Presse / Press
Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen 2015
Enthusiastic protagonists from all over the world, from outer space and from the depths of our fantasy came together at Europe's most popular model engineering show
Flying sheep? Crowds of children flock to the indoor flight area in the light-flooded foyer when Shaun the Sheep sails to and fro like a fluffy cloud, his legs swaying beneath him, chilling out under the high glass ceiling. At the same time submarines glide gracefully into the depths of the gigantic boat pool. True-to-original model jets barely skim the ground, thundering past just inches above the grass on the outdoor airfield. And handsome locomotives circle the tracks, puffing through model landscapes built with loving attention to detail. This is FASZINATION MODELLBAU in Friedrichshafen. The unique popular model engineering event took place from 30th October to 1st November 2015 for the 14th time and attracted a large regional and international audience to the fairground on Lake Constance: More than 50,000 visitors delighted in the diversity of model making as a hobby.
"Little models, great outcome. The high quality of the event with exhibitors from all sectors of model engineering, spectacular shows, thrilling competitions, informative lectures and numerous hands-on activities add up to the success of Faszination Modellbau. This year for the first time we even had visitors from far-off galaxies! The little extra-terrestrial trooper R2-D2 found his way to us and obvious felt quite at home. This is encouraging for the future", Andreas Wittur, managing director of Messe Sinsheim and organiser of Faszination Modellbau, says with a twinkle in his eye. For three days 394 exhibitors from 15 countries presented their incredible product ranges to a wide audience and qualified trade visitors, who had travelled from all over Germany, from Switzerland and Austria, but also from Italy, Great Britain, Luxemburg and Liechtenstein to the show.
Not just the total concept of the show but also the numerous model shows set to music were presented in harmonious choreography. Model snowcats danced in synchrony to cool rock music, the audience tapping their feet in unison. The artificial snow used on the layout is an invention from the world of movies - if you watch a snowflake landing on an actor's hand you will see that it never melts. Not ice but fire was predominant at the new show in the Roadworker Arena. Model trucks appeared ghostlike out of swathes of smoke, their lights blinking as they climbed steep slopes and fought their way over mounds of earth, surrounded by real bursts of fire. Four-wheel drive, powerful model hydraulics, sophisticated electronics, a sensational show …applause! That is what artists want to hear. And every performance was accompanied by fascinating stories of original vehicles.
Even the youngest of visitors profit from the show, as Faszination Modellbau offers children and young people a wealth of information - learning, playing and experiencing the fascination of model engineering imparts knowledge of history, design, technology, material science and many more aspects that train their creativity and skills first hand. This year's show saw the introduction of a project day for schools and kindergarten groups, which was well received by teachers, pupils and children of all ages. To be continued!
No youngsters - no future, that is how the Junior College Europe run by the German railway society BDEF sees it. The mission of the project is to introduce young people to railway modelling as a hobby. And they are certainly successful, as the College celebrated its 15th anniversary at Faszination Modellbau this year. Markus Peschel of BDEF reports: "We invited our sustaining members to a reception at the fair, to say thankyou to them and to the organisers for their many years of support. After all, it is they who make it possible for the youngsters to enjoy hands-on modelling at the fair". The topic of model railways thrives and prospers. This year for the first time railway modelling filled two whole exhibition halls, including the Model Railway Forum. Many high-calibre small-series producers were among the exhibitors.
"You can count the planks on the floor or the rivets on the hatch of the original ship - you'll find the exact same number on this model", we were told by Gerd Neumann of Minisail Classic, pride showing in the dark eyes under his sailor's cap. A genuine seaman who sailed on real ships before he started to build miniature replicas, Gerd calmly carried on with his construction project in the model ship hall. Meanwhile on the gigantic water pool, Jet Ski championships were fought out, skilful surfers rode the crest of the waves, impressive sailboats competed in a regatta and a fleet of streamlined submarines ploughed the miniature ocean in the model ship hall. More adventures could be seen in and outside the next hall, where thrilling RC motorcycle races were held and cool and quirky model cars competed in the German Open RC-Car Masters with all the power they could muster. Right next door the latest model craze was in action - Micropulling, where tweaked model tractors pulled heavy brake vans along a real dirt track in a battle of strength.
"The high level of general interest in model engineering and model railways shows that these topics in their present form offer an impressively wide field of meaningful leisure time and self-realization to the broad population. And Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen has become the most significant shop window for this attractive and innovative branch," according to Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of the Friedrichshafen Fairground.
Festival atmosphere prevailed on the airfield. Spectators swarmed out of the hall and over to the neighbouring airport grounds to enjoy a veritable concert of aircraft modelling: flight formations as light and elegant as a Mozart symphony, rock'n'roll with the Scale Jets, helicopter freestyle to techno rhythms - all in all a gigantic assortment of activities. And the atmosphere was unique: While model planes took off to a mass start, whirring through the air like a swarm of dragonflies, a genuine Zeppelin sailed smoothly into view to land on the airstrip. A sudden report from the tower: "Manned machine approaching to land!" is no problem, for within 60 seconds all models are grounded and when the real Cessna has landed, the models take to the air again. The audience is spellbound. The air show "Stars of the Year" is the most prestigious flight event for aircraft modellers. Uwe Puchtinger, editor-in-chief of FMT magazine, reports: "The air show takes place annually as the closing event of the season. We are very glad to be able to invite all those pilots and teams who have excelled during the course of the season back to Faszination Modellbau to fly their models. Among them are world champions, German and European champions, teams and individual pilots. For the pilots the invitation to the air show "Stars of the Year" is a special distinction and a chance for us to celebrate their outstanding achievements."
The next Faszination Modellbau Friedrichshafen takes place from 28th - 30th October 2016.
Punctually at the start of next year's season, FASZINATION MODELLBAHN, International fair for model railways, specials & accessories takes place from 4th - 6th March 2016 and FASZINATION MODELLTECH, International fair for model aircraft, cars & trucks from 18th - 20th March 2016 in Sinsheim. Both are the first model engineering consumer fairs of their kind in the new year. Save the date(s)!
Photos of all modelling sectors for royalty-free use in publications concerning the Faszination Modellbau event can be found here:Contact: Messe Sinsheim GmbH, Neulandstrasse 27, 74889 Sinsheim, Germany.: +49 7261/689-0,