The first show of the decade got the 2020 show season off to a flying start (pardon the pun). Sat between the EE Lightning and Panavia Tornado SIG and alongside IPMS Cleveland we were amongst friends and great company. 

The SIG's display was a general theme, covering as we do all aspect of German military aviation. The highlight of the show for me was finding a Ju-52 tail wheel that got lost at SMW 2019!

​The Bolton show has cemented its position as one of my favourite shows. The day went by so quick that I didn't have a chance to catch up with everyone.  I did manage to pick up a few Airfix kits (Do-17, He-111 and BF110) that will be added to the display in time.

A huge thanks must go out to all the SIG members who add their builds to the display. Here are a few photographs:

We’ve yet to start on our 2020 theme, WW1 builds will start soon. The SIG has signed up to support the IPMS Battle of Britain SIG 'Big Display' at SMW 2020, so if you have a Battle of Britain build on the bench let me know.

As ever, German subjects prove to be popular on other displays; these are a few that caught my eye. That's all from Bolton. As a final note, the Scale Model Shed chaps have persuaded me that Southwell is a show that I should consider adding to the calendar. I shall make some enquiries.

One more thing: thanks to our host for putting on another great display. I hope the pictures below will give some sort of impression of the hard work that IPMS Bolton put into turning an empty room into a model show.

There are a couple of things that combine to create a classic model show. Yesterday's IPMS Bolton Model Show had them in spades. The Macron Stadium and the IPMS Bolton team provided us with plenty of space and natural lighting; parking facilities were first rate (and free of charge); the food on offer was good; there were plenty of bargains and the quality of displays around the show were second rate. I expect that the modelling press and the Internet forums will confirm that the show was a classic. In fact, it was one of the best shows....ever!

​From the SIGs point of view, we had a good amount of interest and we have signed up a couple of new (and returning) members. As final bonus, I got my hands on an IPMS (UK) seam scraper too!