As though we really needed it, 2015 gave ACTSMS much opportunity to demonstrate that their twinning with Farnborough and Ottawa was very solid and very positive.

First, David Richardson and his wife Alayne visited Ottawa for several days. Dave was able to visit IPMS Ottawa at their July meeting and meet many of our members. The weather was great, the chapter turnout was excellent and the model display was first rate. Dave brought greetings from all ACTSMS members and expressed much happiness to have now visited both twinned chapters. It was a very pleasant visit and really went far to further cement the links between Canberra and Ottawa.

CTSMS and Farnborough reps worked with our member to define the Commonwealth Trophy theme for CapCon 2015. After a fair amount of discussion, we settled on “The Mediterranean Theatre, 1941-1944.” In a burst of enthusiasm I decided to enter three models for the Commonwealth Trophy, one for each of the Army, Navy and Air Force and one from each of the Twin’s nationalities. The final plan was a Stuart V tank from the 8 th (New Brunswick) Hussars for Canada, a Spitfire VIII for 601 Squadron, RAF, and a 1/700 th scale resin model of HMAS Sydney for Australia. Of the three, I had never built a resin ship model before. However, I was put in touch with Mr. David Peterson of ACTSMS. David provided a world of advice, leads on various references, and a great amount of history about HMAS Sydney. She was lost in combat with a German raider off the southwest coast of Australia in November, 1941. Mr. Peterson, who assisted most generously during this project, lost two uncles in HMAS Sydney during her final engagement. I am indebted to him for all of his assistance, as HMAS Sydney won her class in CapCon 2015. Many thanks, David. The links between our two clubs are all the stronger because of your assistance!

HMAS Sydney, 1/700 scale

HMAS Sydney, 1/1 scale!

Dave Richardson presents IPMS Ottawa President Glenn Cauley with a memento of his visit

Examples of the models on display during Dave’s visit to IPMS Ottawa HMAS Sydney, 1/1 scale!