LUGANO - Warships, motorboats, sailing ships, and all sorts of means able to ride the waves. To look at photos you'd never know that they are “simple” models. On the other hand behind those scale models there is a real world, that of Git Stemmagit, "Idromodellistico Group Ticinese" active throughout Ticino for over 30 year old. The group, his passion has wanted to do a mission, to promote the idromodellismo, particularly among the young and the young, as leisure activities and intelligent training. And for all budgets, as he explains Giuseppe Noli, active member of the group.

What do you need to get started?
"The different techniques that you need to master to start driving, and maybe, profitably build a hull racing or breeding, are few but essential. Asking costs nothing and saves time and money, giving some satisfaction in more. Those who want to approach the ship models must find a model with which to try for the first time. In GIT there are various models that can be made available by the members willingly and so understand what discipline best suited to their character '.

What do you mean?
"The creation of a truly competitive speed model, implies a careful study of the behavior of the hull, a good knowledge of the components (regulators, battery, propellers) that is acquired through experience and study. The same holds true for the sailboats racing where the type of sailing, or a slight deviation of the rigging, can lead to surprising results. Even for those who want to experiment with models from "play" to learn the subjects are not lacking. To control all radio, faithfully reproduce the details or create special "animations", you need a good knowledge of electronics, electromechanical, mechanics and carpentry as well as a good manual ».

What does it cost in terms of time and money this passion for modeling?
"It is not possible in a generic way to quantify the time and cost necessary for the realization of a model. It depends on what kind of model you intend to accomplish. For some it may take a few days, for another several years, even there are some models that are never finished. As you use them, or you become aware of new details, they are updated, as indeed it happens with real ships. Some may cost less 100 francs, others several thousand. But it is not necessary to spend much time and money to have a good model, you can have fun with a little '.

What is the strangest thing you have done for this passion?
"Maybe someone can consider “strange” work until two in the morning to prepare a model for the next day, or do 600 kilometers to go to an event ».

How many pieces does (circa) The more complex you have accomplished model? What is it and how much you have put us to achieve it?
"Not being mounting in plastic boxes, the number of pieces is very marginal: no one considers it as a parameter to define the quality or category of a model. Currently complex models can be considered the Scottish trawler “Mary Grace”, or seaplane Pilatus model; complex as manufactured entirely starting from building designs and made almost all the pieces. To make a complex pattern are those particular, or those functions that make it realistic. To achieve these results often have to spend time searching, photo, drawings and, When possible, go see the true original, or contact a few “person of the trade”. Complex can be the fishing nets: You can be realized with “simple network bags” or as in our case, thanks to the help of the technical and material Commander of a fishing boat Sardo, become a replica of a real fishing trawl ".

You made models with waste, what does it mean?
"For the construction of a model it is not always necessary to buy all the material. Since almost all of the components is small in size, very often sufficient for “refuse” other activities: timber cuttings available from carpenters or field retailers, processing residues of locksmiths, tinsmiths and hydraulic. A great “mine” small appliances are also, cameras, old PC, printers, VCRs, furniture from which to retrieve timber, cans, cans, packaging etc.. From a camera you can retrieve small engines, micro switches and LEDs: from a hairdryer the motor and the heating wire (nickel chromium); from a printer cogwheels, stainless steel axes, led, belts, switches and anything else your imagination suggests. some examples: of perfect reproductions of stairs in corrugated steel sheet are obtained with bits of packing belt; a can of sardines can become a “pop pop boat”».

It is a passion for everyone?
"Surely. There is no age limit; you can start from an early age and then continue until you can: some of our efficient partners have overcome 80 year old. And’ Also suitable for people with mobility impairments, the demonstrations there is always someone willing to help out ".

In addition to the model What does your group?
"Just dynamic model ship, included, affinity, seaplanes. We organize days where everyone can have fun with the best games of our league F1, space for reproductions, and sailing regattas. The program is variable depending on the location or the conjunction of other events. We also participate in events organized by other clubs'.

Organize public events?
"Our events are open to the public, we hope is always present. On our site www.git-ticino.ch has published the calendar up to date. The first of this year's event will be Sunday 26 March to Lake Astano ".

of D.M Article.