A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: BLUE SKIES, WARMER DAYS AND A BRAND-NEW LEGACY COLLECTION?

Let’s be honest, the Legacy Collection is not a cluster of builds likely to sway competition judges eager to plant accolades at my feet. No, it was a group of dioramas there to show how simple kits could be built quickly, cheaply and with basic finishing ideas, to assemble models and dioramas that you will enjoy creating and be proud to display. 

27th February 2025

Let’s be honest it’s been a long cold dark winter. But now we’re starting to see the first tantalising glimpses of spring around the corner. The sun is higher in the sky days longer and that cold air is starting, slowly, to warm up.

This afternoon as I worked way on the Centurion, I was suddenly reminded of those early months of the pandemic when we seemed to be graced with wall to wall sunshine for months on end. From those early weeks of April, there was unseasonably warm weather which was as welcome, as it was unexpected. Of course it wasn’t just the weather that I was reminded of. As I airbrushed the model, birdsong blue skies and the chance to open the studio window, reminded me of the models that I made back then, of The Legacy Collection, of those simple Tamiya builds and of the pleasure I experienced with each passing project.

Reminded of that time and those models I wondered once more, if, time allowing, I shouldn’t build another collection…

The Legacy Collection was my unashamed nod in the direction of François Verlinden, his models and distinctive way of assembly and painting. Using those older simpler Tamiya kits, allowed rapid progress, which always made me wonder if he had to use some of the more complex offerings from today, he’d been anywhere near as productive. I doubt it. It was also an ashamed nod in the direction of kits that I had built and loved as a kid.

Almost all of the kits that formed the basis of the collection, I’d built as a younger modeller, most of them whilst still at school. Returning to them once more not only reminded me just how much I loved each and every one, they also pointed back to a simpler time when kits could be built in a day, painted the next, displayed soon after.

Let’s be honest, The Legacy Collection is not a cluster of builds likely to sway competition judges eager to plant accolades at my feet. No, it was a group of dioramas there to show how simple kits could be built quickly and then finished with basic painting and weathering ideas. It wasn’t clever, but it was accessible. It was there for all ages and skill levels.

They were also cheap. 

When Jonathan Mock and I spent a number of weeks challenging each other to build the T-34, Pink Panther and Panther Ausf.A, part of the deal was that we had to use the basic kits and only one other set of parts and if possible, the whole shooting match was to come in at around £25. With money short and workers around the world having to take forced furlough breaks, we felt in out of step to use expensive kits. No, we wanted it to be at the pocket money end of the scale and we had a blast showing the world what could be made from these cut-price, readily accessible kits.

So now my mind is wandering. As the pandemic ended, I found myself still collecting those cheap Tamiya kits and now I have almost all that I want, so I’m far from short of possible candidates for builds and dioramas. Harking back to François’s work once more, many of the kits that he built are in that collection, so inspiration is hardly hard to come by.

In fact, I’ve already built a new ‘Legacy’ diorama around the Tamiya 1/20 Toyota Celica, so some would say I’ve already made a start! I just have to build a handful more and I’ll have the basis of part three of my Legacy Collection series of books. Now wouldn’t that be fun?

See you tomorrow.

TODAY’S MUSIC CHOICES…

The Vapors: New Clear Days

The Ruts: In A Rut

• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: STILL UNWELL…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: LURGY, LEGO AND A TAMIYA TOMCAT…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: UNWELL…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: SNOW DAY AND FAMILY…
• A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: STUDIO REBUILDS AND WHY I CANNOT WORK IN A MESS…

1. 

   Hope you feel better soon!

2. 

   My home in Sweden this evening. 25-30 cm snow, all within 24 hours.

3. 

   That certainly resonated with me Spencer, my work area is invariably a tip and also working on one kit at…

4. 

   With respect, disappointment is when you get beaten when a victory was on the cards. It’s known as supporting Brentford…

5. 

   Ah… where the magic happens! Looking really great Spence; mine is overdue a good looking at.