Maidenhead Static Model Club

News Archive 2004

SANTA VISITS THE MSMC

The Maidenhead Static Model Club celebrated Christmas in seasonal cheer in early December. Members and their families enjoyed a full sit down Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding and cream. Every member present won a prize in the raffle and one lucky person walked away with the ‘star prize’ of a Teletext TV! Everyone appreciated the relaxed and festive atmosphere within the clubhouse. This year's Christmas gift for members was an exclusive limited edition (100 only) Tekno 1:50 scale Scania tractor unit decorated with the MSMC logo and 2004 on the cab doors. A real ‘monster’ to add to the ever increasing fleet of MSMC limited edition models.

QUIZ NIGHT AT THE MSMC!

The Maidenhead Static Model Club welcomed Ray Strutt to entertain members at their November meeting with one of his renowned quiz nights. Ray amused the full clubhouse for over an hour, asking a variety of questions on news, general knowledge and model related subjects. The "abbreviation" round had many members digging deep within their little grey cells to come up with the answers; several were able to find amusing alternatives, which we're unable to publish here!

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The display and competition theme for the night was Racing Car Transporters. The display table was covered in an interesting and colourful variety of entries for the judges to cast their eyes over. The triumphant winner was John Bennett with his ‘John’s Auto’s’ stock car transporter and trailer fully loaded with two Ford stocks. Alan Simpson was awarded second place for his black Ferrari transporter complete with a full load of three models from the Italian ‘prancing horse’ stable. Barry Dickens won the third place prize with another Ferrari transporter; this time finished in Ferrari red with a load of racing Dinos. The final points positions went to Roger Coles, who was presented with fourth spot for his lovely blue, white and silver Cunningham car transporter with a model of a 1951 Cunningham, while new member Richard Ayling grabbed fifth place with his example the Team Tyrell Bennetton F1 transporter with two racing cars.

ANOTHER EVENTFUL MONTH FOR THE MSMC!

The October club night was the annual Charity Auction, and auctioneer Les Duplock kept the activities moving swiftly along in his usual quirky fashion. The club’s charity fund grew by over £130, thanks to the generosity of members who donated and/or purchased items. The Chairman’s ‘Question Time’ forum also returned this month, and several members took the chance to make their opinions heard.

MSMC VISIT TO THE LT MUSEUM DEPOT

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Here are some photos from the club visit to the reserve collection of the London Transport Museum at Acton.

MSMC MEMBERS GO STREAMLINED!

Members are still talking of their Playstation challenge touring cars experience at the September club night. It seems everybody has a story to tell. John Ward was the eventual surprised winner, having clocked the fastest single lap around the Donington Park circuit. This was despite the fact he was driving a ‘lively’ rear end Ford Mondeo and like anyone who has visited the Donington toy fair, he spent most of the time driving around on the grass!

The display and competition theme at the September club night was streamlined vehicles. It was nice to see that the display table had various interesting and unusual models covering several aspects of transportation. John Bennett was the overall winner with his ‘low flow’ model. Robert Newson was awarded second place for his gorgeous blue De Soto Airflow coupe, slush cast in lead by Lincoln White Metal Works (of Lincoln, Nebraska) in the 1930s. The condition of this model was truly amazing - when you consider that it is a 70 year old toy it is in virtually mint condition. Dave Robinson won third prize with his Marklin silver grey metallic Mercedes. John Garside was in fourth spot with his 1935 CIJ tinplate model of the 1934 Renault Nervasport, which broke the world 48 hours speed record on 5 April 1934 at Monthlery; covering 8037km at a speed of 167.44km/h. Paul Rowley grabbed the final points position with a lovely green plastic MG complete with opening cockpit canopy.

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Members also participated in the legendary MSMC lucky dip. Everyone takes a random choice from the bag of wrapped donated items - I don’t think anyone selected their own offering?

MSMC MEMBERS RELIVE HOLIDAY MEMORIES!

The vacation period and school holidays are upon us and this was more than evident with the theme at the MSMC's July club night. As a change from the usual annual summer barbecue, it was time for members to place a knotted hankie on their heads, sit back in the deck chairs and enjoy a fish and chip supper! Members swapped stories about their seaside holidays of the past and memories of all those little toyshops by the sea front with shelves full of Dinky toys. Unsurprisingly the venue turned silent for fifteen minutes when the fish and chips arrived, apart from John Garside’s hollers of "where’s the ketchup?"

The display and competition theme was cars with holiday trailers; even the prizes were holiday themed! Robert Newson took first prize with his Kemlows car and caravan (pictured above). Second place was awarded to John Garside’s caravan; unfortunately we didn’t have a bottle of tomato ketchup to award him! Roger Coles took the last of the prizes with his red car and caravan combination. The final points positions were given to Bob Pitkin’s large German caravan in fourth place, and Alan Feldman grabbed fifth spot with his Solido No.2 kit.

ONLY THREE WHEELS ON THE WAGON AT THE MSMC!

The display and competition theme at the MSMC’s June club night was three wheeled vehicles. Bob Westerbeke won the display competition and took first prize with his charming little Autogyro. Second place was awarded to Pat Elphick with her light blue and cream Daihatsu, while John Bennett was awarded the last of the prizes for his two-tone green forward cart. The final points positions were given to Paul Rowley’s tractor kit in fourth place, while Barbara Simpson grabbed fifth spot with her ‘Happy Days’ tricycle.

Members were kept amused all evening as they competed to see whose ‘Superfast’ model would travel furthest down the MSMC’s infamous thirty-foot hardboard raceway. Robbie Bennett was the final triumphant winner and duly awarded the bubbly, Derek Boxall sneaked home in second place, while Roy Weller took the third position on the winners' rostrum.

MSMC JOIN A NEW MINI ADVENTURE AT OXFORD!

A group of members from the Maidenhead Static Model Club enjoyed a guided tour of the BMW Mini manufacturing plant at Oxford. The group tour lasted for nearly three hours and visitors were able to see all stages of the Mini production. The tour guide kept everyone informed throughout the ‘adventure’, where we were able to see the creation of the new Mini convertible as well as the sporty Mini Cooper. It was a fascinating insight into the many aspects of modern ‘automated’ vehicle production. The three Mini Coopers used in the recent remake of The Italian Job and the Union Jack Mini from Austin Powers Goldmember were on display at the Info Centre.

At the May club night the MSMC made a further donation to the Shooting Star Trust - see the charity page for details. David Conway entertained club members with another of his excellent automotive quizzes, in which contestants had to identify an A to Z of manufactures and spot the vehicle and model from some very obscure pictures.

WALLIS & WALLIS AT THE MSMC

The Maidenhead Static Model Club welcomed guest speaker Glenn Butler of specialist toy and model auctioneers Wallis & Wallis to their April club night. The packed clubhouse was intrigued to hear about his career with Wallis & Wallis and Glenn kept members entertained with his fascinating insight into the auction business.

The theme of this month’s display and competition was racing models. The competition table was covered with a large assortment of models for the judges to make their selection. Ray Strutt was on top spot of the winners' rostrum with his delightful model of a Ford GT40. The MSMC’s Toyfair Secretary, John Garside, was awarded second place for his wonderful Le Mans set while third position went to Robbie Bennett with an excellent stock car model. Alan Feldman was in fourth spot with a charming Midget racer, while Bob Frost concluded the points in fifth with scratchbuilt models made by Cyril Posthumus, author of Miniature Car Construction, circa 1949!

THE TROPHIES ARE PRESENTED AT THE MSMC

(left to right) Alan Simpson, Paul Rowley and Bill Alexander.

The Maidenhead Static Model Club held its Annual General Meeting in March. There was only one change to the committee - Les Duplock was welcomed back as newsletter editor, a position he held some years ago. The committee must be congratulated on the continued success of the Windsor International Toyfair. If any testimony is required, while other established events report a downfall in attendance, the Windsor Toyfair continues to thrive, with an increase in both trade and public visitors at the last event.

As well as the AGM, March was also trophy presentation time. Three members were honoured by the Club for their efforts and achievements. Alan Simpson received the John Parker Trophy for the second year in succession, awarded for winning the most points in clubnight display competitions. The Harry Gunner Trophy was presented to Paul Rowley as the winner of the annual chop competition (see February's news below). His outstanding work has become legendary within the MSMC. The Tony Gleave Trophy went to a surprised Bill Alexander for his exceptional club effort as newsletter editor for the past six years.

MSMC SHOW CHOP & KIT SKILLS

This February saw the MSMC’s annual Chop & Kit competition; this year it was run as a combined entry contest. As in previous years' competitions there were plenty of high quality entries covering a broad variety of subjects. Phil Dyer was awarded first prize for his kit built Ford E27N County Crawler tractor conversion hauling a Ransomes Dauntless cultivator. The model is based on a 1950 tractor, of the 1948 design that Phil owns. Bill Alexander was honoured with second place for his Mallard kit of a Great Western Railway 4-wheel milk van, modelled on a preserved vehicle at the Severn Valley Railway. Paul Rowley deservedly took third prize with a lovely Corgi based Commer horsebox conversion. Just out of the prizes, but still in the points were Alan Simpson in fourth position with his MG, while Barbara Simpson took fifth place with her old-fashioned doll. As the quality of the entries was exceptional, the judges gave special commendation to Mike Forbes' two BMC trucks.

MSMC ENJOY AN EVENTFUL 100th WINDSOR SHOW

The 100th Windsor International Toyfair on 31st January 2004 was a memorable day for all. The Maidenhead Static Model Club were jubilant, despite the attempted theft of the entrance door money! Thanks to the quick reaction of several stallholders the Berkshire Constabulary were soon on the scene to take away the culpable party.

A large crowd of visitors were present throughout the day, including a member of royalty who was spotted purchasing several items! Mr.Keith Barnard (pictured left) was the lucky 100th person through the door and was duly presented with the a Lledo 100th Toyfair commemorative model complete with certificate no.100. He also received complimentary entry to the rest of the 2004 Windsor Toyfairs. The commemorative Lledo Morris 1000 van (see picture below) was a total sell out early in the day. Bob Burnett won the stallholders' raffle and went home with a smile and a bottle of champagne.

Peter Carpenter, the MSMC Chairman, presented a large cheque for £750 to Mike Hey, Lottery Manager of the Shooting Star Trust (see the Charity page for details).

Toyfair Secretary John Garside had his work cut out trying to squeeze all the traders in, but somehow seemed to manage. Please contact him on the club hotline 07729 910632 to book your tables for the 5th June event, don’t get left on the waiting list! Click here for more information.

WINDSOR TOY FAIR COMMEMORATIVE MODEL!

Sorry, all models were sold out at the Toy Fair, we have none left.

In celebration of the occasion the MSMC have commissioned a certificated Lledo Morris Minor Van commemorating the 100th Windsor Toy Fair on 31st January 2004. To coincide with the event the model is a limited edition of 100 pieces only. The model will be available to purchase for £8.99 at the Toy Fair in January, sorry no mail order. The lucky one hundredth paying entrant through the door will be presented with the ‘milestone’ model with certificate no.100! All profits from the sale of the model are going towards this years MSMC’s chosen charity – The Shooting Star Trust.

See the gallery of all our club models, past and present.