Press release from 26.09.2025: We can’t wait!
FASZINATION MODELLBAU Friedrichshafen with Echtdampf-Hallentreffen & LEGO Fan exhibition from 31 October to 2 November 2025
The big moment is just around the corner: from 31 October to 2 November 2025, FASZINATION MODELLBAU Friedrichshafen will open its doors – accompanied by the traditional Echtdampf-Hallentreffen and the popular LEGO fan exhibition. Three eventful days at the Lake Constance border triangle promise captivating shows, exclusive new products and lots of interactive activities to join in.
World-class pilots ready for the show
Only in Friedrichshafen: model aircraft demonstrations on the grounds of an international commercial airport! Against the breathtaking mountain backdrop of Bodensee Airport, the best pilots of the year demonstrate their skills. World champions, European champions and national champions show how far the limits of what is possible can be pushed today. Confirmations have already been received from speed world champion Kai Koppenburg, 3D jet European champion Luca Baumann and Robin Trumpp with his new F-14 XXL Tomcat on an incredible scale of 1:5.5 and with fully functional swing wings. Pure Top Gun feeling! We are also expecting crowd favourite and superstar Gernot Bruckmann together with Patrick Georg on two Lo 100s in double tow and synchronised aerobatics.
In addition, there will be manufacturer displays where we will see the new products for the 2026 season for the first time. Kavan, for example, will be setting off a veritable fireworks display of new products in a large flight slot. The programme will be complemented by the FMT Eagle demonstrations, where the products of the year awarded by the trade magazine FMT will be presented. The DMFV youth groups will also be there again with spectacular demonstrations.
Airshow action in the foyer
While outside the champions of the year fly their spectacular displays, a fascinating counterpoint is created in the West Foyer with FMT indoor action: a very special kind of air show is taking place on the 30×30 metre indoor airfield. Here, feather-light indoor models weighing only one to two grams share the limited airspace with powerful Depron self-built models and impeller jets – a fascinating contrast of extremes.
In addition to unique pieces that have taken hundreds of hours to create, manufacturers also present commercially available indoor models in special show blocks. These not only make indoor flying affordable, but also open the door to this fascinating hobby for beginners.
Heavy machinery in RC format
From tractors and imposing cranes to powerful tracked vehicles and precisely controlled construction machinery – the gigantic truck model display in Hall A4 leaves nothing to be desired: we marvel at the manoeuvring skills of the true-to-life RC trucks with their multi-axle heavy-duty trailers at the model truck festival with courses on a scale of 1:8, 1:14.5 and 1:16.
On the special tractor children’s course, the youngest visitors can try their hand at driving and gain their first driving experience. All the big names are also represented in Hall A4: ScaleArt with its own course and Unimog exhibition, Tamiya-Carson, thicon, Fumotec, as well as suppliers such as Lampert, Paulitschek and Veroma.
Excavators shovel away the earth, bulldozers level it on the construction machinery course on a scale of 1:12, while heavy tanks, engineering equipment and transporters make their way through the military model course next door with realistic effects, sound and smoke. Great entertainment for all ages!
Winter magic with live shows and night driving
The „Freunde der Modellpistenraupen” are transforming an 80 m² show stage in the centre of Hall A4 into a glittering winter landscape with around 3,000 litres of artificial snow. A special highlight is a large, original snowmobile, which offers visitors an authentic experience they can touch and sit on.
Visitors should definitely make a note of the live shows, which take place six times a day! The organisers attach great importance to the history of snowcats, which is presented in two periods. Technology enthusiasts can look forward to new programme items. Word has long since spread that the international group also offers comedy, games and fun. The absolute highlight remains the spectacular night driving on Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. – a true experience that makes FASZINATION MODELLBAU Friedrichshafen the undisputed hotspot of the scene.
Model railway diversity on 28 spectacular layouts
From impressive garden railways to large G gauge and the popular H0 and N gauges to delicate Z gauge – FASZINATION MODELLBAU Friedrichshafen 2025 presents the entire spectrum of this hobby in Halls A1 and A2 with 28 impressive model railway layouts. International exhibitors from Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, France and Italy will transform the exhibition halls into a fascinating miniature world. We expect all the big names in the industry to be there, including Märklin, ROCO/Fleischmann, BRAWA, PIKO, Bemo, Tillig, Faller, Herpa and Viessmann. They will be presenting their locomotives, track systems and accessories.
Special highlights await us at the anniversary exhibitions celebrating ‘100 years of the BR 01 express train locomotive’ and ‘75 years of the DB new steam locomotive’. Nostalgics will get their money’s worth with the German Tinplate Toys Players Association’s collection of US tinplate trains that are over 100 years old, while Hagen von Ortloff himself will be presenting legendary Märklin models from the 1950s.
Special children’s play areas and interactive stations cater for younger visitors, while fairground enthusiasts can marvel at Thorsten Rodriguez Fernandez’s spectacular H0 fairground layout with 40 working rides and 25,000 figures worth €200,000.
Water worlds offering adrenaline and relaxation
The impressive 400 m² water basin in Hall A5 invites visitors to relax and dream. Here, visitors can experience majestic container ships and detailed working vessels gliding leisurely past them up close. But there is also thrilling action awaiting the audience: from exciting regattas with sailing boats to fast-paced jet ski races and realistic sea rescue exercises. Our tip: Outside the entrance to the West Foyer, on the exhibition lake, racing boats speed across the water at breathtaking speeds. An absolute must-see!
A very special highlight in Hall A5 remains the popular duck pushing, in which teams use their Ramborator push boats to try to manoeuvre the ducks into the opponent’s goal. However, a visit to FASZINATION MODELLBAU is not just about watching, but also about actively participating: young ship model builders can once again obtain the coveted helmsman’s licence – a certificate that fills them with justified pride. After thorough instruction in steering and manoeuvring a model ship, it is ceremoniously awarded.
Scavenger hunt with numerous prizes
Equally popular with young visitors is the scavenger hunt with numerous attractive prizes: tricky riddles must be solved at the exhibitors’ stands in the exhibition halls. Those interested can obtain the questionnaire at the exhibition entrance and at the VTH stand in Hall A3.
Plastic model building scene celebrates major anniversaries
The PMC Bodensee, together with friendly clubs and individual exhibitors from the border triangle, invites you to a spectacular scene meeting in Hall A5. As the regional host, the club brings together the crème de la crème of the plastic model-making world and offers a varied programme for all age groups. During the popular children’s and youth craft sessions, experienced model builders pass on their knowledge to the next generation.
A particular highlight is the special exhibition ‘70 Years of Plastic Model Making’ by Norbert Ruhland from the Stuttgart Model Making Association. The exhibition ‘Dioramas – The World in Miniature’ displays masterfully crafted miniature worlds, including both realistic and imaginative scenes. Live workshops demonstrate the secrets of diorama and landscape construction.
The special exhibition ‘Mercedes-Benz’ celebrates several important anniversaries: 140 years of the Benz Reitwagen, the 125th anniversary of Gottlieb Daimler’s death and 125 years of the Mercedes brand name. The exhibition spans the arc from the historic Benz Patent Motor Car to the most modern vehicles. A special attraction is a genuine AMG Mercedes from the AMG Performance Centre in Lindau Weißensberg. For aviation fans, renowned sci-fi model maker Alex Kosyra presents his spectacular illuminated spaceships in the exhibition ‘Aviation on a scale of 1:144’.
Amazement and Participation at the LEGO Fan Exhibition
The legendary cult bricks are coming back to Friedrichshafen! And they are taking over the entire Hall A7 with world-famous buildings, entire neighbourhoods, lively streets and detailed scenes. Visitors to the LEGO fan exhibition can immerse themselves in a fascinating, colourful world. A world created with extraordinary precision and boundless attention to detail – exclusively from LEGO bricks. And here, too, we don’t just marvel at the masterpieces, but can become builders ourselves at numerous creative hands-on stations.
World’s largest model railway layout at the Echtdampf-Hallentreffen
Elegant locomotives and locomobiles move in miniature format across the world’s largest 5-inch and 7¼-inch track system through Halls B2 and B3 of the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre. The impressive rail network forms the vibrant heart of the Echtdampf-Hallentreffen with over 200 participants: more than 4,000 metres of track, together with a marshalling yard, transfer table, points, turntable and loading terminal, create authentic and smooth train operations. The walk-in track system offers visitors endless variety: lorries are loaded, containers unloaded, silos emptied and, above all, steam trains run for miles to their heart’s content. Real steampunk magic is created when it hisses, steams, honks and whistles as the participants breathe life into their steam models.
But it’s not just the exhibitors who enjoy the authentic steam experience – for a small fee, the public can also ride on the steam trains of the combined 5-inch and 7¼-inch gauge layout and take unforgettable trips on the participants’ field railways and narrow-gauge locomotives.
RC cars, bikes, race copters and airships
In Hall B1 at the German Open RC Car Masters, top drivers of 1:8 and 1:10 scale RC cars compete in thrilling duels for podium places. Even between the spectacular races, there is plenty of action: shows featuring brand-new models and extraordinary highlights such as 1:5 large models, dragsters, RC motorcycles, sidecar bikes and impressive monster trucks ensure continuous excitement.
Things get completely crazy in Hall A6: even from a distance, you can hear the characteristic high-frequency whirring of the race copters as they race around the pylons at breathtaking speeds in the FPV Drone Championship Final. If you’re looking for relaxation after this rush of speed, you’ll find it in the East Foyer: here, remote-controlled airships glide majestically through the course of the Open International Competition F7B. Although these aircraft are also competing in a race, their movements appear elegant and harmonious – like floating giants. Another highlight in the East Foyer is the Devils Drift Crew show, whose pilots perform spectacular drift manoeuvres around the course with their rear-wheel-drive RC cars.
Thank you for your reports and announcements.
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https://www.echtdampf-hallentreffen.de
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