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Festival in Bytom

IXth Scale Modeling Festival in Bytom

The Festival in Bytom is certainly the most welcome event by the scale modeling society in Poland. Each year, on the last weekend of February, we meet here for almost 3 days (starting Friday afternoon) to celebrate our hobby. As usual, the organizers of the Festival were the Modeling Section of the Youth Centre no.2 in Bytom, together with UKS “Karb” and IPMS Poland. Co-organizers were modelers clubs IPMS Silesia, two scouts sections: 16th Scouts Squad “Undefeated” and 26th Scouts Squad of A. Małakowski “The Foresters”, OSiR Bytom, Silesia Aero Team and the model shop “MODELWORLD”.

For the second time the event took place in the new location: the large sports hall. Changing the location was a very good move by the organizers in comparison to previous editions. Clever deployment of the exhibition tables enabled the displayed models more space in the areas of particular categories. Thanks to the wide aisles visitors had enough space for movement and enough space if they wanted to get a closer look.

During the festival, the International Challenge of the UE pot “Euro Pot” took place. The challenge had been organized by IPMS Silesia and model clubs from Koprivnice (Czech Republic), Poprad (Slovakia), Mosonmagyarovar (Hungary). Models were judged by representatives of these clubs.

At the vendor area the attendees could re-supply their stashes with new kits from the swap and sale or directly from the manufacturers (RS Models, AML, Karaya, Panzer Art, Stratus Publishing) or various hobby shops that set up tables.

For the first time in the history of Bytom Festival attendees could present their clubs or models at the exhibitions of Special Interest Group. A couple of the SIG displays were: “Anything Japanese” and “Internet modeling” (kits which were presented at the internet hobby forum www.pwm.org.pl – “Modeling with passion”). The SIG displays were also organized by the clubs from Poland IPMS Silesia, IPMS Świdnica, IPMS Kraków, IPMS Nova Paka from Czech, HR Cappucino Club from Varazdina, RC models from Silesia Aero Team and Polish modeling clubs from Będzin, Inowrocław and Jaworzno.

One of the additional attractions was the multimedia presentation on the weathering techniques of the AFV by known modeler – Kamil Feliks Sztarbała. The lecture hall was full for the entire time of Kamils presentation, so I assume he didn't bore anyone to death. RC modelers presented their works both on the ground and in the air. On the contest display we could preview a model which will be available soon on the market: a Special Hobby Yak-23 in 1/72 scale made by Ales Pavlas.

Let's take a look at the official statistics now. 276 modelers from Poland and abroad entered the contest with 931 models together in all categories. Another 270 models were displayed at the SIG exhibitions but these kits did not enter into the competition. On the festival we could meet modelers from other countries than Poland. Most of them came from Czech but also Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia (HR Cappucino Club from Varazdina), a few guys from Great Britain and Austria had their representatives too. For the first time organizers have created another age category, next to juniors and seniors: youngsters. These little fellows (and I don't mean Hobbits) had a separate competition and display area. The skill level amongst the youngest competitors was very high as the judging committees couldn't find the best kits and all the competitors won some prizes. Of course this was just one of the ways to avoid crying at the end of the game and keep them encouraged in the hobby and building more kits for the next year edition!

To sum up quickly, once again I spent a lot of great time at the Festival in Bytom. The organizers made a great effort to improve everything in comparison to previous editions: judging, display arrangement, additional attractions and even provide some food. Well done to all of those anonymous people who were engaged in the organization process. All I wish for the next year is to meet some of the Aeroscalers at the X Scale Modeling Festival in Bytom.

For a view of the Aero side of the show Click Here.