Sywell Classic Pistons & Props - Celebrating Classic Planes, Bikes & Cars

Celebrating classic vehicles, both on the ground and in the air!

Sywell Classic – Pistons & Props is a brand new 2 day motoring festival celebrating classic vehicles - both on the ground and in the air. Held at Northamptonshire’s Sywell Aerodrome on the 28th and 29th Sept 2013, Sywell Classic will combine classic cars, motorbikes and planes with all aspects of vintage lifestyle and entertainment.

Enjoy high octane live action, amazing aerial displays breathtaking classic vehicle displays, great family entertainment vintage and classic traders. Make sure you don’t miss any of the action by making a weekend of it by taking advantage of the excellent camping facilities.

“Sywell Classic brings together the best of all the classic motoring events in the calendar, with amazing static displays, live action both on the ground and in the air, great family entertainment and a wide range of vintage and classic traders,” Event Director Tom Siddall explains.

“The facilities at Sywell Aerodrome are superb and it has a great atmosphere with its fantastic aviation museum and art deco buildings. There couldn’t be a better venue for an event of this kind.”

Sywell Classic - Pistons & Props: 

Saturday 28th Sept: 10am til 6.30pm

Sunday 29th Sept: 10am til 5pm

Celebrating classic motoring on the ground and in the air!

The Racing Runway – Historic racers will provide high octane motorsport throughout the weekend. Single seaters, sports cars and saloons will battle it out on the runway to see whose vehicle still has what it takes to win.

Dragster Sprint Strip – Things get heated on the way to the runway when vintage and retro Dragsters go head to head on the 200m straight line sprint to see who really has a need for speed.

Both the Racing Runway and Sprint Strip are open to racing car and motorcycle owners and drivers who are interested in competing. To gain entry and check eligibility of the vehicle, email David Alderson

The High Flyers – Spitfires, Tiger Moths, Chipmunks, Wilga's, Be2's and Tomahawks* are just a few of the iconic planes that will take to the skies as individual owners and clubs fly into the show and landing on the grass airstrip.

Aerial Acrobatics - Breathtaking aerial displays from Hangar 11's Spitfires and the Trig Aerobatic Team throughout the weekend as well as appearance from the Breitling Wingwalkers, the World's only aerobatic formation wing walking team*.

*subject to serviceability and weather conditions

The Classic Clubs – Some of the UK’s best motoring clubs will showcase stunning marques spanning eighty years, covering classic and vintage motoring on two and four wheels. They will be joined by classic aviation clubs, who will line up alongside with their own static displays of fantastic vintage and classic planes.

Classic Car Parking – There is also a Classic Car Parking Area for members of the public wishing to bring their own classic cars to be a part of the show. Space is limited, so please click here to download your booking form.

The Live Arena – The Live Arena will host classic motoring parades, special guests, family fun and games, live entertainment and much, much more.

The Vintage Village – Browse the classic traders catering for lovers of nostalgia and the vintage lifestyle as well as the usual motoring products and services, and the popular Retro, Auto and Aero Jumbles.

Whats On - Entertainment

Musical Interludes
Enjoy live musical acts all weekend - day and night as we've lined up some fabulous musical entertainment...

Elle & the Pocket Belles, an all female harmony group, will be bringing the glamour as well as the sounds from the 40's right through to present day with their own unique interpretations of some modern hits.

The Hound Dogs, a three piece rockabilly band, are guaranteed to get things rocking as they belt out the hits from rock 'n' roll giants such as Elvis, Buddy Holly and The Stray Cats as well as their own original songs.

The Swinging Blue Jeans will make Saturday night one to remember as they perform in Hangar One at our Swinging Sixties party. Famous for such hits as Good Golly Miss Molly, You're No Good and the unforgettable Hippy Hippy Shake, the Swinging Blue Jeans are bound to have visitors rockin and rolling in the aisles.

Sounds Force Five, stars of pirate radio, TV and Liverpool's famous Cavern Club who have appeared alongside such 60's icons as Cream, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, will be making sure the party finishes in style on Saturday evening as they play all the hits that are bound to get the dance floor filled as campers and exhibitors join to celebrate a great weekend.

Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival - Ships & Boats, Music, Stalls, Food & Family Fun - 7th & 8th Sept. 2013

The 2013 Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival takes place on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September 2013. 

It's going to be a great weekend of Maritime Themed Fun along the length of Great Yarmouth's South Quay with Demonstrations of Maritime Crafts & Skills as well as lots of  Exhibitions, Demonstarations, Stalls & Ships.

The Maritime Festival is a riot of colour with tall ships and supply vessels flying colourful bunting from their masts. In 2013 we are proud to welcome the Dutch tall ship the Morgenster and also the steam tug boat Challenge. Find out more about the visiting tall ships and other outstanding displays of ship engineering at the 2013 Maritime Festival.

The Great Yarmouth Tourist Authority is delighted to announce that the two-masted brig, the Morgenster, a filly square rigged sailing ship will be attending this year’s Maritime Festival and offering on board visits and sailing trips for the duration of the festival.

The Morgenster’s beautiful rigging is based on American clippers from the 18th century. Heavy British warships were helpless against the more manoeuvrable and faster clippers from America.

The Morgenster was inaugurated in May 2008 and usually sails in Northern European waters, although also sails in warm winter regions across the world.

The Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival is organised by the Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority. The Maritime Festival is one of the biggest events in Great Yarmouth's annual calendar where we celebrate Great Yarmouths maritime heritage and look to our maritime future on historic South Quay on the banks of the River Yare.

Greater Yarmouth Tourist Authority is also delighted that the Steam Tug Challenge is visiting to the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival and will be open to go aboard.

The Challenge is a true national treasure and is proud to be registered in the National Historic Fleet.

Challenge was the last steam tug to have worked on the Thames, but is best known for the role she played in Operation Dynamo, the evacuating of troops from the shores of Dunkirk in 1940.

Great Yarmouth's very own Lydia Eva will once again be moored quayside for visitors to go aboard and experience the very latest in steam drifter technology from 1930. She has since been extensively restored and refurbished.

And as if that wasnt enough excitement, 3 different stages play host to a huge variety of live shanty music and sea shanty songs performed live by bands from all over the UK and Europe.

Charity Air Day Flying Displays, Classic Cars & 1940s Swing Band at Seething Airfield

2013 is a special year for Seething Airfield as it marks the 70th anniversary of its opening as RAF Seething, or Station 146 as its occupants, the United States Eighth Airforce named it. 

Construction of the airfield started in 1942 but wasn't completed until 1943. This year you can experience a real flavour of that time period and we are delighted to welcome the B-17 "Sally B" to the Air Day. 

You will be able to enjoy the unmistakable sounds of the Mustang which would have known the airfield quite well 70 years ago, although none were actually based here, together with other aircraft of the era.

There will also be some fabulous up-to-date displays and, in particular, Seething favourites the Trig Aerobatic Team, flown by Richard Grace and Dave Puleston, their display never fails to thrill.

As well as amazing planes and aerial displays, there will also be an amazing range of Classic Cars & Military Vehicles for visitors to view, as well as a Fantastic 18 Piece 1940s Swing Band, Charity Stalls, Bars, Refreshments & Food, and Childrens Attractions.

Also, don't forget to visit the Seething Control Tower Museum. The former RAF Seething's rich history is captured in the iconic control tower of the airbase which is now home to a fine museum charting the life and work of those who worked there during the War years. 

So see you there on Sunday 8th September. Gates open at 10am.

Brand New Tamiya Birdcage Airplane Model Kit Now in Stock! But What do you Get for your Money ?

The latest addition to our Aircraft models is this gorgeous Corsair by Tamiya. 

First, I have to ask, why is this particular airplane of interest? 

Well, the F4U-1 Corsair was a truly unique aircraft, with a powerful 2,000hp engine and a massive 4 metre propeller, not to mention the highly characteristic inverted gull-wings. 

In October of 1940, it was the first American fighter to achieve a speed of  400mph (nearly 640kph). Initial production models of the aircraft featured a striking canopy called the "Birdcage". The aircraft took part in operations from February 1943, and with its powerful 12.7mm machine guns proved to be a formidable opponent for the Japanese Zero Fighters.

In order to capture the aircraft as accurately as possible, Tamiya designers not only inspected, measured and examined the real aircraft at five different museums across North America, they were also given access to Northrop-Grumman's blueprints. 

The result is a highly detailed and precise 1/32 scale model of the F4U-1 Corsair.

Limited edition clear cowl parts are included in the export version that we are selling. 

This allows for appreciation of the exquisite detail on the P&W engine

 Instantly-recognizable inverted gull-wing features excellent attention to detail.

1/32 scale enables even more precisely-moulded parts

Main landing gears and tail wheel can be assembled in deployed or retracted positions. 

A stand is included to depict the plane in flight.

Choose open or closed "Birdcage" canopy, with separate parts to create open or closed rear window

Clear parts recreate the window in the bottom of the floorless cockpit, and are also used on instrumentation panel, lights and more.

This picture of the underside of a model Corsair in flight shows an example with bomb racks attached.

Inverted gull wings can be constructed in folded or extended position as the modeller desires.

3-piece flaps and elevators can be recreated in up or down positions.

Model even features precise detail on the inside of the wing fold joint. Synthetic rubber tires feature realistic tread patterns.

2-piece engine cowling can be removed after completion, while cowl flaps can be depicted open or closed.

Beautiful molding on the P&W R-2800 engine showcases its details. 

Cylinders and covers are recreated using separate parts.

Realistic recreations of the main landing gear extend to its housing. 

The underside window is also a point of interest.

Gull wing root air intakes feature separate parts to recreate airways and oil coolers, with photo-etched parts provided to depict oil cooler mesh.

Separate parts recreate the identification and navigation lights.

2 upper rear fusilage panels included to recreate initial and late versions of the aircraft

Kit includes both standing and seated pilot figures

Comes with photo-etched parts to recreate seatbelts and more, plus masking stickers to aid with painting the canopy.

 

Also included is a 12-page B5 booklet containing a written history of the Corsair line, plus detailed color images of the aircraft.

Contains dedicated parts for both extended and folded gull wing, allowing appreciation of their construction. (Image shows parts pre-assembly.)

Fine molding captures rivets and panel lines on the face of the fuselage. (Image shows parts pre-assembly.)

Tail wheel can be assembled in retracted or deployed position. Details such as the interior bulkheads have been accurately reproduced. (Cross-section model in image is for demonstration purposes only.)

 A few At-A-Glance details about the plastic model assembly kit of the F4U-1 Corsair:

★1/32 scale. Fuselage length: 318mm, Wingspan: 390mm.

★Features faithful recreations of fuselage, unique inverted gull wing and large propeller, and more.

★Inverted gull wing can be assembled in folded or extended position as the modeler chooses; details on the inside of the fold joint are also captured accurately.

★ Choose between up or down elevators and flaps.

★Two-part engine cowls can be removed from the model, even after completion.

★Select retracted or deployed main landing gears and tail wheel.

★Includes two figures depicting the pilot, one seated and one standing.

★Comes with 3 sets of markings to depict U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft.

★The set includes a full-color, 12-page booklet detailing the history of the Corsair line of aircraft.

BUY YOURS HERE - WHILE STOCKS LAST!!

NEW STOCK - German Anti Aircraft Gun & B-17G Flying Fortress

Introducing some new products into Hobbies today: 

An incredible detailed scale model of a German Flak 36 88mm Anti Aircraft Gun for adult collectors to assemble. 

Priced at just £39.99 this will make a brilliant addition to your model collection, or a perfect present for Dad 

From Hong Kong Models we present this Super Large 1/32 Scale Highly Detailed B-17G Flying Fortress Heavy Bomber Plane Kit 

And finally for the Ultimate in Large Scale Super Detailed Model Making, this 1:200 Scale kit of the USS Hornet CV-8 Aircraft Carrier This amazing kit contains over 1250 parts and 9 Photo-etched plates.

All kits offer hours of challenging and enjoyable model making for enthusiastic amateurs and professional model makers alike.

See our collection of models available online.
There's something for everyone at www.alwayshobbies.com

See the World in Miniatura !

If you have ever thought that dolls houses are only toys for children - think again! 

Dedicated dolls house collectors are almost exclusively adults, and discerning ones at that. They regularly travel across oceans and continents to meet, place orders with, and buy from craftsmen who make exquisite, perfectly scaled, museum quality, models in miniature.

Miniatura is a highly specialised visitor attraction event entirely dedicated to the amazing hobby of domestic modelling in 1/12th and related scales. The 'one-inch-to-the-foot' scale, as it has always been universally known, is now complimented by other related scales, namely 1/24th [half-scale] and 1/48th [quarter scale] and even 1/144th which enables dolls' houses to fit into dolls' houses.

Miniatura at the NEC Birmingham offers a centrally placed venue with excellent transport links by road, rail & air. There will not be a charge for parking. You can meet friends from many parts of the world. See the intricate detail of special one-off handcrafted pieces. Enjoy demonstrations & do a workshop. Get help and advice from specialists, and discover much more. 

Seeing is believing, and to see the incredible quality and intricate detail which goes into the production of each minute but almost unbelievably perfect miniature is an unforgettable experience. To make a miniature vase, carve a tiny oak chest, or create a small copper kettle,  it must be exactly to scale, therefore to begin, you would measure a normal size item - in inches - and divide by twelve, remembering to check the thickness of the edges, size of the handles, and the grain of the wood. To weave a miniature carpet, It must obviously lie flat when finished, have a design that has been reduced in scale, and be twelve times thinner that a normal carpet. Making all manner of accessories such as a glass bowl, or a pewter tankard, or even knitting a shawl or sweater in miniature all takes great skill and patience.

Some childhood fascinations never leave you, and whether you are 7 or 70, creating your own small world in a dolls house or miniature diorama is both great fun as well as hugely satisfying. Why not come along to the Autumn event at the NEC and see the wonderful work for yourself. Maybe try your hand at one of the short 'taster' workshops, watch a demonstration, talk to the talented craftsmen, see the magazines and books which can tell you so much more, and prepare to be amazed by this absorbing hobby which has changed so many peoples lives for the better since they discovered the magical Miniatura shows

Miniatura is one of the best places in the world to meet up with fellow miniature enthusiasts, to view and to buy some of the best miniatures craftsmanship available anywhere. It really is where the miniature world meets. Find out more about tickets and opening times

 
Here's a taster of what you can expect to find: