Task Force 72 Scale Model Ship Association Inc.

Maritime Festival, Newcastle 2007 Photo Gallery

Another day, another run, you can tell that the running season has arrived with the Spring weather. Not that anyone is complaining, after a long winter of being cooped up or doing static displays.

Make sure everything is running right the night before, pack up the car and off we go, destination Newcastle, joining up with Newcastle Club to participate in the Foreshore Maritime Festival.

The Frog Pond looked very inviting, very nice colour, shame about the bottom, which was slippery as a greased pig. Wandering out to place moorings or to retrieve a boat became an exercise in extreme caution, with onlookers watching keenly to see who would be the first to go head over heels for the edification and amusement of the public.

A number of members made the trip up from Sydney to join up with Fleet Base Hunter Central members. Representation was a bit ‘top-heavy’, with the President, Vice President and a Committee member all attending. We would have been joined by several other committee members but they had pressing other matters to attend, like visits to hospitals and such. The food wasn’t that bad, really!

In total TF-72 mustered nine members, including local stalwarts Ian Howard, Wolfgang Nebart, Lindsay Muxlow, Chas Baxter, Richard Dawson, Mark Carney and Allan Pew. They were joined by Southern ring-ins Geoff Eastwood and Mike James, who made the trip up the F4 for the day.

The weather was fine, the water pleasant (unless you were trying to stay upright in it!) and the hospitality of the Newcastle Club couldn’t be faulted, with the traditional modellers lunch of the Sausage Sizzle finding plenty of takers who backed up for seconds.

Chas Baxter’s RN escort carrier HMS Dasher continued to attract the crowds, as did Ian Howard’s sensational light cruiser HMAS Perth. Geoff Eastwood continues to come up with interesting subjects, with his Australian Lighthouse Tender Cape Don getting its first run, much to the appreciation of a number of maritime cognoscenti who were particularly taken with his depiction of an obscure part of Australia’s maritime heritage.

Everyone got several opportunities to run, and the Festival’s attractions were a constant diversion, including a magnificent collection of vintage American cars such as Thunderbirds, Mustangs and Trans Am’s parked close by.

Another great day, with Newcastle’s hospitality very much appreciated.

Story Mike James, Photos Allan Pew

Click on a photo to enlarge. [Back to Post Mission Reviews]