carsntrucks4you Posted February 24, 2013 Share Posted February 24, 2013 What about Germany? There are a lot of excellent model car builders. I'm member of the Modelcarlist Germany, a similar email list like Model Car List or Model Cars Unlimited. Check out my posting from various modelcar shows in Germany http://public.fotki.com/carsntrucks4you/model_shows/ There are a few Germans like Dominik, Whaid or Mad Mike and myself active in this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted February 24, 2013 Author Share Posted February 24, 2013 Thank you all, this is the kind of networking and useful information as more people from different countries come forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltsr Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) I'd like to add New Zealand to the list if I may. Only a small population (4 million) but with a thriving full size hot rod scene. I belong to a model club here in Auckland with 12 - 15 hard core members that meet every month, some of whom are awesome builders and members of this fine forum. Brett Tynan is a prolific builder of mainly drag cars, Mike Pringle is another great builder who occasionally appears here (you may have seen the scratchbuilt replica 1/16 '27T Bonneville racer he built with Jack Martin). Our builds pretty much reflect the trends on here, plus we have resin casters and others who produce home made decals and rusting relics. Please check out our website http://modelpetrolhead.proboards.com/ to see how things are done in 'Middle Earth' . We also have several online members in the good ol' US Edited February 25, 2013 by maltsr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peekay Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Great to hear about car modelers in NZ and I've just signed up to modelpetrolhead. And thanks for the German link - will try and make it to Frankfurt next time. Can someone supply a date already? Car modeling seems to be pretty much a non-event here in Switzerland. The few specialist shops that there were are long gone and I've never heard of a model car club or show in 30 years. What models I have seen have been top notch but the emphasis seems to be on planes and military. But maybe my ear isn't close enough to the ground and I'd love to be proven wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 My name is Simón P. Rivera Torres and I'm part of the Club Viajero de Modelismo of Puerto Rico. Since year 2000, our club mainly has been touring around the top model car shows around the states like it has been the ACME show in Atlanta, the Birmingham, GSL(4 Times), LIARS, TAMS, Desert Scale, Circle City, Classic Plastic, Heartland Nationals, etc. At present time we're getting ready for our fifth GSL at Salt Lake City, Utah. Simón P. Rivera Torre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Don't forget about Japan, were there's an awesome model building tradition and were you can see, at least for me, the most impressive hobby shops... We know the United States, CANADA, AUSTRALIA and the UK are big model car building countries, but I am curious to know about other countries out there. And if so, what interesting trends and styles do you see. If you are from countries other than the US, CAN, and the UK, can you please tell us about car model building activity in your country. I am interested in hearing about model car specific clubs, and builders who have become nationally known in your country. I am posting this because I think many of us are curious about car model builders in the rest of the world. Please let us hear from you. Thank you for your time and attention. Puerto Rico We have a site on FB that started out with six or seven from our model club in Winnipeg. On our FB club there are many from Peurto Rico and Austrailia. Some big hitters too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) well i dont really understand the comment of the crazy explorer ... holland always has been a country with a large amount of modelbuilders and i already stated the new generation is not really into it .. but i actually see so much people build and hear of people who have build or picking up the hobby again and like said the amount of shops are def. going down in the past years but i know of a lot of nice shops where you can get a lot of stuff and still walk in the door and look around .. and like said a lot of ship builders , militairy builders , the thing is .. and thats the thing a lot of dutch people dont go online to share their hobby , still we have a nice online community , maybe not massive but then again our county is smaller then most states in the usa and our neighbours from belgium always have been people to start clubs / comunity's and do stuff every weekend i know because i always was part of the belgium carshow scene and went to belgium every weekend . and believe me every weekend there are so much shows and markets in belgium on any level of stuff , so many different things to do there and people there massivly go out to do stuff , no matter what hobby it is there is something to do there the dutch tend to stay in build in silence and are not that active in online community's so i still believe there are a whole lot of modelbuilding enthousiast here like said from my younger years till now i have come across so much people who build its .... and i myself only started building for real in 2008 .. sure i build a model or 2 when i was young (better said glued together) but really discovered the hobby at a late age myself its like when i saw the question i thought yes holland is a modelbuild country because i'm turning 38 and as long as i can remember i have seen people build , found stuff online and went to shops every ounce in a while (back in the day with my dad) so that why i believe modelling is tied to the dutch Edited February 25, 2013 by crazyrichard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Yep Aussies are here in numbers Doc Here's a pic for you, even got your name on it mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsntrucks4you Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 (edited) Great to hear about car modelers in NZ and I've just signed up to modelpetrolhead. And thanks for the German link - will try and make it to Frankfurt next time. Can someone supply a date already? Car modeling seems to be pretty much a non-event here in Switzerland. The few specialist shops that there were are long gone and I've never heard of a model car club or show in 30 years. What models I have seen have been top notch but the emphasis seems to be on planes and military. But maybe my ear isn't close enough to the ground and I'd love to be proven wrong. Hi Peter, in Germany most of the modeling shows are military or aircraft dominated. THere are only a few car or truck modelers at these shows. We have 22 big cmodel car shows in Germany The Little Wheelies in Hannover or the The Frankfurt Model Car Show. Unfortunately the Hannover show will not take place this year but, Erich show in Frankfurt will be at the first weekend in October. There are a also few guys from Switzerland at this show. Another show is the Model Car Exhibition at the German Street Rod Association Nats in Weilburg (close to Frankfurt) on July 13/14, 2013. Because the real cars are mostly Rods and Customs the model car show has the same theme. I organize this show the first time this year. I'll keep you informed. One other excellent show (truck and car models) Europe is the On the Road Show in Jabeeke/Belgium. In my opinin the best show in Europe. Lots of people from France, Switzerland, Finland, UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland did I miss some other countries? This show is on Mar. 16/17, 2013 If your are interested in truck modeling you have to go to Gaydon/UK Edited February 26, 2013 by carsntrucks4you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Great thread. I hope more non-US guys chime in. I know that Chris Roos (Chris R on the forum) from South Africa always plays "Real or Model" and "Auto ID"... Chris, how about posting some of your work? I don't think we've ever seen anyone from Africa posting photos of their work here... you could be the first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drago Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) Oh YES!!! My name is Alexandre Taschner... despite the German lastname, I´m Brazilian and I´m pretty sure you guys are familiar with some great models and modelers that are used to show their works around here. In Brazil, all subjects (military, aviation, ships, sci-fi, cars and figures) are very well covered. But speaking specifically about cars, I have the pleasure (and is a great honor and pride) to announce that the Forum SMALL DREAMS is the first forum 100% dedicated to cars (like MCG) in Brazil (and perhaps in Latin America, as far as I am aware). It was founded in 2006 and since then we have provide help and fun time for hundreds of modelers around the country. I am one of the founders and current administrator. But I must mention two other friends who help me to run the forum: Cesar Bossolani (which is also user here) and Kurt Schuman. This is our link: www.small-dreams.com/forum You all guys are invited and wellcome. As a matter of fact, some of the friends here already are posting over there... ;-) We have a great number of foreign modelers showing their models too. The language it is not a problem. We have no issue on use english as second language... SO, COME ON!!! Edited February 27, 2013 by Drago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peekay Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Hi carsntrucks4you Thanks so much for all that info, much appreciated. BTW There's certainly no lack of interest in 1:1 US cars here and there are some great shows in summer. The biggest is put on by the Friday Night Cruisers in Oensingen, between Basel and Bern. On average there'll be 1500 to 2000 pre-1975 American cars there and I never miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matador88 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Czech Republic and Slovakia (former Czechoslovakia) are very strong modeling countries. it has roots in old times when it was very wideky supported and popular hobby. its more about airplanes, AFV lately, but also great car modelers are here. people here are known that thay wont give you appreciation or like of your model unless its really good. it pushes you to put more into a build if you want to present it. we also have a lot of contests considering number of inhabitants and countries sizes. i give you only small appetizer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Back when I was in Aruba in 1991, I found Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine on the rack in a drug store. It got me wondering if there were modelers there or if the magazine was for tourists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heinz74 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 In contradiction of what Richard tends to believe, The Netherlands isn't a 'huge' modelling country. There is only one major club and there are barely any specialised stores for modelling. I wish it would've been different, but it isn't so. The belgiums are more enthusastic about the hobby, basically every major city andlarger town has his own club and meets regular. And this is ever so true.. but not only that, but for the 'lower' part of Dutch society a fridge full of food has become more important since the switch to Euro's (currency) having a hobby or participating in sports has become more than a luxury.. this may sound crazy for a european country ,,but it is what it is i too have seen a lot of hobbystores dissapear over the years..Kid's these day's like Ipods an X boxes a lot more than a modelkit nowadays it seems and the fact that you can change the looks ,wheels and colour of your car in a videogame in a matter of seconds seems more appealing..instead of the glue and rattlecan option in 1/24 scale... also most modelkitbrands more or less specialize in US cars ..be it muscle or rod...50's chrome etc...and we seldomely see those over here perhaps at a show but not in daily traffic... there is a lot of truck and plane building done here..that i know of...and 1/18 Diecast is sort of popular ..the rest is more or less subculture (it's hard to find BMF..and you can forget about Modelcargarage etc stuff over here) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Wow my friend, could tell us more about the 2 formulas you have here in this post...The renault and tyrrel...both impressive works... Simón P. Rivera Torres Czech Republic and Slovakia (former Czechoslovakia) are very strong modeling countries. it has roots in old times when it was very wideky supported and popular hobby. its more about airplanes, AFV lately, but also great car modelers are here. people here are known that thay wont give you appreciation or like of your model unless its really good. it pushes you to put more into a build if you want to present it. we also have a lot of contests considering number of inhabitants and countries sizes. i give you only small appetizer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyrichard Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 (edited) when i look on one of hollands biggest second hand sites i always find cool hotrod kits , musscle cars , garage kits ...all for cheap prices.. there is so much you can buy here in holland hotrod and custom related , all my kits and parts are bought in holland and not ordered from ...... and we have a big online site where the guy buys and sells vintage usa kits ...and there is more like that but ...i will put it to rest now the new generation isnt big on modelbuilding thats true sadly.. on the other hand the few times i go into a big modelstore in rotterdam i do see kids buying kits .... si its not all dead on their side , just not that polulair in the general young population its sad people think they cant have a hobby due to economy i also dont have a lot of money to spend on like styrene or all the expensive paints or aftermarket p/e and stuff i also own a house with hudge mortgage , pay a hudge deal of healthcare for me and my wife , not to mention fuell prices and increasing taxes ...but if you want you can do modelbuilding cheap , i always shop online and bought all of my kits second hand.. i even enjoy the search ... i even got loads of parts from people on forums who loved my work and said can you use this ?? thats also something i love about this hobby people are way more enthousiastic amoung eitch other then on other hobby's Edited March 1, 2013 by crazyrichard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tompidom Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I have to agree with richard on the dutch part. I have one of the biggest hobby shops in the netherlands in the city i live in. I do rareley see some young modelers in their. But on the internet it is very hard to see how old people are. With that said, I Think in holland their is a Really big modeling comunity and think it is growing. Sadly not to more fisical shops but more online shops) On the positive side that does make it a lot cheaper for the modeller) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 (edited) Per Richard's post, I see all hobbies as an aging thing. The guys who collect stamps and coins are complaining that kids aren't getting into their hobbies either. As kids we were model builders and avidly collected stamps, coins and other things. Today's kids have less free leisure time due to more organized sports and activities and they are also very digital, preferring modern media and video games. There are still kids that like to work with their hands. Both of my daughters, now in their 20s, always did crafts and still will make gifts and personalized items to this day. I think a lot of kids not building, is that they just aren't aware of models. When we were kids, model kits were sold everywhere... toy stores, grocery stores, hardware stores and the corner drug store. Today, they pretty much just are sold in hobby shops, so we've lost that exposure and the impulse sales. I would always go grocery shopping with my mother because model kits were lined up across the top of the low freezer cases. I'd usually be successful in begging enough to get one. When my club has done events with youth groups, the kids are enthusiastic and express surprise that models exist. Revell has been working on that with their great "Make It, Take It" program and now their new contest series. I wish them luck and hope they succeed in creating a new generation of model builders. As far as the hobby suffering due to the economy, that may be true to some extent, but at the same time at NNL East our numbers have actually been up. In questioning folks, it seems that they are sacrificing big ticket items like expensive vacations and new cars, and are spending more time close to home. So they are actually spending more time and money on hobbies like model building. Edited March 1, 2013 by Tom Geiger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kostas Parchas Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Hello everybody, I woud like to talk about the hobby in my country, Greece. As far as I know from convertations in hobby shops, here in Greece there are many people that are building cars and very few like me who are building big rigs. Most of the guys building cars, they like to build exotic cars like F_____s, Lamborginis, Porches and rally cars. Actualy a few of these guys are building big rigs, but nothing special, they do it just because of couriosity and the end result is the model of the box art. I Hanen't met so far a guy interested to big rigs the way I do. At the other hand, there is a huge (really HUGE) amount of modellers who are building war themes (if this is correct) like war airplanes, war ships, tanks and battle field dioramas. In the past I have seen some Greek forums on the net but these are dedicated to the war zone and not to the civil zone of our great hobby. I wish the hobby to be more popular to the new generation, but my bad luck, with this financial crisis we getting through nowadays, I think that the new generation will have no interest to the hobby. I am waiting the day that my now 3 years old daughter will grow enough to build a big rig model with her and show her the magic of our great hobby. How many of you guys are affected by the hobby to your busines. For example working with tiny bits for many years, has helped me many times in my carrier as a consumer electronics technician, to handle any hand tool and work on mother boards, chips, tranzistors, soldering irons etc. Kostas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Thank you for chiming in, Kostas. Delighted to hear from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carsntrucks4you Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 when i look on one of hollands biggest second hand sites i always find cool hotrod kits , musscle cars , garage kits ...all for cheap prices.. there is so much you can buy here in holland hotrod and custom related , all my kits and parts are bought in holland and not ordered from ...... and we have a big online site where the guy buys and sells vintage usa kits ...and there is more like that but ...i will put it to rest now the new generation isnt big on modelbuilding thats true sadly.. on the other hand the few times i go into a big modelstore in rotterdam i do see kids buying kits .... si its not all dead on their side , just not that polulair in the general young population its sad people think they cant have a hobby due to economy i also dont have a lot of money to spend on like styrene or all the expensive paints or aftermarket p/e and stuff i also own a house with hudge mortgage , pay a hudge deal of healthcare for me and my wife , not to mention fuell prices and increasing taxes ...but if you want you can do modelbuilding cheap , i always shop online and bought all of my kits second hand.. i even enjoy the search ... i even got loads of parts from people on forums who loved my work and said can you use this ?? thats also something i love about this hobby people are way more enthousiastic amoung eitch other then on other hobby's This is not only a problem in the Netherlands. In Germany most of the modelers are in the age of 30 -60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayabusa Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) Building scale models is quite popular in Sweden. Military objects like WWII tanks, airplanes etc. are the ones that are most popular, I guess, but you also see a lot of car models. The pics in this link were taken at last years annual show i Stocholm; http://modellbygge.ifokus.se/discussions/4f65a47a88f4725c5f008978-bilder-fran-ccm-open-igar?4d712449b9cb462141045ffb-2 The cars in the pics were built by modelers from different countries, not only Sweden. In general, the interest for US cars is quite large i Sweden. In fact, the number of US vintage cars imported in to Sweden is the largest in the world. As an example, we have around 700 1957 Chevys in Sweden. Considering that the population is 9,5 million people, thats´s not all too bad If you´re looking for a car show (real ones, not models), check this out: http://www.bigmeet.com/visitorinfo.php Please note, the opening day is on 4th of July. All of this has, of course, an influence on the swedish modelbuilding scene. We like US muscle cars, Hot Rods, customs etc.For sure Edited March 3, 2013 by Hayabusa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matador88 Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) Wow my friend, could tell us more about the 2 formulas you have here in this post...The renault and tyrrel...both impressive works... Simón P. Rivera Torres those are from portfolio of czech modeler Michal Falta with online nickname Aress. he is building formula 1 replicas in 1/20 scale. most of them are heavily modified and full of scratchbuilt parts as you can see... Edited March 3, 2013 by matador88 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Wow, that Michal does serius work, could you get a link to see his portfolio, in case he has one? Simón P. Rivera Torres those are from portfolio of czech modeler Michal Falta with online nickname Aress. he is building formula 1 replicas in 1/20 scale. most of them are heavily modified and full of scratchbuilt parts as you can see... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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