Centenary Model Engineer Exhibition 2007

Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3, Pic 4, Pic 5, Pic 6, Pic 7, Pic 8,

The exhibition was held for the first time at Ascot racecourse in September 2007 and this is the last of the reports about the marine entries. The marine section was situated on the top floor of the ultra modern building with excellent all around natural lighting. The quality and excellence of the models in the classes described in this report, were in my opinion the best in recent years. Not a huge number of entries, but the quality was first class. This report reflects the principal medal and certificate winners in these classes.

Class C1

Working scale models of powered vessels from any period with a scale of 1:1 to 1:48

Two superb lifeboat models dominated the top two gold medal positions in this class, the RNLI Mersey Class Lifeboat Andy Pearce, built by Arthur Barlow, Photo 1 and the RNLB Charles H Barrett built by P. Farrow, Photo 2. These two models were from different lifeboat classes, but equally worthy of Gold Medals. They were both totally scratchbuilt, with immaculate paint finishes that reflected those of the prototypes. A Silver Medal went to M. Ransom with Little Emmy, his steam powered open launch, Photo 3. This was an excellent example of modelling in wood and engineering skill as will well known to those who know this modeller and have seen his other finely built steam plants.

H.M.S. Alecto, a Special Service Paddle Vessel, built by A. Ludbrook received a Bronze Medal, Photo 4. This was an interesting subject and well executed. It was good to see a model of a vessel from a period that required much research and skill to turn into a working model.

A Highly Commended Certificate was awarded to a 1/48 scale Mississippi Stern Wheeler built by A. Lincoln, Photo 5. We have seen many models of this type of vessel, but this one was entirely of wood, with good detail and finish and was also a working model.

Pic 9, Pic 10, Pic 11, Pic 12, Pic 13, Pic 14, Pic 15, Pic 16,

Class C2

Working scale models of powered vessels from any period, scale 1:49 to 1:384

There were two prize winners in this class and both were of entirely different subjects. A Gold Medal was awarded to H.M.S. Anson, a 1921 Battlecruiser built by A. McFadyen, that was never actually built, although she was planned and designed. H.M.S. Anson is a truly magnificent example of the art of warship modelling by this prolific builder and is on a par with his previous models, Photos 6 and 7.

By contrast, the 1:96 scale model of H.M.Y. Britannia by C. Johnson received a Bronze Medal. This was a good model, that could be displayed with three separate deck levels showing the interior of the ship in minute detail, Photo 8.

Class C3

Non-working scale models from any period, scale 1:1 to 1:48.

One award was given in this class, a Gold Medal for a 1:32 scale Horse Drawn Passage Boat, Vulcan of 1818, built by G. Castle, Photo 9. An unusual model of an unusual subject, from a period that required a lot of research by the modeller. Information can be obtained from canal boat museums and other sources. A huge amount of detail has been included, such as the ornate railings and interior detail. This is a fine example of a model from this period.

Pic 17, Pic 18,

Class C4

Non-working scale models from any period, scale 1:49 to 1:384

This class received the highest number of awards with a total of three gold, two silver, one bronze and one commended.

Gold Medals were awarded to CSO Seawell, 1:100 scale, Photos 10 and 11, and R.R.S. James Clark Ross, an Antarctic Research Ship, Photos 12 and 13. Both were built by J. Wood, were of excellent quality and the research was most impressive. Both were of modern prototypes, which presumably the modeller visited to obtain such a high degree of information and detail. A contrasting subject was the model of H.M.S. Cornwall, a Type 22 Frigate built by D. Brown and also awarded a Gold Medal. This was a superb model of a modern warship, with incredible detail, especially the hull plating which is always hard to reproduce in model form at this scale, Photo 14. The presentation of the model was also of the highest order.

A collection of submarines, also by D. Brown, achieved two Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal. H.M.S. Nautilus, 1914 and H.M.S. G7, 1916, both gained Silver Medals and H.M.S. W2, 1915, received a Bronze Medal. All of these models were presented in a combined display, that also showed various submarine badges, Photo 15. A Commended Award was given to a waterline model of H.M.S. Ajax, 1938/9, Photo 16. This had the ship at anchor with the ships boats busy around her, all presented on a realistic seascape.

So all in all, a great year for the marine exhibits of the C Class and my congratulations to all the award winners.

(All photographs by Dave Abbott)