Northern Model Exhibition 2nd March

[Alan Cantwell]

do you want to try that again Paul?

looking forward to it, as for the LMA can do better, well, tomorow, they will, dont forget, Lot of us are at WORK,

we alone are taking apache chipmunk, 1/4cub, 118"span B25, (in primer, but due for testing before paint) 84" TA 152, 2x 1/4scale gliders, Habicht, and K6e, 42% yak, redarrows turbine hawk, the cub has a flat twin, we will be running this, and hopefully, running the zenoah 38s up on the B25, WADDYA WANT!!!!! its going to be manic tomoz, some of you went on the wrong day, dint YA

[Erfolg]

Alan

I do recognise that many have to work. I can also have some sympathy with a view it is the organisers role to make the show work from opening day to the last.

I do not know why a full display is in available from the first day, yet it would be better from the publics perspective to have a full contingent of models from day one. Perhaps the organisers do not permit the models to be brought in the day and evening prior to the first day, ideally that would be better. Particularly when aeromodelling was generally under represented.

Although I am not a free flighter, I did wonder where were the free flight models.

The club I belong to has more glass gliders than a stick can be shaken at. Where were the similar models.

Then there is the power scale slope models. The list does go on.

Is it anyones fault. I guess not, the first year. I am hoping for much more. Much will be determined in the future by the organisers, yet the BMFA, could do all the aeromodelling a massive service, by liaison with the organisers, to widen the horizons to what is possible, with respect to model displays.

Again i do share the disappointment that BRC, 5 Star Adhesives, Overlander, all Northern based companies were not there. I know for some Southern based companies, Manchester is on another planet, yet I do think there is money to be made here, on quite a large scale. The irony is that Manchester is easy to, the motorway goes to the door, many good low cost chain hotels abound in the area.

It is the sort of thing I would want to be involved with, so I cannot see why better connected people and organisations would not want to see this event become the Dortmund of the UK.

Edited By Erfolg on 02/03/2012 23:06:26

[kevin b]

Sorry Erfolg, no ferrets, but I do live out in the country and there are a few weasels living next to my house (no joke).

I am just getting back into the hobby after about a 30 year sebatical and have been to a few shows over the last 12 months or so. This one as far as I am concerned has been the most hyped, but appears to be the worst supported. Particularly by the industry and its press.

if I were to give an opinion, I would say it needs a rethink as to what its purpose is. I would probably say lose the word "engineer" and badge it as a model crafts, or model making exhibition. It is a known fact that "model engineers" are generally considered to be not the most sociable or convivial of people and to be honest model engineering as a pure hobby is suffering a greater decline than a lot of other model making hobbies. It would also open up the appeal to other sections of the model making community. Model (dolls) houses and villages for instance. A wider appeal will bring in more vendors, which in turn brings in more customers.

[Alan Cantwell]

mention has been made of the BMFA, well, to be honest, i dont think the area have done anything to encourage local clubs to join in with the event,   not many even know about it!!  i dont even think it was in the BMFA news,    is it in their events column on the main site??  must go and look

 Bury metro, my host club, aproached the organisers to participate, as did other clubs,

this tuesday night, i was at a local swapmeet, i stopped the proceedings, got some quiet, and asked if anyone knew of this event, not a single hand went up, more should have been put  out to clubs ages ago, with a plea for club help, as it is, the local clubs who have turned up have, by all accounts, done well, as for the LMA not turning out on a grand scale, dont forget, next week is the Bradford seminar, there is only so many models on tables the guys can participate in!!!!!

 

and yet another point, the new owners of Woodford, now named the avro trust, want a model show, they aproached the BMFA area, only to be told, we dont do that sort of thing, ask the LMA, well, the LMA indeed do, and ARE

stay tuned

Edited By Alan 4 on 02/03/2012 23:18:17

Edited By Alan 4 on 02/03/2012 23:21:12

[Paul Marsh]

I'm not in the LMA.

Actually. only when Alan mentioned it, I knew nothing about it. didn't go, anyway. If you don't advertise, know-one will know. Simple, really.

Edited By Paul Marsh on 03/03/2012 18:46:15

[avtur]

Posted by Alan 4 on 02/03/2012 23:02:06:

and yet another point, the new owners of Woodford, now named the avro trust, want a model show, they aproached the BMFA area, only to be told, we dont do that sort of thing, ask the LMA, well, the LMA indeed do, and ARE

stay tuned

Posted by Alan 4 on 02/03/2012 23:02:06:

and yet another point, the new owners of Woodford, now named the avro trust, want a model show, they aproached the BMFA area, only to be told, we dont do that sort of thing, ask the LMA, well, the LMA indeed do, and ARE

stay tuned

Please tell us ... more ....

I live about 3 miles from the main gate into Woodford ... I've been following the saga of the sale and was really glad to see the sale go thorugh whch keeps the site intact ... the purchase is backed by a member of the JCB family, how about being able buy the site for £100m !

Anyway in years gone by I was lucky enough to have an associate membersship of the Woodford BAE Model Aircraft Club ... flying off the runway of such an historic site was an absolute joy ... I wonder if something model related might come form the JCB aquisition ... so please Alan 4 ... tell us more.

[Robert Tomlin]

Just got home from a day at the event.. and got to say it's well worth the effort to see. Only slight grumble were the jobsmiths who are running the thing. I was on my clubs stand and occasionally I'd fly a tiny eFlight Blade helicopter around the stand. Everyone it seems loved it but after I landed it on a young girls hand and then turned it off, the head jobsmith (i think) told me never ever to do that again. It later transpired he mentioned about closing the whole event down because of what I did. I of course applogised but i really felt if I was any where else I would have really lost my temper with him. It's a toy.. they fly them in department stores to sell them... it's the nanny-state gone mad!

That said, it's a fab event and with any luck my club have quite a few new members from it!

Edited By Robert Tomlin on 03/03/2012 19:23:32

[StarLoc FiveStar Adhesives]

We thought about the Manchester show and came very close to booking it , we do nearly every show the organisers of this event run,

But.......

We always go to our very local model boat show at Ellesmere port , its on as well this weekend, quite a few people turned up at Ellesmere after going to Manchester show first

We nearly did both of them but chickened out due to the amount of work required

Edited By StarLoc FiveStar Adhesives on 03/03/2012 19:39:08

Edited By StarLoc FiveStar Adhesives on 03/03/2012 19:41:27

[Alan Cantwell]

just got home, well pleased with the event. The displays where awsome, but walking round the model engineer stands, the only word i could think of was WORK, cutting tools, machinery, very nice creations, but, WORK, talked to 1 guy who was displaying a large part built steam loco, i asked him how long to machine a mainwheel, about a week!!!, i would get 2 hours on a job card,

there where quite a few things for the aeroplane guys, batterys, chargers, tools, widgets and wodgets, if it happens again, i have promised them the LMAs trade lists, there are more LARGE halls, i feel this event vould be brilliant, well worth a visit

Edited By David Ashby on 07/03/2012 09:54:31

[Erfolg]

For my own part I would like to thank those clubs and their members who supported the show. Utilising their initiative to obtain space.

I do believe there is an opportunity, for us aeromodellers to obtain a greater representation at the show next year (assuming it is run again)

To do this I would suggest that a working party is established now, who would act as a single entity, which could represent the aeromodellers as a movement. Ideally this would come under the umbrella of the BMFA, yet not part of the established regime (to bring a vibrancy, devoid of bureaucracy).

The approach I am suggesting would have many advantages for Meridienne Exhibitions. Effectively delegating the organisation of participating aeromodelling displays, reducing their workload, with a the goal of improving the displays. Knowing and agreeing what they will have available is a tremendous help, during both the planning and exhibition stages.Thereby attracting a greater number of attendees, which potentially improves returns.

From the view point of us modellers, there would be an opportunity of reaching a broader audience, particularly youth, in addition to the established modeller.

A single point of contact would increase the authority of aeromodellers to manage access, at prior agreed periods, agreed codes of behaviour by modellers and the facility security . Alan highlighted the needless difficulties which can arise where decisions are made on an impromptu basis and no clear cut boundaries agreed prior to the event.

It was noticeable from my perspective that large groups of aeromodellers were not represented, in a comprehensive way. Although some are now of marginal interests, some are definitely not.

1) Slope soaring, PSS, Scale (saiplanes), racing models.

2) Competition gliders, Open, 2m, 100s, electro slot etc.

3) Indoor models

4) Electric models.

5. Free Flight, rubber, power duration, chuck glider

6) All those I have forgotton

Although very interesting as displays, there was little information freely available to the non modeller, other than discussion with the stand personal, who acted both as security and informants for their stands.

Now is the time to start on planning next years show, to obtain greater representation, in display areas. To both the organisers and us aeromodellers advantage. The issues which can immediatly be agreed is which clubs and groups want to be part of the event, what they would like to do, static displays, flying events, perhaps workshops for youngsters, computer games (as the BMFA Pheonix), videos. With time and thought a really good show can be made.

Or is it happening?

Edited By Erfolg on 04/03/2012 12:16:25

Edited By Erfolg on 04/03/2012 12:19:00

Edited By Erfolg on 04/03/2012 12:20:48

[Olly P]

I and my dad had a really good morning yesterday, good to see Alan 4 again, and to meet Lee Smalley and the guys from BMMFC again.

The stuff that was there was impressive. some of the tools stands had some decent deals tucked away, and the LMA was worth a look while enjoying my expensive bacon butty.

The main let down was the lack of specialist support for the aeromodeller - I sort of expected this. There where no trade stands, no sales of anything other than some lighting systems and chargers, and some tools - mostly too big for us.

My Dad and I have a few suggestions - and he is a boat enthusiast, and I will be writing to the organizers with these suggestions, with a copy to BMFA NW Region too;

Boat Pond - Show the models in action

Trade Stalls, have a flying area and some stands selling all-in kits next door, near club stalls, so folks can see them fly/sail, buy a kit, join the local club, all while interested from the demo.

If you stimulate interest you have to get people to act on it quick....

Olly

[Robert Tomlin]

[andy watson]

Well, I have just returned from collecting my models.  Thanks to everyone for the kind comments both here and at the show.

Firstly I think Kevin B must have been at a different show to the one I went to- I thought it was excellent. Having said that, the idea of the boat pond is an excellent one. The thing that must be remembered is as aeromodellers we are a fringe of the "model engineering" community. The trains and steam engines were far and away the main attraction for most people. The trade stands tended to reflect this.

I do know we signed up several new members, and there were other expressions of interest. From this point of view it was well worth the time and effort involved. I don't know the financials involved for traders- were they offered space free like the exhibitors as part of the "attraction" or were they expected to pay? I would think there would have been sufficient interest to justify one of the local model shops (and there are some of the big ones nearby) having a stand- they could well have sold a good number of "trainer packages" and similar. Whether it would have been worth bringing out a full set of stock like a specific aeroplane show is more questionable. I guess the difference for me is I enjoyed the show for wandering round- but for those guys it is a job, so wages/petrol and the like becomes significant. Companies like 5 star (who sell excellent adhesives) are able to tap into the wider modelling community far more easily than some of our favourite specialist retailers.

I enjoyed it- although the £8 entrance fee was a bit steep for me (if I had paid it) if I were only interested in the planes.

ps cheers Rob for posting a picture that managed to cut out both of my planes!!

Edited By andy watson on 04/03/2012 20:02:40

[colin nolan]

I've just got back from manning the TMFC stand for the last three days,and I've got to agree with the last two comments.I was chatting with the guys on the next stand to ours,a model engineering stand,and also to the guys manning the model boat stands.There was no trade presence for either of them,as well.However,it WAS the first time the event has been held,so I would expect the trade will start coming once the event has proved itself.For ourselves,our run of 200 fliers and the 50 or so reviews that were printed soon disappeared,so the demand IS there,it justs needs nurturing.I was told by one of the Meridienne staff that they were very pleased with how the event had gone,and were planning on next year's event spreading into the adjoining halls.....what they need to do is contact any club that they think might be interested in good enough time to get organised with models and so on.Our stand was literally put together in less than two weeks

[Robert Tomlin]

Andy... pic was to show my model, but i'll post another of your fine pair

[Robert Tomlin]

[Paul Marsh]

I didn't go - the display was nice, but would have got bored otherwise. No proper trade, grumpy event staff, why bother? If you can't fly, or get told off, count me out.

[Erfolg]

Is Andies model the fine looking Fokker D7, pity about the green model masking the view

[Robert Tomlin]

Both the Fokker and Stuka are his... mine is the cute Waco on the top pic

[Olly P]

Well, we need to look at this years as it was - the first and very much a test.

I am going to write to the organisers and express my support and idea's. I would hope that other modellers, of all ilk's will do the same, and that the event can grow. I would hope that RCM&E would forget it is organised by the opposition and come up, mainly as I'd like to meet the guys again!

Overall a good 'starter for 10'

Olly

[Erfolg]

Robert

The Ju 87 would have been impressive, but I think the writing on the propeller is not correct.

I also noticed that the gunner has shifty eyes.

Then there is the rocker covers that do not look right. Hmm, needs an electric motor

[Alan Cantwell]

yes, that will lose it marks in the nationals, its a club sports scale model, and a damned good one too

[andy watson]

Actually I did look for a 3 bladed master airscrew- I figured it would be a better scale static prop, but I don't have one.

I will keep an eye out for something betterthan the Graupner one though.

The gunner is a scale representation of Gunther "squinty" Grossbottom.

Rocker covers show it's a proper model!!

I was disappointed to be told we were not aloud to fire up the siren as it sounded too much like the fire alarms!

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Posted by Olly P on 05/03/2012 15:42:26:

. I would hope that RCM&E would forget it is organised by the opposition and come up, mainly as I'd like to meet the guys again!

 

 

The show is organised by Meridian Exhibitions right? Not sure what you mean by 'opposition' Olly?

 

Edited By David Ashby on 05/03/2012 21:21:43

[Paul Marsh]

I've got a Aerotech Stuka, but painted the Graupner prop black - and very close to scale it is.