The Vancouver chapter of the International Plastic Modellers Society holds their annual show on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and occasionally I remember to go. This year, I had the pleasure of The Boy’s company. Frankly, I barely know what I’m looking at, but it’s always worth a turn around the display to see some outstanding models, maybe be inspired or get some cool ideas.
Fortunately, a couple of modellers included little booklets with their models so I could appreciate their efforts. I’ve made books for a some of my models, too, but they’ve been large-format, and take quite some space on the display table. These ones were the size of Little Miss books, and I liked this hard cover version. I imagine the modeller has a shelf full of these little books, and being hardcover their models are named on the spines for easy access. The Boy says I couldn’t do this because I like writing about my models too much.
It’s encouraging to see the occasional model from the Pembroke era. This Benz three-wheeler has incredible spokes. I imagine they must be etched, or at least I hope they are, because if they’re really individual pieces of wire, we should all pack up and go home now. Sadly, there was no little book with this one, so the secret remains with the modeller.
There was a book with this fabulous biplane. When I thumbed through it, I learned the wooden frame beneath the skin was all there. Unfortunately, it didn’t hint at the method for making these barely-visible turnbuckles, or for getting the rigging tight.
The display room was crowded, and it didn’t take us long to exhaust our willingness to push through the little panels of judges and head home, full of inspiration to reach higher and further on my next efforts.
Pembroke:87 
Those books are a really cool idea. It would be lovely to have a shelf of these journals. I like this a lot.
That Benz three-wheeler is beautiful. Such an ornate and delicate thing with almost no place to hide for the modeller during its making. I feel like I saw a 1/24 kit for such a vehicle and think the kit, at least, was from the Ukrainian company ICM(?).
This makes me wonder if we have events, like this, here in Halifax. It’s a world I only ever knew as a retailer in an earlier period in my life. I’d love to attend something like this just to soak in the inspiration.
Chris
Thanks Chris. Yes, I looked up the Benz motorwagon, and indeed ICM made a 1:24 kit for it. There are two variants: one with plastic spokes, and the other with etched spokes. So, I guess we can all keep modelling.
Yup, checking out the other modelling realms is great for inspiration!
I also like the Benz trike, with its fineness and open architecture. By 1905, in Beachburg, not that far from Pembroke, my great grandfather was both a harness maker and bicycle mechanic. So these fine wheels in this configuration make me think how he would have loved to work on the Benz. And to have seen it and heard it go! (That’s me thinking and wanting).
And , yes, the wee turnbuckles and books too. All attractive beings and ideas.
World enough and time.
I love the idea of these books, makes an interesting addition to