Canadian history sizes down in small scale model competition
A Winnipeg scale model builder is using his craft to showcase a large piece of Canadian history in miniature form.
Gilles Messier created a model Type B Fallout Reporting Post based on one he found in Victoria Beach, Man.
Messier’s creation is based on a cross-Canada network system of Fallout Reporting Posts, 200 of which are located in Manitoba. According to the Manitoba Historical Society, the stations were commissioned by the Canadian government during the height of the Cold War in 1962 to measure the pattern of radioactive fallout if a nuclear explosion occurred.
“After a nuclear attack, volunteers from the RCMP, from the forestry service, from the railroads, all sorts of organizations will go down into these fallout reporting posts to stay there for two weeks and report on the drift of radioactive fallout from the bombs,” Messier said. “So you could be able to tell where it was going across the country.”
Messier said his research inspired him to create a scale model of the shelter for ValourCon, an annual building competition organized by the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS) Winnipeg division.
“Everything in here is accurate,” Messier said, referring to his display. “I've measured these shelters myself, I've researched all the equipment that would have gone into them. So this is an exact representation of this forgotten piece of Cold War history.”
He said he’s also using the model to promote a full-scale fallout shelter restoration project he’s working on in Miami, Man.
Messier’s display was one of more than 150 models at the St. James Legion Saturday, marking the first ValourCon competition since the pandemic.
While ValourCon has been going on for around 20 years, the club’s president said Saturday’s event was one of the biggest yet.
“I attribute that to pent up demand,” said Jim Grant. “I guess people had nothing to do for the last four years. So they were sitting in their basements building models, and if you look at some of the work on the tables, you can see that time (was) well spent.”
Designs range from military crafts to cars, and even include newer styles influenced by anime artwork.
“Anything at all – people will build models of it, so there's a huge variety here,” said Messier.
Visitors also had the chance to purchase models from some of the vendors.
The club operates on a volunteer basis and first started gathering in Winnipeg in 1969. It’s now one of 20 IPMS branches across Canada. Those interested in joining IPMS Winnipeg are encouraged to visit the club’s website and social media pages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after being shot, his Facebook profile says
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico is in life-threatening condition after being wounded in a shooting after a political event Wednesday afternoon, according to his Facebook profile.
Ottawa to acquire Quebec Bridge from CN, will spend $1 billion on span over 25 years
The federal government says it has reached a deal with Canadian National Railway Company to acquire the historic Quebec Bridge.
'Not a scarient': New COVID-19 subvariant dominant in Canada
A new COVID-19 subvariant is dominant in Canada, representing just over 30 per cent of cases in the country, but infectious disease experts say there’s no sign it’ll evolve into a summer 'scarient.'
WATCH Wildfires: Here's who's most at risk when the air quality drops
Wildfires continue to impact air quality across Western Canada with health experts and Environment Canada warning that the smoke from the blazes poses serious risks to human health.
Stormy Daniels' husband says they'll likely leave country if Trump is acquitted
The husband of adult film actress Stormy Daniels said on Tuesday that there’s a 'good chance' the couple will leave the country if former U.S. president Donald Trump is acquitted in his Manhattan criminal trial.
DEVELOPING Massive manhunt in France for prison-break gang that gunned down officers
A massive manhunt was underway in France on Wednesday for armed assailants who ambushed a prison convoy, killing two prison officers, seriously injuring three others and springing the inmate they were escorting. The prime minister vowed the gang would be caught, saying, "They will pay."
Home sales in April up 10% compared with year ago, but monthly sales slow
The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of home sales in April rose 10.1 per cent compared with a year ago, but attributed the gain primarily to the early Easter long weekend.
Utah judge to decide if author of children's book on grief will face trial in her husband's death
A Utah woman who authorities say fatally poisoned her husband, then published a children’s book about coping with grief, will appear in court Wednesday for a hearing that will determine whether state prosecutors have enough evidence against her to proceed with a trial.
Growing wildfires across Western Canada are forcing thousands from their homes
Thousands of people in Western Canada remain displaced from their homes as wildfires threaten their communities, triggering evacuation orders and alerts.