SHOWTIME - PLASTIC BATTLE 2017

On 16-17 September, Turkish military modelling enthusiasts gathered once again in Golbasi - Ankara at the FNSS Facilities for the tenth annual PlasticBattle Armour Modelling Show. As usual, the show was sponsored and hosted by FNSS Defense Systems, the leading manufacturer of tracked/wheeled ACVs and weapon systems in Turkey. Their hospitality was admirable with professional technical support, all-day drink services, lunch and barbeques, souvenirs, including T-shirts with the show logo, magnets and pin badges. The vendors’ area was more extensive than at previous shows and modellers could buy a variety of models, airbrushes and spare parts, detail sets, books, paint and pigments. FNSS published a decennial modelling magazine for the show. ACV-15 Special issue is printed in two languages: Turkish and English. The magazine offers history, technical data, paint schemes, references photos and model gallery. It also includes three step-by-step articles on building two different versions of the ACV-15 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle and a diorama with a vehicle on the assembly line. Workshops were held by two masters of the hobby: Volker Bembennek on diorama building and Radek Pituch of Rado Miniatures on figure sculpting. Pere Pla of Abrams Squad/Defense Now magazines and I served as judges on the competition. There were in total 305 models by 124 modellers, mostly tanks, AFVs and softskins. Figures and dioramas were in minority. Judging was done in World War II and Modern Armour, Turkish Armour, Small Scale, ‘What-If’, Figures and Dioramas categories and awards were made in gold, silver, bronze and commendations in Master and Hobby categories. All junior modellers who entered the competition received model kits and the few female participants also received commendations. It was good to see quality of the models entered moves upwards in terms of participation and painting levels, but there are still need a few more steps for Turkey to enter the European Premier League of Modelling! As in the previous years, FNSS performed their traditional field demo and vehicle exhibition of the ACV-19 and Pars 8x8 Wheeled Armoured Vehicle. Exceptionally this year, I was inside the squad compartment of the Pars during the demo! Events were brought to an end with a collequium where staff and modellers shared critiques, comments, wishes and future plans. Below you can see a selection of the eye-catching models.