18th Slovenian Open & Nationals

November is the month of the most important Slovenian modelling event - The Slovenian Open & Nationals. This year we witnessed its 18th incarnation and let me say that it's also the oldest Slovenian modelling show since 1991 when Slovenia became independent. It took place on a foggy Saturday, November the 19th, 2011 in Biotechnical Secondary School in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The event is called "Open & Nationals" but this year it was more "Nationals" than "Open" with participants mostly from Slovenia, but also from Croatia and Hungary. There were all genres of plastic modelling on display with aviation section being the strogest with 70 entries in 10 categories. The categories are:

• L1 - aircraft in 1/32nd and bigger (seniors)
• L2JET - jet aircraft in 1/48th (seniors)
• L2PROP - propeller aircraft in 1/48th (seniors)
• L3JET - jet aircraft in 1/72nd (seniors)
• L3PROP - propeller aircraft in 1/72nd (seniors)
• L4 - aviation dioramas in all scales (seniors)
• L1J/L2J - aircraft in 1/32nd and 1/48th (juniors)
• L3J - aircraft in 1/72nd and smaller (juniors)
• L4J - aviation dioramas in all scales and collections (juniors)
• L5/L6 - "Three or more" and "The Twins" (seniors)
• L7 - aircraft in 1/100th and smaller (seniors)

As you will see there were lots of well made and interesting models, but I have to admit that the last year's show was even on a higher level. Never the less, the quality standards in Slovenian modelling are quite high and it's allways a pleasure to attend the shows. At the end I would like to mention, that the prize "The Best Of The Show" was given to Miha Kosi for his stunning diorama in 1/48th scale "P-51B, Mustang in Piryatin, Soviet Union, June the 24th, 1944". Enjoy...