Looey at Shizuoka Show

Well Moonbasers, for the donation of a semi-professional looking business card, ... a few days ago ... I got into this annual Trade Show for free!

Shizuoka is home not only to Tamiya models, but a host of other famous big name brands. It really is Plastic City and the civic signage often has a Sprue/Runner theme to it!

Thunderbirds is still big after all these years and all the 80's Giant Robot shows are making a comeback too!

A Battleship Yamato at a huge 1/144 scale and a re-entry glider for all you Moonbasers!

That is also an example of THE FUTURE OF MODELLING which was very evident at the show. 3D resin printing is starting to eclipse injection moulded styrene for detail and complexity.

I saw one piece Destroyer funnels, with all of the pipework and anti bomb cages as a single piece moulding!

Check out that 1/32 scale jet cockpit detail!

Pre coloured models are also taking a big step forward, as this bike kit shows. Multi-coloured castings, platings and what I assume is Tampo paint detailing.

There was a booth with live 3D scanning. The resulting photorealistic figures are being 3D printed in full colour at any size from 1/12 down to 1/150 scale with no loss of detail!

...and Scalectrix put in a good show with BTTF DeLoreans for Parts 2 & 3 and The Batman Batmobile. No prototypes of the upcoming Captain Scarlet range, though.

All up, an amazing day out. Already crammed into my skull, alongside my memories of Wonderfest 95!

...and now to calm down!

Looey

Japan