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National Airfix Aeronautical Model Engineering Competition 2023

  • 05 Nov 2023
  • Text by: Mr Peter J K Chiang, Hobby Bounties

After a four-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the annual National Airfix Aeronautical Model Engineering Competition is back at the Air Force Museum this year. This year’s event was held from Thursday to Saturday, from the 2nd to 4th November 2023, at the Officers Mess at the Singapore Air Force Museum, which was where the competition was hosted for many years. 

The team set up on Thursday morning from 0900hrs, and were ready to accept entries at 1300hrs. The first entries were from Mr Lester Poh, contestant and event photographer, with his Airfix 35th Ferret and 35th WWII British Truck dioramas.

Mr Lee Stringer’s studio scale models
Mr Lee Stringer’s display of his 72nd Me262 models

Mr Lee Stringer, one the judges, set up a table with his Studio Scale models, and another table of Messerschmitts Me 262 aircraft and other late WWII or 1946 (what if) German aircraft. Mr Mick Stephen, who was a competition judge, brought his Airfix 35th Ferret and Airfix 48th BAe Hawk (Indonesian markings) to be showcased.

The youngest participant Ramon Jeyerajah, age 10
Mr Teo Yew Chiat (ex-MAAF/RAF technician, age 89 ) talking to fellow ex-RAF technician Mick Stephen. Looking on is Lee Stringer

Over the course of 2 days, we accepted a total of 31 entries. The youngest entry was from Ramon Jeyarajah who is 10 years of age (with his WWII British airfield) and the most senior entry came from Mr Teo Yew Chiat who is 89 years of age, and who served in MAAF (Malaysian Auxiliary Air Force – still part of RAF) in 1952 – 1965. Mr Teo’s entry was both the Airfix 48th Chipmunk and Harvard which were aircrafts that he worked on.

Professor Dr Suresh Nathan’s 32nd display models
Dr Suresh Nathan educating some ITE students on modelling

On Thursday and Friday, we had quite a number of visitors coming in to view the entries, this included a few groups of kindergarten children and parents. The judging was done on Friday night after 6pm. As usual, we had the most Masterclass entries. It took the judges Jonathan Kua, Lee Stringer, Mick Stephen and Suresh Nathan long debates to judge and award the prizes.

Picture of the public who came to view the entries
Mr Koh B J (curator of the Air Force Museum - in white shirt) with his assistant Bernard (in pink shirt) inspecting the entries

On Saturday, the crowd started coming in around 1100hrs and grew substantially just before 1330hrs to listen to Mr Goh Yong Kiat’s speech on the Singapore aerospace scene which started with the creation of Seletar Airport (RAF Singapore) in 1924, followed by Kallang Airport for commercial flights. 

At 1430hrs, Mr Peter Chiang made a speech about the Airfix hobby and its practical application in real life, the skills one acquires and problem solving approach. He also touched upon the importance of doing our National Service seriously and not be complacent in our defence. 

Mr Goh Yong Kiat giving his talk on the Singapore aviation history.
Token Presentation to Mr Jimmy Yu of Paya Lebar Airbase Chief an Airfix Quickbuilt F35 model, these aircraft were ordered by Singapore

We also presented a Airfix Quickbuilt F35 model to Jimmy Yu, the Paya Lebar Airbase chief. This was a project made by all involved and present for the running of the National Airfix Aeronautical Model Engineering Competition 2023. 

A group picture of all winners in the 2023 Airfix Competition

This was followed by the prize presentation and photo taking of the competition winners. 

Congratulations to all winners!

Ng Keng Leong’s Cobra helicopter won best Masterclass - 1st prize
Mr Kevin Luo’s winning model

Photo Credits: Peter Chiang

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