Scale ModelWorld 2013 - Latest News

Scale ModelWorld 2013 is the IPMS (UK) 50^th Anniversary show and we hope to celebrate the Society’s fiftieth year in style. A tremendous amount has changed in our hobby since we first started in 1963 and Scale ModelWorld 2013 will be highlighting those changes and the part the Society has played in them.  Many of our Branches and Special Interest Groups will be tailoring their displays to reflect their take on this milestone and in Hall 1 there will be a special display to reflect the history of the Society and the development of the hobby over this time. As well as a stunning selection of models made over the last fifty years it is hoped to have a selection of previous competition winners too.  Alongside the model displays will be box art from various manufacturers, magazines, catalogues and other ephemera together with information boards showing the history of IPMS (UK) and its development.

In Hall 3 we will again have an exciting and varied selection of 1/1 scale attractions including the UK’s only flying UH-1 Huey helicopter, armoured vehicles, cars and for the second time the Fylde replica Spitfire.  Also making a repeat appearance will be the Mk 1 Shackleton nose section from the Shackleton Preservation Trust who has recently announced its intention to return WR963 to the skies.

For Science Fiction fans we will also be featuring some very special items thanks to Mat Irvine and Mike Tucker, the well-known special effects gurus who will be hosting a special Sci-Fi display with models and props from many iconic TV shows including the original K-9, Marvin the paranoid android, the Liberator from Blake’s 7 and the Starbug from Red Dwarf amongst others. It is also rumoured the Daleks might be planning an invasion over the weekend.

Trader bookings are well up on last year with several traders increasing the size of their stands and many new traders attending for the first time. Over 170 traders will be at the show and at the time of going to press over 99% of trade space is booked.  Branch and SIG display space is also going quickly as many have asked for extra space this year.

We always have a lot of overseas visitors but this year many more are hoping to visit the show and with this in mind the Society has organised in association with Anderson Tours (link to http://www.andersontours.co.uk/default.asp ) two sightseeing tours which should be of particular interest, full details can be found here. (link to http://www.smwshow.com/tour.php)

Scale ModelWorld 2013 is shaping up to be the best event of its kind ever and is definitely not to be missed; we look forward to seeing you there.

Richard Kent
SMW Manager