Branky Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Oh, sad news indeed, I always looked forward meeting Mel at Telford and where-ever we could. I will miss his cheerfulness. When he could he visited our shop here in Holland and always took more with him than he brought us. My condolances to his family and all that knew him as fondly as I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Civilian Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 What a shock! Our first meeting on a how in Belgium was like meeting an old friend. The best looking couple, him and his wife, and this continued for many more events. Always friendly, caring, open for ideas and fulfilling his promises, If we only had more of these outstanding gentlemen in our scene! Verry soory we might not meet at Telford again. RIP, Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Sad news. I never dealt with Mel much, but he was always extremely helpful. In fact , the last kit I purchased from him was the civil version of the Bristol Sycamore kit he is shown holding in that great photo, a kit which he had to put together from odd leftovers, as officially it was out of production and no longer available. My condolences to his family and many friends in the U.K. and around the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branky Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Just spoke to Pauline, his widow, who called me from Wales to tell the bad news herself and the knowledge that he passed away all alone last saturday evening fills me with so much sadness. Hope that all his modelling friends all over the world will form a ring round Pauline and let her know that he will never be forgotten for the kind person he was. She will need support in many ways the coming time. i hope we can all be there for her in the same friendly helpul manner as Mel was always there for us!! Erwin J.W. Stam IPMS-NL IPMS-BE IPMS-UK Aviation Megastore 6 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icelandic Fine Art Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Very sad news and a shock to me. He was always a colourful and cheerful person; I remember him once saying that he never felt right without his suit! Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I am lost for words, I have not been back in the hobby long but Mel always had time to talk and was such a pleasant and interesting chap to talk to, his products were always interesting and he was one of my go-to stalls at any show. Rest in peace Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 I left a message of condolence from IPMS Farnborough on the S&M website last night using the e-mail address given on the site. I hope the relevant people get to read it. Mel was a welcome regular at our annual Modelfest show. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavodavo Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Very sad news and a nice guy. He bought us many kits/conversions that no one else has done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT Modeller Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 This is really sad and shocking news. Mel was always bright and cheerful and ready to chat and he will be greatly missed by many of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 This is really sad news. I didn't know him to speak to, but he was part of our hobby and stood out on his stall at shows as probably the only suited person, it was part of the character that we came to know. RIP, thank you for your contributions to our world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted May 5, 2021 Share Posted May 5, 2021 Very much saddened by this, I've bought several of Mel's kits & communicated with him, he was always polite & helpful, though I never met him in person. He would have been a couple of years younger than me, a bit of a wake up call. RIP Mel. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgardo gil Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Sad news really, I only know Mel as a customer but he always seemed to me a real gentleman, the huge amount of comments that I read here only confirm my opinion. I´m sure that he left behind a very long line of friends and grateful customers. Rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev67 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 R.I.P Mel, always the gent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26Decals Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Totally shocked by this news as everyone else is. I have known Mel since the 1980s and have done a lot of his laser decals and had an order here ready to ship to him until receiving the tragic news yesterday from his Daughter Lauren. He was such an important part of the hobby and will be a massive loss, maybe a group build in his memory would be a fitting tribute. R.I.P Mate. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMB Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 So shocked to read this! I have known Mel for years and always made time to chat with him at the Heathrow Aviation Enthusiast Fairs and at Telford SMW shows each year. Bought loads of his laser airline decals - far more than I would get around to building. Hope someone takes over his business. RIP Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I have just received the following from Mel's daughter and post it here verbatim. 'Thank you so much for you email and the link to the modelling community. We are still in shock as to what has happened and but it's been some comfort to read everyone's kind words about my Dad. I may need your help in the future as I have inherited a lot of plastic that I don't understand. Kind regards Lauren Bromley' I have no doubt the modelling community will give Lauren all the help she needs, should it come to it. I supplied her with a link to this thread, as above. Frank Bell on behalf of IPMS Ipswich. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 I'd be more than willing to help if needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtarget Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Im also more thank happy to help, Only about 35mins from the unit where Mel kept his stash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junco Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Shocked to hear this, known Mel since the 80's, especially when I attended many shows and clubs in London. A very nice man who wasn't like alot of the dealers who are only interested in talking to you unless you were buying. RIP, Mel Regards, Neil 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Shocked and saddened to hear this awful news. A great guy, who I only really knew from his stall at various model shows. I first met him at a show in the 80's and he was wearing a military uniform, manning a stall of second hand kits. I had picked out a couple I liked, but being on a budget, couldn't decide which one to buy. He talked me into getting them both! Last time I saw him was at the Peterborough show, and he did me a great deal on a kit I had fancied for a while, but was being a little indecisive over (it is massive!) A lovely character who will be missed. The show scene will be much poorer for his passing. RIP, old chap. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlamgat9 Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 So very sad. What a lovely guy he was. And he produced some really great oddities for the whif community. He’ll be much missed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-21 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 (edited) Really shocked and sad about the news. Mel was a lovely man always had time for everybody at shows and his choice of kits really appealed to me. His decals and kits filled a niche market. I had messed up my Williams Bros C-46 elevators and without hesitation he replaced them from a spares box. Thoughts to his family but he will long be remembered on the show scene as the best dressed, superb manners and nicest trader around. Edited May 11, 2021 by T-21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26Decals Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 2 hours ago, T-21 said: Really shocked and sad about the news. Ray was a lovely man always had time for everybody at shows and his choice of kits really appealed to me. His decals and kits filled a niche market. I had messed up my Williams Bros C-46 elevators and without hesitation he replaced them from a spares box. Thoughts to his family but he will long be remembered on the show scene as the best dressed, superb manners and nicest trader around. I feel that I should point out your typo, his name was Mel and not Ray. All the best Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-21 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 (edited) Apologies, shook up at the news got confused. Edited May 11, 2021 by T-21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberduck Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 Note to moderators, this is my brothers computer and account not mine Please remove this post if this is an issue I have only just found about Mels untimely passing and would like to add my voice to the many others expressing shock and sadness at the news Like them I had known him for many years and I liked him a great deal Please pass on my condolences to his family Regards Paul Davis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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