by Adam the Akrodude » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:30 am
I popped in to check the comp out with my kids. I was "Mr Mum" this weekend with the wife being away on a conference. I should have come over and said hello. The pressure of watching my three kids ensuring they didn't knock a table over full of models was my main task in the museum! It looked a good comp with 200+ models of which 100+ were entries and looks like well supported by a few A/CAM members including Andrew, Kev, Troy and Uncle Les. As a venue, it's great. There is just something so cool about a model comp under the wings of the real things! Most of the model tables surrounded or were in fact under the Mirage. It's is heartening to see the sort of support this comp did get. It gives the "grass-root" modellers a opportunity to experience a comp, without being intimidated by the size and scope of Model Expo. Brad did advise they had some breakages - the odd canopy and pitot tube flicked off by some rascally kids. This I'm sure they will address next comp - same thing can happen at Expo in any case. I do believe it's the parents fault - poor supervision. I just mentioned to my girls to stay back a bit from the tables - "Yes Dad!", so no issues. Kids are naturally curious - hmm, will that propeller actually turn, what's that pointy thing on the wing? Sometimes the parents aren't much better than their kids let's face it!
The museum has really come along too. My kids (all girls) groaned when dad suggested going down to Moorabbin. Keep in mind my kids have had to suffer at times hours down at Moorabbin when dad has gone flying and are surrounded at home by aeroplane books, prints on the walls and dad disappearing into his man cave to spend hours putting together little aeroplanes, so I can understand their reluctance to go down to Moorabbin again. Anyhoo, they had a ball inside the Viscount and 737 fuselage playing pilots! The Viscount has some power applied to the cockpit with the engine fire test switch active. Flick a switch and the alarm goes off - very cool! Adding some life to these exhibits is brilliant and turns what can be boring for kids into something interactive and fun. There was even a "Captains" hat in the Viscount cockpit to complete the fantasy. They have some much the same with the DC-9 sim inside as well.
So well done to those who entered the comp and well done to the Australian National Aviation Museum for hosting a successful model comp! I will make an effort to enter next year.