Alan Hall

[MikeC]

According to the latest SAM, it's a "milestone" birthday for Alan W Hall next month, celebrated with a write-up in what I still think of as "Mike McEvoy's Tailpiece slot".

Those of us growing up in the 60s when Airfix kits were two bob from any one of several shops in town (specialist model shops, toyshops, newsagents or Woollies) have surely been greatly influenced by his writings in Airfix Magazine, where I first came across him; SAM; Aviation News; et al. It was he who covinced me that "the contents of the Airfix Catalogue" was not a very coherent theme, and I perhaps could think about specialising. He showed us how to make things a little more accurate, and that accepting what was in the box or bag was all very well, but was not an option for a "serious" modeller. (Remember that even in the 60s there was this view in some quarters that "sticking together Airfix kits" was not "real" modelling.) Things have moved on a lot since then. I wonder if he envisaged quite where we'd be today? I don't think we'd be where we are as a hobby without AWH.

Alan Hall was, I think, a major influence on British modelling, and arguably world modelling, given that he was among the first members of, and a huge advocate of, IPMS.

So by way of celebration, I thought about grabbing an Airfix series one kit, a block of balsa, some clear dope, and a dash of MrsC's talcum powder. After a moment's reflection I thought that would be a celebration too far. But I did wonder how many of you who, like me, are of a certain age, actually did these conversions when they appeared in Airfix Magazine? My list, as far as I can recall and in no particular order, is: Fairey Battle Trainer; RAF Lightning (P-38); Hawker Hector (from the Demon); Halifax Mk VIII; Spitfire XVI. I'm sure some of you must have done more than that.

to one reason I still "play with plastic kits"

Mike

PS: "Magazines" seemed an appropriate place to put this, but Mods please feel free to move it if it's not the case.

[Robin]

A milestone event indeed, have known Alan since the mid 60s when he was writing for Airfix Magazine, and as Mike says, turning out some superb models, when the main aftermarket resource was a lump of balsa and some filler, not forgetting the 'talcum powder'. I still look up his articles in the old Airfix mag and the early SAM mags, when Alan was the leading light of modellers. Alan, may you have many more.

Robin.

[David Womby]

Agreed - Alan W Hall must have started so many of us down that path of modifying and detailing. Plastic wood, balsa, the famous cellulose dope/talcum powder mix!!!!!! Best wishes to him on his birthday