Hello Guy and heartiest congratulations.
I don't quite know how our paths didn't cross at Telford - my apologies. Like you, I met Gary (Trackpad), Richard at Aviattik, Rowan and Sabine at Pheon, Vlad and the team at Uschi/Nordland (?), and Kostas and colleagues at Gaspatch. It was a pleasure to meet them all.
Telford was amazing, not just because of the superb models on display, but also in terms of the great support accessories produced by our forum friends and the advice they so freely give. Being able to seek Richard's advice on lozenge finishes (and seeing his great display of actual samples) was priceless. Chatting with Rowan about the Mimmi markings on his beautiful D.VII, took me into new directions; I'll now have to order a D.VII from WnW. Vlad put me right on which colour wood decal to select for an Albatros yet to be bought. Meeting, talking with, and learning yet more from Gary about my EV concerns and much else was a pleasure.
But then what can I say about Kostas and the crew at Gaspatch? For me, in terms of new releases there were two jaw-dropping moments. The first was their 1/48 Salmson 2A2. A full display of the sprues, a built model and the rest of the box contents seem to take things to new highs. It wasn't just the moulding finesse, the exquisite engine, the in-box choices offered and the superb instruction manual. There was also a cardboard jig to assemble which would ensure the correct lower wing dihedral, and that the fuselage and horizontal tail surface alignment would be perfect. Of the three 2A2 variants available, I went for the mid type. Now that was a purchase I wasn't expecting to make.
The other amazing new release could easily have been missed by early birds who rushed past the Airfix stand first thing on Saturday. At 10.30 (I think) they unveiled an incredible 1/24 Hawker Typhoon. There were test sprue shots and three builds of this beast. From what I can gather, the release date will be 6 June - D-Day, and the price will be, I think £99. Guy's photo earlier in this thread will give you a good flavour.
Just one other thing, again beyond our focus but look out in the modelling press for features on a stunning 1/72 Flower Class corvette.
Perhaps it was an act of kindness that the ATM in the exhibition centre stopped working, but as I type, I look at a collection of great bits and pieces, books, decals and models bought. Roll on next year.
Best wishes
Nigel