Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition

I am in two minds as wether to go tomorrow is it worth the trip or is it the same old things, disappointed with last years show?

The shopping opportunities were mainly the usual suspects with 1 or 2 new ones, the model displays were interesting but I never remember if they have been shown before, it will be good when the dementia kicks in and it will all seem new

Mike

I am newish to model engineering and went to the exhibition Friday. I really enjoyed the day. So impressed with the variety and quality of the exhibits. This is only the second show that I have been to so cannot compare to last year.

Please go!

ALL model engineering shows need as much support as possible or you won't get the choice whether or not to go in the future

Neil

Who can't go because of car troubles

Neil - think "Toyota" and you will likely have much less car trouble. Just my opinion.

Agreed about going to model engineering shows - use em or lose em. In North America there are only a couple, and none close to me. Wish there were as many here as in the UK. I'd be an attendee!

If I get an Ota, I'll get a real one, not a toy.

Land Cruiser V8 awesome and relentless pity no one can equal the reliability regrettably no longer imported emissions!. Followed a home built 18 plate strapped on an AA Recovery truck yesterday on the way back from the Midlands Model Exhibition.

There must be som very flush model engineers around, I followed an AMG Merc into the car park.

Mike

Might have been an exhibitor?

Enjoyed the show as usual on Thursday. WARCO were by far the biggest trade stand there. RGD a close second . Superb models everywhere with a very impressive large scale flying model of a WW2 bomber near the entrance.

Our overnight hotel in Leamington Spa was wiz - superior fodder!

Rik

Neil, Toyota hype does not deliver. I bought a RAV 4 when I retired. Without doubt the worst car I've ever had, sold on after 4 months.

I'm struggling to find a compelling reason to go. The magazines, and websites like this one, promote awareness of tooling and practices that wouldn't've been possible a few decades back. Prices at the exhibitions aren't generally keen enough to justify the trip and the hassle, and some exhibitor societies show the same models time after time.

I go every year, having family nearby. Every year there is less of interest to me. The Lancaster was impressive. I saw only one clock being exhibited, the usual steam models, seem to be the same every year. I know what Neil means, use it or lose it, but it would be nice if there was more variety.

I enjoyed the show on Thursday, many interesting conversations with exhibitors on details of construction and design. The perfection achieved on some of the exhibits is just breathtaking to behold.

I do agree with some of the earlier comments, especially the sparseness of 'anything' at the Alexandra palace venue, greed will finish off that exhibition if it continues.

Hi, all this talk of the same exhibits etc., is all very well, so why don't some of you exhibit something that you've made, or even in the process of making, even if it only goes in as display exhibit?

Regards Nick.

Having to make two visits or staying from Wednesday to Sunday puts some people off especially if they live a fair distance away. Organisers are not keen to have models entered on just one or two days. That's why I did not enter anything at this show but have at others.

Hi Jason, I understand your point, but there has to be some people who put themselves out to exhibit, but we can't expect all of them to live on the doorstep of the venues. The organisers can't conjure up exhibits, so unless people make an effort, the shows are doomed. I've seen some of your own wonderful work along with others who frequent this forum at various exhibitions over the years and there are others that have exhibited who have travelled far greater distances than most of use. I didn't get time to produce anything this year myself, but then I haven't complained about the lack of different things to see.

Regards Nick.

Managed to visit on Sunday and despite getting stuck behind a very large tractor on the A423 got there in good time. No queue and about 6th through the door. Strange when the place is empty.

It didn't really get that much busier until midday but nevertheless much quieter than I remember on previous years. There were definitely fewer trade stands and the tent/extension part was very sparsely populated. A few regular clubs definitely absent. The model road vehicle rally was down to a mere 13 vehicles and apart from the train rides nothing else outside.. There were some interesting models but most I thought I had seen before and the competition display was very limited.

Apparently the previous 3 days were busier so if you want quiet next year then Sunday is the day to visit. I managed to get up close and personal with both the RDG and Tracy Tools stand I could examine their wares with space to spare which is most unusual!

I can see all these shows becoming "Online Events" sometime soon, sad but that is the way things seem to be moving.

John

Edited By Journeyman on 21/10/2018 16:02:56

I wonder if we have too many shows at the moment? The show in London in the early seventies ran for about ten days. As the hobby is claimed by many to be in decline we have more shows than ever but the shows seem to be struggling to attract the retail element of the show. The retail part of the show used to be very enlightening especially to new starters but now the internet provides a good look at many retailers wares and many people provide reviews via forums and YouTube type sites. Without leaving home you can tap into a mine of information and develop a shortlist of places to visit. With the explosion in shows it must be very difficult and expensive for the traders to attend and the benefit to them small. The model displays depend on clubs or individuals making a big effort to organise and man the exhibit for maybe six days including set up and tear down time. The shows have also become very specialist now where the few shows used to be very wide ranging. It seems that many people do not wish to travel too far to a show and this makes the regional shows just about viable. It seems likely that if attendance continues to fall then we will lose some shows but will this leave a space for a mega show for all modelling interests? The motorcycle show is quite big and based at the NEC, there is still a London show as Londoners seem afraid to leave the inside of the M25. A show based in the midlands seems a good idea but is still a long trek from Cornwall or Scotland but if the show was spectacular enough it might be worth the effort and expense.

Mike

My interest is anything fast for the last 10 years I have built and raced modern and old timer tethered cars,I applied for a club stand so that we could exhibit the cars but it was declined no reason given so I didn't bother again.

In the end I didn't go to the exhibition I went to a model aircraft swap meet mainly radio stuff but I bought a Stuart Turner S50 set of castings for £50 and a Dooling 10cc engine for a British old timer tether car that I building and as usual at this type of events caught up with some friends a good morning out.