Vintage

The West’s awake to farm models

The thriving model and diorama collecting scene was in evidence at the Galway Model Show.

Michael Moroney

Wed 29 January 2014 12:00 AM

Michael Moroney

Wed 29 January 2014 10:00 PM

Darren Burke from Gurteen, near Mountbellew, Co Galway, had this silage-making in wet weather diorama display on view. Darren started diorama building when he was temporarily unemployed and the bug remains. This is his third such display portraying a typical silage-making operation in a wet month of May.

James and Padraig Coen from Milford, Borrisokane, Co Tipperary, had their farm diorama on view. It represents a typical mixed farming scene in 1:32 scale which includes tillage and diary displays. James is better known for calling to Tipperary farmers as a refrigeration engineer with Stakelums and, while not farming, both he and his son Padraig have an impressive farm model collection.

The Hynes family from Gurteen, Ballinasloe, have an extensive diorama on view, helped no doubt by their father, well-known contractor Padraig Hynes. Included in the photo are, from left, Shane, Ronan, Alma and Robert, who all have their personal model favourites in the collection that is dominated by New Holland model tractors, many of which are similar to the tractors in their father’s fleet.

Westport model collector Alan Lawless is a Massey Ferguson model enthusiast. He has 121 Massey Ferguson models, from early Matchbox versions to modern detailed Universal Hobbies versions, with another 24 as part of the collection that he simply had no room for.

Model maker and farmer Ciaran Dunne from Kilkenny had this very special 1:32 scale model of the Moffett hedgecutter on display. This is a very skilfully built model, made by possibly Ireland’s most talented model maker, and Ciaran had it fitted to Universal Hobbies John Deere 6930 and New Holland TM model tractors. The price of the model from Ciaran, who has his own website, Project32, is €250.

David Staunton from New Inn, Ballinasloe, Co Galway,had this model of a Difco sausage turf cutting machine fitted to one of Mad for Models' Fiat 110-90 1:32 scale tractors. The unique models of the sausage turf machine was made by DM Farm Models and cost David €80.

Limerick collector and model convertor Brendan Leahy had this collection of 1970s Lee trailers with a JF FCT900 silage harvester on view. He has carried out a number of interesting model conversions, including a version of the McHale F550 round baler.

John O’Brien and his son JJ were showing their potato cropping 1:32 scale diorama with Mike O’Malley (left), event organiser. John, who works on a dairy farm near Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and JJ have a vast model collection with an emphasis on John Deere model tractors. The overall diorama was very lifelike, with hills and all stages of the crop included which is typical of the cropping in the North Dublin potato and vegetable area where John grew up.

John O’Brien Jnr with his 1:32 scale New Holland tracked digger that he has converted with a high cab and a timber grapple for his forestry diorama that provided an interesting alternative to the farm displays at the Galway Model Show. The digger conversion was done by Brendan Leahy of Model Conversions based in Limerick, and provided John Jnr with a very authentic display that he aims to further build upon.

Tom Heavey from Mountbellew, owner of Irish Vintage Scene magazine, has this 1:32 scale Tri-ang Spot On model of a Caterpillar D4 bulldozer on view. Tom wouldn’t divulge the price that he paid for the very rare model that was boxed and made in the 1960s by Tri-ang, who then had a model making factory in Belfast.

The farm model collecting and diorama scene is thriving in the west of Ireland and that was obvious at the recent Galway Model Show, staged at the Salthill Hotel by Gort-based model collector Mike O’Malley.

Mike, who is a coach driver by day, has a passion for farm model collecting and staged the impressive event to support the Help Emma Beat It Campaign to support the plight of Emma Heavey, daughter of Irish Vintage Scene owner and model collector Tom Heavey, in her battle with illness.

Model collectors and diorama builders from around the country were present to show their skills and to support Emma’s cause. The range of diorama displays was impressive. Many younger model collectors have collaborated with their parents in providing interesting displays. There were 25 diorama displays at the well-attended event, along with 16 trade displays.

Carnew model show Sunday date

Trevor Walshe and Richie Kimmins from Carnew Model Exhibition reminded us that we had the wrong date for the Carnew model and diorama show which takes place next Sunday 9 February, not Saturday as published last week. The show takes place from 11am in Colaiste Bhride School, Carnew, Co Wicklow. You can get further information about the event, where they are still welcoming diorama displays, from Richie on 087-6641878.

National model auction for April

In what is an Irish first in model collecting, Armagh-based Kev’s Models is hosting a national model auction at Portlaoise on 27 April. Kev’s Models is expecting over 500 lots at the auction, from clearances to giving collectors a new opportunity to add to their model collections.

There will be a 15% charge on the buyer and seller to fund the auction with no entry charge or commission if lots are unsold. Kev’s Models can be contacted by email to book models into the auction on bigtrucker123@hotmail.co.uk or by phoning 0044-7742-670023.

There will be a full catalogue available before the model auction.

Diorama Massey Ferguson Models New Holland Show Tractors

The West’s awake to farm models

The thriving model and diorama collecting scene was in evidence at the Galway Model Show.

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