Mission Sitrep No. 02/19
FB Canberra – Canberra Model Shipwrights Society Exhibition 2019 Mission Report
Date of Mission: 21-23 Sep 2019
Location of Mission: Canberra Model Shipwrights Society Exhibition and FBC running session
Weather: Bleak, wet September weekend in sunny Canberra.
Ships in Attendance: 54 belonging to TF72 members and 53 belonging to others.
Members in Attendance: Doug B, Peter C, Andrea C, Mick D, Cameron G, John H, Eris K, Karl M, Bob M, Bret W, John and Johnno M from Coota and Steve B, Brian M and Kerry J from FB Wagga, Tony P from FB Greater Sydney and Rob L from FB Hunter Central
Mission Actions:
20 Sep – Late afternoon/early evening set up at the Mt Roger’s Primary School, Melba ACT. After some confusion regarding access to the facility and floorspace allocation, in cooperation with the ACT Model Boat Club TF72 members presented a fine display models mostly in 1/72 scale but with some larger (1/35) and smaller (1/144, 1/350) exhibits.
Saturday: Although some members were distracted by early morning attendance at a nearby model railway bring, buy and sell swap meet, the loyal model boaters confirmed the layout and configuration of the exhibit. Two TF72 Bali flags and a large vinyl banner completed the display and a large TV screen enabled Mick Davis to present his skills as a cinematographer by running some of his videos of various TF72 activities. Also, an empty Revell 1/72 Flower Class Corvette kit box carried a sign seeking “1/72 scale Flower class kits, complete or incomplete, finished or part assembled. Any condition considered”. Some recent cheap ‘barn finds’ have enabled local members to plan the construction of various post WWII conversions using the kit hull, funnel and some fittings.
A steady flow of patrons provided plenty of opportunity for members to discuss the how, why and when aspects of model boats and TF72 participation.
Bob with two of his Flower Class conversions, 532 CNAV Sackville and PA2 German Flower Class
Sunday: Some members took the opportunity to display some different models, others enjoyed the opportunity to speak with other exhibitors and engage with the public. It is good to sit back and listen in on some of the commentary of the general public and the critique of some armchair experts. The exhibition concluded at 1600 after the presentations and we were packed up and farewelled by 1630.
Portion of the Task Force 72 display
Task Force 72 National President Tony and FBC stalwart Mick
Sunday evening: Interested members attended a model railway operating session on John’s HO scale NSW branchline layout the Kunama Line.
Rob enjoying a change from model ships
Monday morning: Despite thunderous clouds descending on the Brindabella Ranges from the south and occasional showers a brave and intrepid band of TF72 members took advantage of the opportunity for a run at the Coombs pond. Rob L may have put Cooma pond in his GPS instead of Coombs pond as a search party was necessary to point him in the correct direction out of the Tuggeranong Valley. New member Stephen Allen put on a good display running his 1/24 scale Thornycroft MTB in the marginal weather conditions. Mid-morning rain showers and cold winds were sufficient for us to retreat to Mick’s place for coffee.
Members rugged up at Coombs pond.
1/72 scale tanker build and operated by Rob
1/24 scale Thornycroft MTB built and operated by Stephen.
The major local activity for FBC during the rest of 2019 is another static display at Scale ACT2019, 9-10 Nov 2019 at UC High School, 108 Baldwin Ave Kaleen ACT. http://www.actsms.asn.au
Fair sailing,
John – FBC Representative
fbc(Replace this parenthesis with the @ sign)taskforce72.org