Probably the Best one-day Show is here again and the weather has been good to us, though a little chilly! Ideally situated pretty much half way up/down the country this is the ideal venue for a Show of this type. Great value with just a parking charge (£4 the whole day), free entry to the excellent Museum, Food and Beverages very reasonably priced and 'Facilities' up to standard.

​A VERY early start for me at 4:45am with prep and readying for collecting Stephen and Daryl from 6:30am. The early start is two-fold: The M69/M6/M54 challenge (road-works, potholes and idiots) and the need to get there early to get parked close to the building before the onslaught that overwhelms the road network. All of the above was achieved even with a mystery 20 minute detour to survey the Road Works on the M5, Yes I took the wrong turning!

Arriving around 8:20am we got parked right across from the large Hangar Doors and began to unload. Though we didn't have a floor plan we were situated between the Scottish Aviation Bulldog T Mk.1 and the DHC (De Havilland Canada) Chipmunk Aircraft in Hangar 1 which has been our home for the last few years now and perfectly situated close to the main public entrance, coffee stall and very importantly ...... the Loo's!

​Fortunately, all the gang got the message re. Parking and access and most arrived between 8:15 and 8:45. Our furthest travelled today was Ladislav having trekked over from Thetford in Norfolk (3.5 hours). Most brought their own chairs, as requested, as there is always a shortage.

​As is now our standard approach, we got the cloths on the table and the tray/shelves arranged to enable the Members to start filling the tables. This time we focused the Rally Cars in the centre with our part-builds to the flanks. More than half of the display had completed builds from within the last 6 months which is fantastic to see, noticeable too was an continuous improvement in the standard of models displayed each time we display - the Bar keeps rising. We are trying to keep our display very fresh and current which certainly challenges our members to get building.

​There was lots of interest in many of the models displayed and all were overseen by 'Frankie' who had the best view of proceedings. Ladislav once again stunned all with his PE masterpiece AN-2 in 1/48th, and all was using budget shop superglue. With Members scattered to the four-corners coming together, we were also able to meet up with many of our Facebook community today as well as snagging a few new victims for the Mad Squad on our Facebook Page.

There was not a Competition this year and to be truthful, I don't think anyone really noticed or were that bothered anyway not with so much else going on. Spread across 3 very large Hangars and the Cold War Hall it is definitely a Long and tiring Day, and you get plenty of exercise too in walking several Kilometres in the process.
Once again, Leicester Modellers were out in force supporting both the Club and this Event so, Hooge thanks to today's 20 Attendees: Alan (Me), Stephen M, Daryl, Steve P & Anne, Steve S & Tina (yes, we have a lot of Steve's), James & Chrissie, Ian, Paul & Zach, Ashley, Lee, Owen, Ladislav, Andy W, Nigel, Tony and Andy K also, one of Martin Connoly's models (Martin had a serious RTC back in 2012 and can no longer do the hobby, he remains a member nonetheless)

​There were also a few dozen other members scattered around the Event hosting with other Clubs and Groups. We are Many!
The Traders again, had plenty for us all to peruse and part with our hard-earned and sometimes you have to make a choice as invariably you run out of Cash. This Event is where you can get many of those 'must have' gadgets, paints and tools as well as the very latest kit releases. You do however have to hunt them down as they are scattered right across this huge site and tucked away in some interesting corners - almost a scavenger hunt - which makes shopping that much more interesting. I get the impression that, for the most part, all did very well again this year.

Other Events throughout the Year don't always have the scope of Cosford and the Traders prepared to attend them. Here we have a concentration which in many ways is only surpassed by Scale ModelWorld (held in November a few miles up the road from here).

​Clubs from across England and Wales predominate and there is an abundance of IPMS SiG's here as well. The furthest and most travelled Trader has to be the popular Peter Bowyer of M.A.N Models (Glasgow) who turns up at most of the Events held across Britain. (He is Quite Mad you know!)
Massive THANKS to Gary Stephens and his Crew from the Shropshire Modellers for yet another excellent Event

Pictures today by Lee Rossell, Bryan Porter and James Maher