Quick Report on the IPMS

I set off at 8.20 a.m. - I arrived 4 hours later, due to faulty guidance control, at the traffic jam approaching the "Telford International Centre."
As last year, I can only think that this moniker is a joke. I've seen more impressive carpet warehouses. The atmosphere was 'busy' but less friendly than the do's at Donnington, or even last years' (complete with teething troubles and leaky roof.)

Still, the UK kit shopper's annual pilgrimage has to be made. And so it was I arrived at Telford Discount Carpets (IPMS banner outside,) clutching my chequebook in my sweaty hand...

I went straight to the Matador models stand, where I professed all ignorance of things Tank, and asked the nice man for some stuff Matt Bitner (WW1 list member in the 'States) wanted. He insisted I hand over a cheque for two boxes and a small packet of resin bits. I still don't know what's in the boxes. The box lid says something about a "Mk.I male to female conversion," I just hope Matt knows what he's doing. Or will that be she...

Yeah, I know its 1:48, but it is nice.

Mannock Trophy Winner - Bristol Fighter, builder declared insane.

I then got to meet another list member. Len Smith and I had corresponded by e-mail, but finally got to meet at the 'Sar Feast' London stand.

His Maurice Farman conversion made me realise how much my models are flattered by the digital camera. And how I need to improve my Vac-building skills urgently.

Excellent stuff Len, and nice to meet you at last.

Len didn't seem pleased when I returned at 4 o'clock and recorded this picture...Turns out he had flu

Peter Leonard, (the invisible list member) I'm sure felt it necessary to avoid me. Can't say I blame him. Everywhere I went, people would say "oh, you've just missed him." or "he's just popped off for a cup of tea." In the end I gave up because I was now weighed down with a shed-full of kits.

My favourite model in the contest was this 1:72 Avro 504 in post-war civil colours. I envied the hand-painting skills of the builder - perfectly captured on the side was the logo of the St. Austall flying school, Cornwall.

The rest of the 1:72 stuff was a bit 'run-of-the-mill.'
A nicely - made Toko 1 1/2 - Strutter won an award. The 1:48 stuff was amazing - but where's the skill in that..?

So - armed with more money than my starving wife and child can comfortably spare, what did I do?

A Merlin Morane Saulnier 28; a Dakoplast Sikorsky SXVI; Classic Planes' DFW C.V; Martinsyde Elephant and Aviatik Berg C.I.

I got a Rare Planes Gotha G.V (to keep the G.IV in the cupboard company;) a Formaplane BE.2c; Joystick Ago C.II and an Albatros C.III.

Still not content, I rummaged around in the traders' boxes and found another Bleriot XI; a Nieuport Monoplane (Len said it's the wrong scale;) an Albatros J.II and a sheet of Pegasus RFC markings.

Got home, despite more faulty guidance, at 8.30 p.m. - I missed the turn off for the M18 and ended up outside Bansley. Still, any landing you can walk away from etc...