forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
WW1 Aircraft Modeling => What's New => Topic started by: Dave W on May 22, 2018, 06:19:06 PM
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Following the tragic and unexpected death of the WW1aircraftmodels.com Forum owner Des Delatorre in February, there have been moves behind the scenes to find a new home for his significant collection of museum-quality models.
We wanted, if possible, to keep Des’ unique collection of kit and scratch built models together, ideally in an appropriate place where they could be appreciated by others and inspire future modellers.
We are delighted and immensely proud to announce that Des Delatorre’s models are going to one of the finest WW1 aviation collections in the world – the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust, for eventual display in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough, New Zealand.
The Aviation Heritage Centre features a world-class collection of priceless aircraft and aviation memorabilia which tell the story of aviation in both World Wars.
Sir Peter Jackson has played a central role in developing the Aviation Heritage Centre as a Trustee and called in the unique creative talents of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop for the displays.
We are enormously grateful to Wingnut Wings which has played a pivotal role in placing Des’ models with the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust.
Wingnut Wings’ General Manager Richard Alexander kindly arranged the move and Wingnuts’ Sales & Logistics Manager Dave Johnson flew to Australia to personally organise the packing and shipping of all Des’ models collection to their permanent new home in New Zealand.
On behalf of Des’ wife Adrienne and the family, and on behalf of our 3099 members of the Forum family, we are very grateful to the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust and Richard and Dave at Wingnut Wings for their kindness and amazing support in ensuring Des’ models will be housed in a world-class facility to inspire future generations of modellers.
(https://s19.postimg.cc/n6xwf3jg3/Des_Delatorre_pic.jpg)
For those not yet familiar with the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, their website is at: http://www.omaka.org.nz/
Dave Wilson
Forum Administrator
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That is utterly brilliant, couldn't be better!
Richard
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Perfect soloution. That is exactly the right place to present Des' outstanding work.
Thank you, Dave.
Bye,
Manni
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I thought my admiration for Sir Peter and the whole team at Wingnut Wings couldn't be bested - I was wrong. Simply superb.
I hope I get to go see all the great work that is going on in New Zealand. It would be a crime not too!
We all miss, Des, but to know that his legacy lives on for all to see and to be inspired by, well, it doesn't get any better than that.
It's a perfect day.
vB :)
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I think Des would be happy with this solution.
Andreas
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This is great news.
I'm sure Des would be delighted.
My thanks to all concerned in making it happen.
Regards
Russell
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Great news. Des' models truly are worthy of being in a museum. A great tribute to him.
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Outstanding, now the rest of the world can enjoy Des' masterpieces. We all miss you Des.
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I can only join the thanking - to Aviation Heritage Trust staff. to Wingnut Wings staff, to all who were involved in this great move.
I used to think many times, what might happen to Des's models. This news I have just read is so great, that I cannot contain my joy. Thank you - to all involved!
Des is surely watching this from above with joy and pride.
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Wonderful, simply wonderful! A huge „Thanks“ to all involved!
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Wow!!
That's great news and an even greater outcome - well done to all involved :) :) :).
Just think of all those people who will admire and be inspired by Des' work.
I hope that the collection is accompanied by some info on Des ;)
Andrew
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This such a Zen outcome. Just perfect.
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A fitting tribute to such a talented man; so absolutely a wonderful outcome and a relief to know that his outstanding collection of world class models will continue to be available to the public and an inspiration as well. I hope I don't break trust in thanking you, Dave, for your tireless and selfless efforts to bring this all together in Des's memory and to assist Adrienne in her loss.
Lance
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A very fitting tribute to Des’s memory ensuring his collection will live on and be enjoyed by many others.
Bravo to the team at Wingnut Wings. 8)
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wit's so nice that a/this "community" doesn't solely exist in cyberspace but also in the real world. it's also so nice that our secretive feeders @WNW from time to time acknowledge our existence.
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So glad, it's touching and heart warming to hear this.
When it's all organised and in situ, maybe could one of our NZ friends post us a snap of the finished display?
Best wishes once more to Des' family.
Mark
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Perfect!!! Such wonderful news! Des would be so pleased.
Cheers, Wingnut Wings!
Bud
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He was a master, for all of us, and his works are simply masterpieces.
I am very glad they found a new home where they can become Des' heritage available to all of us lovers of those strange flying machines.
Antonio
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Like ALL of the others I am extremely PLEASED that the Masterpieces Created by Des have found the Perfect Home! Thanks to Dave and all of the WNW folks for making this lasting Tribute to Des become a reality!
RAGIII
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Terrific news!!!
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Can only echo others thoughts on this. Utterly superb. I am sure Des would have been so proud. Thanks to those that made this happen.
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Perfect tribute to Des' incredible work and contribution to the WWI modelling community. It also shows that WNW is more than just a model manufacturer, but part of an international community of modelers, and they are recognizing Des' great contribution to that community.
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What a great result. Kudos to all those involved in this and what a great legacy for Des.
Brilliant
P
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Wow! This is Great News! And a big Thanks to the team who made this all happen! If I didn't have enough reasons to visit Omaka a very significant one has been added... Special thanks to those at Wingnutwings! Regards to all, Marc.
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Grat news, Des' masterpieces deserve to be in a museum and this will be the best housing to preserve his memory.
Very well done.
Giuseppe
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Absolutely the best possible outcome, Des was inspirational to many of us and this way his work still can be and some recognition for everything himself and Adrienne has done for so many of us and now to future WWI modellers. Fantastic work arranging this you guys.
Keith
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Great way to honor Des and his family. Can we expect pictures sometime soon ?
Ed
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That is a trully excellent outcome. Well done to all. I will have to visit Omaka now!
Alistair
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I echo everyone's comments. The perfect solution. thank you to all involved. Makes me believe in humanity again!
Mike
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This is a fitting tribute for Des indeed. I know Des was a great inspiration to us all and a true friend to me personally . He was a true Master Modeler and with the move to NZ his Masterpieces can and will be a great inspiration to even more modelers World Wide. My thanks to Dave and the WNW Crew for make this happen. All the Very Best to Des's Family and to each one of you.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
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great news for Des' memory and for Omaka.
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Perfect soloution.Great models,great museum.
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Rest assured when Des' models are eventually placed on display at the Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough NZ, we have been promised that photos will be provided to show us the display.
However this will not happen immediately. The models were collected, packed and despatched by Dave Johnson this week ( May 22 to be specific). They will now cross the Tasman Sea to be catalogued and photographed for the records. Then they will be moved to their new home. It all takes time but we believe Des' collection is in the best hands possible now.
Re the question of whether the collection is accompanied by information about Des, I liaised with Richard Alexander at Wingnuts who has co-ordinated this whole project, and a biography and photos of Des have been provided for the 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust's use .
Dave Wilson
Forum Administrator
Gold Coast
Australia
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You are an absolute star, Dave. Thank you
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Being an archivist and historian, I am more than happy about the wonderful „fate“ of Des‘ model-collection, because much to often have I seen interesting collections dissappear in the dust bins. Richard Alexander‘s committement can‘t be estimated to high: Once again thanks to you and Dave!
Richard
(Sorry for my poor English!)
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A small footnote to the details of a new home for Des' models collection.
Des was almost 3/4 of the way through building a Wingnuts Sopwith Dolphin when he passed away. We felt it would provide a poignant footnote to his story for those unfinished assemblies of his final masterpiece to accompany the finished models to their new home. Personally, I think it would be nice if these assemblies could be displayed as is - the final, unfinished masterwork of a master modeller.
(https://s19.postimg.cc/5tb949b6b/dolphin_1.jpg)
(https://s19.postimg.cc/q0oowkgdf/dolphin_2.jpg)
(https://s19.postimg.cc/qq7h8y42b/dolphin_3.jpg)
Dave Wilson
Forum Administrator
Gold Coast
Australia
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I agree, set them as is with his knife and glue.
Your words are mine!
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I agree, set them as is with his knife and glue.
Your words are mine!
Great idea!
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In an exhibition this „half-a-build“ would go well with Des‘ biographical data.
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A fitting tribute to a terrific gentleman and great modeler. He would be so pleased that he could offer a further understanding of our pastime and the Great War. Thank you so much for organizing this Dave and thank you WNW and Omaka for grasping the importance of this body of work.
Steve
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The knife and glue idea are pure gold. Perhaps a partial sprue?