Bolton IPMS recently held its annual show at the Toughsheet Community (née Macron) Stadium.
An in-depth report on the show is in the April 2024 issue of Airfix Model World (AMW161), but here is a selection of additional photos taken on the day by editor Stu Fone.
Above: This superbly finished Opel Blitz ambulance was created by Rubicon modeler Luke Caswell using Rubicon’s 1/56 Sd.Kfz 305 open cargo truck as a base, mating it with the associated Box Body Expansion set, which includes spare wheel and rooftop stowage. Above: South Cheshire Military Modelling Club’s Ray Johnston acquired these Airfix 1/48 Lynx HAS.7 and Land Rover WMIK second-hand, building both straight from the box and mounting them on a scratch-built base. Above: Washington Model Club member Darryl Clark painted this Verlinden 1/5 scale English Longbowman ca 1450 bust, capturing the skin and leather tones most convincingly, but decided to replace the resin fletchings with scratch-built replacements for greater realism. Above: The Wrexham Wings Model Club had a touching tribute to Op Jericho, with this splendid memorial build from Len Sarcevic comprising a combination of the Airfix and Hasegawa 1/72 Mosquito kits to produce the Mk.VI flown by Gp Capt Percy Charles Pickard, which was presented to his daughter on the 80th anniversary of this famous raid. Above: In Czech service, the MiG-29 Fulcrum wore several schemes, with this four-tone camouflage being one of the most colourful. IPMS Cleveland modeler Patrick Adams used the Hobby 2000 boxing of Academy’s 1/48 kit to reproduce Black 5918 as it appeared on August 20, 1993 - the type’s last flight in Czech service. Above: IPMS Cleveland modeler Mark Edmondson painted this Deadpool vignette using a Knight Models product, which includes wall sections and cat, posing him as if asking the question: “Where’s Francis?” This is an oft-repeated question – usually asked in darkly humorous circumstances – in the first Deadpool film, where he tracks down the villain that caused his disfigurement. Above: Posing some models, such as Italeri’s 1/35 SLC Maiale manned torpedo, in a suitable environment can be tricky, but Stoke-on-Trent Model Club’s John Mudway rose magnificently to the challenge, setting it within resin ‘water’ complete with seabed and vegetation, with one diver cutting a hole in an anti-torpedo net so they can progress to their target. The figures are a mix of kit and aftermarket items, with their poses modified to suit. Above: IPMS Warrington can always be relied on for a busy and high-quality display, with Peter Hardwick’s Tamiya 1/48 Wildcat finished as a VF-3 airframe assigned to USS Yorktown. Above: There aren’t many kits available of the Kyushu Q1W1 Tokai – known to the Allies as ‘Lorna’ – but Wolverhampton Model Club’s Ian Jukes made this splendid example using the Pavla Models kit, weathering the upper surfaces convincingly. Above: Manchester IPMS modeller David Chase took Academy’s impressive 1/32 F/A-18D Hornet and added Aeromask’s aftermarket spraying templates to recreate the ‘Wet n wild’ digital-style camouflage worn by VFC-12 airframe Red 47, before adding two crew figures. Above: Robert Gray added a wealth of detail to his 1/48 Spitfire PR.XI conversion, adding the Quickboost set to Hasegawa’s Mk.IX, further enhancing the build via an aftermarket Merlin engine, windscreen, and wheels, plus an Eduard photo-etched brass detail set. Inspiration – along with much of the research – came from period photos. Above: Larger-scale kits, such as Hobby Boss’ 1/32 B-24 Liberator, are becoming increasingly popular sights on display tables, with this example by West Riding (Leeds) Model Club member Paul Hughes positioned front and centre. Above: Mark Burgess used several Motobitz conversion sets on his Revell 1/24 Land Rover Series III kit to create this pre-April 1961 Series IIa pickup from the Lower Peover Garage, with the Harvey Frost 30cwt (hundredweight) being a separate set for the open cargo bed. This was one of several excellent auto builds on The Yorkshire Black Sheep Modellers IPMS (UK) stand. Above: While posed shots of an aircraft with the various weapons it can carry are de-rigeur for promoting its capabilities, SESKU + Hemsworth Community Scale Model Club’s Craig Stimson went for a similar effect using Kit Form Services’ 1/24 Scammel Crusader EKA Recovery Vehicle. Instead of munitions, he supplemented the kit’s recovery equipment with the same firm’s accessory set to create this eye-catching display. Above: Tim Whitton’s superb painting and weathering enlivened his Revell 1/125 Jacques-Yves Cousteau Calypso, including shading on the helicopter deck and enhancing the panel lines on the accompanying submersibles and a Hughes Model 269 helicopter. This was one of several splendid items on the Modelwyr y Ddraig Goch (Red Dragon Modellers) stand.
EXTRA IMAGES INSIDE: If it’s the middle of September, then that must mean it’s time for the annual modellers’ pilgrimage to the University Academy Holbeach for the IPMS Fenland and Spalding club’s Wings and Things event - as Stu Fone reports.
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Hornby Magazine’s prestigious Model Railway Awards return for 2024, with voting open from September 5 at 9am. Voting closes at 11.59pm on September 23 2024.