GAYDON 2011 – By Tony Hooper, All Photographs were provided by Neil Hutchinson

The first thing I would like to say in this report is a big thank you to all the traders and exhibitors who made this year’s Gaydon another tremendous success. I had to close the model entries 3 weeks before the event and just as well because we just about “squeezed” everyone in. On this occasion we tried to extend the scope of the exhibitors and we had many complimentary remarks about the balance of models on show which ranged from the very impressive large model jet builds to the very small and beautifully built “Peanut scale” models exhibited by Peter Iliffe from Leicester.

By lunchtime the very big car parks were full to almost overflowing and the exhibition rooms were heaving with visitors who really enjoyed the opportunity to see the models up close and speak to the builders and pilots. This interaction is the theme of Gaydon and it works extremely well when the flying season has ended as there are opportunities to socialise away from the pressures and strains of show flying.
At the Museum entrance greeting visitors , in the prime spot, was the magnificent 1/3 scale WW1 Gotha bomber measuring nearly 8 metres wing span built by Pat Cuss. Everyone admired the standard of the build and the excellent authentic lozenge colour scheme. This model set the standard for the others in the main hall to emulate.

The pictures taken by Neil Hutchinson and others will tell most of the story but just to give emphasis to the variety of exhibits, mention should be made of the fabulous display put on by the Dawn Patrol, the impressive display of jet aircraft exhibited by the Jet Modellers Association for the first time this year ,the individual exhibits of aircraft from the WW2 era, and the huge variety of Sports and Scale models.
The fact that 100 exhibitors made the effort to travel many hundreds of miles to attend this event in the present economic climate is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of both LMA and BMFA members.
At specific times there were “live running” displays outside the Hall by Alan Shipley and his team with an “own design” four stroke engine and Terry Lee and his team who demonstrated the way jet engines were operated and used in models. There was great deal of interest in these two activities.

I cannot finalise the report without thanking all the traders who have now helped to make the Gaydon show a “not to be missed” event. When walking round the trade stands it was apparent from the conversations that after a summer of sometimes appalling British weather, it was good to be indoors, in the warm and not stood out in the rain!!
Gaydon is already booked for October 2012 – be there.

Please click image to enlarge.

At the Museum entrance greeting visitors , in the prime spot, was the magnificent 1/3 scale WW1 Gotha bomber measuring nearly 8 metres wing span built by Pat Cuss.

The Dawn Patrol put on a fabulous display by cramming them into every available space.

Trevor Woods and Dave Pearson displayed their fabulous Corsairs, along with Trevor’s beautiful Tempest II

Above and left Richard Rawle & Sharon Stiles Breitling wing walkers

Above and to the right small and beautifully built

Under construction

Very impressive large model builds at their various stages, some of which will grace our show season in 2012

The Jet Modellers Association

The impressive display of jet aircraft exhibited by the Jet Modellers Association for the first time this year.

The Catton Group put on another fine Display; they are great supporters of this event.

World War Two bombers and fighters

There was a large presents of World War Two Aircraft throughout all the rooms at the Gaydon event.

The was also a huge variety of Sports and Scale models. The fact that 100 exhibitors made the effort to travel many hundreds of miles to attend this event in the present economic climate is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of both LMA and BMFA members.

Remember Gaydon is already booked for October 2012 – be there.