The April issue of Connections is available now. Nic Zwart’s Scania is on the cover, and Malcolm Thomas talks about his cute LA-7.
Connections April 2016
Month: April 2016
Kids can take part at Scale Models Expo
We’re sure kids will enjoy seeing all the models of vintage aircraft, giant robots, weird monsters, fast cars, heavy trucks and other cool stuff we’ll have on display, but the Expo isn’t just about looking. We also have some great ways for kids to get involved with the awesome hobby of scale modelling.
Free Airfix kits
We are giving away a free Project Airfix kit with every child ticket (and to children entering under a family ticket) while stocks last. These are new-tool 1/72 aircraft kits which are easy to build and very realistic.
We have plenty of kits for both days, but they will run out eventually so we’d advise getting there early.
Free building workshops
Children can try their hand at building their Airfix kits during the show. We’re running two “build-a-kit” sessions each day at 11am and 1pm. We’ll provide the kits, tools and glue, and our adult and experienced junior club members will be on hand to offer advice and guidance. There are ten places available at each session, and a prize for the best build too.
The build-a-kit sessions are generously sponsored by Holdson and Airfix. We’re grateful for their help in getting more kids involved with the hobby.
Junior Competitions
Both the Expo Public Competition and the IPMS (NZ) Nationals have Junior categories for children younger than 17, so if your kids already make models they should consider entering them. There are some great prizes to be won, but the real treat is seeing their work displayed on the competition tables for everyone to enjoy. We’ll be posting more about the Junior competitions soon.
Model registration open!
If you are entering a model or models into either the Scale Models Expo Public Competition or IPMS NZ Nationals, we recommend you use our online form to pre-register. This will save you (and us!) time on the day.
The deadline for online pre-registration is midnight Wednesday April 20th 2016. If you miss the deadline, you can still save time by downloading and printing entry forms and filling them in at home. We will also have entry forms available to fill out on the day if you don’t have access to a printer.
On the day of the show, bring your model(s) (and completed paper forms if you missed the deadline) to the registration desk. Registration opens on Saturday 23rd April at 10am and closes at 12 noon sharp.
Scale Models Expo sponsors
As well as our awesome traders, we’d like to thank the companies who have helped make the Expo a reality thanks to their sponsorship:
Major sponsors
Holdson and Airfix are sponsoring our Junior make-and-take activity and kit give-away by providing Airfix model aircraft kits for children to build during the show. We’ll be running four make-and-take sessions over the weekend, more details to follow.
Thos Holdsworth & Sons Ltd, otherwise known as Holdson, have been passionate about the business of entertaining for 75 years. Based in Auckland, they are best known to modellers as importers of Airfix kits and Humbrol paints and model-making supplies.
Airfix is the oldest UK manufacturer of scale plastic model kits and has been producing kits for the mass market since 1952. Airfix produces a wide range of kits aimed at all types of scale modellers with subjects such as military aircraft, civil aircraft, ships, galleons, cars, space, figures, dioramas and military vehicles.
Trevor Bringans Ltd. are sponsoring the Junior competitions, with a generous donation of gift certificate spot prizes. This means any Junior entry could win a prize for taking part, so under-17s get your models along to the show on ANZAC weekend!
Trevor Bringans Ltd. has been bringing models and model accessories to New Zealand hobbyists for over 30 years. They stock a huge range of famous hobby brands including Tamiya, Academy, Italeri and Revell and supply a large number of hobby, craft & toy stores New Zealand-wide.
Competition sponsors
Our competition sponsors help provide certificates and trophies for the Expo Public Competition and Nationals prize winners. Thanks to them we’re able to recognise the talents of the winning modellers.
Wingnut Wings are sponsoring the Aircraft category.
Wingnut Wings’ passion is to provide accurate, highly detailed, large scale models that are as enjoyable to build for both the experienced and novice modeller alike. By designing these models to be a pleasure to build they hope to attract people unaccustomed to the satisfaction of modelling aviation’s epic and tragic pioneer years.
Acorn Models are sponsoring the Military Vehicles, Dioramas and Junior categories.
Established in 1985 the retail shop in Christchurch has grown in size and popularity to its current operation which includes a large mail order base operating from one of New Zealand’s largest retail stores for model and hobby products.
Thanks again to all our sponsors, we really appreciate your help!
Learn from Mike Butler at Scale Models Expo
Mike will be running a series of painting demonstrations at the show so anyone with even a passing interest in painting figures, either in their own right or to display with other models, should come along and see how he does it. This really is an amazing opportunity to see how a world class painter works, so don’t miss out.
Among other achievements, he has painted box art pieces for Wings Cockpit Figures, the Tommy’s War range of WW1 figures, and has had multiple articles published in the well-regarded Figure Modelling manuals from Mr. Black Publications. Mike has also sold painted figures and produced painted work on commission for clients all over the world.
You can see a selection of Mike’s incredible work below:
NZ Pilot & his mate in the Royal Air Force during WW2
28th Maori Battalion Sergeant
Maori Scout late 19th Century during New Zealand Colonial Wars
New Zealander in the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Western Desert 1941-43
“The Dawn Patrol” Royal Flying Corps Pilot during WW1
“Charlie” the Lewis Gunner, 1917 NZ Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion
Connections March 2016 – Saladin
The March issue of Connections is available now. Gary Goddard’s 1/48 Kfir is on the cover, and Malcolm Thomas talks about his Dragon Saladin Armoured Car in 1/35 scale.