World in Miniature on Display
Northwoods Scale Model Phanatics hosted its 11th annual Spring in the Pines model contest and swap meet last Saturday at the World Championship Derby Complex in Eagle River.
The yearly event draws an average of 250 entries to compete for prizes for the best model build in a number of categories, ranging from autos to trucks to armored war vehicles, to aircraft, ships and more.
Tom Foerster Jr., president of the Phanatics and one of the main organizers of the event, had some of his builds on display for judging. As someone who is interested in history, Foerster said the draw of building these models satisfies not only the historical angle, but also hearkens back to his career as a mechanical engineer.
Model building is more than just buying and assembling a kit. Many hours go into each build, and a lot of creativity can also be imbued into the figures.
In addition to a few car models and others, Foerster had a diorama titled "The Ghosts of Matilda" which he built from a photo of the Matilda tanks used in the siege of Tobruk in 1941. Using some of the figurines from another kit, he painted the men in ghostly hues as if they are still manning the tank from the great beyond.
Pat Klunder, vice president of the club, spoke about what some may view as an obsession regarding these build kits. Collectors can have anywhere from hundreds to many thousands of these kits in their possession, sometimes without ever doing a single build. The swap meet acts as a place where collectors and builders alike can gather, find new build kits, and share each other's works.
Northwoods Scale Model Phanatics is a local chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society. Model club meetings are held every second Saturday of the month at 3:30 p.m.
Following its club motto of "it's all about the build," this club is for those who enjoy building models, have built models in the past and would like to reinvigorate the hobby, or people who would like to learn. The club also offers a space for people to share their models with other like-minded people.
For more information or to drop in on a club meeting, contact Foerster at 715-479-4988. Meetings are held at 3824 Tecumseh Lane in Eagle River.
