And now for something completely different... Squiffy's other models

[Squiffy]

I was looking through some of my photos and found this, which I thought may interest some on here.

My pal, who I wargame my aircraft models with, wrote a set of rules for Nelsonian naval battles. He said we should build a ship-of-the-line each to test the rules. His effort was a somewhat rough affair made of balsa wood, not rigged and with cocktail sticks for masts...

I turned up with this:

HMS Mars (74), made entirely from scratch, using plasticard, plastic rod, cotton rigging and handkerchief sails. I can't remember the scale but she's about seven inches long from bowsprit to sternpost. The figurehead of the god Mars is made from an N-scale model railway figure, suitably chopped, given a sword and shield and a coat of gold paint.

England Expects...


Beat to quarters!


Run out the guns!









She remains undefeated in battle to this day. 

[WarrenD]

Well done Squiffy!

Warren

[Royston]

Like this class, There are some 1/700 white metal ones of these

Roy

[lone modeller]

You really do have a wide range of modelling skills. Did you make this one in less than a week? Very impressive.

[Squiffy]

Hi, LM. It took me about a week, on and off but there's about 8-10 hours work in it all told.

[Squiffy]

Since I finished my Felixstowe, for the Group Build, I have taken a break from WW1 kites and have built something that I've had in the stash for ages.

An Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA, an old 1/72 Matchbox kit. It was a Matchbox Me 262 that was the first model kit I ever made, in 1979. It's a shame they are no longer available as they were brilliantly engineered. This 40-year-old kit went together perfectly and there wasn't a millimetre of flash on any of the mouldings, unlike a lot of the modern stuff I've been building in my WW1 kites.

[Des]

You did a great job with this old kit Squiffy, some of the old kits are still up there with the latest kits and are well worth building.

Des.

[Nigel Jackson]

Very nice indeed, Squiffy.

Best wishes
Nigel

[WarrenD]

Great job Squiffy!

Warren

[Cimmerian]

I built this one as a lad, I used to love the old Matchbox kits. Some of them are still out there disguised as Revell.

[lone modeller]

Brilliantly done! Those old Matchbox kits were very good at the time and are still good today - and they represent subjects that other manufacturers have not covered. The inter-war biplanes in particular are really interesting and colourful.

[Squiffy]

Thanks for the kind comments, chaps.

I seem to have lost my modelling mojo. I thought taking another break from WW1 aircraft may find it but it hasn't. I've got a part-built Fee on the go, and a couple more 1930s RAF biplanes but they're all stalled. I can't seem to get enthused about progressing my model railway either.

I dug this out of the shelf of unfinished projects. I'm going to see if I can get worked up to complete it.

It's a 1:43.5 (O gauge) scale Hudswell Clarke diesel shunting locomotive. The whole thing is made from brass and nickel-silver etches. I've completed the bodywork but the frames (chassis) were hopeless so I had a friend mill new plates from 1/16th brass, and con-rods to match.

I need to get a motor and gearbox for it and I'm considering fitting sound to it.

[Pgtaylorart]

Nice engine, Squiffy. Model railroading was my first love from the time I was a very young kid. My father was into it so some of my earliest memories are of my father and I playing with HO trains. Brings back warm fuzzy feelings!

George

[GAJouette]

 Squiffy,
Outstanding Man Of War my friend. Your HMS Mars is truly impressive. Her rigging must have been fun, Well Done. The ancient Matchbox AW Siskin is a real blast from the past and so well done. I've built a couple of the same kit myself years ago and I can honestly report mine never came close to looking as beautifully built and finished as your example.I don't know much about trains in HO scale but from what I can see I'm impressed. Wouldn't mind seeing more of your Locomotive projects my friend.

Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Squiffy]

Gregory - I shall see if I can dig out some more photos of my locomotives from my hard drive...