MALAYSIA HOBBY EXPO 2017: A COLLECTOR'S POINT OF VIEW

Malaysia Hobby Expo 2017 or MHX 2017 as they called it, pulled down its curtain last two weeks at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) near Universiti Putra Malaysia for a second consecutive time after the last year's success.

The reason I attended this expo besides of the awesome models and replicas they have on display is that I am and have been a model collector myself for many years, well where most of them are the ones that I could afford owning from all the sales they had in Toys 'R Us stores nationwide. In short, I could say that I somehow understand all the time given by these collectors and modellers dedicated to build these models, all the money spent to buy and maintain the them and all dedication given for the sake of owning these models and be proud with them, be it the common ones you can buy at any 7-Eleven retail shop or the rare ones that you have to hunt in the wild like a scavenger online, are just really amazing and hard to put into words.

WWII and modern warfare aircraft on display at MHX 2017 at the SMM Modellers booth.

An attention to detail replica by SMM Modellers of the classic R&R near the state of Perak, Malaysia in 1975
when Malaysia don't have it's own interstate highway yet.

A 3D Model Printer uses laser projection that carves
high detail 3D replica model operated by one of the SMM Modellers.

A miniature of military airbase by SMM Modellers
complete with military aircraft ready to take off the tarmac.

These model collectors sacrificed half or more of their quality time with their family and loved ones and even personal time for themselves just to man up and discipline their daily errands to have this one slot of time for their hobby and this indeed is a tough decision for any hobbyists doesn't matter whether they are modellers or model collectors, stamp collectors or even big boys toys collectors like real road cars.

One of the miniature models of an outdoor event happening by the Min Nature people
from Summit USJ. More info about them you can search at www.minnature.com.

One of the miniature models of an outdoor event happening by the
Min Nature people from Summit USJ.
You can search more info about them at www.minnature.com.

A row of MotoGP Replica Model Kits complete with side
table accessories by Putrajaya Garage.

One of the best line up of highly detail info accurate MotoGP machines
die-cast models as displayed by the MDCC members.
You can find more info about them with typing Motorcycle Diecast Collector
Malaysia on Facebook search box. 

A small chat with MDCC founder, Mr. Habibul Rahman next to the club's
massive display of superbikes of all sorts.

Here in Malaysia, I could tell that even most of the die-cast models and model kits sold in the market are imported from Europe, Taiwan, China and Japan just to name a few and they are not that affordable to own especially when the hobbyists come from the middle working-class society that don't have the luxury of any high spending hobbyists with thick wallet full of cash. But the truth is most of the local collectors do come from the middle working class who spent more than their monthly budget cut just to fulfil their needs to continue their passion and dedication in this world of endless collections.

A unique collector club that was quite unexpected at this expo,
the Sampul Duit Raya Collector.

Endless Batmobiles lineup from the whole of
The Dark Knight universe by BatMan Fans Malaysia.
And yes they have Bat Jet too.
Richard Donner's Superman model is also on display.

 

The rear view of the massive AT-AT Walker model by the Star Wars Modeller Malaysia. 

This booth had a replica model of Iron Man standing inside the Hulk Buster as
featured in the Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron.
What is cooler than that?

HotWheels and more HotWheels at the HotWheels Malaysia Collectors booth.

The Assassin' Creed costumes on display at one of the
Cosplayers booth by an unnamed Cosplayer group.
It has Watie Itcham Arisy facebook page displayed by the table.

A nice chat with Mr. Mohammad Nor Othman, a full time Cosplayer
from MNO Imagination Studio, here dressed up without the helmet
as one of the character from PlayStation4 TitanFall.

I had nice moments and had a great time talking to representatives from The SMM Modellers, Putrajaya Garage, the People of Min Nature, Motorcycle Die-caster Collectors Club (MDCC) members, Full-time Cosplayer from MNO Imagination Studio, Mr. Wong the Papercraft Master and the Vintage War and Military Merchandise Seller.

One of the Military booth selling war vintage memorabilia merchandise
and as seen here a line up of authentic US Marines helmet with
one of them with dents from the shootings during the WWII. Unfortunately,
the seller told me it's not for sale.

Mr. Wong with his Optimus Prime replica made from 100% printed paper
and glue as displayed at his Papercraft Master booth. You may email him at
wongyeezhuang@yahoo.com for further info about his amazing work.

Walking down from the entrance at MAEPS and realised it's already night time.



All I wanted to say to all my fellow collectors and modellers at the Malaysia Hobby Expo 2017 held in Serdang couple of weeks ago; Kudos to you all and keep on doing in what you're doing or May the Force Be with You? Because today is also the Star Wars Cosplay Day held in Jaya Mall Shopping Centre. As of now I'm looking forward for the coming Collector's Toy Fair Kuala Lumpur (CTFKL) 2018 this March 2018.