Trucks & Tracks 2003

Small Scale Scene Events Pages-
trucks and tracks 2003

At "Trucks and tracks" in folkestone

The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone has become something of a regular port of call over the years, with both Euro Militaire (in September) and Trucks and Tracks (usually in February) using it as their regular venue. In recent years the hall, which is built into the side of the cliff, overlooking the sea, has been under going some significant renovation. It has been going on in stages, the results of which included a temporary move to the Saga Hall for Euro just a few years ago. This year is meant the delay for Trucks and Tracks from late February to late March. Even after this it was still not able to open the lower hall as was expected, and one of the local hotels, the Southcliff, stepped in to help out and provide a home for the displaced stands and displays.

One of the things I always enjoy about Trucks and Tracks is the chance to meet old friends as well as make new acquaintances. To be able to take time out and sit down over a cup of tea and discuss various tips and techniques, or other titbits of modelling information, it's just relaxing and good fun. Having said that for this year, I also found it a struggle to get round and see everything that was there as well. So much was happening with new releases on the stands, the opportunity to get tools, books and all the other things we can't seem to survive without, and still see the competition entries.

Small scale models were certainly there in force, but there were still enough larger scale models as well. Largest of them all (except for a real tank outside) were the remote control displays of Mark 1 tanks. These can't fail to impress, when they were put into action up on the Leas, outside the hall. In more conventional style, Graham Seller of Resicast was there, not only with the beautiful looking workshop truck but also a new Sherman, complete with full internal detailing. Not entirely ready yet, but what it was on display showing it "so far". It looks impressive.

Among other interesting looking large scale models were some German WW2 surface-to-air missiles and launchers on the Cromwell Models stand, alongside their Iraqi "Enigma" conversion to go on the new Tamiya T-55. Upstairs in the foyer were Wespe Models, all the way here from Rumania, and they had one of their most recent releases, a 1/35 model of Monty's Leyland Retriever caravan, complete with interior detail. At the end of the hall, in their usual site were Accurate Armour, and their stand is always great to see, with not only new models, but the built up examples of the range are a delight to see and inspiration as to what you can do.

One of the nice things about putting this page together is the chance to devote a bit more space to some figures. In this instance I have the opportunity to rave a bit about the beautiful range of WW2 British figure sets which are done by AB Figures. They do metal figure sets which are much more aimed at diorama enthusiasts and AFV modellers than wargamers I think. Lovely detail and some very thoughtful poses. They do have some German sets as well, and the Tank Riders they had on display were impressive, but they have concentrated first on providing a very wide range of British figures. Ideal for NW Europe, two recent releases offer crews for the Ram Kangaroo. A number of these show the British Infantry in the leather jerkin. I suppose this strikes a chord because I can still remember my father using his as his shooting jerkin many years after the war, until it finally fell to bits.

Check out the sets of casualties, complete with medics and even a padre. How about a set of MPs, or some surrendering German infantry, along with their guards. The Military Police, or Red Caps, served a valuable role in Normandy, helping guide the traffic and keeping it flowing in the confined space of the bridgehead. Standing at road junctions resulted in many being killed while on duty, and others would need to come along and just take their place. The book "Caen, Anvil of Victory" speaks well of the conditions in the Normandy fighting, and these figures just fit so well with the way it is described.

Well, rather than go on and on about what you missed, because if you haven't been to Folkestone for T&T then I can only commend the trip to you. For this year, with lovely weather outside, and the English Channel as calm as the proverbial millpond, my wife and children were able to spend the day in town and on the beach, and end up with the first tan of the year. So, all were happy when we met up at the end of the day for the trip home. All I'll add now are some of the photos I took on the Sunday, some of them new models and figures, and others are entries in the competitions. There is no particular rhyme or reason to them, these are just shots which had come out well and I figured might be interesting for people to see. Just to tantalise a bit, there is also a shot of the real Panzer IV which was on show outside, on the back of one of the Cadman's low loaders. A great reference source for any modeller, at first hand.

For those searching for the unusual, then look out for stand from Pol Models and Blitzkrieg Models. A number of unusual small scale ranges, especially from Eastern Europe to be found with both these traders.

Convoy Models were there, as were Gramodels and Continental Model Supply Co. They had their Warrior conversion sets along with another new Tipper conversion for the JB Models Bedford.

BK Modelcraft are steadily expanding their range of 1/76 resin models, and among their latest is a very neat and well detailed model of the DUKW.