Model Shops around Christchurch, Dorset ??

Ian the Kiwi Herder · March 18, 2009, 03:03:15 PM

Down to the HMCG Trg Centre at Highcliffe near Christchurch in Dorset on Sunday. Got two weeks there so no Internet access for me - might be able to collect some eMails if there's an Internet Cafe, Hmmmphh, however I will have a weekend to go exploring - Bovington, Beaulieu, Middle Wallop and Bournemouth/Hurn Museums' all in striking distance, so that's the Sunday taken care of..... anybody know of any decent model shops in the area - I will have my car so distance not too much of an issue.

Thanks in advance, all.

Ian

PR19_Kit · March 18, 2009, 03:10:43 PM

Ian,

Dunno any MSs down there, but don't leave Solent Sky off your list.

http://www.spitfireonline.co.uk/

It's down by the dock gates in Southampton, and has numerous interesting exhibits, including the SR-A1 flying boat fighter. If possible try and talk your way into the cockpit of the Short Solent that dominates the Museum, I've succeeded 2 times out of 3 so far.

Thorvic · March 18, 2009, 03:18:52 PM

Ian

Try Plastic Pastimes in Poole on Parkestone Road as that's a treasure trove, there may also be a shop on Holdenhurst road in Bournemouth.

Plastic Pastimes is probably the best in the area however and you may know them as Polarbear kits on EBay.

I would suggest using google maps and do a search on model shops around Bournemouth, you may find one or two gems in the region.

BTW do M6/M5 then come off about Bridgewater and head to Yeovil, then Dorchester and go into the Bornemouth conurbation along the A-35.
Why you ask, well you might as well visit the FAA museum at Yeovilton on the way

Cheers

Geoff

kitnut617 · March 18, 2009, 05:08:52 PM

Quote from: Ian the Hunter-Gatherer on March 18, 2009, 03:03:15 PM
Bournemouth/Hurn Museums'
Thanks in advance, all.

Ian

I believe this museum is now closed Ian, at least that was what I read sometime last year on the Air-Britain Forum

PR19_Kit · March 18, 2009, 05:28:23 PM

Robert,

True, it did close, 'cos the Airport wanted the site for more car parking!

But it re-opened elsewhere not that far away apparently and pretty soon afterward. It used to be a great place in the old Hangar 600 site, and the guys there put a lot of work into it, I can't see it being any less good at the new site eventually. I've not been to the new place but rumour has it that it's signposted from the main airport buildings.

pyro-manic · March 18, 2009, 05:59:12 PM

There's a Toymaster in Weymouth that is ok - nothing particularly esoteric, but a fairly large selection. In Dorchester, there's Frank Herring's art shop towards the top of High West Street - nice little art shop, that carries mostly Airfix and Revell, with some Academy, Italeri, etc as well. In Poole, there's Plastic Pastimes as mentioned above - I haven't been to the shop, but I've bought a few things off them on ebay and the service was very good; there's also Setchfields models in Poole town centre - if you start in Falklands square and follow the main street, you cross over the railway, carry on for a couple of minutes and you'll find it on the left just before you hit the museum. That's quite a good shop as well - big, with a good range of stuff from all the major companies, and some stuff from smaller ones as well. Also carries a good range of paints - Vallejo, Tamiya, Revell and Humbrol, as well as some of the Mig Productions oils and pigments and stuff.

Museum-wise, Yeovilton and Bovington are obvious ones. Bovington's new exhibition building is opening in the next month or two IIRC, so if you can get to it after this occurs, you should see a lot of stuff that's been hidden away for a while. Yeovilton is very good as well - they've got the HP.115, the only surviving Wyvern and Albacore, the Hawker Kestrel, etc.

The Solent Sky museum is supposed to be good (haven't got there yet myself) - it has the Supermarine S.6, and some other flying floaty things. While you're around, there's Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as well, with HMS Victory, Warrior, etc. Worth a visit.

Ian the Kiwi Herder · March 18, 2009, 07:30:57 PM

Thanks all..... Completely forgot about Plastic Past-Times, Judy Lawson and her hubby are absolutely superb traders - Bought loads of kits from them over the years..... mainly hard-to-get AMT, Jo-Hann and MPC car kits surprisingly !

Been to Yeovilton a lot (each time I go to the Trg Ctre !), so will give it a miss this time down. I know the shop in Weymouth, bit too far to travel from where I'm billeted, Poole is more likely. I recall a shop there a couple of roads back from the quay, on a corner I think withe two or three 'frontages' that may be Setchfields, does that sound right Pyro?

On the Bournemouth Aviation Museum web-page, they say they're opening again the weekend after next, which is my 'free' week-end..... we'll see.

D*mn you guys are good !

Ian

NARSES2 · March 19, 2009, 03:47:29 AM

If you've not been there, then don't forget Lulworth Cove Ian - fantastic site of natural beauty

kitnut617 · March 19, 2009, 07:07:41 AM

Quote from: Ian the Hunter-Gatherer on March 18, 2009, 07:30:57 PM
Thanks all..... Completely forgot about Plastic Past-Times, Judy Lawson and her hubby are absolutely superb traders - Bought loads of kits from them over the years..... mainly hard-to-get AMT, Jo-Hann and MPC car kits surprisingly !

Been to Yeovilton a lot (each time I go to the Trg Ctre !), so will give it a miss this time down. I know the shop in Weymouth, bit too far to travel from where I'm billeted, Poole is more likely. I recall a shop there a couple of roads back from the quay, on a corner I think withe two or three 'frontages' that may be Setchfields, does that sound right Pyro?

Ian

There's a nice little pub around the corner to Plastic Past-Times ( turn right after coming out of the shop then right again at the traffic lights ) and I had forgotten about Setchfields, you're right it is a few roads back from the quay, I used to shop there a lot. Poole was my home town until I emigrated to Canada and the pub (called the Bricklayers) was my 'local' but Plastic Past-Times wasn't there when I was around there but I did go there when I visited my folks a few years ago.

PR19_Kit · March 19, 2009, 11:15:50 AM

Quote from: Thorvic on March 18, 2009, 03:18:52 PM
Plastic Pastimes is probably the best in the area however and you may know them as Polarbear kits on EBay.

Geoff,

I tried to find Plastic Pastimes on eBay with no success. I tried 'plastic', 'pastimes' and 'polarbear' but no joy. Could you give me a link to their shop please?

Martin H · March 19, 2009, 11:57:28 AM

try searching for polarbear kits then LOL After all that is their Ebay id.

pyro-manic · March 19, 2009, 01:11:23 PM

PR19 - http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/polarbears3kitscatcat_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

IHG - yep, it takes up a couple of shop-fronts, and it's joined onto a fancy dress type shop.

PR19_Kit · March 19, 2009, 02:17:29 PM

Quote from: Martin H on March 19, 2009, 11:57:28 AM
try searching for polarbear kits then LOL After all that is their Ebay id.

I did, and it came up 'None found', thus my post..........

Thanks Pyro, got it and filed.

Dork the kit slayer · March 23, 2009, 04:01:27 AM

Quote from: NARSES2 on March 19, 2009, 03:47:29 AM
If you've not been there, then don't forget Lulworth Cove Ian - fantastic site of natural beauty

I used to go there for the summer holidays when I was a kid...great. I was bought an Airfix Heron in Bournemouth,doubt that shop is still there(LOL) If you do find it Ian,pick me up an Airfix Heron for old times sake. Ill give you the 3/11d