About Graham

Q: How long have you been modelling?
A:  Like most young boys, (must have been in the early 1950's), I of course hung a few Airfix kits from my bedroom ceiling on cotton strands, then added a few boats, but then discovered other things, (probably girls)???

Q: What was your first ever model?
A: I remember my first kit very well, it was a "Spitfire" of course, and was bought for me as a Christmas present. I also remember having a plastic kit of the "Victory", again a present, from my Nan I think. That stood in my bedroom for a long time, before it finally sunk under a coating of dust!!!

Q: What's your favourite modelling subject?
A: Favourite model subject is Armour & Soft Skins, especially if I can come up with a good subject to put into a "Diorama" Now, after 23 years of painting and finishing my models solely by brush, I have finally relented, and bought myself an airbrush!!! (How ever did I manage without one)???

Q: Okay, so do you have a favourite aircraft?
A: "I DON'T DO WINGS"!!!!   so if an armour subject relates to railways and related subjects, that adds to my modelling pleasure.

Q: What's your preferred scale to build?
A: My prefered scale is 1/35, although I have dabbled in 1/48 over the last few years. If I was starting out today with this hobby, 1/48 is an excellent scale, with plenty of new subjects on the market, in my opinion, is ideal.

Q: How long have you been a member of ASVC?
A: I have been a member of the ASVC since 1990, which is the same year I met Norman, ("you've got a lot to answer for mate)"!!! so that's 23 years to date, which includes 5 years as chairman of the club.

Q: Random question now....like the younger members did you ever go to university?
A: University, what's that????   Secondary modern school education was what I had, plus a day and evening release for City & Guilds Engineering qualifications. University??? you young whipper-snappers don't know how lucky you are!!!

Q: What do you get out of modelling & being a member of ASVC?
A:  Well, knowledge, I don't think you can ever stop learning in this hobby, as I am always finding out new things, and storing them away with the "grey cells" for future use, also, over the years, I have made some fine friends, who's continuing support and friendship, I very much enjoy and appreciate.

Q: Now I hear I will be sick with envy with this final question but it must be asked......where do you do your modelling?
A: I am lucky enough to have a centrally heated, 18ft x 10ft "Hobby Room", on the second floor of my home, where I spend a lot of my leisure time, which is often now, as I am now retired from working for a living. Now that I am retired, Pauline has threatened to put a lock on the "outside" of the door to keep me up there, just that little bit longer!!!  (Mmmmm, note, must get a coffee machine installed!

What's on the bench?

At present, I am close to finishing the Trumpeter "Morser Karl Gerat", complete with railway transport carriers, which together with the base, measures a whopping 90cm x 20cm. This certainly is a big project, but interesting.

One thing about these rail kits is, that I discard the plastic embankments, (very poor) and mount and  ballast my own track section, which is much more satisfying, and realistic.

Also working on the 152mm self propelled gun platform, "Dana" again an impressive bit of kit, which should look great when finished.

Pictures to follow :)

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Completed Projects

Gasthof in the Saar Valley

Oshkosh

Soviet ChZ S-65 Tractor together with a 122mm Field Artillery Gun

German Reichsbahn converted G10 wagen

Graham's Photo Collection of Various Builds