fins. Between it and my Bv148 at the other end of the space for Class 32 was 6 FEET or empty table! People were complaining about the class taking up so much space!

In the past when I've entered there's usually been 8-10 models, but it's shrunk a lot in recent years. We really should bury the table in entries, if only to spread the Word of Whiff!

[Charlie_c67]

I guess for me it's in part seeing these amazing show winners which results in me thinking "I could never manage that level of detail/finish" and thus discouraged don't even think about entering such things. No idea how one would go about breaking that sort of mindset.

[kitbasher]

Had I pulled my finger out I'd have done something for the competition.  Will try harder ahead of SMW26.

Also.....I didn't get chance to say goodbye to certain SIG/forum buddies before I headed home.  Cheers, fellers, it was good to meet up and hopefully see you again soon.

[DogfighterZen]

I guess for me it's in part seeing these amazing show winners which results in me thinking "I could never manage that level of detail/finish" and thus discouraged don't even think about entering such things. No idea how one would go about breaking that sort of mindset.

I don't know how it works in these big events but i was under the impression that most shows have a display only option for people who don't want to enter their models in the contest so, if there is that option, then you could participate that way..
IF you want prizes then you have to put in the work. These highly detailed models are so because the people who make them spent the time perfecting their skills to achieve that type of level, be it for personal reward or contest prizes. It all depends on what you want to achieve with your models so, my advice would be to just go with having fun building them and eventually you'll figure it out.

[steelpillow]

I guess for me it's in part seeing these amazing show winners which results in me thinking "I could never manage that level of detail/finish" and thus discouraged don't even think about entering such things. No idea how one would go about breaking that sort of mindset.

Enter the Whiffy Aircraft class! It is judged as much on originality and backstory idea as on modelling skills. I won it only a few years back, with a dodgy model nobody would dare enter in a mainstream class.

[steelpillow]

I don't know how it works in these big events

Some IPMS members form Special Interest Groups, who put on a display there every year. What-If Models is one to which several of us here belong. Just turn up and plonk it on the table! Project Cancelled is another, you can probably find one for Knitted Spitfires During the Battle of Britain if you look hard enough.

[kitbasher]

Did anyone else spot NARSES2's twin at the show?
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