I am newish to model engineering and went to the exhibition Friday. I really enjoyed the day. So impressed with the variety and quality of the exhibits. This is only the second show that I have been to so cannot compare to last year.

Neil – think "Toyota" and you will likely have much less car trouble. Just my opinion.

Agreed about going to model engineering shows – use em or lose em. In North America there are only a couple, and none close to me. Wish there were as many here as in the UK. I'd be an attendee!

Land Cruiser V8 awesome and relentless pity no one can equal the reliability regrettably no longer imported emissions!. Followed a home built 18 plate strapped on an AA Recovery truck yesterday on the way back from the Midlands Model Exhibition.

Might have been an exhibitor?

Neil, Toyota hype does not deliver. I bought a RAV 4 when I retired. Without doubt the worst car I've ever had, sold on after 4 months.

I go every year, having family nearby. Every year there is less of interest to me. The Lancaster was impressive. I saw only one clock being exhibited, the usual steam models, seem to be the same every year. I know what Neil means, use it or lose it, but it would be nice if there was more variety.

Hi, all this talk of the same exhibits etc., is all very well, so why don't some of you exhibit something that you've made, or even in the process of making, even if it only goes in as display exhibit?

Regards Nick.

Hi Jason, I understand your point, but there has to be some people who put themselves out to exhibit, but we can't expect all of them to live on the doorstep of the venues. The organisers can't conjure up exhibits, so unless people make an effort, the shows are doomed. I've seen some of your own wonderful work along with others who frequent this forum at various exhibitions over the years and there are others that have exhibited who have travelled far greater distances than most of use. I didn't get time to produce anything this year myself, but then I haven't complained about the lack of different things to see.

Regards Nick.

I wonder if we have too many shows at the moment? The show in London in the early seventies ran for about ten days. As the hobby is claimed by many to be in decline we have more shows than ever but the shows seem to be struggling to attract the retail element of the show. The retail part of the show used to be very enlightening especially to new starters but now the internet provides a good look at many retailers wares and many people provide reviews via forums and YouTube type sites. Without leaving home you can tap into a mine of information and develop a shortlist of places to visit. With the explosion in shows it must be very difficult and expensive for the traders to attend and the benefit to them small. The model displays depend on clubs or individuals making a big effort to organise and man the exhibit for maybe six days including set up and tear down time. The shows have also become very specialist now where the few shows used to be very wide ranging. It seems that many people do not wish to travel too far to a show and this makes the regional shows just about viable. It seems likely that if attendance continues to fall then we will lose some shows but will this leave a space for a mega show for all modelling interests? The motorcycle show is quite big and based at the NEC, there is still a London show as Londoners seem afraid to leave the inside of the M25. A show based in the midlands seems a good idea but is still a long trek from Cornwall or Scotland but if the show was spectacular enough it might be worth the effort and expense.

Mike

I went Thursday. The stuff on the club stands was very good, but there didn't seem to be many of them, or I missed them. They were mixed in with the trade stands. The Doncaster arrangement is much better. To cap it all, I bought some gauge glass tube and promptly lost it, so if any of you traders have come across a plastic bag with 2 engths of 6mm glass tube it's mine

I went on Thursday and found it quite busy. I believe exbns are on the first day, then tail off a bit. First time I have visited this show since they had a damn great tent, sorry, marquee and how many years is that?

Thought it was quite a good show with a lot of traders and loads of stock to flog. Some very impressive models but as usual, not much in the way of home built tools and machines, e.g., tool grinding jigs.