Dortmund, 30 March 2023 – 37 clubs and other exhibitors from Germany, Hungary, England, Scotland, Belgium and the Netherlands will be presenting impressive working models of ships and boats in and around the show's large water basin. Younger show-goers will be catered for too, with handicraft activities, children's rides in inflatables and the ever-popular captain's licence attraction featuring nimble model boats for the young ones to pilot themselves.

Official naming ceremonies and proof that age is no barrier 

The Victoria Matthias offshore wind power assembly platform in 1:50 scale will be shown as part of a joint initiative by European Offshore Scale Models from the Netherlands, SMC-Murgtal and two Berlin model makers, and will be officially named during the show. Gerold Schnebbe, model builder and co-founder of Mini Sail in Bremerhaven, will also be having his latest model sailing yacht officially named in a public ceremony at INTERMODELLBAU. At 90 years of age, he is certainly one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active participant at INTERMODELLBAU 2023. Not to be missed will, of course, be numerous other sailing vessels, submarines, passenger ships and search-and-rescue vessels going about their business in the 23 x 23 metre basin which is 40 cm deep.

International flair and award-winning models

The Hungarian Association of Shipmodel will be travelling in from Budapest with several international award-winning models in tow. It will be showing around 25 different models, excellent 1:700-scale dioramas and historical naval vessels built to amazing precision that catapult onlookers right back to bygone ages. MBV Hofstade from Belgium will also be presenting contemporary history complete with a 9 x 3.5 metre diorama depicting the British-American naval operations on the Atlantic coast of France in 1944/45. There will also be a lot going on under water, with over 40 submarines presented by international model submarine association IG SONAR which draws its members from many countries including France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands. British model ferry specialist John Walravens will be coming along with two car ferries and a model of the legendary passenger ferry Finnjet . The Edinburgh Model Boat Club from Scotland will also be taking part for the first time. 

For those with a taste for bigger things: stand back and enjoy! 

Visitors who prefer to 'think big' will also be catered for in style, as numerous outsize models will be on show in various categories. The 7-metre rescue boat Tünnes which was carried aboard former all-weather SAR vessel Ruhr Stahl will be exhibited with pride, and students from the Neandertal Vocational College will launch a 1:100 scale model of the Titanic built by them. They will also be continuing their work on a 3.5-metre-long model of the passenger vessel Hanseatic. As for Mini Marine Internationaal from the Netherlands, the name says it all: they will be bringing along at least 30 international naval vessels of 2 metres, and upwards, in length. SMC Gelsenkirchen will be presenting an impressively large 1:50 scale model of the Graf Spee measuring 3.5 metres in length which is also to be launched at the show. Visitors will also be able to enjoy inland waterway vessels at INTERMODELLBAU: Siegfried Röhlig from Duisburg spent twelve years tinkering with his 1:50 scale model of the Cayman , paying attention to every incredible detail.

Delicate miniature works of art made from paper 

The high quality of the cardboard modelling sector will also be in the spotlight again at this year's INTERMODELLBAU, with a host of cardboard model masterpieces on display covering the areas of marine, aircraft and architectural modelling and including some miniature 1:1250 scale models the late renowned cardboard model maker Heinz-Peter Weiß, which his wife Margitta will contribute to the exhibition. Wilhelm Tümmler, another master of his craft, will also be bringing along some miniature paper models. The show will also be featuring a 1:250 scale model of Cologne Cathedral. In addition, other cardboard model makers will be giving live demonstrations at the venue to show what can be done with cardboard, paper and a steady hand.

Old acquaintances and happy reunions 

This year, long-standing partners from the model building industry will also be in attendance – such as the umbrella organisation of ship model building nauticus e.V., at whose stand children will be able to make their own model ships. Also aero-naut Modellbau and Klaus Krick Modelltechnik will not be ones to miss the model building spectacular of the year: “INTERMODELLBAU has been a firm fixture in our diaries for years and is a real highlight every time,” said Marketing Manager Tobias Krick. “We love showing our model boats and ships each year, getting lots of visitors excited about model making and gathering our own inspiration from the ideas, experiences and suggestions of all the enthusiasts we encounter.” 'Lighthouse keeper' Dieter Matysik, Senior President of nauticus e.V., will also be bringing along an impressive exhibition of new and well-known model lighthouses, filling the exhibition halls of INTERMODELLBAU 2023 once again with real maritime flair.

Regular updates on exhibitors, the programme and the highlights on show at INTERMODELLBAU are available on the show's Instagram and Facebook, channels, in the show-App sowie der showwebsete and via newsletter. 

EXHIBITION AT A GLANCE

INTERMODELLBAU – WORLD’S LARGEST EXHIBITION FOR MODEL MAKING AND MODEL SPORTS

Once a year, the world’s largest exhibition for model making and model sports opens its doors to everyone interested in experiencing the world scaled down to miniature proportions. Here, a huge range of exhibitors, models, layouts and products from all over the world delight experienced model builders, new enthusiasts as well as the entire families. Whether it is aircraft, railways, boats, ships or cars – either working models or cardboard modelling – there is something for everyone. Visitors can also experience model making – literally – at first hand at Dortmund Exhibition Centre, as numerous hands-on activities, demonstrations and feature shows await them at INTERMODELLBAU. 

DATE: 

20. - 23. April 2023

EVENT ORGANISER: 

Messe Dortmund GmbH 

TARGET GROUPS:

Experienced model builders, newcomers and families

CONCEPTUAL SPONSORS:

• Deutscher Minicar-Club e.V. (DMC)
• Deutscher Modellflieger Verband e.V. (DMFV)
• Interessengemeinschaft Modelleisenbahnausstellungen (IGEMA)
• Modellbahnverband in Deutschland e.V. (MOBA)
• nauticus e.V. – Deutscher Dachverband für Schiffsmodellbau und Schiffsmodellsport e. V.