What a packed schedule for our mid winter APMA July meeting. There was a Special 50th anniversary display of Matchbox models. We hosted Platypus Publications competition ‘Machines Associated with Well Known Personalities’ plus there was the General display and Letter ‘F’ theme. The quality of the builds were excellent this month, check out the gallery below to see the diversity and quality of the models on display for our July 2026 meeting.
Special 50th anniversary display
Nigel Patrick, Bob Morgan and Warren Evans presented a wonderful array Matchbox collectables.
This included rare still sealed in box kits, a display of built 1:76 scale vignettes, collection early Matchbox catalogues and a variety of old kits dug from the bowels of the their respect stashes.
Many thanks to the lads for hauling the kits and collectables in so we may have the opportunity to appreciate them too!
The Platypus Publications competition
The theme for this years Platypus Publications competition ‘Machines Associated with Well Known Personalities’ really allowed members to show of their skills on highly diverse range of subjects. From sci-fi to historical recreations and everything in between.
Ley Reynolds form Platypus Publications provide gift certificates for first and second place winners. First prize went to Allan Johnson for his Falcon XY GT-HO Phase III Shaker that belong to Bill Brown see the compelling story below. Second place went to Ian Wrenford for his Santas Avro Cadet.
You can see these winners below…
The Story of Bill brown and his Falcon XY GT-HO phase III Shaker
The year was 1971 at the Bathurst 500, the Great race had not gone metric yet (would not happen until 1973). It was lap 43 of when Bill Brown, a newsagent from the Sydney suburb of Top Ryde, lost control of his yellow Phase III GT-HO at the top of the mountain.
The right front tyre had popped.The car rolled three-times along the top of the McPhillamy Park fence (wooden in those days) which effectively snapped the Falcon in half. The roof was crushed flat. What makes this crash so famous was that the incident was captured live by the television cameras.
Fortunately, Brown was very much alive. He was saved from serious injury when his seat broke and he ended up jammed under the dashboard. His only injuries were some scratches and a black eye.
‘Machines Associated with Well Known Personalities’ theme winners
‘Machines Associated with Well Known Personalities’ Includes people real or fictional from any walk of life or any time period.
First place
Falcon XY GT-HO Phase III
Bill Brown. Bill crashed his car at the 1971 bathurst 500
1:24 scale DDA kit. Added seat belts, roll cage and correct wheel rims. After market decals.
By Allan Johnson
Second place
Avro Cadet
Santa Claus. Santa arrives at Bombala Golf Club – Christmas 1958.Courtesy of the Proctors Rural Services Avro Cadet.
1:48 scale scratch built with SMS paints and Silhouette for masking. Santa is modified from a generic 1/48 figure
By Ian Wrenford
The letter ‘F’ theme winners
The letter ‘F’ Includes any craft, figure or item beginning with the letter ‘F’
First place
Fairey III D
1:72 scale Esoteric Vacform kit.
By Graham Carter
Second place
Fokker F. X11
1:72 scale Scratch built. Wing Modified from Frog kit
By Ley Reynolds
Third place
Panzer IV Ausf F2 Russa 1942
1:35 Dragon kit. Decals from kit with add figures, stowage and trapolan.
By Ian Collins
General display winners
First place
Mack Transporter diorama
1:72 scale mainly scratch built with some parts from an IBG kit. Transport scratch built. Truck IBG chassis and cab, scratch built body. tank from Bills stash.
By Graham Carter
Equal second place
de Havilland Mosquito B Mk. IV
1:48 scale Tamiya kit. OOB.
By Jeremy Greenwood
Equal second place
Eurofighter Bronze Tiger
1:72 scale Revell kit. OOB with aftermarket decals by Shy@rt plus many hand painted stripes.
By Patrick Edouard
Checkout the winners models
and other great builds on the display tables this month.