For being a good boy, I was allowed into the community for the day yesterday. Having never attended a model show other than our own before, I was slightly unsure of what to expect, especially as Zak had scared me a bit with some tales from his veteran's diary. Anyway, I dragged myself out of my manky pit at zero six hundred hours o'clock AM, got washed and dressed, made myself a mug of coffee and DCOS a cup of tea (she can't drink coffee as it makes her knees hurt) and took the dogs round the block. Then, armed with my piece of lined A4 paper on which directions had been written, I loaded my 2 complete modelling projects and the 1 almost complete one, 2 plums, an apple, the remains of the Aldi stollen (I didn't steal it, I bought it), my wallet and myself into DCOS's MG and set off down Hazel Avenue in Withernsea. I then turned left onto Chestnut Avenue in Withernsea. (I didn't need my directions for this bit). By the end of Chestnut Avenue in Withernsea the fog still hadn't cleared so I decided to turn around and go back to bed. Then my conscience got the better of me and at the end of Chestnut Avenue in Withernsea, I turned left onto Queen Street in Withernsea and "hit the gas". To cut a long story short, I arrived at the car park in Pine Street, Huddersfield at 0900 - as planned and despite the fog that kept visibility to less than 100 yards until the Ouse River Bridge. I was fortunate enough to nab the last parking space in the car park so my next mission was to locate Kevin and get my wristband which would allow me entry into the hallowed hall of the Kirklees Leisure Centre. This achieved, I was immediately subject to verbal abuse, prodding with walking sticks, demands for coffee and bacon butties and scornful suggestions regarding the best location to place my models. Ah, I was at the right Club stand then; I felt immediately at home.
For those regular users on the website that went to Huddersfield, apologies for telling you what you already know. For those regular users on the website that didn't go to Huddersfield, I apologise for telling you what I told you last night on the 'phone (that'll be Kiteman). Only one category remains which is those occasional visitors of the website that didn't go to Huddersfield this time - and I think that is Martin? No apology is needed nor is it offered to Martin for anything I have done, intend to do or may even think about doing but not actually do then, now or in the future.
A little background to set the context. Held in the main sports hall of the leisure centre, the ceiling is high and the lighting a little on the low side to display the models to their best. That said, for the general public to appreciate them, it is entirely sufficient. As far as judging goes, for those modellers that wished to enter the competition, this was held in a separate room with much better lighting. The main hall itself had the perimeter filled with traders; more kits than you could count in a lifetime, magic potions and lotions, books, tools and accessories. The remainder was filled with club and SIG stands with more traders dotted about.
"A small affair", I was told, "compared to the Nationals" but still pretty breath taking for the uninitiated (me). So, once I had deposited my models, my first question was "so what do I do now?" As I said, having only been to our own show before, it was a strange experience to attend a show and NOT have to do anything. No public to look after, no doors to man, no traffic to direct, no chairs or tables to stack. Basically, it was a day off! As the chairs behind our stand were manned by those more in need of taking the weight off their feet, I took the opportunity to wander around the hall all day, seek bargains, chat to stallholders and look at the models on display.
Space was a known issue at Huddersfield and even before the public had been let in, it was a bit of a squeeze, particularly around the perimeter where the traders were located. I had a job getting up close to the kits initially but after we had been let back in after the fire alarm had gone off, things were a little easier.
Ah yes, the fire alarm. At about 1130, a loud, continuous buzzer started to sound. About 20 minutes later, some "officials" entered the hall, opened the fire exits and started to politely request us all to leave. About another 20 minutes later, the hall was finally emptied. As an "able bodied" member of the audience, I was last out as I felt it was my duty to remain as long as possible in the danger zone and make sure all the crumblies were evacuated before making my own way to the safe area. Being a veteran of fire drills in the Army and as I had heard one of the officials say they were letting the traders in first, I know it could be a long, cold wait for re-entry so I decided it was near enough lunchtime to venture into town and find some food. I was joined by a member of the public who had been at the show and had the same idea so we set forth together on our quest to fill our fat heads. Settling on KFC, we sat and chatted, swapping stories of models and modelling experiences.
Back in the hall, the rest of the day passed much the same as the first part, generally wandering about, chatting and looking. I even managed to drum up some business for our show as several traders were keen to attend. Overall, a very worthwhile day out and I not only enjoyed the experience, I came away with a boot-full of bargains. In order of purchase, they were:
Italieri 1/72 Dornier Do217 M-1 RRP 21.99, I paid £10.00.
Blue Max 1/48 Bristol M1-C RRP 24.99, I paid £10.99 (for Kiteman).
Blackbird Models 1/72 scale resin highball conversion for Mosquito. £10.99. I had one years ago by Paragon but it fell victim to one of the many house move purges.
Tamiya 1/72 Mosquito FB Mk VI. RRP 19.99, I paid £10.00. The bloke that sold me the highball said he thought it was the FB Mk VI it was for and after buying this, I checked the highball instructions to discover it was the B Mk IV I needed. Now I've built Tamiya vehicles before but for some reason always stayed clear of their aircraft - some strange prejudice told me that armour was their area of expertise, plus the expense of a kit that could be bought cheaper by another manufacturer that had an adequate level of detail for me meant no reason to consider them. Anyway, after opening the box, far from being angry and the unnecessary expense, I was delighted with the kit and have no problem with having to buy another to get the correct Mk to convert - after all, it's no different from having a standard Lancaster and a Dambuster Lancaster. I shall be seeking more Tamiya bargains in the future.
Dragon 1/72 Messerschmitt Me 1101. Priced at £10.00, I paid £8.00. I saw the box end and actually read "Me 110" but looking at the picture, couldn't see how it was a 110 so the kind gentleman took it from the bottom of the pile for me where I realise it was one of those Luftwaffe '46 things which I have a little thing about. I had to have it.
Heller 1/72 Curtis SBC 3-4 Helldiver. £2.00. My final kit purchase of the day, it was on the top of the pile and I couldn't turn down a £2 Heller model. I've always been fond of them. Nice little kits with enough detail for me, well moulded and they go together a treat.
So, I have now been "broken in" and, as DCOS is away in Somerset for the week, have ample time to gloat over my purchases before storing (hiding) them away in the loft. Of course I use the loft not out of any traditional custom but because she cannot fit though the hatch so I know my purchases are safe from discovery. I know my secret is safe with you lot don't I? Well, don't I?
Many thanks to the lads and lasses that went from our club; Dave S, Kevin, Colonel Tony, Andy, Bill, Cyril, Adrian, John and Janice, John Cook, Peter, Joe and (anyone else I may have missed). It was a fine chance to chat socially without feeling like I was eating up club meeting time which I did not take full advantage of as I was too busy wandering round with my eyes on stalks - BUT, now my appetite for attending shows has been whetted, I look forward to Sword and Lance.
If you've got this far, thanks for reading and as I didn't take my camera, if anyone has any pictures they would like to post, as long as they aren't of me buying kits, please feel free.
Jolly good.
Message ends.
