Modeling in Europe

GMorrison

Right, Silver. And not only that, but if one is interested in any subjects pre-oh say 1776, it's most all from Europe. I'm thinking in particular of military miniatures.

 

I do recall a shop somewhere in Budapest that had a great selection of pre painted white metal soldier figures from the Imperial eras. They were about 54mm size and covers the various countries armies and soldier types. Dragoon’s, Grenadiers, Hussars, etc.

I spent 5 years in Germany and saw an awful lot of Europe. I agree with everything everybody else has told you already, but I thought the air shows were worth mentioning. I swear there's one somewhere every month. My unit sent a helicopter to most of them, and what I remember most is how people from every country attending smothered us in alcohol. We'd give out bottles of booze also, but what they wanted most was Green Giant stickers. If you are interested in anything currently in the military over there, with plenty of vintage aircraft still flying, then go to a few airshows.

Also, one thing I remember about the Netherlands was they required you to know the language before you could get a job. Don't know if that's still true, nor even what your plans are there, but you might want to check on that if you are seeking employment. 

Overloon is a DEFINITE "must see"! I have not been there for the annual Militracks event, but have been to the museum, and it is one of the best! There's also a nice hobby shop near the entrance, where you can pick up some great kits.  And as long as you're visiting there, you might as well check out some of the Market Garden related sites, as Overloon is very close to Njimegen and Arnhem.  The Airborne Museum at Hartenstein (Arnhem) is a standout attraction, and of course the John Frost Bridge (the "bridge too far").

There is a museum in the Netherlands that i have heard is a must to visit for WW2 enthusiats, at Overloon. Once a year they have a Litracks event whereyou can get to ride in military vehicles. One guy i know who went took great pleasure in telling me about his ride in a 251 and watching me get very envious as he told me.

GMorrison

Right, Silver. And not only that, but if one is interested in any subjects pre-oh say 1776, it's most all from Europe. I'm thinking in particular of military miniatures.

 

The figures are quite big over here. There area couple of guys in the model club i belong to who produce the most amazing work often of 18th and 19th century figures. There used to be a big show in the UK called Euro Millitaire but thats now stopped thanks in part i believe to bigger shows on the Continant.

Lots of WW2 display pieces at many historic battle sites.

In Germany, if I bought a German WW2 armor kit, the box had been opened and the offending Nazi marks and SS markings were defaced with a splot of black paint. Instructions too.

My family is from Holland, and I did buy a kit there once, but it was a modern Leopard.

I should also mention that if there is a major "anniversary" like a 45th, 50th, 75th of some military event, you should try to attend. They are quite a spectacle.

I went to the 50th anniversary of the evacuation of Dunkirk and the 45th anniversary of D-Day. Lots of good displays and vintage vehicles came out for folks to see.

Nathan T

Modeling is huge in Europe. Way more popular than it will ever be in the States. 

 

If it is Napoleonic you are interested in then there are lots of battlefields that you can visit and walk. Waterloo is a really interesting field with markers all over the place and you can visit the farms involved. the battlefield is not really as it was. the slope on the British/allied side is not as steep as it was as lots of earth was moved from it to make the lion monument, even so, if you visit with the right weather conditions then you will find out just how hard it was for the French to assault up the hill!

One of my Ancestors fought there and in the Peninsular War.

Sailing_Dutchman

Well, it looks like it will not be a problem. My relatives are very pro-gun.

 

I have lived in Europe several different times in my life. There are some absolutely fantastic military museums, on a national scale that doesn't exist here in the US.

Most every major city has one. 

You'll always have to mind some local sensibilities, like not modeling NVA subjects back in the 70's here in the US, but nothing extraordinary.

You'll have instant access to more Napoleanic information and subjects than you could ever assimilate. Have fun!

Right, Silver. And not only that, but if one is interested in any subjects pre-oh say 1776, it's most all from Europe. I'm thinking in particular of military miniatures.

I have lived in Europe for many years -Germany.Its no big change.The kits which you would  purchase there are 99% Revell.France is the same w/Heller and England w/airfix and so on.But when I traveled to Spain.I encountered the most Bret taking models on any store displays.Spain had twice the hobby model shops than any other country there.Also they have more selections than revell and heller.Remember that amazon and eBay orders are in europe to choose from.Europe is fine.

Well, it looks like it will not be a problem. My relatives are very pro-gun and may be exaggerating the problems so I thought that I would get some more opinions. Thank you everyone for your input.

Phil_H

 

 

stikpusher

I think that is more of a personal feeling than a general situation.

 

 

Sounds like it. If I recall correctly, there's more than a few members here who are from The Netherlands. 

 

One of them, Dutch-Modeller, just posted a B-17 build yesterday. I am guessing he doesn't have issues with military subjects.

Seems like it would just be your family that is requesting that. I am sure they have reasons their reasons. If you are going to be living with or visiting them i am sure you will respect them.

stikpusher

I think that is more of a personal feeling than a general situation.

Sounds like it. If I recall correctly, there's more than a few members here who are from The Netherlands. 

Sailing_Dutchman

I would specificaly be moving to the Netherlands, and from what I have been told by my family who lives there they would like no mention of any arms or military items.

 

I think that is more of a personal feeling than a general situation. 

Look at this site

Meindert deVreeze is a huge builder from Amsterdam

Modeling is huge in Europe. Way more popular than it will ever be in the States. 

These guys are a HUGE online store in The Netherlands.

AviationMegastore.com

I know a lot of modellers all over Europe and all they build is military kits - Even in Holland!

You can get Tamiya, Amusing Hobby, Zoukei-Mura and all sorts of stuff. There are many model show you can go to and nobody will tell you what and what not to build.

The only thing to watch out for, but only in Germany I think is no Swastikas.

The major show in Europe is IPMS UK and that is Scale Model World at Telford here in the UK. It is a huge 2 day show with people & manufacturers attending from all over the world!

Last year the queue to get in was 2 hours long and went out and around the car park twice!

Nobody can tell you what to build over here!

Sailing_Dutchman

I would specificaly be moving to the Netherlands, and from what I have been told by my family who lives there they would like no mention of any arms or military items.

 

Sailing_Dutchman

I would specificaly be moving to the Netherlands, and from what I have been told by my family who lives there they would like no mention of any arms or military items.

 

Really. Well, i won't argue with some one who lives there but i have never heard anything like that. We have a couple of guys in our model club who go to shows in the Netherlands, and they have not mentioned anything.

This is a couple of years old but but is of a model show there.

https://imodeler.com/2017/10/scale-model-challenge-2017-veldhoven-the-netherlands/

And one of the biggest model shows in Europe, Euro Scale Modelling, takes place there.

I would specificaly be moving to the Netherlands, and from what I have been told by my family who lives there they would like no mention of any arms or military items.

Sailing_Dutchman

Hello everyone. I may be moving to Europe for a time and was wondering wht the modeling scene is like there. Is building tanks and warplanes frowned upon as they are against anything war-like?

 

Not sure what part of Europe you are going to, don't forget, despite what the EU might think, Europe is not a single country so every one is different. Not sure where you get the idea that Europe is against anything war like. In the UK it certainly is not frowned upon and i have seen plenty of people from the rest of Europe. The only thing you have to worry about is displaying the crooked cross in a couple of countries.

There are some great online stores as well, some of the best ones i have seen are in Germany and Eastern Europe is a growing source.

I would not think that you would have any problems with those types of models. Looking at RoG kits, they have plenty to choose from. I have also looked at European modeling shows on youtube and there is plenty of armor and airplanes from both axis and allies displayed. Good luck if you make the move, should be a great experience.