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Trucks 'n' Tracks 2004 - Show Report |
Mar 7, 2004 |
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NB: Please use the red links and thumbnail images to view more information and larger pictures
On Saturday 28th February I took a trip down to the sleepy coastal town
of Folkestone which every year plays host to the Trucks 'n' Tracks show.
The two-day event has been running for more than a decade and is a magnet
for military model enthusiasts, many of whom regard it as the AFV show of
the year.I must confess that, hitherto, I'd never attended this gathering
- which is perhaps why so many of my colleagues pestered me to go! So, I
duly jumped into the family jalopy and headed south armed with nothing more
than a bag of humbugs for the 3 hour drive.
As someone who has never visited the show before, I found Leas Cliff Hall
to be a most admirable venue. It appears to have been built into the very
cliff face that overlooks the English channel. The promenade actually crosses
over the roof of the building, which is also where you'll find the entrance.
All that can be seen "top side", however, is a small cafe area
which gives absolutely no indication of what lies below. Once you've paid
your dues, you then descend down into the depths of the building via a wide
and rather ornate stair case. It doesn't take long for you to realise that
with each step forward you are also taking a step back in time.
The main hall could best be described as a relic of the heady dancehall
days of the thirties and forties. It is surrounded on all four sides by
a high balcony which provided me with an early vantage point. What I saw
below conjured-up images of American G.I.s and their dates swinging along
to the big band sound of Glenn Miller. His orchestra may even have once
occupied the stage at the back of the hall.
I arrived late on Saturday afternoon so the show was already moving along
nicely. I decided not to waste any time and immediately got amongst the
crowds to see which companies were in attendance. I'd often heard that
the reason why Trucks 'n' Tracks is so successful is its location on the
south coast. From where I stood in the hall it would actually be easier
for me to get to Calais than it would to get home again. For this reason,
the show always attracts a great many people from France, Belgium and
Germany - both traders and shoppers. Indeed, if you tuned-in to some of
voices drifting around the hall, you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd
arrived in the Gallic quarter.
My first port of call was Barry Walby's MMS
Models. As always, Barry's set-up included a large glass cabinet filled
with painted examples of his 1:76th scale AFVs. These were attracting no
little attention, as were his 4 new white metal kits, including a new Marmon
Herrington armoured car and Komsomolyets artillery tractor, which you can
read more about here.
Just across the aisle I was drawn to the familiar orange glow of the Matador
stand - manned by brothers Harold and William Hanna. Their range of resin
model kits and conversion components appeared to be as popular as ever.
William was keen to show me his latest "Hummer" kit. He's also
just started producing a range of resin 1:35th scale figure bases. Both
items will be appearing in the Total
Model Reviews area some time soon.
Commanding one entire corner of the room was Tom Welsh and Milicast.
His catalogue contains well in excess of 200 resin model kits and he appeared
have brought most of them with him! He tells me that it takes over 6 hours
to set up his stand - and I could see why. Tom recently introduced a series
of WWII Japanese
tanks which were all neatly presented on the front of his table. There
were also a huge number of his resin figures on display and coming in for
some close scrutiny from passers by.
Next to Milicast was the huge Accurate
Armour stand. As ever, the team from Scotland had assembled an impressive
presentation, complete with many painted examples of their 1:35th scale
AFVs. One entire side of their stand was occupied by an enormous model of
an LCT(4) landing craft. At over 5 feet in length and weighing in at almost
11 kilos, this one piece - a snip at only £500 - was very nearly the
biggest model at the show. That accolade, as you will read later, belonged
elsewhere. Even so, it capped a very attractive display by the
Accurate Armour team and won no end of admirers. Sadly, the only thing missing
from their stand was the AA boss - Derek Hansen. Under orders from a higher
authority, and confined to barracks for the entire weekend, Derek had not
made the trip south. I know we all wish him well and look forward to seeing
him at the next show.
Across from Accurate Armour I discovered Simon Farrugia of Great
North Roads and his burgeoning collection of 54mm ceramic diorama bases.
In fact, his range has put on so much weight in the last year, that Simon
appeared to be having some difficulty displaying it all in one place! His
latest creations include a factory ruin, detailed inside and out, which
stood in the centre of a stand consisting of pill-boxes, bunkers and all
manner of ruined buildings and facades. There was even room for a 1:35th
scale model of a locomotive, which Simon had included to demonstrate the
versatility of his railway track base.
Not far away I ran into Marc Day from Sovereign
2000. Marc has been in charge of the company for a few years now and
has a very clear vision of the way ahead. A particularly notable feather in Marc's cap is the way he ensures his presentation
models are always turned out to the very highest standards. Such quality finishing demands
admiring glances from all quarters. His latest kit is an adaptation of his
earlier SdKfz 221, fitted with a 28mm sPzB AT gun. You can learn more about
this kit, here.
At about this time I heard a thunderous roar from above. It sounded loud
enough to be a tank engine. Sure enough, this proved to be the case, but
this tank was a model! Although the vehicle in question was only 1:6th the
scale of the real thing, it was no less impressive. The tank was just one
of the massive radio controlled beasts being put through its paces by creators,
Mark 1
Tank. Although I didn't see the act myself, I am reliably informed that
these models are capable of towing a car! Better still, if you have about
£4,000 to spare, you can have on too.
After all the excitement I decided to go down stairs to the level beneath
the main hall. Here I discovered the competition tables. The scene was very
impressive, not least because the entries were of the highest calibre. The
fact that almost the entire southern end of the room, overlooking the sea,
was one big window, ensured the tables were bathed in brilliant sunshine.
The artificial glare of overhead lighting was rendered almost completely
unnecessary in these surroundings and I can think of no better indoor environment
in which to showcase the models.
Along with the competition entries were a number of presentation pieces
from various clubs and organisations. One diorama in particular caught
my eye more than any other. The scene depicted the crew of a Bergpanther
in the process of re-arming a Sturmtiger by lowering the huge rounds down
the face of a harbour wall to the roadway below. Some people mutter that the
models you see in magazines don't look "nearly as impressive"
in real life. I'm pleased to report that this one diorama completely torpedoed
that theory! It was nothing short of stunning.
After browsing the tables at my leisure it was time to call in at the M.A.F.V.A.
stand. The Association was being represented at the show by the Cambridge
branch - who are what you might describe as the spearhead chapter. The members
always give a warm welcome and I was pleased to see both President, Gary
Williams, and branch coordinator, Paul Middleton, at the centre of the throng.
The Association is tireless in its pursuit of information. They do some
important work for the community and its leading members are always available
and keen to help. If you would like more information about the organisation,
please click here.
Finally, it was back up stairs for a last look around the main hall. Some
of the other companies who put on a good display were Sylmasta with
their range of paint brushes, casting materials and remarkable metallic
paints. I also enjoyed the Scale Link stand complete with its fish
tank full of life-like etched brass foliage. Scale Link are also the British
distributors of Masters Productions, a range of 1:35th scale kits
and conversions of WWII vehicles. If that wasn't enough to keep them busy,
they're one of the only companies I know of who stock Preiser military
figures.
Gordon Brown and Cromwell Models had come prepared with a diverse
selection of models. His catalogue includes the popular 1:76th "Combat
Ready" range, which are perfect for wargamers, alongside more comprehensive
kits in the same scale. There were also examples of Cromwell's larger 54mm
vehicles and figures. Meanwhile, Small Shop Eu were keen to interest
passers-by in their range of "Hair Coat" and "Cast 'n' Coat"
treatments. In keeping with the current trend for modellers tools, they've
also produced a neat brass roller set - which looks perfect for curving
(as opposed to bending) photo etched components. Small Shop EU are also
the main British outlet for MMP weathering products.
Two of the most notable European companies in the hall were Precision
Models and Resi Cast - both from Belgium. Each had clearly put
a lot of time and effort into their preparations and had come equipped with
a good selection of kits to sell and for display purposes. Both companies
a wide choice of AFVs, figures and accessories and are certainly worth a
closer look.
For me, perhaps the most pleasing discovery was the stand manned by Roger
Saunders. Roger is the man behind Hornet and Wolf, and responsible
for designing some of the very best 54mm figures on the market. I've been
a big fan of Roger's work for many years but this was the first time I'd
seen the entire range painted and on display. As well as complete figures,
Roger also produces a huge range of heads, even hands, and some accessories,
which can be mixed and matched with almost an other 1:35th scale range of
figures you care to mention.
Trucks 'n' Tracks 2004 certainly lived up to its billing. The man behind
the event, Trevor Claringbold certainly deserves a lot of credit for organising
such a clean, comprehensive and above all accessible show in such comfortable
surroundings. From what I saw, he and his team appeared to have catered
for everything. There was a cafe up top serving coffee and soft drinks
for the kids and a bar down below serving something a bit stronger for
the big kids. A number of suitably attired re-enactors wandered amongst
the crowds whilst on the promenade above a several real life tanks held
the attention of many enthusiasts.
The light, airy interior of Leas Cliff Hall proved to be an excellent venue.
It ensured that even at peak periods, there was never that sense of inescapable
claustrophobia that sometimes mars other shows. Whilst I'm sure compared
to some bigger events Truck 'n' Tracks didn't have "everything",
it certainly had everything I wanted to see - which is perhaps more important.
In short, I'm already thinking about making the trip next year and I highly
recommend you do the same.
For more information and details of past and future shows, please visit
the Trucks 'n' Tracks
website.
(PS. This report would not be complete without thanks to Tel and Baz for
their hospitality and for treating me to dinner at the local Nepalese restaurant!
Thanks folks.)
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