Just discovered this area so thought I'd say hi. Relatively new to this hobby and discovered I seemed to have manage to pick a hobby that is not well supported in godzone, at least retailer-wise.

Evening

There are the odd good shop but they are far and few between. Throught the network of Modellers you can generally find what you want or were to get it.

Welcome to the addiction

ye welcome where you from .

Gidday Dean

Welcome along.

What area of modelling are you interested in? Armour, planes, cars ships, figures?

What era?

Retailer wise correct me if I am wrong in the Auckland area we certainly have Ace Hobbies, Modelair and Hobby City (x2) retails shops amongst some others.

Club wise AMPS and IPMS Auckland amongst others.

Cheers

Sean

I'm in Auckland, Henderson to be precise.

My main area of interest so far has been WWII, 1/35 armour and figures. I just completed my first ( photos are in the "constructive feedback" category ) and started my second ( WIP photos under "dioramas" ).

I haven't tried Modelair yet, couldn't find parking when I tried. I do hit Hobby City and Ace regularly but found Hobby City to be more RC oriented, especially Albany. They hadn't even heard of Miniart or Masterbox. I like Ace as he's the only place I've found that sells interesting little bits ( I love his glass cabinet on the side wall ). Main problem I found is I keep reading about cool aftermarket bits but no-one here sells them. So currently checking out a few places online to get stuff from. I did get lucky right at the start of buying models and by chance walked into a "we sell everything" shop in Warkworth that was closing down the next day and had several shelves full of models that were down to half price and then that weekend half that again so bought a heap of stuff really cheap.

Never heard of AMPS, did try IPMS via the links on Armorama but whenever I tried to go into the site my AV shuts it down with the warning that the site is infected. So so far haven't found anyone other than the folks here.

Gidday Dean

Here is the IPMS Auckland website:

http://ipmsauckland.hobbyvista.com/

Here is the AMPS website:

http://ampsnz.hobbyvista.com/

Hopefuilly the links work they are definitelty worth checking out.

FYI I am personally involved with AMPS and are becoming more involved with IPMS (Auckland)

Modelair is a great shop and definitely worth checking out.

Cheers

Sean

Cheers for that. I still get the same problem with the IPMS site, I get the warning that the site is piggybacking a trojan called JS:cruzer and my AV shuts it down automatically.

Just having a look through the AMPS one now.

Is there a better time than others to get parking in Newmarket ? I'd like to check Modelair out but found getting parking in there was a nightmare.

Mmmm interesting issue with the IPMS site coz I also run the latest and greatest AV and I have no issue.

IPMS meet every Second Tuesday at 7.30 pm in St Marys Bay Road, Ponsonby if you need more detail just let me know.

Modelair I always try first thing in the morning before 10 am (thats early in Newmarket/Remuera time LOL) plus its free parking in New market on a Sunday.

Cheers

Sean

Cheers, I can get into it if I turn Avast off so will take a look later on. I'd like to check out both groups so are they both just open door ?

Okay, had a look at the IPMS site, looks like their next meeting is their AGM so probably not the best one to pick for the first. Would be interested in checking out the AMPS one next month though. Where exactly is the RSA ?

Overall would you say AMPS is more armour focused than IPMS or does the site just give that impression ?

Hi Dean

The IPMS AGM was two meetings ago. Just turn up is fine. Modellers of all disciplines attend.

The Birkenhead RSA is just down the road from ACE Hobbies in Birkenhead. It share a site with the Northcote Rugby Club. Look it up online with Wises for an exact map reference maybe.

AMPS is primarily armour focussed but guys bring along jeeps, army trucks, figures etc and one poor guy (i.e.me) just recently bought along an E-Boat he was working on LOL.

Cheers

Sean

Cheers. SO next AMPS is the 12th ? If I'm free I'll bowl on up.

Is the E-Boat the Italeri Schnellboat ?

From memory yes its the 12th all the dates are listed on the website.

No its the old Airfix 1/72 E-Boat (circa 1975)

Cheers

Sean

Cheers, if I'm free next week I'll potter along.