SMW – What’s On
Scale ModelWorld is the largest fine scale model show in the world, and takes place over two days every November. It is organised and run by the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (UK), and uses the International Centre in Telford. Click here for information on address, times, dates, ticket prices and advance ticket sales.
If you become an IPMS member before Scale ModelWorld, your membership includes free priority admission to both days of the show. This means you are allowed in one hour before before the general public.
Click here to view pictures from around the 2022 Show
Click here for videos from Scale ModelWorld 2021
Traders
- 100+ traders
- Often used by manufacturers to announce significant new releases
- The majority of the specialist book publishers, major model retailers and modelling magazines in the UK and Europe attend the show each year
- The booking form for traders for next year is available on the SMW Forms page, click here
UK Branches and Special Interest Groups
- Over 170 Branch and Special Interest Group displays
- Every imaginable genre and special interest in the modelling world represented
- Thousands of models on display
Overseas Visitors
- Dedicated exhibition area for overseas clubs
- Overseas traders
- Visitors to the show from all over the world
Special Displays
Amongst the many displays there are some special themes and guest exhibitors. As an idea, here were the exhibitors in 2023:
- Arts University Bournemouth
- Barry Sharman : Scratch Built Models and Mulberry Harbour
- The Chris & Ray Maritime Road Show
- Colin Morgan : WWII Diorama
- F1 & Motorsport SIG : 100 years of Le Mans
- MAFVA
- Martin Hale : Zeppelins
- Models For Heroes
- Philip Cocking : Sci-Fi
- The Great War Aviation Society
Competition
Scale ModelWorld hosts the internationally renowned IPMS (UK) Annual Model Competition:
- Over 140 different classes and individual trophies
- Any IPMS member from any IPMS affiliated country can enter the competition
- All visitors are welcome to view the models in the competition area
Remembrance Day
We will be honouring the fallen through a ceremony of two minutes’ silence on Remembrance Sunday at 11:00am.
There will also be a special service (to be confirmed) on the Sunday.
Information on the 2023 Service, which was led by Anton Burrows:
Click here to view the Order of Service
Click here to view the text of the Service
Talks and Presentations
There will be talks and presentations. To give a flavour, these was the agenda for 2023:
- Jim Rotramel – “Operation Eldorado Canyon”, from 14:00-15.00, Saturday
- Pat Martin – “Finish and markings of post-war Canadian military aircraft”, from15:00-16:00, Saturday
- Hattons – “Hatttons’ pre-owned sales system”, from 16:10-16:25, Saturday
- Tom Cooper and Bill Norton – “The challenges of researching and writing about military topics”, from 14:00 -15:00, Sunday
Merchandise
A full range of IPMS(UK) souvenir merchandise will be on sale, including Seam Scrapers, t-shirts, polo shirts, badges, patches, stickers, mugs, lanyards and IPMS Magazine back issues.
Airfix Make and Paint (to be confirmed)
There will be a Make & Paint, where all are welcome to try a hand at model making. Run by IPMS Brampton.
Timetable (to be confirmed)
To give an idea of the sequence of events, here is the timetable from 2023:
Click here for the Scale ModelWorld 2023 timetable
Please note the timetable may be subject to change without notice
Facilities (to be confirmed)
- Plentiful car parking
- Light refreshments, hot meals, hot and cold drinks and licensed bar are all available in the halls
- There are two hotels onsite and many others nearby
- FREE wi-fi at the venue
- FREE printed show guide
- FREE minibus service from the railway station to the venue – to be confirmed
- Mobility scooters can be hired from the venue organisers – to be confirmed
Click for information on catering, the venue, travel and accommodation
Dinner (to be confirmed)
The IPMS(UK) Annual Dinner will be held in the Saturday evening.
Give an Old Model a New Home (to be confirmed)
A charity sale of built models and magazines. Donations very welcome, contact the Technical Advisory Service.
Please come and soak up the truly international and vibrant atmosphere. We have always been known for the warm welcome given to new visitors and regulars alike. You will find that that time flies so fast that the two days are over in a flash, and you didn’t manage to get around half of the show, which is a good incentive to come again next year!