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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Seven – Tanks For The Memories

At one time I would have regarded armour models and military vehicles with only minor interest – I am an aviation modeller. Yet, the need for prop vehicles for my airfields, and then civilian vehicles, has meant an increased recognition of the little machines. And recently a dollar purchase of a Polish armoured car in…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Six – Mark Your Calendar

But make sure you have an eraser, because you can’t tell when you might have to start rubbing things out. The Big Local Scale Model exhibition has run very well for quite a number of years. It seems to have been the 21st one this year and that would have been a higher number except…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Five – The Quest For Novelty

One of the charms for me when I attend the doll-house ladies’ exhibition, or that of the model railway enthusiasts – is the novelty of the models and exhibits. I preserve this freshness by attending only one of these per year – one year it will be the doll-houses and next the trains. Every time…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Four – The Mysterious Models

I use the term ” mysterious ” here in a purely personal sense. The subjects that are covered by many modellers and gamers are out of my experience, and I can only gaze upon them with wonder. I hope they will do the same for me – even if it is just wondering if I…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Three – The Prize-Giving

Most prize ceremonies I attend are sort of add-on affairs for me. I am never entered for any contests, and unless I have been asked to judge something, the events go off without any personal input. Yet, it is nice to see people rewarded for their efforts, Scale modellers spend months making their contest entries…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part Two – More Visitors

Well, that was better. Sunday, the hall was full of visitors, and we even had more to the build-a-kit section. This meant the people nearest the table needed to help with the youngsters – under the supervision of their parents. Sprue cutters were lent out; sandpaper sticks as well. Most of the really young ones…
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The Big Local Scale Model Exhibition – Part One

Well, there we were – the morning of the Big Local Scale Model Exhibition. And I was off to do my bit. 5:00 AM: Up and clean for the show. Loaded the car with the 6 little airfields plus a model box to work on – and a sandwich for lunch. I live locally, so…
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Katyusha M13 – Part Three – Whooshin’ Rooshians

The wartime accounts of the use of rocket trucks by the Soviets are quite spectacular. Stories of mass attacks that caused whole vilages to disappear are rife. These rocket artillery pieces may have been restricted to 5-8 miles range but the effect of 16 of the rockets falling simultaneously – even if the target circle…
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Katyusha M13 – Part Two – Truckin’

Apparently the basic design for this class of Soviet trucks is an American vehicle of the 1930’s, though I don’t know if it is meant to be Ford or Chevrolet. In any case they adapted it to all sorts of roles at the time, as they did for many vehicles in the 1950’s and 50’s.…
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Katyusha M13 – Part One – Never Look A Gift Rocket In The Nozzle

Drifting past the club work table one day I was delighted when a club mate handed me a small kit box and asked whether I’d like it for free. It was not the scale or sort of item he makes, so It was going spare. I think it originally came from a third member, being…
