SPECIAL REPORT -
Australian Capital Territory Scale Modelling Society (ACTSMS) Annual Championship 2003

Text by Lorna Jenkins
Photos by Shane Jenkins
Best of show: Revell Yorktown by Stephen Allen - more photos can be seen here

May is a busy month for the modeller in Australia as this is rapidly becoming THE month for many modelling events. While we couldn't attend all of them we did manage to take in two - ACTSMS and the NSW Scale Modelling Championships (see elsewhere in IM for this one).

The ACTSMS club have recently changed the format of this event (which they have been holding now for many years) to a two day one and it is just as well as the days are full! In addition to the usual competition, displays and traders stands, a side trip to the Australian War Memorial had been organised for the Sunday morning as well as "The Speedbuild"

What is a "Speedbuild" I hear you ask? Modellers try to finish a kit in a VERY short space of time (I forget the amount of minutes but there aren't many) in front of an audience who are allowed/encouraged to comment. Things can get hilarious very quickly and wonder of wonders, kits are actually finished (or very nearly so) by the time the buzzer sounds which to me is amazing given that I've read instructions for longer than the time allowed!!

This modelling event is one of my favourites. There are always excellent models to be seen but the main feeling that runs through the whole event is that of "we love modelling because it is fun"