32 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
MAFVA
Miniature Armoured Fighting Vehicles Association
MAFVA exists to promote and interest in AFV’s
and their associated equipment, and to act as a
non-profit making organisation for the collection
and dissemination of information. We try to answer
queries and seek sources of information for our fast
growing international membership, and to encourage
correspondence between those with similar interests.
The interests within MAVA run from Wold War One
to the present day, although a greater emphasis is
centred on the Second World War. The majority of
members make and/or collect models, and there
are many who only gather information on military
subjects, whilst others work on, or even collect full
sized military vehicles. In addition to this we aim
to provide our members with a quality bi-monthly
magazine ‘Tankette’. Local
branches are being continually
formed both in the UK and
overseas, and are encouraged
to hold meetings, displays and
competitions to enable their
members to get more out of
their hobby, by meeting others
with similar interests and to share
information and expertise.Joining MAFVA
For more information or details on joining
MAFVA please contact the Membership
Secretary: Neil Wharton, MAFVA
85 Alexander Avenue, Earl Shilton,
Leicestershire. LE9 7AH.
[email protected][email protected]
Current subscription rates are:
UK and HM Forces £16
Europe/ Rest of the World (Surface mail) £24
Rest of the World (Airmail) £33
http://www.mafva.orgSAM Publications
MAFVA Members Discount Offer
SAM Publications is delighted to be able to offer
MAFVA members a 10% discount on subscriptions
to Scale Military Modeller International, or
any of our other titles or books, but not including
kits or accessories. To take advantage of this offer
just quote your MAFVA membership number on any
correspondence. For more details email or call us at:
[email protected]
+44 (0) 1234 211245Bedfordshire
Cambridge
Chester
Clacton-on-Sea
Devon
Essex
Lancashire (Bolton)
London
Maryport
Midlands (Leicester)
Northern Home
Counties
North West (Wirral)
Norwich
NottinghamBranches
Rugby
Suffolk
Sussex
Sussex (East)
Wilts
Scotland (Glasgow)
Scotland (Lothian)
South Wales
Australia (A.C.T)
Australia (West)
Canada (Ontario)
France (North West)
France (Paris)
Greece
PortugalE
ach year the Miniature AFV
Association, (MAFVA), gets
together for the National
Show and Competitions.
Although known as ‘The Nationals’, it is in fact
an international event with traders and modellers
visiting from overseas. This year some of our
regulars had opted out, but new exhibitors were
clamouring for space, so we were full to bursting.
As well as the eighteen traders, there were
fifteen MAFVA branches and seventeen guest
exhibitors including several IPMS branches. The
unexpected closure of the A14 caused a few late
arrivals, but folk were determined
to get to the show.
On entering the foyer, the
model-makers of the Duxford
Aviation Society M/T section
volunteers who we had visited
the day before. The membership
desk was also in operation taking
subscriptions and selling back
issues of the MAFVA magazine
Tankette. There was also the
Nottingham MAFVA crew
with their display and the girls
manning the Tombola as well.
Passing through the foyer into
the Drama Suite where it was
mainly club displays, but with
Early War Miniatures large stand,
Christopher Morris Books and a newcomer,
Breveco from the Netherlands, a charming
couple who brought an amazing selection of
tools and materials with them.
The majority of traders were in the main hall,with club stands filling in the
gaps, and I think we can safely
say that be it kits, tools, paints or
reference books, every modelling
requirement was available. In one
corner was the bar, which was
kept busy with demand for food
and drink. What was interesting
was that amongst the traders,
several had travelled tremendous
distances to attend.
Upstairs in the Aquarius
Room was two more clubs and
the all-important Bring and Buy,
where modellers freed up cash for
new purchases by selling some
of the stash, which was eagerly
snapped up at bargain prices by other modellers.
Out on the balcony we had our senior MAFVA
member Max Hundleby with his display of
hand- made tinplate models, and the Skybirds
range. Also, upstairs was the competition area,
where a large number of excellent models were
entered in a variety of classes. Using the ‘Gold
Standard’ for judging, where models are not
judged against each other, but against a set
criteria, there were a high number of winners.
Fortunately, sponsorship by Airfix Modelworld,
Casemate Publications and Armorfast who
ensured each junior entry got a bag of kits, meant
that The Gold and Silver winners went home
with a tangible prize as well as a certificate. Best
of Show went to Tim Forster with his Italian
village diorama ‘Liberation’, well deserved.MAFVA COLUMN
http://www.mafva.org32 SCALE MILITARY MODELLER INTERNATIONAL
MAFVA Nationals 2019 Report
Presented by Paul Middleton