jiawei_91 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Hi all, especially to those in the UK. I am a student currently studying in Cambridge...at the moment I'm sorely tempted to take a day-trip up to Telford to Scale Modelworld 2013. However the cost of transport+admission fee would add up to about 50 quid return, and that amount of travel means that I'll have to take a day off studying. Is the event worth the money and time? This is (I hope) not an awfully stupid question. Money and time is tight for me as a student. Some opinions please? Cheers, Lim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 It is absolutely worth the trip. The biggest and best model show there is, if there is anything you're looking for you've a good chance of getting it there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I attended Scale Modelworld in 2003 and 2004. Kind of weird booking a trip from the US to England in the dead of fall when it starts to get cold outside, soccer hooligans walk the streets going to and from premiereship games on Saturdays (escorted by the local police to keep them from mingling with the locals) and Christmas shopping season is typically in full swing. Heck, during those two periods each lasting about two weeks, I did NOT take in any of the traditional English sites tourists might hang out at. So no London sites for me, just museums (aircraft, cars and ships), pubs and hobby shops all while zipping up and down the A and B roads in a rented Ford Focus. But, those two trips were the BEST vacations I ever had. In both cases, I took models that did well at the show, bought a bunch of stuff that got me some weird looks when I declared them at customs (the stuff I DIDN'T ship back by mail anyway) and met up with some great friends whom to that point I had only known from the web. I also met plenty of modelers from all over the world, especially Europe. And if you turn it into a two day trip, it always makes for a good excuse to check out RAF Cosford and perhaps take in lunch or dinner with some new friends (or even sample some international cuisine at the show itself depending on the SIG group hosting it). Seeing the built stuff on the SIG tables also made for some great eye candy. Here in the USA, while we have big vendor rooms at model shows, it tends to be about the contest. At Scale Modelworld, the contest maybe occupies a grand total of 10% of the floor space (on those bright pink table covers). The other 90% is occupied by vendors, club displays and SIG displays. The eye candy you see at those tables makes it all worth it. Even if you can only take it in for a day, it is WELL worth the 50 quid you might spend (but budget yourself for more than that as you will likely NOT go back to the dorm room empty handed). The studies will still be there when you get back, plus the change of scenery for a day or two can help knock the rust off if you are getting bogged down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cyrus Tan Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Sounds exciting! My wife and I will be going to SMW in Telford this year. It will be my first time so it's good to know that the show is worth the long trip from the US. I hope to meet people and make some new friends along the way. I plan to bring my latest completion - Mig-29 from Academy. After the show, I'll be visiting London and Paris for a week so I'm really looking forward to it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Tapsell Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 I'm incredibly biased so may not be the best person to advise you Yes, I believe SMW 2013 will be just as good (if not better) than the previous events we have run at Telford. It is the largest scale modelling show in the world. It is well worth the trip and will prove a great antidote to too much studying (I have an exam myself a few days after the show). We generally reckon on having 5000 models on display (4000 on the club and SIG display stands and 1000 in the competition). There are over 150 different vendors booked and some full size exhibits too. A UH-1H Huey and an OH-6A (both Vietnam vets with documented combat histories) will fly in for the weekend and will be on display in the Halls - plus a Mk5/2 Centurion tank, a Dodge Stealth car and a 1/1 replica Spitfire and Bedford QL fueller. In addition we will have the Daleks - there is an 'audience with the Daleks' on Saturday afternoon in the lecture hall and they will be patrolling the show all weekend. If you come on Sunday, please note that we will observe the Remembrance Day 2 minute silence at 11am (as we do each year) and have a bugler booked to play the Last Post and Reveille. Come along - you'll enjoy it! Regards, John Tapsell IPMS (UK) Publicity Officer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 In addition we will have the Daleks - there is an 'audience with the Daleks' on Saturday afternoon in the lecture hall and they will be patrolling the show all weekend. Regards, John Tapsell IPMS (UK) Publicity Officer This sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to seeing pictures. One of these days I will go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richard M Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 100% yes! Even more so as this year is the 50th Anniversary. Just make sure you allow for some spending money. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Tapsell Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 This sounds like it will be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to seeing pictures. One of these days I will go. It's a surreal experience watching a dalek scooting around the show singing 'I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz...'. Still more so watching a group of them singing 'happy birthday' to an eight year-old. They also do charity collections :D/> Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jiawei_91 Posted November 1, 2013 Author Share Posted November 1, 2013 Guess I'll go then. :) Do I buy tickets on the door? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Av8fan Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 It's a surreal experience watching a dalek scooting around the show singing 'I'm off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz...'. Still more so watching a group of them singing 'happy birthday' to an eight year-old. They also do charity collections :D/>/> Thanks for informing me of these added attractions. It would be fantastic to see the volunteers in action singing happy birthday, what a laugh. Hopefully someone can post a video? I hope that everyone that goes has a great time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Tapsell Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Guess I'll go then. :)/> Do I buy tickets on the door? Yes - Tickets are available on the door (no advance tickets sold). If you're an IPMS member (either UK or any overseas IPMS group) and can produce a valid, current membership card, you get in for free. Walk-in general public tickets are £10 per day. Regards, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HOLMES Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) I have been a few times and its AWESOME. HUGE and really stupendous show.. You will enjoy the show thoroughly ..don't forget to pack your credit cards... This will make you definitely want to cone... They are having a raffle. At the Zoukei Mura free raffle.....check out the link. http://www.smwshow.com/news.php Edited November 2, 2013 by HOLMES Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tiger331 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Hi, I will be at Telford on Sunday and I can bring there some of my book about Czech AF hinds link: http://www.press.sk/knihy/petatricatnik-vrtulniky-mi-24-na-morave-a-v-cesku/ The book (Czech language) covers all history of Czech AF Hinds, including those donated to Afghanistran with nearly 400 pictures covering all Hind examples in the Czech AF serive. The price is 17,50 pounds. If somebody wants it, please write me email by Friday noon GMT (hinds.spacek@post.cz) Regards Jaroslav Spacek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I'm just busy dusting off a few models to display on the Soviet Aircraft SIG stand. I'll be there all weekend - in Hall 3 Block 3C My 1/72 scale An-22 and An-124 will be on display - amongst many others. Please drop by and say hello. Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
galileo1 Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Man, sounds like a nice show! I'll be attending next year, if all goes well. Should be a good year as I'm also going to the US NATS. Can't wait! Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 It definitely worth the trip. Pity though it only lasts for a day and a half!!! On the other hand, I do understand your dilemma (and temptation, because if you go you will definitely find a load of kits that you'll want to buy!!!). It is quite a cost for a student, especially nowadays. If you think that you can minimize your expenses for a week or two, in another part of your life then, as I said before, go for it!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SERNAK Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Man, sounds like a nice show! I'll be attending next year, if all goes well. Should be a good year as I'm also going to the US NATS. Can't wait! Rob Perhaps with a VFC-12 F/A-18 Rob? Or, simply for the pleasure of the show? I'm asking you this since you are a big Adversary fan! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
meindert Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 SMW 2013 was great. Check out my Photo report at IPMS NL site at: http://www.ipms.nl/activiteiten/oude-activiteiten-archief/41-evenementen/1627-ipms-uk-telford-2013.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vince14 Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I'm just busy dusting off a few models to display on the Soviet Aircraft SIG stand. I'll be there all weekend - in Hall 3 Block 3C My 1/72 scale An-22 and An-124 will be on display - amongst many others. Please drop by and say hello. Ken Ah, if only I'd known beforehand! I was admiring the An-22 and An-124 - if I'd have known it was you I'd have said hello! Vince Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Well, I would love to attend in 2014, although I might have my vacation days sucked up by other things this coming year. Still, I shall see what happens. As for the Daleks, I ran into a gold one from IPMS Skaro all those years ago. These days with Doctor Who at the height of popularity, you likely will see more Daleks than Imperial Stormtroopers. One other cool thing about doing the show a decade ago was typically the following week was the Memorabilia show at the NEC in Birmingham. So for one weekend I got my model fix. For the second weekend... a bit of science fiction shopping at the vendors there (including Comet Miniatures) and getting an autograph or two along the way. Ahhh, those were the days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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