Model Mania 2011

I would like to tell you about the model event the Scottish Maritime Museum is hosting in a couple of weeks. Please pass the information on to any of your club members you think would be interested.

This just in Model Mania 2011
September 10th &11th 12pm – 4pm (the museum is open from 10am)

Last year the museum hosted an exhibition of several local model clubs, we sent notices out to other model clubs and organisations telling them what was happening.
The event was a huge success and everyone enjoyed their day out. We have been asked to hold a similar event this year.

The clubs exhibiting this year are: Irvine Model Club, Kyle Model Railway Club, Warrix Flying Club & Ayr Model Boat Club. Ayr Model Shop will be joining us as well.

These two days are an ideal opportunity to meet up with like minded people you may not normally see in your own area. We will be providing free tea and coffee and plenty of space to relax and chat, discuss or debate, as I am well aware that people have very passionate opinions about their own disciplines.

I know a lot of people travelled from quite far away last year, so we decided to add some variety to the day for family and friends not quite as interested in models as yourselves. We will also be hosting a craft fair with some of the local crafters displaying a wide range of handmade goods. These beautiful and unique crafts are well worth just browsing but most people find something they want to buy.

We’re not forgetting any kids who may come along, as the Railway Club is bringing a Thomas the Tank engine layout especially for small hands and the Boat clubs will have RC boats available for all ages. All the usual museum activities will be available; interactive games, foam boats to build and race in our indoor pool, quizzes, crafts and free face painting.

The museum itself has an extensive and interesting collection, containing many models as well as full size exhibits. We also have two guided tours on offer; you can step aboard and take a closer look at the M V Kyles, the oldest clydebuilt vessel still afloat or take a look at life 100 years ago in our restored tenement flat.

Further information can be found on our website or call the museum directly on
Scottish Maritime Museum
01294 278283
visitorservices@scotmaritime.org.uk

Weekend at Haydock

Friday morning began with an early rise.  A number of members involved with the Scottish National Warship Association made theyre way down to The Model Boat Convension in Haydock Park.  As always the guys pack out the display tables with an extensive variety of ships.  Day one has been very busy with lots of interest in the association.  featured alongside the associations models is the fishing boat Louise built by Niel Riddle who passed away recently.

Quirky products for the model boater in 2011

As always GSSMS try to keep you  upto date with whats hot and whats not in the model boating world.  Recent adventures in this respect have encouraged us to look further afield and look for the quirky side of boating.

Being trend setters ourselves have seen the development of the ever popular Buzz Boat – but this is nothing compared to the wider market in novelty toys and or gadgets.  The Buzz boat was an example of a boat that could be built for as little as £6.00 and enjoyed by all the family- especially the ice cream.   Made from a £1 foam tube from Poundland and a recycled ice cream tub from Azda the Buzz Boat proved to be robust,  highly adaptable  and very very popular.

While always on the look out for new ideas and or products GSSMS was trawling the net where we came upon these little objects that may prove to be popular this Xmas for the model boater who has everything.

The first product is for those warship enthusiasts who never seem to find enough USB ports on their computer.  Well Kikkerland Design have come up with the answer a –  5 port USB hub in the style of a warship.

What more would you need?  I know.  A mains power supply that would  supply all those peripherals with the power you need to broadcast your bits n bobs.  Well look no further likecool.com have the answer in this very interesting extension cable.

Oh golly I want one!

Holiday Snaps From the Caledonian Canal

These images are of a Trent Class Life Boat on its way along the Caledonian Canal making its way from Loch Lochy to Loch Eil via Neptune’s Staircase.  From there the crew would have to navigate their way through Loch Linnihe, the Firth of Lorn before hitting the Sound of Luing and onto the Sound of Jura.  After that it had to make its way through the Crinan Canal and onto Loch Fyne and eventually onto Troon Lifeboat Station to provide service as a relief boat.

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Queens Park Annual Regatta

After some relaxation time following the National Warship Weekend members of GSSMS got down to setting up the annual model boat regatta on Sunday 14th August.  Initial set up was as always hectic, but as the models are laid out on the tables to make up the static display stress levels begin to drop.  This is always the worrying bit as things move so fast and members worry about the damage that could potentially occur to their models during setup.   As it happened all went well.

I wish I could say the same of the weather though as the outlook was looking bleak with occasional heavy showers forecast.  The first shower came down just before the start of the show at 12 o’clock and this was followed by intermittent showers through out the rest of the day.  The good thing about it was that it didn’t put that many people of from visiting from as far as Greenock and Edinburgh.  The hands on boats proved to be very popular with over 50 visitors having a go and two of them showing an interest in becoming members.  As the day progressed some old faces from the past dropped in to say hello and as always were given a very warm welcome by everyone.

Thank you to everyone who helped out  on the day

Tk max

Only at TK MAX could you find a collection of very well constructed fast Italian motor launches.  The models are approximately 70cm long by 26cm wide.  Each model has an excellent wood finish and leather or faux leather upholstery in the cockpits.  Unfortunately I didn’t look close enough to see how easy they would be to convert to radio control but they certainly did look as thought there would be plenty of room if one wished to do so.   The quality of workmanship is obviously reflected in the price £250.00 so not cheap.  Also in stock if the motor launches are to expensive are less well crafted models of HMS Victory and a Titanic and the Olympic.  Well worth a perusal.