STOLEN HELIS from Southern Model Show

[Pabs]

Gutted to read about this, but info all put up on our clubs facebook group etc so if anyone knows/finds anything I'll get in touch with Harry.
Fingers crossed they get found and the thieves dealt with.

[heliboy]

Tile is the answer out this winter.

[mattscupoftea]

I think the idea of the ticket system makes sense, but relies on making the entire site a secure compound - if someone is willing to cut through tents and steal helis, they will also be the sort of people who will find an alternative way out of the site with their swag.

The other problem would be that every van/car would need to be searched on exit from the event which would be a time consuming process and ultimately not useful.

Rough as it is, I think the realistic solution is to be aware that there are untrustworthy people at the more public events and keep your stuff locked away when it's not in your sight.

I do hope that the (I assume professional) security company steps up and sorts this out. I also hope that the show organisers do the same and don't just try to ignore the problem. . .

[buzzbird]

I think the idea of the ticket system makes sense, but relies on making the entire site a secure compound - if someone is willing to cut through tents and steal helis, they will also be the sort of people who will find an alternative way out of the site with their swag.

Exactly. That's why I've said all along it was Pikeys. They do go over the back fence to get in, cut through tents to get at things, and take the largest thing there - as large means expensive.
They've come in over the back fence and cut through things when I was in security 20 years ago. That's what they do, it's the way they do things.

Ticketing is great. But they'll still come over the back fence at night - without a ticket - so the first thing is to need to make these sites secure and/or lock your valuables away. And also having patrolling guards, not sleeping idiots.

[SouthernModelShow]

Whilst we are saddened that Harry suffered a loss of his helicopters at the Southern Model Show we cannot accept any responsibility. At no time did we enter into any agreement that the marquee was provided for overnight storage of model's, nor did we accept responsibility for their safe keeping. The facility was provided for models to be housed in the event of inclement weather or for their maintenance entirely at the risk of the owners. We have discussed this with several event organisers of model show and none insure against such loss, nor would they accept responsibility for models that where left unattended during a public event. We organised the collection to which we contributed which amounted to £500 which was given to Harry on the day. Security was provided at each entrance and a roaming security throughout the site as a whole for the prevention of person's entering the site during the night, however it must be appreciated that to secure a site the size of Headcorn completely would be cost prohibitive. With regard to security person sleeping I think this was confused with a person that slept in the the same marquee in a vehicle to oversee the Tamiya truck exhibit.

Like many on here we are sickened to think that someone that was attending the show undertook to steal these models, it was not a random act but a theft by someone who knew what they wanted and where aided to enable them to steal 5 models.

[jamiem]

Whilst we are saddened that Harry suffered a loss of his helicopters at the Southern Model Show we cannot accept any responsibility. At no time did we enter into any agreement that the marquee was provided for overnight storage of model's, nor did we accept responsibility for their safe keeping. The facility was provided for models to be housed in the event of inclement weather or for their maintenance entirely at the risk of the owners. We have discussed this with several event organisers of model show and none insure against such loss, nor would they accept responsibility for models that where left unattended during a public event. We organised the collection to which we contributed which amounted to £500 which was given to Harry on the day. Security was provided at each entrance and a roaming security throughout the site as a whole for the prevention of person's entering the site during the night, however it must be appreciated that to secure a site the size of Headcorn completely would be cost prohibitive. With regard to security person sleeping I think this was confused with a person that slept in the the same marquee in a vehicle to oversee the Tamiya truck exhibit.

Like many on here we are sickened to think that someone that was attending the show undertook to steal these models, it was not a random act but a theft by someone who knew what they wanted and where aided to enable them to steal 5 models.

Only just seen this reply - what a total utter kop out. So you take the money of everyone entering the site and make a pretty penny from it, expect the pilots to fly for nowt (who are the main attraction), then wipe your hands clean when something like this happens under your watch. Nice! Lesson learned I guess Harry

[pgkevet]

I don't think matters would be as simple as the organisers claim... much would depend on the signage by that tent. Comparisons to other shows would have to be on a like for like basis... as to whether they provide a faciity implying security or not and again on the signage with that.
Irrespective of all the above one would have hoped for a lot better than a collection they added a paltry fraction of the losses into.

If the tent didn't clearly state that it was a secure area then (of course) it was daft to leave models there unattended. Also if it stated at owners risk then clearly there could be no redress against the organisers.

Anyone who actually went there and saw the tent to comment??

[p4ddy]

I always thought regardless of security you still leave at your own risk.

[Mark_T]

I always thought regardless of security you still leave at your own risk.

Depends how the tent was described and what assurances were given as regards to security.

Clearly the comments about the difficulty of securing the entire site are irrelevant, what we are talking about is securing one tent.

Only those who were there know if this was indeed held out to be a secure place to leave the equipment or if it was merely assumed to be secure ...

[Jamin_00]

Regardless of signage, I wouldnt trust my helis there.

Unless I had a damn real reason to but I would rather have them in the car with me or my tent/hotel room etc.

[heliharry]

hi all we have seen this message by southern model show .A few points that they have not got right.Ok lets start when we found that the helis were gone. The show said that there was a guy on each gate through out the night which is un true a member on here told us at champs that he had his caravan next to the gate and there was no guards on it as they left the site on Saturday night to go to the village. We had a mail from heritage events that ran the show saying that on the gate was a sign saying everything left at your own risk. We never saw this as pilots and camping went threw another gate which is not used normally so no sign up and they have not forwarded the photo to which they refer to as promised .We left the helis in the tent on the understanding that someone was in the tent all night and yes there was a guy a sleep in his van.The events then said he was not a guard. If you was to look in the tent there was thousands upon thousands of pounds of kit in there. Last but not least the collection was not done by the show/heritage as they would like you to think it was done by steve bishop and his family to which I'm grateful and to those that put in .Horizons tent and helis were stolen as well as just engines tent was cut so security was pants .I would have to say I will not be going back and if your thinking of going think hard as it seems they will have you there to make a mass amount of money at your expense.P.s I see they didn't put other things went missing off site as well. HAPPY DAYS and southern I would use another events company thay have done you no good . harry/mark

[Mylee]

I was put off going by the utter crap organisation of the Manston Airshow by Heritage Events. After spending 6 hours on the Thanet Way queuing, they then refused to refund our family ticket because we bought it through a third party outlet and not direct.
As much as I love model shows, I will never attend an event organised by these clowns. These disgusting thefts just reinforce my feelings.

[AndyThilo]

Never ever rely on someone else to look after your stuff. A heli could be broken down in a minute. Motor, ESC, FBL unit, Receiver. Easy to sell on and VERY easy to hide. Sod the airframe. Take ya kit back with you, hotel, home, car, whatever. It's your kit, your responsibility cause I bet that the organisers have a clause saying you leave kit at your own risk. Probably on a sign on the way in, on the ticket etc..

It's sad that this happens, especially to such a young lad