Iain C Robinson

First class, Al! Well done. I am halfway through a road bridge model at the mo...can't compete with this though...excellent stuff from the mighty Downes stable! cheers, Iain

Boarding school...I spent a couple of years at one in England...full of toffs, but it was the making of me as I had a hybrid Scottish/North of England accent and I was royally picked on for the first week. Then I remembered my dear old Dad's boxing lessons... now I am an old git and I couldn't fight my way out of the froth from a cappucino. Mind you, why would you want to? I agree, I still haven't got over the end of steam and it was 1968! I went chasing industrial steam and spent a lot of time at Pennyvenie and the Waterside system. I can still remember how dull the world seemed on August 17th, 1968. But, a few years later and a new kid appeared on the block. Allan's articles inspired me to up my game and try my hand at writing...thanks mate. I don't know why, but my Mum, a ferocious woman who could and often did outstare our Charolais bull, took a dislike to Allan (she never met him, but she was like that!) I think she thought he was too good, or that his articles were pushing mine out of the RM...but every time the mag came out I ended up justifying Allan to my Mum, who would have been intently reading his article before going out and thrashing said Charolais. My Dad, who was also a railway modeller, loved Allan's work, so between us, we managed to weather the storm. To quote Howard Moon..."Good Times..." cheers, Iain

IainP wrote: "Are you sure it was Jenkinson taking a "Little Long Drag" and not you puffing on that pipe Iain. I've never heard you sound so mellow.Communing with Jenkinson in a dream.Whoa,Far out! and laid back man!!... Peace Brother. Dillon." The thing is, you and I were around in the sixties, but I am ashamed to say that I REMEMBER them...a mis-spent youth! cheers, iain

Now that's fabulous, Allan...I love it. Great atmosphere. I didn't realise you were going to model my house, though... cheers, Iain

I forgot to say, thanks for quoting my article...nice to see that. Was it really 2008...jings! cheers, Iain

It could have been, my braw laddie. Except that there is nothing relaxed about Allan...he never stops, and the results are there for everyone to see. He's a genius, and indeed a far, far better man than me. I was a bit miffed with the editor over that article, because he wielded his blue pencil and removed a couple of light-hearted jokes. I remember writing about dear old Jenkinson, taking a "Little Long Drag" of his pipe as he gazed scornfully at one of my models (in the dream only, because Jenks was a very nice fellow in real life.) And I still only got eight quid a page... cheers, Iain

Allan, that's not true. I gave you the magic beans and all I got was that Cow. I really wanted that windmill and you knew it. And what is wrong with the cow? It never gave milk. I want my beans back, except I know you gave them to the devil in exchange for a 48 hour day and the ability to have supernatural modelmaking talents. There...I feel better now! cheers, Iain

Ah, Dave Rowe...much missed. I remember seeing that working dragline and asking him about it...he was kind enough to answer my questions, but his chat was sprinkled with caustic wit and observations which left my eyebrows in the elevated position for days afterwards. A very funny and hugely talented man...don't think we'll see the like again. His wife, Shirley was also an amazing modelmaker. You were very lucky to know him well, although I know his practical jokes were something to look out for! Modelling wise, I loved his "Unbder Milkwood....but I have already gone on about this, sorry! cheers, Iain "Unbder Milkwood"? Banana fingers!

Looks very effective indeed! cheers, Iain

Allan, these cottages are superb as Kev rightly says, especially the slightly moody shots. Brilliant. However, since nobody else has mentioned it, I did note a Lincolnshire boggart lurking behind the last two shots, his unkempt hair hiding the hideous visage. Perhaps the excellence of you modelling attracted him...be careful or he'll snaffle the model and hide it in his pocketses... or then again perhaps you had the shot on time exposure and it's you. I thought I recognised the mullet... cheers, Iain

Thanks for the fab link....I have been wallowing in nostalgia while having my morning coffee... cheers, Iain

Bill, was fish glue the same as "Horse shoe glue" ? No, I'm not joking and this hasn't turned into Monty Python land...I can still remember the smell of that stuff when my Dad made repairs to the humble furniture in my childhood hovel! It had to be boiled in a pan, I remember...it came in blocks like toffee...but oh, it wasn't toffee... cheers, Iain

Not to be outdone, back in the late 80's a company called "Linka" sent me a ton of their stuff for me to endorse. Ton is the word as it was a plaster of paris system used with dinky little moulds. It was OK if you were building quite coarse models, but nevertheless, we had some fun with it...I remember trying very hard to write a review of it that was tactful without actually saying that it wasn't much use for proper scale modelmaking. Now someone will tell me that they built a dead scale model of Peterborough with it... anyway, remember "Betta Builda"...or "Bayko"...I am definitely showing my age now! cheers, Iain

Quite wonderful, Peter! Thanks for the heads up! cheers, Iain

Now I've had a look at the S&D super detail accessories, it's enough to make me want to go over to 7mm!!

S&D models do a blacksmith and anvil....our very own Alant did a thread on here about building a 7mm forge based on something you did...it's here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/76246-old-cottage-and-blacksmiths-forge/ Duncan models also do a 7mm scale anvil here from the Scale Link site (you have to scroll down a bit) Blacksmith and Anvil Ref: AD051 http://www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/Duncan_Models__O__scale___________RETAIL_ONLY_.html There are hosts of small tool castings in 7mm available from US manufacturers...will get you a link shortly cheers, Iain

Allan, I remember when I was doing my forge that every time I looked for bits and pieces, infuriatingly they were in 7mm scale, so there are a few out there. I will look now and find out for you. cheers Iain PS I see you have taken the bait...

Modelageddon ... that's actually what I was frightened of. Never mind the roof, haven't you got to repair the car port again or something? cheers, Iain PS I'm a professional model maker...I've never seen fifty pounds!

It would be the first model of a mine...built in a mine cheers, Iain

I surrendered and handed my sword and insignia to you about forty years ago, don't you remember? I would like to see you do a village smithy or one of those 1940's garages..just because I love things like that. The thought of "chocolate box" gives me an attack of the hives, but I think you would make a smithy or a garage look wonderfully fascinating, and in 7mm there are all those lovely castings to use. cheers, Iain

Fabulous photos, Lee! The models look stunning outside and it shows up your SUPERB craftsmanship. Yes, the photo inside is gobsmacking, agree with Jaz... and they are all so gorgeous...well done. Out of interest, what did you use to take the photos, I notice on a couple the very shallow d.o.f. is really effective. cheers, Iain

Thanks, Peter. Terry wanted me to incorporate a feel of "Trerice" in the older part of the model, so I am very pleased you spotted that! It must have been another layout that you saw, as I have only recently finished this...sounds interesting. cheers, Iain

Looks very fine, Allan. I do hope you finish the row, it will be really delightful. My customer, Terry, has very kindly sent me a photo of my last commission for him, in place on his layout...thought I would share it with you guys. cheers, Iain

OK, yes, I see what you mean. That roof is extraordinary! I wonder what happens in the loft space...room for all sorts of 00 gauge empires in there, although I suspect that there will be much in the way of mighty beams. Your model looks totally believable...if you had modelled this row of cottages faithfully I would have said that it looked wrong, if you see what I'm clumsily trying to say. I'm glad you're going to finish the model because it will be a lovely build. Makes me wonder about the history of this row and why they are so out of proportion, almost as if they are converted from a tithe barn or similar. Anyway, keep up the amazing work! cheers, Iain