It is dark and I feel a weight on my chest, there is a buzzing in my ear, I feel disorientated. What’s going on? Enlightenment! I am in bed and it’s still dark and that buz is the alarm. Get up you fool it’s NSW Model show day and it’s a long drive down to the Illawarra! Don’t forget you have a road trip partner to pick up along the way.
So with my faculties intact and my heart full of optimism I set off, first stop collect my road trip buddy, Warren and his squadrons of planes and armor to display on the APMA tables at the show.
With the car packed to the gunnels with boxes, shelves, display stands and other paraphernalia we were ready to head forth on our adventure. Even with the grey and rainy clouds above, we had the the sun in our hearts and were ready to go!
Despite the fact we arrived early to set up before the show opened to the public, the hall was abuzz. Volunteers were creating the great wall of kits that was the swap & sell and vendors were setting up their stands in the hope of a brisk day of trading.
We set up our tables with a magnificent display of models, an array of APMA Magazines, piles of brochures and modelling in action displays. We were ready to fulfil our mission, to promote the club and promote scale modelling as a hobby.
It would be fair to say numbers were down this year, not so many vendors, less models on the tables. Saturday was busy but Sunday was very quiet. However, the quality, creativity and fidelity of the models on display was excellent and inspiring.
For me, the best thing about manning the the tables at shows like this is the conversations. It’s an opportunity to talk to like minded people. Learn new things, get that social interaction you don’t get at the workbench. I found my tribe, the APMA, here at the Illawarra show. I joined the APMA because they are such a friendly bunch and their monthly meetings are always interesting and engaging. So I am keen to promote the benefits of our little club to passers by.
I was also heartened by others who felt the same way and decided to join our merry band of modellers. So I would like to welcome our new members; Ben, Dino, Harry, Mathew, Paul and Tom who joined us at the show. I look forward to seeing you all at upcoming meetings.
If you want to know more about signing up, check out the membership page or drop by to one of our meetings. Visitors are always welcome. You can see what’s on in the 2026 APMA Club program.
So, was I tempted by the swap & sell and the vendor offerings? Yes of course! I picked up a couple of bargain submarine kits from the swap & sell and some accessories from Model nerds.
All too soon it was time to pack up and take the long drive home, but not alone! I had my road trip buddy Warren so lots of great conversations yet to be had.
Here are some photos of what was on display. Many thanks To Carlo our Club President for the great shots.