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My impressions, having attended:
- successful. Many producers & dealers, some good stuff in 2nd hand section. Attendance down maybe 30% ( I heard ) but given COVID, and last minute changes in scheduling, not unexpected.
Notably, Risawoleska was represented by Friendship as it was Burkhard's 25th wedding anniversary (good choice), Oliver Maertens was not there ( don't know why), and Jeorg Niehage from NanoMaquette tested + for COVID (although asymptomatic) just before show.
Four Americans attended.
Only two people from UK?
Spider Navy was there in force and had most of the announced post war Essex class available for purchase - both as rigged Spider Navy and regular waterline. Looked like sales were brisk. They also had Long Island, Ark Royal 1915, and HMS Archer.
Rhenania Junior (Matti) was there, but his dad was not.
Sean Pritcher (SeaVee) and Julia were there, but as attendees not sellers
New producer Jade - some eclectic smaller vessels
HF was there, as was Nautic Art, HP Weiss, Seaborne, Peter Ohm sold some of his father's collection of painted models.
CM was there with usual availability of unpainted castings.
Overall worth the trip for me.
Getting there was no problem at all (on Delta), getting home was more problematic. The COVID testing protocols for returning Americans generally make it impossible to check in online, so long lines for check in, then for document verification, then for the usual US specific 9/11 additional security. European airports are trying to cope with near 2019 traffic loads and are short of ATC staff, security staff, gate staff, ramp staff, etc.
I had no trouble in FRA airport security hand carrying two dozen or more models. Security on arrival in MSP was a bit more - they wanted to open several boxes and admire the models - but I made it.
Friday night dinner at the Wald was fun, and the English speaking folks met again for dinner Saturday night.
As far as COVID goes, Germany is pretty normal, with exception of masks on ICE trains and Lufthansa. No mask requirement or vaccination check at the show, hotel, or anywhere, really, in Germany outside transit.
I had COVID previously so used a + test and documentation of recovery instead of - test to return, so can't say how easy or hard it is to get tested.
Hopefully we get Kassel back on a two year cycle again, this time perhaps on even years.
Congratulations to the organizers.