IPMS(UK) Nationals 2012

What a weekend!

I have been going to Telford since 2007, so this was my sixth weekend at the show and I can sum it up with just one sentence.

"This was bloody the best one ever!"

This year, the show had expanded into the new hall allowing more space for clubs, SIG's and traders. The kit-swap got moved into the old entrance foyer and the competition tables moved to the new hall where the lighting was so much better. We were in hall 3 and next to our stand was the nose section of a Shackleton MR1 and a Royal Navy Lynx HMA.8 helicopter along with its crew which was flown in on Friday morning. Also in the hall was a French tank courtesy of Meng (sorry Thierry, I cannot remember what type it is) and at the far end was a Daimler Dingo Scout car and a Valentine DD Tank.

My plan for the weekend was for Saturday to be spend doing my main shopping during the morning, followed by visiting other stands and catching up with friends from around the country. Sunday was to finish the last bits of shopping then continue with the wandering around the halls. Even with us arriving on Friday afternoon instead of Saturday morning, there still was not enough time to visit everyone who I wanted to see this weekend.  

By the time the show came to a close on Sunday afternoon, the general opinion of everyone I spoke to was that this was the best show the IPMS(UK) had put on in their history. The thing people were wondering about was how could it be topped next year! How about a P-51 Mustang or DH Mosquito?

So, after our journey home and dropping Matt and Richard off at their homes, I arrived back at my house and was greeted by my wife and grandson who's first comments were, "I hope you didn't spend to much?" and "What did you get me?". Home sweet home and glad to be back there!

All that's left to do for now is post a few of the photographs I took over the weekend.