Model X 2009 - NZFMM

The venue for model X 2009 was a vast improvement over the previous year. Same building but better location away from intruding posts and suchlike. We were given a large square area with public access to all sides, much better for a display. John Denton had worked hard and produced a double tier platform to display the models and he had excelled by making a truly portable crowd control system which was made up of a number of clamp ended rods fitted to the table tops which then had loops in the end to hold a wire retaining line. This kept little fingers out of the models.

The three days were well attended with the vast majority of people arriving on the Sunday. Those who were at the venue went outside to a blistering 5 degrees on Sunday afternoon, no wonder why the people were crowding to get inside. It was probably the best attended and the most well organised of any of the model X shows I have attended.

David Wall's displays of The Bean Rock lighthouse , complete with a cushion pretending to be bean rock  and his rotating pendulum clock were well appreciated by the crowds.

David Wall's Clyde Puffer and William Irwin's Konkoly 24 hour clock, which ran continuously on only one wind of the clockwork motor.

Gary Higgins' Pterodactyl from the Speedplay set attracted a lot of attention. He had adapted it using metal gears and a small motor and electronics from one of the new infrared sets. The model had red fibre optic eyes and made a loud roaring sound which captivated a lot of the children. One of his other models was the yellow truck from the big truck set.

Tank and Transporter from the 1970s Army Multikit set and a replica aero constructor based self styled model of the Fokker Dr1 as flown by the Red Baron, both models by Gary Higgins.

Windmill based on the Meccano shop display models by Peter Hancock and a new Meccano Spykee robot set brought by David Barnard, he constructed it on site and had it running around the display.

Les Megget had brought along his Nash car nicely modelled in blue and gold Meccano and a working model of a Foden truck which he had redesigned to give a better appearance than the original model plan. Les had redesigned the gearbox as well..... and why not.

John Denton's Kientz oscillating steam engine and F1 racing car.

John Denton's models of Concorde and Spitfire, Army scout car from the 1970s Army Multikit set and Emmet's train which ran nicely back and forth with only a little persuasion from John.

Neil Carey with his bush locomotive which ran very well powered by a clockwork motor and two engines made by John Denton ( Master Builder ).

Space Base and Mission the Universe sets by Peter Hancock were a nice display.

Fire truck by Kegan and Graham Wrightson and a small Road Grader by Bruce Haines.

This picture is of our President David Wall taking an interest in the Lionel Display by Tom Whyte.
Will he be tempted to move to the dark side........