2024 Annual Show 14th July 2024

Even the weather was kind for the annual North Somerset model show held at the Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare on July 14.

It was an early start for those North Somerset members who volunteered to help traders and clubs set up and to marshal vehicles (bacon rolls and coffee from the Museum 

restaurant helped the process)

At 1000, the doors opened to the paying customers. The various stands were scattered throughout the Museum enabling visitors to view the Museum exhibits too.

Some of the 29 clubs attending included South Somerset, Cold War SIG, Exeter (no helicopter arrival this time), Modern British Army SIG, Wiltshire, the Land Rover SIG and the Earley Risers from Reading. The NASA SIG was notable for the fact that all the models – with two exceptions – on both tables had been built by one man.

There were many beautifully finished models, among them the turntable ladder fire engine on the Avon stand. Almost 2 feet high at its highest, I didn’t get to see it up close but at least you knew where the stand was! The ships and boats on the Birmingham stand were all scratch built.

The 7 traders , including Form-u-Lay and Brooksmodels seemed to be doing a brisk trade during the day – always a good sign.

My personal highlight was the 1:72 B-17G on the North Somerset stand. Built by Jared Watkinson its natural metal finish was just that. Every panel had been clad and 

burnished individually. The result was stunning.

It was really nice to wander round and chat with old friends from over the years and catch up on their news and exchange information on techniques, etc. That was the real highlight of the day – as it is with any model show.

The lowlight of the day was missing out on the first sunshine for 10 days because I was indoors.