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The AGM

I missed one AGM this year while recovering from surgery. Feeling much better, I got complacent, and decided that I could go to a different one with impunity. As it was to be held in a pub, what could possibly go wrong…? Well, the start time was an hour before the bar opened and the…
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Bless You, Mr. B.

Other people might pass you by, but I appreciate your work. Burfitt Tools are at many of the Little World events I attend; WASMex, the miniatures show, the model railway exhibition. I imagine that Mr. B. goes to other affairs – perhaps woodworking shows or R/C events. I cannot afford all the tools he displays…
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There Is A Difference Between Seeing The Show

And being the show. The AGM for the big scale model exhibition is just about to occur. Last year I attended out of curiosity and was tempted to have my say. I’ve had a year to wonder whether I should have kept quiet. This time I shall sip a coffee or beer and just listen.…
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Wee, The People

If you wait long enough… The PDMC car layout is often recognisable at model exhibitions – it has model cars in it. It also has litle people, which count for a great deal of the pulling power it has with crowds. You cannot stand around all day and drink coffee and not pay the price.…
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Good Colour

Good Table It really does make a difference at an exhibition if you set your goods out on a table that attracts the passing eye. Many wonderful modelling efforts could be lost to pblic attention by sitting on a dull surface. Let’s face it – most of our models are destined to be seen from…
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We All Have Days Like That

The trick is to not let others see you when you are in that state. Avoid the family. Do not go to the pub or club. call in sick to work. Do not slouch past the Police station. Retire to your shed, hobby room, or tree house. Pull out a new kit from the 56,000+…
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For What We Are About To Receive

And you know the rest of it… No-one can see the big annual scale model exhibition with its associated competition and think that model building is an unrewarding hobby. There is a pile of trophies, medals, and kit and accessory prizes there on the table to testify differently. Every one of the awards has come…
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Down At the Docks

A lesson in maintenance. I look at the top of my model of the Spitfire – the one I made last year. See how it has become slightly duller? Is that progressive camouflage? No, it is dust, cat hair, lint, ashes, and fingerprints. And that in one year… The paper model of the German harbour…
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Is There Art In Utility?

If the artist is unconscious of it…yes. I do not know if Mr. Burfitt builds scale models – or model trains – or flying aircraft – or doll houses. Possibly, or maybe not – I never quiz him. What I do is pass along the table in front of his selection of tools and imagine.…
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If I Can See It

You win. If the enemy can see it – you lose. Basic rule of camouflage. And it is also a principle to remember when building a scale model for display – especially for public exhibition. If you want ’em to look, attract their eye. This is a challenge for the modeller who is depicting a…
