22 Nov #Chelmsford Model Society of Model Engineers to return to London Exhibition
Earlier this year the Chelmsford Model Society of Model Engineers won ‘Best in Show’ at the London Model Engineer Exhibition, Alexandra Palace. The local club was awarded “Best in show” and was presented a handsome shield by the Exhibition organisers.
The Chelmsford Model Society stand showcased the works of its club members including a replica French Hirondelle “Superbe” bicycle, a 4″ Burrell 6 NHP Traction engine weighing over 1/2 a Ton, a Supermarine Spitfire and a line up of four 5″ gauge Single wheeler locomotives that were based on prototypes of the Victorian era – something that had never been seen before at a Model Engineer Exhibition. The society was thrilled to win the accolade, and it seemed fitting tribute to the clubs founder member Jack Clarke who formally worked for the BBC at Alexandra Palace.
The Chelmsford Model Society of Model Engineers will be one of over fifty national and regional modelling clubs and societies and associations displaying their members work each competing to win the prestigious 2017 Society Shield.
The London Model Engineering Exhibition returns to the iconic venue of Alexandra Palace for the 2017 event, its 21st Anniversary. The exhibition is regarded as one of THE Largest Model Engineering and Modelling Exhibitions in the UK and attracts over 14,000 visitors annually. This leading exhibition for model engineers continues to enthral visitors and enthusiasts alike with thousands of fantastic scale models from the early age of steam engines right up to today’s modern marvels. The annual event sees individuals, clubs and societies come together to look for the pieces they need to finish their models, as well as showing off their finished masterpieces and admiring each other’s.
The 2017 event will be packed with hundreds of displays to keep the whole family entertained for hours, from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines, collections of scale model ships, through to the more modern gadgets and boys toys including remote control trucks, boats, aeroplanes and helicopters – as previously featured on BBC “The One Show”. Visitors to the exhibition can travel between the shows different zones, trying out different activities and watching fascinating and technical demonstrations.
SPECIAL EXHIBIT FOR 2017 – Mail Rail and Postal Museum officially opens its doors in spring 2017, and will be London’s first major museum in over a decade. When launched Mail Rail will enable public into the tunnels of the Post Office’s private underground railway for the first time in its hundred-year history. Visitors to the London Model Engineering Exhibition in January will get a glimpse into the hidden past of the Mail Rail before its grand opening. The special display will include a Royal Mail immersive and inflatable tunnel interactive experience demonstrating what life was like working in the tunnel as a Mail Rail engineer. The Polly Owners Group will return once again providing free passenger rides, so you can hop on board the 5″ gauge steam locomotive.
The London Model Exhibition is keen to engage with modellers of all ages and 2017 will have a larger interactive area to bring modelling to life. You can take part in hands-on model building activities, watch live demonstrations from Tamiya Truckin and the British Model Flying Association (BMFA). Of course a model show wouldn’t be complete without LEGO, the Brickish Association whose members create, build and display LEGO will be on hand with heaps of information, hints and tips for the budding LEGO builder and a LEGO build table for children to participate plus children can participate in building a large LEGO mosaic at Fairy Bricks, a wonderful charity that donates LEGO to hospital wards. For the real youngsters the Imagineering Foundation stand is more like a science lab, where they can try out modelling experiments to inspire children into the exciting world of engineering, science, and technology and there’s ‘Track Party’ a huge track layout featuring toy trains, cars and dinosaurs!.
Always a show highlight is the Spithead Review, a set of around 600 tiny 1:1200 scale models of iconic ships providing a visual history of 3,000 years of naval warfare. The collection has been a 33-year labour of love for Jack Snary, a former engineer and accountant from Cheshunt, Herts. Each ship takes about 40 hours to construct and its materials about 50 pence per boat but the collection is insured for a staggering £60,000!
Other attractions include an extraordinary display of matchstick ships to models of historical ships such as HMS Victory and HMS Vanguard, built by Alex McFadyen, aged 72 from Surrey – who has built two 8ft 6inch long models, which took over 13,000 hours to build.
January 2017 commemorates the 50th anniversary of Donald Campbell’s fateful crash in his jet-powered boat, the Bluebird K7 whilst trying to break his own water speed record. The life and speed exploits of speed king Donald Campbell will be will be celebrated with a special photographic and model display at the London Model Engineering Exhibition. Many of the photographs to be displayed will have never been seen before. British speed record breaker Donald Campbell broke eight absolute world speed records on water and on land in the 1950s and 1960s. He remains the only person in history to set both world land and water speed records in the same year (1964).
The London Model Exhibition will host over 50 national and regional clubs and societies displaying their members work each competing to win the prestigious Society Shield. In total nearly 2,000 models will be on display.
Nearly all the industry leading suppliers will be present showcasing new products and special promotions. It gives hobbyists an excellent opportunity to see and compare products under one roof as well as glean expert advice and useful tips from the professionals. You can purchase virtually anything you need for your next model or project or to get you started in a hobby.
If you are interested in modelling yourself or want to rekindle your childhood memories, you will find something amongst the many diverse types of modelling on display to admire. If you are not already a modeller hopefully the exhibition will fire your imagination to build something yourself and enjoy one of these satisfying hobbies.
With so much to see and do under one roof, The London Model Engineering Exhibition is a great day out for all the family whatever the weather!
