Good evening Gentlemen
Starting back with Kevin, I have been model making on and off since childhood, the hobby has kept me sane on a few longer separations/tours during my time in REME. I only reached WOII AQMS, jumping to the commissioned ranks was an option and one I considered but felt 26+ years was time enough and life after REME began.
Like the model making the service never leaves us, the follow up career has been in the defence industry and plant maintenance, and back again to the defence industry. I've thoroughly enjoyed putting new kit in to service, hopefully the end users have been happy with them.
I've been involved with and assisted various private owners, here and overseas, over the years and also been back and fore to the REME Museum to see my old instructor and friend the late Rodger Jones. His Successor on the REME Fleet is also a friend, Wayne Meadows is employed by the Museum to maintain the vehicle fleet, I've known him since I was AQMS at 32RA in Larkhill, ouch that's now 20yrs+
A few other folk I know also have a Museum over at Snetterton, and a friend here in the village I live in had a Cent ARV Mk2, this has been replaced by a VT55 of Czech origin. I built the Accurate Armour Cent ARVmk2 for him after it was sold and also the Plus Models VT55, for him. Next for him will be a CAT D7 Letourneau and Ripper, hopefully followed by Leyland Martian, he's got examples of both in his collection. He collects and restores vintage CAT Machinery, the Martian works for its keep. The VT55 was put into a diorama of a little fun day filmed back in 2009, search Youtube for VT55 v VW Pol. a few Pics attached and a full write up will be in the south Wales MAFVA magazine "Dragon" for those branch members who are on here, possibly out to a wider distribution later.
I've been dealing with Derek Hansen at AA in Glasgow for many years, another friend, a local model maker did masters for him and Gordon Brown of Cromwell Models, and a few other companies out there, I assisted with information and access to 1:1 kit for the builds. I've built a few other REME variants from AA some for former colleagues and now it's time for my own collection. Lots in the part built/to build stash.....I do need to get some bench time in. I have also been gathering the offerings from the likes of ResiCast, WoT 6 and Hippo conversions, Sherman ARV MK1 etc. along with the plastic kits of Diamond T and the Scammel S2.
Your models look great, nice to see them in a well thought out setting, the fitters are having a break from hunting for the elusive 3/8 AF spanner,....in modern parlance it would be the 10mm socket is great where did you get the toolboxes? Back then I think the tool box contents were mainly A/F & Whitworth, a few BSP. I know at my first few units the tool boxes were WWII vintage and most of the tools original, "Don't fix what ain't 't broke!"
I'm undecided on the markings for the Cromwell's under repair etc, split between the KRIH mentioned and 2Bn Welsh Guards, Reconnaissance. A few images of their vehicle are available and a bit of a home touch, but the table may add in a few missing gaps. I'll post on those as they are a bit further along.
And so to Roots75
Magic and thanks muchly for digging out the names and correct identification of the aircraft on Malta, the period is one often overlooked and something that needs a boost, both in terms of awareness and hopefully in the model making world, a great potential to tell the story of the naval and shipping efforts and also those of the troops garrisoned to protect the island.
"Keep them flying" would make for a cracking model/diorama, I've no doubt one of the aircraft lads/lasses has already thought of that. My Godfather taught aero-engine maintenance in Merlin's to Canadian RAF engineers for most of his war effort, and then spent time on MALTA after the ceasefire.
Again Gentlefolk of HMVF thanks for the information and hopefully if I leave the lap top on I may pick up on any threads that I can contribute to.
I'll stop wittering on now,
Best Regards
