A number of projects inspired from Maltese history feature in this year’s History in scale 2009 model expo. The exhibition is currently taking place at the Malta aviation museum in Ta’ Qali, set up by the Society of Scale Modelers will offer a week full of activities for those with a passion for military history and art.
The exhibition features a number of scale aircraft models such as spitfires and the hurricane, which were based in Malta during WWII and of which real models are housed in the aviation museum. Other WWII models of Italian and German aircraft that were used to attack the Maltese islands are displayed. The exhibition also includes a number of military figurines from the times of the knights and the French era, highlighting military costumes and armour.
The exhibition consists of more than 600 models from different époques, many of which are award winners in international shows, the fruit of long months of research and work completed by the members of the society. The display comprises an interesting collection of model military and civil sea crafts, various military transportation means from the 1900’s up till today.
A number of workshops on scale military models will be delivered by master modelers and historians alike throughout the week. The topics range from fantasy figure painting, mould making and casting to war-gaming sessions. The society took care of organising a number of workshops for young enthusiasts from 8 years upwards, wishing to learn more about this art throughout the Easter holidays. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 6pm with the full programme and details on the workshops available on the society’s website www.ipmsmalta.com
Visitors can walk through the exhibition set side-by-side to real WW2 and jet aircrafts housed at the aviation museum. This week is also part of a week of activity at the museum and a number of re-enactments simulating battles between WWII axis and allies soldiers, RAF ground crew daily life and drill of an Imperial Roman Camp will be held throughout next weekend.
This exhibition is held annually by the SSM which was established in 1981, the society is a non-government and non profit making organisation with the aim of spreading the culture and knowledge of historical model making. SSM meetings are held every Wednesday from 18.30hrs onwards at premises in Hamrun. Apart from the annual model expo, the club has a permanent exhibit at the same museum with aircraft models and dioramas. Since last year, SSM started a twinning and brotherhood with the Greek modeling community of HELMO. Every now and again members from SSM take part in various international competitions such as the UK IPMS Nationals and Euromilitaire, the world military expos of Glasgow, Roma, Boston and Girona and have always came back home with flying colours.