Where the Winds Blow... click here to read or make an observation about this  article

by Mark Steele - Auckland, New Zealand

Modeling is About People

Well, what nice, though oft too generous comments on the first issue. Thank you, both old friends and new friends. Here’s another delve into the wonderful world of little sailing boats by way of this August offering. Mark Tindall of Kent in the United Kingdom, a through and through fan of the old Nelsonian-era ships, finished his 58” long RC model of Horatio’s famous flagship VICTORY after a one and a half year period of construction. Impressive isn’t she but not a project for the impatient, the not too skilled or the feint-hearted. What was that old Nelsonian toast? Something like “To sweethearts and wives! May they never meet“.

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Impressive isn’t she but not a project for the impatient, the not too skilled or the feint-hearted.

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Almost a rogue wave hit this model of Englishman, Tony Searle’s Man O War, Mars. She survived but his Thames Sailing barge Serenie in the next photograph, took in water, slowly rolled and sank. These things do happen occasionally, so keep the ocean outside of the boat where it belongs !

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Be careful when uttering the expression “sails like a dog” within earshot of this one. He will display his helmsmanship and show you how a pukka dog sails – then he will get angry and chew up your decking, perhaps even go for your `privates’. (photo by Kiwi Tom Harper who owns the Firebug yacht and the dog)

Be careful when uttering the expression “sails like a dog” within earshot of this one.

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You know how it is, sometimes you see a boat, or a model of one (even perhaps have a sail of it) then forever after it lurks in your mind while you pronounce it `the most beautiful model ever?’. So it is with with my dear friend Ken Impey’s schooner, John Fossett Bonds which I sailed in Cornwall, England in 1994, enjoying both his boat and his company. Funny things memories!

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my dear friend Ken Impey and his schooner, John Fossett Bonds which I sailed in Cornwall, England in 1994

Modeling of any kind I believe is about people, and I have met and corresponded with so very many absolutely wonderful and talented ship modelers, in so many countries in the years of producing my little magazine, Windling World. Like Ken Impey, Lloyd `Swede’ Johnson is one of them. Very well known in both fullsize yachting and in model sailing boats, Lloyd of California (seen with young Swede the helmsman who actually steers the model) and his second Pinky schooner, is another good example. Generous to a fault (he airfreighted his first Pinky schooner to me all the way in New Zealand as a gift because I admired it!) he is a knowledgable sailor and another wonderful friend-never-met of mine. I’ve found that model sailing boats often bring out the very best in people.

Lloyd `Swede’ Johnson of California and his second Pinky schooner.

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Back in New Zealand, Richard Gross, one of our Ancient Mariners weekly windlers, built and sails this Bawley fishing boat, Anita. Always attracting attention and good comment whenever he brings it down to the pond. Its style takes one back to earlier, long-passed years in Britain. Built plank on frame, it is 1200mm long. A big model indeed with a rig slightly shortened to 1650mm.

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Richard Gross, one of our Ancient Mariners weekly windlers, built and sails this Bawley fishing boat, Anita.

My friend John Butterwith in Devon, England has built several fine Bristol Pilot Cutters, also a couple of Bawleys, his latest this Cutter Jane Winifred here seen passing the old Victorian pier at Clevedon in Somerset.

John Butterwith in Devon, England has built several fine Bristol Pilot Cutters and also a couple of Bawley models, this cutter, Jane Winifred shown here.

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Roy Lake originally of England, but resident in Auckland is a skilled modelmaker who can build virtually anything out of wood. He has built heaps of lovely RC models over many years This is his Pride of Monterey, an elegant 4-master onto which he has lavished great detail indeed and which he sails at Monterey Park’s, Modelworld, a commercial establishment north of Auckland city.

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I hope you enjoy this visit to Where the winds blow, and for those who may hurriedly leave perhaps with the view that big men building and sailing model yachts are a bit weird, I leave you with Gloria Steinem’s much-quoted quote…`It is never too late for a happy childhood’.

`The season is ending, time for sending
Marigold my model ketch…
Up the pond to seek her own `beyond’
While my Summer I try to stretch’.


Mark Steele
shorebird@steeleglobal.com

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