The last month or so has led me to reflect on a topic that I often think about and discuss in this editorial: the difference between UK and European model shows. In October, I had the pleasure of attending the Scale Model Challenge show in the Netherlands (you can read an extended show report in this month’s issue). A few weeks later the UK’s premier show, the IPMS Nationals, was held in Telford. The contrast in speaking to people who attended both, and the chatter on social media, was stark. In some ways, it probably reflects the character and interests of my friends – the armour and figure modelling fraternity – as much as it does the shows themselves, but I think there are differences in culture and experience. One of the recurrent gripes, certainly among the armour modellers who commented on the Telford show, was the over-zealous attitude of some of the competition officials. Models were disqualified for being in the wrong category (rather than being moved into the correct one) and there was even a pre-prepared laminated notice available to place against the unfortunate entry. Personally, I don’t really understand the rationale behind this, but I think it goes some way to explaining why model competitions are so different on the Continent. It has been my experience, at least in terms of armour models, that UK competitions are short on entries and frequently lack the quality in depth of their counterparts across the Channel. I know there are good modellers in the UK, but for some reason they are reluctant to enter their pieces in formal competitions. At SMC, by contrast, the tables were packed with literally hundreds of armour models, some outstanding, but from a range of modellers of various abilities (including many UK modellers) who were pleased to take part and have their work judged against that of other modellers. The competition then becomes the centre of the show, tables of fantastic models to be photographed and admired, rather than something that causes divisiveness and angst. It’s a competition culture we should aspire to at UK shows
This month’s MMI is a mixture of different subjects, styles and approaches. Our Armour in Profile subject this month is the German light halftrack, the Sd.Kfz. 250 and Gary Kwan and Thomas Anderson present different builds of this important component of the German armed forces in World War II. Continuing the half-track theme, Juanjo Dominguez Calvo debuts in MMI with an absolutely stunning build of Dragon’s Small-Scale Sd.Kfz. 251/22 ‘Pakwagen’. It’s World War II but with a difference as we welcome another new contributor, Bryan Kreuger, who builds Trumpeter’s prototype KV-220 Heavy Tank. It’s a pleasure too to welcome back Kenneth Childres with Thunder Model’s sublime Case VAI tractor. Two modern subjects round off the issue: Ivan Momcilovic Momcha tackles Hobbyboss’s excellent IDF Puma APC, while another new name, Vorya Hidaryan, tackles a Shilka SPAAG in Iranian colours. Until next month, happy modelling and can I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2018 from all of us here at Guideline Publications.