More Mayhem!
COLIN BISHOP reports on the 2009 gathering.
General view of the Wicksteed lake. There was busy on the water activity throughout the weekend.
A couple of years ago I reported on the inaugural get together for members of the Model Boat Mayhem website run by Martin Davis. Although the weather was not kind, great fun was had by all and it was good to meet people you had previously only communicated with online and to see their models in action. Due to other commitments I missed the 2008 event which was also well attended but suffered a repeat of the previous year’s weather, but as they say, third time lucky and 2009 hit the jackpot with no rain! The Whitsun weather on Saturday was great and on Sunday it was even more perfect with not a cloud in the sky.
The Mayhem meetings are held at Wicksteed Pleasure Park near Kettering where there is a purpose built model boating lake, which together with its central geographical location makes it an ideal venue for those Mayhemers based in the UK. The lake is the home water of the Wicksteed Park Model Boat Club who have very kindly facilitated and supported these events and who make regular use of the water themselves. Check out their website at the end of this article – new members are always welcome.
Model Boat Mayhem embraces just about all types of model boating and this was reflected in the models on display and in action over the weekend. There are not many events where you will see 10 Rater yachts, massive OMRA offshore powerboats, steam straight runners, Springer tugs, paddlers, lifeboats, hovercraft, scale sail, kit and scratch built scale models, Club 500 racers plus even a computerised flash steam model all in one place and at the same time, many sharing the water simultaneously. It was indeed a magnificent showcase for the model boating hobby and drew enormous public interest.
The accompanying pictures give just an indication of the variety of models on show and everyone agreed on departing that next year cannot come too soon!
Contacts
Main interest is scale scratchbuilding but I build kits as well! I live in South West Surrey near the Sussex border
