Wythall 2002
(Public Exhibition, 26/05/02)
(MBF West Midlands Area attending) (2/3)

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Arfon Owen: Toyota Optimo (PSG Models), in the livery of MBF member Terry Jones' Vista Coachways of Yatton, Bristol, representing 'Fosse'. Arfon Owen: Arfon also brought along his OOC Plaxton Excalibur, repainted in the livery of Wainfleet, of Nuneaton, ..... Arfon Owen: …and his Plaxton Cheetah (PSG Models), which is not a kit for the faint-hearted or beginner, in the livery of Eifion's of Llangefni, Anglesey.
Arfon Owen: Also present was this Plaxton Excalibur (OOC) repainted in the livery of Dover's..... Arfon Owen: ...and the Bedford WHB/Waveney (John Day Vehicle Scenics, reviewed in a recent Journal, by Dick Lindsay), painted to represent the preserved vehicle in the Vauxhall Heritage Museum, in Luton. Richard Calvert: Richard brought his special 'Golden Jubilee' Alexander ALX400 (converted from the OOC ALX500) down from Yorkshire.
Richard Calvert: Richard brought his special 'Golden Jubilee' Alexander ALX400 (converted from the OOC ALX500) down from Yorkshire. Gary Yates: The vehicles of Gary's fleet are always so immaculately turned out, but are enhanced even further, when they appear on his dioramas. It doesn't have to be large - just big enough to fill the camera lens! Ray Turley: Some pictures which catch the Editor's eye are what I call 'evocative' (and I just have to put them in). I have passed through Birmingham, many times, and I have seen this, before! A Corporation Daimler CVD/MCW (EFE Daimler/Orion conversion to the Birmingham standard) leads a Daimler Fleetline/MCW, which pointed the way forward in OMO operation to BCT, past the Midland Red Depot on Ray Turley's layout.
Ray Turley: Inside Ray's Midland Red Depot. Arnold Chave: The depot of Arnold's PHM Coaches was on display, at Wythall. Arnold Chave: Another case of 'déjà vu' is Arnold's 'Buses in a box-file'. I don't know where this is, but I am sure that have stood on that corner, when I was a boy! Wythall showed many fine examples of why I will continue to encourage members to 'build a diorama on which to display your model buses.'

 
Moving the event from the Bank Holiday Monday to a Sunday did not put people off exhibiting, as was first thought. In fact it went the other way, and this year's event was bigger than last year's, both in display numbers and MBF Area attendances.

No less that nine MBF Areas were represented with displays of all descriptions, and many familiar faces were also spotted during the day. A total of 37 tables in all, were taken.

Models on display included Eric Nixon's Aldershot & District, which travelled all the way from Hampshire and Ian Laws, with his display of Manchester vehicles, came from Bolton. Richard Calvert joined us for the second time, from Yorkshire, and Arfon Owen, and his son Dylan, who brought along some of his fire engine collection, and Gordon Braithwaite, all came across the border from Wales, with their collections. Dave Evans brought along his work from North East Anglia.

Two kit manufacturers had examples of future models on display for scrutiny. Paul Gallier (PSG Models) brought his Mistral Coach and, turning the clock back a few years, was John Clarke (Lancer Models) who had the next release in his Midland Red range, the S6. Even at this early stage it looks like two more excellent kits will soon be hitting the market.

The show opened at 11:00 and the steady stream of visitors throughout the day meant that there was a constant 'buzzing' till the doors closed at 5:00. All in all, it seemed that yet another good day was had by all, with much interest already being shown in next year's event.

Many thanks to the team of volunteers at the museum for all their hard work behind the scenes that enabled us to 'commandeer' the display hall for the day.

Mike Wilson, Area Secretary

 


Photos by John Ryan, Text by John Booth & - Ed.