On_Track_model_ Show

We are very grateful to all those, mainly MAFVA members, and some from Gravesham Model Club, and some traders, who undertook the thankless task of judging the competition.

For MAFVA, Paul Middlton writes:

'ON TRACK' 2015

The start of the Golden Jubilee year of the Miniature AFV Association.

pictures by Natalia Claringbold

Despite grey skies and strong on-shore winds, the usual suspects were found gathering at the iconic Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. For many, the first stop was the street level café for a welcome cuppa after the journey, perhaps to meet up with friends, or to gird their loins for the buying frenzy!

In the foyer was Avid Reader with a tremendous display of books, and several other traders. Travelling further down on to the floor of the main hall it was wall-to-wall traders selling virtually everything a military model maker could wish for. From paints, to glues, plastic card, brass sheet, diorama bases, books, figures and kits in all the usual scales, all were on sale, with many show offers. The diversity of stuff on offer was matched by the many languages and accents to be heard. Whilst many of the traders were regulars, there were a few new faces. I was quite stunned to find one, Early War Miniatures, is based only a couple of miles from me!

Up on the balconies were a variety of club displays, in one corner was a make and take event for the kids sponsored by Airfix, and on the stage a wargame was in progress. At one end of the hall was the all important rendezvous for of the bar which supplied refreshment, as well as a snack bar for feeding the inner man.

Many of us source our kits online and rely on photographs and reviews to make a choice. At shows like On Track, you can actually look at the kits, in many cases talk to the manufacturers, often with the completed model on display in front of you. You can thumb through a book to see if the contents are what you want, or rummage through choices of tools that you may never have heard of. Many of the model clubs were giving demonstrations of modelling techniques, showing how the various products the traders carry can be used.

At the far end of the main hall another flight of stairs (or the lift) takes us down to the Channel Suite straight into another bar which leads on to suite itself with its panoramic view of the English Channel, and on better days France. For On Track, this room is divided into the competition room and the MAFVAzone. As with the club displays upstairs and on the MAFVA branch displays, the standard of modelling in the competition classes was extremely high, and was always a crowd of admirers around the tables. The MAFVAzone is an opportunity for the branches from around the UK to show off their displays and discuss information with visitors and fellow members. Quite often it is a chance encounter that finds you a fellow enthusiast who can help with that obscure piece of information on its, colour schemes or plans. Of course, the MAFVA HQ stand was there with a display of back issues of the Association magazine, ‘Tankette’. Being the golden jubilee of MAFVA, there were 50 years worth of Tankettes available, and these also offered a wide variety of plans to aid modelling projects. Also available were souvenir jubilee lapel badges and mugs.

Suddenly it was time for the presentation of prizes, and it was time to pack up. So much to see and buy, but never enough time. Already we are planning for On Track 2016!