Hosted by The Bay Area Engine Modelers (BAEM) and Model Engine Builder magazine
Photos: Craig Libuse
This is the second year for this show. Due to the success of last year's one-day show, the organizers decided to make it a two-day show this year. As it turned out it was a good idea. Both days were well attended. It was held at the VAllejo Veteran's Building, where there was plenty of space and no parking problems.
I should also note that most shows we attend are pretty much a ghost town at the published closing time on the second day. Exhibitors and vendors have packed up and are walking out the door at the appointed hour. Not so at this show. Spectators were present right up to the 3 PM closing time on Sunday and all the vendors and exhibitors stuck around right up to the end. Part of the success of this show was due to the excellent promotion done by the organizers. A newspaper article appeared the week before the show in the VAllejo Times-Herald highlighting the work of Dwight Giles, one of the exhibitors. TV coverage on local cable channel 3 (KXTV) did a "California Postcard" segment on the show on Friday night. Another article in the Sunday morning paper brought at least 75 more people in on Sunday according to the survey at the ticket window.
The Bay Area Engine Modelers were well represented, showing some really spectacular engines. One room of the building hosted mostly steam engines and boat models, while the other room was devoted mostly to internal combustion engines. These engines were fired up and run throughout the day much to the pleasure of the spectators.
If you are into engines from simple to exotic, we suggest you put this show on your schedule for 2009. Their web site is www.wemeshow.com.
Photos from the show...(Click on any photo to enlarge it to 800 pixel size.) |
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Craig attended the show single-handed this year, but Sherline was provided with plenty of space to display our manual machines as well as area for information on the Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship. |
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Mike and Toni Rehmus manned the Model Engine Builder magazine booth, offering both current and back issues of the magazine while also helping to run the show. |
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(L) One room of the Vallejo Veterans Building was filled mostly with steam engines and boat models. (R) The other room featured row upon row of beautifully crafted, running internal combustion engines. These photos were taken soon after the doors opened while the first people were just coming in. Then I had to get back and man the Sherline booth as it got more crowded. |
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(L) The BAEM Club put together an excellent cut-away demonstration of how an internal combustion engine works. (R) Dr. Bob Kradjian, a BAEM member built this display showing all the parts that go into making a Seal engine like the one built in the Craftsmanship Museum's shop last year. Next to it on the left is a finished Seal engine, an Edgar Westbury design from the 1940's. |
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(L) Dr. Bob's Seal engine close up. (R) Another of Dr. Bob's engines features an open crankshaft on the bottom. It is a fine runner, idling away at just 450 RPM or so. To the right is Dr. Bob's "Hogglett" V-twin. Plans for this engine were featured in a recent issue of Model Engine Builder magazine. |
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Chrysler Hemi fans got a double treat. Roger Butzen took a scale approach to his 426 Hemi shown on the left. On the right is a billet aluminum "racing engine" hemi with supercharger built by James Weber in 2004. This engine was part of craftsman and engine collector Paul Knapp's display of over 50 internal combustion engines. This engine is now on display along with 100 other engines from Paul's collection in the Joe Martin Foundation Craftsmanship Museum in Vista, CA. |
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More supercharged V8's. Sorry, I took a lot of these photos, as they happen to be my favorites. |
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Surprise! Another supercharged V8. Ken Hurst in the blue shirt is a master at getting these things to run and make a beautiful noise. |
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This Chris Craft utility from the 1950's was one of a number of beautiful powerboats on display. I grew up running around in the real boats like these in Wisconsin and Illinois, so they have a special place in my heart. |
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(L) Gary Barnes of www.tethercar.com brought a host of his modern day tether cars for display. These cars are capable of very high speeds in a circle--a form of racing that goes back to the 1930's. (R) "Team Richie Rick" also showed a number of fine cars and cast bodies. This sport is making a comeback, and there is talk of having a demonstration track at next year's show. Let them know if you'd like to see that. |
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(L) Dr. Bob Kradjian exhibited Alan Ingersol's Curtis V-12 engine. The late Alan Ingersol was the Joe Martin Foundation's second "Metalworking Craftsman of the Year" in 1998. Behind the V-12 is a twin cam V-4 of original design by Paul Bennett which is also part of Dr. Bob's impressive collection. (R) A dual overhead cam 16-valve 4-cylinder "Shillings". |
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A 1/4 scale Rolls Royce Merlin aircraft engine nears completion by Bob Haagenson made from castings by Richard Mahue. This will be quite a beast when it's done. |
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Two more engines displayed by Paul Knapp—A Pratt & Whitney Wasp that is a cutaway model so you can see the internal gearing and pistons in action and an 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney of the type used in World War II aircraft. The second engine is now on display in the Craftsmanship Museum in Vista. An engine block casting for the Wasp is also on display so you can see the casting and machining that goes into making a high quality model like this. |
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An "Aermotor" pump. This was a way to attach a motor to a hand pump in the old days to save labor when pumping water. The company has been around since 1888 and is still in business making electric pumps in Milwaukee. |
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