Model Boats – July 2018

Well it all started for me when I was treated to a Birkenhead Star Yacht after a sun drenched visit to Wroxham in Norfolk back in the early 1970s. I’ll never forget it; the yacht was such a tactile object painted in glossy red paint with a sharp metal keel and lovely cloth sails. I still had it up to a few years ago when it was discovered buried at the bottom of an old tool box and far too worse for wear. It was the perfect introduction to model boats and my interest has never waned since, despite being constantly distracted by all forms and subjects of plastic/wood/metal modelling and all things R/C, including aircraft and vehicles (I am master of none of them!) That pretty red pond yacht will always be one of those ‘trigger points’ in my life and to build on a previous editorial by Graham, I also believe that sowing the seed early enough will encourage more people into the hobby. With the latter in mind, I am a firm believer that within this multi-dimensional hobby of ours, you never, and should never, stop learning. I think that ‘old dogs’ can be taught new tricks and I for one am one of them! It really is an honour to take the helm of this illustrious magazine and I would like to say a big thank you straight away to Graham Ashby for his help and support. His handover was one of the most comprehensive that I have ever experienced, with no stone left unturned and not a single one of my dubious questions left unanswered. All the best, Martyn Chorlton.