National Warship Weekend July 13th & 14th July 2008

GSSMS on Day two of National Warship Weekend

What can I say. This was perhaps the largest model boating event to be hosted in Scotland in many years and far surpassed anything the Scottish Federation of Model Boat Clubs has ever attempted. At club level this was a bold statement of what can be achieved by model makers in Scotland and Glasgow South Ship Modelers Society was proud to be the host of the event.

Planning for this show started in earnest and was the culmination of months of organisation. The event was held over a weekend with Saturday intended as a meet and greet day and Sunday a repeat of Saturday but with a full scale static display and competitions. Trade stalls were provided by Paul from P.S Ships (also the show sponsor) and Paisley Model Center. To provide extra comfort we also hired the hall at GOALs which included a bar and comfortable surrounding in which to enjoy light refreshments.

Nerves were staring to show in the last two weeks leading up to the event with no let up in the weather. Rain and lots of it can make or break an open air event such as ours so to try minimize the worst excesses of the weather, should it continue, we purchased a few extra gazebos that visitors could shelter under. As it happened though the weather cleared on the Friday before the show and was to stay dry for the whole weekend. However, a new weather front was to move in by the Monday. How lucky were we. Very.  I say! Lady luck had truly shawn down on us. As it happened the sun came out all weekend giving us a show that we, up here, in Scotland shall never forget. It was great. Over 130 models were on display making it one of the biggest outdoor shows we have seen in a long time (photos of the event can be seen on the forum at Model Warships UK and Model Boat Mayhem (please note: if you are not already a member you will have to register to view these forums). The day also saw some competitive team maneuvers and the raffle of an armed trawler donated by PS. SHIPS. Also on offer were a number of Revel kits including the Snowberry and a Gato class submarine.

HMS Intrepid

If model warships were not your thing then there was always the evening refreshments to keep you happy. “what am I saying even if model warships were your thing then this was for you”. The guys from the North and South got to know each other and their hobby better over a few beers and a nice Chinese meal. In fact for the die hards (they know who they are) this was every evening, and boy was it fun.

GSSMS would like to thank Glasgow City Council for the use of Queens Park and all the resources they made available to us over the weekend. We would also like to thank Paul Simpson (and his team) of PS Ships for sponsoring the event. Finally we would like to thank the new Management Committee of Glasgow Richmond MBC who loaned us the modular model dock system and buildings. These did result in some memorable photos. Thanks would also like to be given to Paisley Model Center and Dave Wooley of Model Boat Magazine for his coverage of the event (See Nov 2008 edition) and Captain Alan Hutton (better known for being the voice behind the Edinburgh Military Tattoo). Last but by no means least, thanks would like to be extended to everyone (male or female) who busted a chop on the weekend. This was truely an incredible feet given the limited resources available. Well done and hope we can do the same next year.