Well, there was allot of it, so much in fact that I'm going to split it up into more than one post.
Overall, I found it to be a very good convention. The venue was great, big enough so that everyone was not tripping over each other, but with some nice wee areas to get away from others for quiet chats. as well as that, Cuba st with all its cafes was just around the corner, so I didn't dine in at all. However reports suggest that the on site food was very good anyway. There were a wide selection of clinics which were all well attended (depends on your definition of 'well' I guess). The only beef I heard was a lack of non stop coffee and tea, which if that's as bad as it gets, suggests that it was very successful. Thanks to the organising committee for putting in the hard yards before and during the convention to make it the successful event that it was.
Well, first up, what everyone will want to know about, competitions. The entries were of a very high standard, with some stunning locos (with the eventual winner being an amazing piece of work). As well as the Uga and J5 I decided to enter my 30' clerestory and 47' vans. These were also tarted up a bit prior to leaving last week. Saturday morning I get a text from Amateur fetler asking (from Taupo) 'How are we looking in the competitions?'
'Tiny'.
The competition room appears to be a most secretive area, with the door shut for most of the 2 days. However late Saturday afternoon the door was open, and those who had not gone layout touring ambled in to check the results.
'Well done, you shall be rewarded with a place of honour above the work bench'
'Pack of losers! back to the layout with you!
In all seriousness, I was very happy with the results, as I had not expected to score so well. The J scraped into the gold category by 0.31 of a percent, but its written down, so I don't care. It placed better than other S scale models . The other 3 were in the mid 60's, but again, still good enough for bronze. Not bad for 'layout models' with not much extra work done to them.
I'd also like to thank Amateur fettler and Cabbage for doing the grunt CAD work, so that all I had to do was assemble it. The problem I now have is that the next 19 sheep wagons that I do will have to have the same level of detail.
I'll post the judging sheet marking scheme and comments when I receive them in the mail, so that all of us can see where the shortcomings are in modeling in a smaller scale, and which areas need to be addressed to increase the competition scores to compete with the bigger guys.
So, was the J5 the best Nz120 model in show?
No.
I was beaten by B 0-4-4-0's line side hut which he had knocked up
'The very deserving inaugural winner of the John Rappard trophy'
7 comments:
Congratulations to you and 0-4-4-0 T for a great such a great showing.
You will just have to make up the other 19 J5 wagons before the next convention and enter the whole train
My experience of the convention was great too though I was a little disappointed at the turn out of nz120 modellers
The 3 workshops I ran on etched brass wagon construction were well attended and the Uk and Ia workshops allowed the attendees to have a go at some of the folding even S and G scaler's were having a go
Congratulations. An excellent result for the scale and your skills. Sort of regretting not making it as it sounds like it was a great weekend. Will try to make it next time.
Weka
Congratulations. Supurb. Have always said that little J5 was a work of art, a gem. Well done!
SteveF
Concerning NZ120 and the quest for the big silverware:
The competition rules are clearly set out. I haven't been involved for a few years but from my recollection:
*Complexity - basically how many bits and how hard are they to stick together. NZ120 is always going to suffer in this category unless you are going to build something big. A 9mm wagon is generally far more complex than an NZ120 one - particularly if you use a 1-piece fold up underframe.
*Conformity. In practical terms it is hard to get fidelity up in NZ120, since rivets are hard to model.
*Finish - as for Conformity.
If you really want the silverware, it pays to think about the judging criteria before you start the model. A scratchbuilt Waimak Gorge viaduct like Staircase with every rivet and bolt rendered would probably do the trick.
The J and UG are lovely models, so congratulations.
Lawrence
...So the requirements for NZ120 locomotives and wagons, then, are to have full interior cab detailing, not a skerrit missing off the siderods and other running gear, and the correct number of rivets in the exactly the right places on the under side of a handmade wagon chassis. All prototypically weathered to perfection, of course.
Grateful thanks are due to the Head Druff - who patiently trained me in the art of modelling NZ120 items out of styrene and solvent. I fear I am taking longer to properly absorb his even more patient 1 on 1 tuition in handlaying NZ120 points and trackwork.
Thanks are also due to Trackgang, who sponsored the new trophy for NZ120. Without this, the achievements of the NZ120 scale at this year's convention would be quickly forgotten or overlooked.
"...So the requirements for NZ120 locomotives and wagons, then, are to have full interior cab detailing, not a skerrit missing off the siderods and other running gear, and the correct number of rivets in the exactly the right places on the under side of a handmade wagon chassis. All prototypically weathered to perfection, of course."
Ahh, sounds easy, I'll get onto it imediately :v)
I'd simply like to add that I considered it a weel organised convention with a balance for all modellers who attended. Very pleased with the nz120 competitions, and as MD's layout was one of only 3 at the venue, we had a good prescence. Great social event and a shame more of you guys didn't make it. Put $2 away a week for the next 101 weeks and come to Hamilton with your micro module!
Russ
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