My involvement with 'Mini-Ships' started over 45 years ago when the UK toy manufacturer 'Tri-ang' brought out their 'Minic' range of 1/1200 ships and harbour accessories. A small collection of these were followed by the 'Eagle' range of World War II ships. I started collecting as pocket money allowed and soon built up a large collection. Unfortunately many of the 'Eagle' models found themselves being 'scrapped' (which was ever the story! ). The development of 1/76 scale plastic tank and other military vehicle kits saw a growing interest in military modelling and wargaming, which is still there, although rather latent at the moment. The 1970s saw me discover the 'Ensign' and 'Clydeside' ranges and with these models, plus those from other sources, I started modelling and collecting on a more regular basis. Eventually I was to discover the German dealers, and then in the late 1980s I was to meet a group of British collectors who were mainly based in the South. Those were the days of the 'swap meets' at Nash Mills and (first) Theale, and this led, in 1992, to the first 'Welton' event.
Meanwhile my own collection has continued to expand, with the main theme being 'The Royal & Commonwealth Navies, 1936 onwards'. This is interpreted loosely and includes ships from foreign navies which served with the RN, 'ironclads' which survived as harbour hulks and anything else that takes my eye. I also have a collection of ships from the navies of the Netherlands and Norway, and have a representative collection of ships from other countries and periods. The collection continues to expand... and has recently started to include Royal Navy ships from the pre-Dreadnought & Napoleonic periods.
'Welton' had its origin in a conversation with Vic Harman when travelling back from 'Theale' in the Spring of 1992. As much of the ship collecting hobby in the UK is conducted by mail order, events such as 'Welton' and 'Theale' are regarded as important by both dealers and collectors alike as they provide focus points in the year. Finding a suitable location was not easy but eventually I was able to get the use of the Village Hall in Welton, near Lincoln. The first show took place in July 1992 and after a shaky start is now a major event on the UK mini-ship scene. It is now the longest continually running UK Ship. The 2004 summer 'Welton' took place on 25th July and the event, as well as being a major UK ship show is now part of the 'village calendar'. 'Welton 2004' was judged a great success, one of the best, with just under 100 visitors. Over the years the show has grown and matured and although primarily an event for UK enthusiasts it is not unusual to see overseas buyers present, as well as people from the 'fringe' of the hobby coming, and also to see younger enthusiasts present. The 2003 event saw our first overseas stallholders, Norbert & Matti Brocher of 'Rhenania' models. Events such as this involve a lot of hard work and the compliments freely given afterwards make it all worthwhile. In 2004 there was a 'trial' 'Autumn Welton' and 'Mini-Ship Get-together' in October, which included a naval wargame. This event proved sufficient of a success to make it worthwhile repeating in 2005. Planning for the Summer (27th July) & Autumn (19th October) 2008 events is now almost finished - if you're an enthusiast who would like to sell your surplus models space can possibly be found for you. 'Welton' is called by many 'The Friendly Show in the North', and attracts collectors from all parts of the Midlands & North of England, as well as further afield. Click here for fuller details of the Welton Fair or contact me. (A poster for 2008 appears elsewhere on the site: keep watching as it develops). The dates for all the 2008 UK events are available - please visit the 'UK Ship Shows' page.
(As a general rule, Welton shows will take place on the last Sunday in July and 3rd Sunday in October).
Click here for photos of past Welton shows
Click here for a detailed map of Welton village, courtesy of UK Street Maps
Links for tourism information for Lincolnshire and Lincoln and Lincoln Cathedral
'Waterline Ship Enthusiasts' organise a number of events in the South of England, including the famed 'Theale' events. Various things conspired to make me miss events here but I was able to make the March 2003 show as a stallholder. Thanks to the kindness of a friend with transport I was to make the October 2005 event - a very enjoyable (if long) day out. Fuller details of the WSE events can be obtained from Alan Hatcher of 'WSE' on 01202 432622, whilst Dave Willcocks (023 923 52383) is the person to speak to about the event at 'Explosion'. For a number of years WSE held a show at Mappleborough Green in the English Midlands, although this didn't take place after 2001 - this event re-appeared in 2007, under the 'Convoy' banner.
(For full details of UK [& some other: including US] shows please click the link below)
Click for fuller details of 'Mini-ship' shows.
(As much for my own interest as anything I'm putting together a retrospective list of 'Ship shows' in the UK TJH 28/10/2008)
As well as collecting and organizing mini-ship shows I also sell new and secondhand 'mini-ships', and also produce a small range (pretty much to demand): the 'Convoy' Range. This consists of 'limited run' models of armed merchant ships of the 1939-45 period and ships of the 'Royal Fleet Auxiliary' of this period and onwards. Models currently available include British WWII 'standard' merchant ships ('Empire 'B'), Royal Fleet Auxiliary 'Fort' class store ships (AKS) of the 1950 period, and RFA 'Resurgent': a store ship (AFS) of the 1960s. Other popular models include RFA 'Bayleaf' (AO) and SS 'Tactician': an armed merchantman. Newer lines include HMS 'Hilary': a passenger liner converted to a Headquarters Ship (AGC), and 'Empire Magpie', a WWII freighter. Also available are HMS 'Lancashire' - an accommodation ship with the British Pacific Fleet (1945). HMT 'Cameronia' (WWII trooper) and SS 'Nestor' - a stately 'Blue Funnel' liner armed and equipped for war. Changing circumstances me that these models are really only available to order at the moment: please enquire for availabilty. I also hold a collection of new and secondhand models for sale. These holdings are constantly changing as new collections are bought in: please contact me for details of the current list, which is also available by e-mail. I have been asked if I am going to put my stocklist on the internet ... the first parts are now on.
Mini-Ship collecting and been and continues to be, an important element of relaxation in a lifestyle that continues to be hectic.. Why not give it a try?
I have thirtyfive years experience in the 'information business' and I may be able to help. Please feel free to contact me. I must plug the 'HMS Falcon' webpage for anyone who had relatives who served on the 'China Station' or on the River Gunboats in the 1920s or 30s.
I am conscious that these pages have been neglected whilst I've been working on other things and I would not say that this section is complete. Two exciting websites of interest to Mini-Ship collectors are UK based, but unfortunately the one hosted by Jeff Simpson is now defunct. The other is run by Iain McGeachy, which contains a number of interesting photographs as well as an essay by Roger Dawson on metal fatigue. Both are worth a visit. Another site relating to 'Minic' is that run by Charles Shave. It is particularly good to see that someone is putting the (easily lost) mast & other plastic units into production again. I stock these, and also metal funnels and masts for 'Minics'. It would also be very remiss of me not to mention Paul Jacobs' US based 1250 pages as part of the larger 'Steel Navy' site. As well as a message board it contains useful historical & archival material, as well a number of links. Another (UK based) message board is run by John Mitchell. This is well worth visiting and supporting.
I am trying to develop this page to include links to other sites of interest and to some suppliers. The following are dealers who I've been pleased to deal with over the past few years.
Les Hodder (Wirral Miniature Ships) offers a wide range of painted models from the Len Jordan range, and also a large stock of models from other suppliers. This is a fast growing organisation, widely (& rightly) regarded as one of the leading UK manufacturers. Les is remastering and reissuing the 'Hein Muck' ('Dagen') range from Germany. Les is in process of developing a website. This is very much in the early stages, but I'm sure it will develop further.
Martin Brown has, like myself, been in the hobby for many years, latterly as an 'enthusiast dealer'. Now a major force, he has a stock of models by 'Hai' & 'Mountford', as well as some secondhand material. He, and I, stock models and spare parts from 'Mountford Miniatures'.
Dave Willcocks and Calvin Sims operate Dreadnought Models with a wide range of new and secondhand models, mainly warships. Alan Hatcher as well as being a leading light in Waterline Ship Enthusiasts has an extensive range of models for sale, mainly of merchant ships.
A new, young dealer, especially for 'Minic' is Neil Kemplay.
A manufacturer who shouldn't be forgotten is John Staggs who produced the 'Santa Rosa' and 'Unicorn' ranges. John was not well for a number of years prior to his death in July 2007. I had a few examples of his models for sale - now all gone. An appreciation of John from Iain McGeachy.
In Scotland Bill Gilpin produces the long established 'Clydeside' range. Contact him direct or Martin Brown for details.
A chance conversation took me to the Skytrex site. They are a long established company dealing in modern and sailing era RN vessels, as well as producing models from the Mercator range. The pages are useful in that they have lists of events and wargames societies: albeit rather limited at the moment.
Mick Yarrow produces 'wargames style' models.
A recent amendment is that my old friend Michael Hayes of 'Saxon Mini-Ships' is now really retired. A site that I've forgotten until recently is Sean Pritchards' site for SeaVee Models.
Following a recent discussion I am planning to put on the website copies of the stocklists issued by a number of smaller (and almost certainly out of production) UK producers. The first to be done is that of Mr R Gillow, of Stockton, who supplied a large range of wargames standard models in the 1980s. I thought his models were long out of production, but on speaking to him recently I discovered that they are still available. Owen Howard was another small UK manufacturer in the early 1990s. His models have long been out of production, but are worthy of inclusion. Other lists will follow as time permits. The lists issued by 'Oceanic Models' and the late Adrian Nash are now available. I have been able to put a few illustrations in with the 'Oceanic Models' lists.
Moving overseas, I have supported L Wielding, of Munich for many years. His online catalogue is very comprehensive and he offers a good mail-order service. Also in Germany is Oliver Maerten's site: Oliver's World. - this offers very useful illustrated ship lists. On the other side of the Atlantic Alnavco of Belle Have, VA offer a wide selection of models. A new link is to CM Models of Germany.
I must plug the 'HMS Falcon' webpage for anyone who had relatives who served on the 'China Station' or on the River Gunboats in the 1920s or 30s.
Other dealers who I've had pleasure to work with include :
|
David Vanner 02920 701030 |
Len Jordan, Sunny Home, Whitchurch Hill, Reading RG8 7PG 0118 984 4628 |
A list of other websites should include the following:
Fox Decals: https://www.fox-transfers.co.uk/DataPages/1_ALPHABETS.htm
1250 Ships: http://www.ship1250.com/
Diethelm Glaser: http://www.diethelm-glaser.de/modelle/steel/index.htm
George Elder: http://www.collectableships.com/models/index.htm
Simplon Postcards: http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SP1.html
Alnavco: http://www.alnavco.com/index.htm
John Youngerman: http://www.shipandplane.com/
Rod Langton: http://www.rodlangton.com/index.html
Bob's Ships: http://rasputin.physics.uiuc.edu/~wiringa/Ships/Ships.html
Merchant Navy: Net http://www.merchant-navy.net/thumbs4.html
1250 Ships: USA http://www.1250ships.com/index.htm
Don Andrews: The Andrews Shipyard: www.theandrewsshipyard.com
Elder Dempster Lines: http://www.elderdempster.org/
Blackham's Transfers:
http://www.blackhamtransfers.com/index.html
(The absence of any supplier does not indicate any dissatisfaction with that supplier or manufacturer. TJH)