23rd Model Building Exchange of the MG Dübendorf

Switzerland’s largest model-building fair took place once again this year at the Ju-Halle on the Dübendorf airfield. Beautiful weather and pleasant temperatures drew visitors to the event. There was also a new attendance record, which some participants couldn’t quite explain. Many of them felt that the crowds were significantly smaller than last year.

Ticket sales began at about half past seven. And soon after, you could see the vendors marching purposefully toward the Ju-Halle with their merchandise. After all, the long wait in line at the entrance is only truly worth it once you’ve secured the right table. The various transport aids used to carry the merchandise were also quite interesting. There was a wide variety of them as well, ranging from a simple backpack for a hang glider to a large trailer that had to be pulled by hand onto the forecourt.

The selection at the fair was once again exceptionally wide this year. It included all kinds of airplanes, helicopters, and even model cars and model boats. In fact, there were items in every price range.

Ranging from the simplest foam-body throw glider to large gliders with a wingspan of nine meters. Some of the buyers surveyed felt that prices this year had been slightly lower than in the past. For example, there were ready-to-fly electric gliders with wingspans ranging from 1.8 m to 2.8 m that cost between Fr. 80.– and Fr. 250.– without a receiver or battery. Foam models were available in very large numbers—either as new clearance stock or used in every possible condition. The red trash cans were already standing by just in case and were later filled with airplanes that were a bit too worn out. Chinese coaxial helicopters were available in large quantities, complete with an aluminum case, for as little as Fr. 40.– from a former importer of this product. After the sale, the importer would immediately test each helicopter’s airworthiness right in front of the customer. A basket full of assorted wrecks was already lying under the table. Apparently, the Chinese manufacturer had also packed a few defective models into the shipping container for him.

For some airplanes, damage during transport is more common than flight operations, which are generally considered quite dangerous. Model kits and other new models are usually packaged very well and in a space-saving manner because they’ve already traveled halfway around the world. With used or ready-to-fly models, the situation is often a little different. Protective bags are practically a must for fabric-covered wings. The same goes for perfectly glossy surfaces. Foam planes are usually considered less valuable. They can count themselves lucky if they—or their parts—are still protected from further damage by a cardboard box. New models arrive directly in large transport trailers. They still have to be pushed by hand the last few meters to the sales area. If the price is low enough, buyers snatch them right out of the seller’s hands as they’re being unloaded, leaving the seller barely able to keep up with processing payments. But the opposite can happen, too. For example, a brand-new Schaumjet construction set ended up right on top of the trash bags and was saved from being thrown away at the last minute by an attentive fair volunteer.

They have been participating regularly in the airshow for several years now. Some of them left home the day before. They spend the night in front of the airport entrance, which means they have a prime spot in line in the morning. They come from the Lower Valais—specifically, from Dorénaz. This is a small village located near Martigny. The group is organized as a loose-knit community; it is neither a club nor a member of the model aviation association. Nevertheless, their sense of togetherness is very evident. For them, “amitié” comes before everything else. They do many things together and therefore have a strong bond among themselves. When the reporter ran into them, they were in the middle of a raclette dinner. The camera didn’t bother them at all. With great enthusiasm, the first order of business was to explain to them, using numerous arguments, why a typical German-speaking Swiss person here in Dübendorf cannot speak French. If necessary, they could always switch to English together. →

As an additional attraction, in addition to the stock exchange opening ceremony and a visit to the aviation museum, two sightseeing flight tickets will be raffled off among paying stock exchange visitors. A special “lucky fairy” has been appointed to draw the two grand prize winners. But before the raffle begins, all the tables and benches must be cleared away. Collecting trash and returning the barriers are also part of these tasks. Afterward, the forecourt is cleaned with a floor-scrubbing machine, and the hall is tidied up. Following an announcement by JU-Air Managing Director Kurt Waldmeier, the two winning tickets were drawn. The winners are: Lorenz Zimmermann and Dieter Gubler. Both have already received their tickets. The fair’s organizers wish them a pleasant flight.

Even though catering for visitors isn’t one of the event’s main attractions, it does help make the event even more appealing. Some of the model airplane enthusiasts weren’t exactly early risers that weekend. So that morning, they barely had time for a substantial breakfast at home. The restaurant soon remedied the situation. After all, this day marked what was likely the largest gathering of model airplane enthusiasts in Dübendorf. So it was easy to run into one or even several colleagues from my own club there.

Finally, we would like to thank the many volunteers. Their active support made it possible to hold the fair in the first place. Several photo albums from the event, organized by theme, can be viewed online at www.telesys.ch.

Text and photo:
Hermann Mettler