Sunday 5th April, 5:30am. Why on earth, I ask myself, did I think of this. I had booked a display table at the Annual Shropshire Modellers Show at RAF Cosford Museum, for the Squadron Modelling Team. It seemed like a good idea at the time, little did I realise it meant getting up at ‘frozen o’clock’ on a Sunday Morning. Packing the car and making to collect the other members of the team for just after 6.30am proved uneventful. And we were mobile and on our way by 6.45am.
Sgt James had brought along his GTC B-25 Mitchell, an F-15 Eagle and an M-60 MBT (Main Battle Tank, predecessor of the M-1 Abrams). Cpl McNeil turned out with his RN Merlin and a DH Mosquito.
Heading south into Cheshire, we crossed into the Shropshire countryside just north of Whitchurch at an altitude of about 4ft and an ASI of 60mph, when suddenly the car decided that we had to turn right into the car park of The Raven, transport cafe just at the junction of the A41/A49.
We had arranged to meet at this location with C/I Ashe, who I had invited to come along with us. As we were about 45minutes prior to the meeting, we were forced to endure one of the Cafe’s monster cooked breakfasts with tea and toast, at the ridiculous price of £4.95 each. Exceedingly good value I must say.
Cpl McNeil said about the breakfast, “The plate is as wide a dinner tray and totally covered. Beans, bacon, hash browns, black pudding, two sausages, fried bread, tomatoes, eggs. Fantastic”
Mr Ashe duly arrived, and eventually we made our way further south to Cosford, arriving about 9.30am. The show was due to start at 10.00 so we had time to empty the cars and set up our display table!
The show was being held within the hangers of the Museum and was also open to the public at the same time, so a lively turn out was expected. Cadets from the local Wing were on hand providing marshalling as were staff from the nearby base as well!
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| The modelling display. |
Having set up our display, I persuaded Sgt James to enter two of his models into the Junior Section of the Competition (the B-25 and the F-15). Cpl McNeil also entered his Mosquito. We were pleasently surprised to find that as junior entrants, they did not have to pay a fee, so we completed the entry forms and placed the models, awaiting the judging to commence at 2pm.
Mr Ashe and I then had a walk around the show, checking out most of the hangers. To say it was crowded was an understatement! A combination of good weather and a Motor Cycle Easter Egg Race (don’t ask, I don’t know) as well as the Model Show, meant attendance was good. At one point, walking away from a display, I turned around straight into a Group Captain (I think he was the Station Commander). Panic ensued, to many people, closely packed; I was unable to salute him so came smartly to attention. He was very pleasant and engaged in conversation for a while. Asking (politely) the reason for my attendance, I explained. He seemed very interested and passed some very kind comments about the models on display. I did point him towards our display, but do not know if he managed to get there or not!
As can be seen from the photo’s we had a lot of models on our table. I had taken the Squadron Canberra model, and this drew a lot of attention. Although one anorak did say we had the wrong serial numbers on it and the aerial fit was incorrect! (The phrase, ‘Get a life’ came to mind, but I managed to restrain myself).
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| Cdt Sgt James with one of the models |
3.30pm arrives and I sent James and McNeil over to the control point for the results of the competition. I stayed at the table to watch over our belongings. I was very pleased when they returned and announced that Sgt James had won second place in the comp. An excellent effort considering it was his first attempt at an external competition.
The drive home was uneventful, apart from Cpl. McNeil doing a great impression of a nodding dog in the passenger seat.
All told, it was a great day out, with an excellent result. The next show is on 17th of May, at Croft, which we may be attending.
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