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.

Holdson logo 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 logoAirfix 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. LogoTrevor 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 logoWingnut 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.

Acorn Models logoEstablished 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

Michael J Butler
Michael J Butler
We’re very pleased that Mike Butler will be joining us on ANZAC weekend for Scale Models Expo. Mike is perhaps one of New Zealand’s best figure painters and has an awesome ability to breathe life into miniature people with his brushes.

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

Trade stalls at Scale Models Expo

We’ve lined up some great trade support for Scale Models Expo, with model and tool retailers from around the country and overseas. Visiting the show will give you a great opportunity to see the latest models and hopefully pick up a bargain or two!

Acorn Models
Acorn Models logoEstablished 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.
 
www.acornmodels.co.nz

Wingnut Wings
Wingnut Wings logoWingnut 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 we hope to attract people unaccustomed to the satisfaction of modelling aviation’s epic and tragic pioneer years.
 
www.wingnutwings.com

Modelcrafts and Hobbies
Modelcrafts and Hobbies logoModelcrafts and Hobbies in Wellington have been supplying hobbyists needs since 1956. They are specialists in scale model cars, bikes, aircraft, military, realspace, sci-fi etc. kitsets and Radio Control hobby items and tools.
 
www.modelcraftsandhobbies.co.nz

Belmont Models
Belmont Models in Lower Hutt supply a huge variety of unusual and hard-to-find plastic kits and after-market accessories.

The Hobby Stop
Unfortunately, while the Hobby Stop were planning to attend they can’t now make it due to circumstances outside their control and ours.

Tinkering Tools
Tinkering Tools logoTinkering Tools stock high quality, unique, and hard to find miniature hand tools for modelling and miniature work. Their range includes Scalpels, Vises, Tap n Die sets, Spring Loaded Clamps, Micro Screws, Punch Sets, Tube Cutting Jigs and more.
 
www.tinkeringtools.com.au

OldModels Decals
OldModels Decals logoOldModels Decals was established in 2009 to provide accurate quality decals for New Zealand military and civilian aircraft. Today they offer nearly a thousand decal sheets, almost all of which are NZ subjects, as well as a small range of hard-to-get kits to complement the decals.
 
www.oldmodelsdecals.com

Connections February 2016 – Ferrari F40

February issue cover
February 2016 – Paul Edwards’ Ferrari F40 GTE, Omaka Open Day

The February issue of Connections is available now, with Malcolm Thomas’ Saladin on the cover. We have some interesting articles this month, including a great write-up from Paul Edwards on how he rebuilt and re-finished his Best in Show-winning Ferrari F40 GTE.

All Connections issues

Scale Models Expo 2016

We are hosting a Scale Models Expo on ANZAC weekend, April 23-24 2016 at the Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre in Upper Hutt, Wellington.

Scale Models Expo banner

The Expo is for the whole family to enjoy, with scale model displays, competitions, trade stalls, demonstrations and fun activities. You’ll find hundreds of awesome miniature (and not so miniature) creations on show, including models of the latest jets, historic fighter planes, heavy haul trucks, giant robots, armoured vehicles, spacecraft, classic racing cars and many more.

The Mole from Thunderbirds
Thunderbirds Pod Vehicle “The Mole”

A big part of the Expo has always been the public competition and this year we are also hosting the IPMS New Zealand Nationals, where many of the country’s best model-makers will battle it out for top honours. Take the opportunity to inspect the entries up close and see the skill and dedication that goes into creating these detailed works of art.

Weathered Bedford tipper truck
Bedford O Series SWB Tipper

We look forward to seeing you there next weekend!

Welcome!

This is the website for Scale Models Wellington IPMS, a club for scale modellers in and around the greater Wellington region. You can find out more about the club on the About page. We are hosting Scale Models Expo in 2016 – read about that on the Expo page.

Please have a look at what we’re doing, and if you’re a modeller (or interested in giving modelling a try) why not come along to one of our meetings?