Spasm

The Arboretum was opened in 2001, located in the very heart of England at Alrewas in Staffordshire. It covers more than 150 acres of reclaimed gravel pits, some 40,000 trees and over 300 memorials as a lasting tribute to those who served their country or who have died in service. I spent a full day there this week and didn't get to see anywhere near all of it. Well worth a visit, free to enter, easy to find and loads of parking.   

Just inside the gates is the 1940 Dunkirk Veterans' Association memorial. An avenue of poplar trees lead to benches and a plinth surrounded by sand brought from the Dunkirk beaches. In between the beach breaks is a single upturned rifle and helmet, A very touching memorial.  

Thanks for your comments Gents

And.......many thanks for inviting people to like my facebook page Chris, much appreciated.

Brian, I'm pretty amazed at the reception and comments on these sketches, They've also been quite well liked on my facebook page. Considering they take a couple of hours, rather than weeks, as is the case with my other stuff (helmets water bottles etc).I should probably leave the old iron in the garage for a while and do a bit more of this.

Thanks Gents, is there another bottle in the fridge? I hope so.

PS - come like my page - Skywolf UK - (I could do with the friends, hic)   

Cheers Frank 

A very nice Mappin & Webb silver plated flask. The flask itself is glass with leather cover above the shoulder that is removed from the silver plated and gilt cup. About 8 inches tall and pretty heavy.

Obviously now painted as a remembrance item. 

Thank you Gents. Yes, more time required.

Chris - be interesting to hear about the design.

Nice find Jock, The raw edges go on these but the M42 is my favourite - a troopies helmet

I should do more of these. Apologies if one or two have been on before.

Thanks Robin

Chris, yes, battery charger, salt and pretty easy to be honest. First go so not too bad,  

Painted flask approx 100mm by 70mm. I've tried to show the etching in the photos.

Stig

Jock is quite right, the SS helmet in your first post is a very bad copy of an M35 (1935). It is not a copy of the later M40 or M42 as the vents were integral in the helmet press. The decals will be wrong on closer inspection, the helmet maker stamps will be wrong. I even went up into the loft to find the helmet to quote the lot number but I must have already binned it in a rage at ordering such a bad copy over the internet.  

Please do NOT buy this. The dealer is trying to confuse things talking about supply of helmets to China. The seller, his two experts and the helmet are not genuine. We've all had our trousers pulled down in the past, me more than most by the way, you do not need to quiz the seller any further. Walk away.  

Yep, looks like a Chinese repro to me too. I have one in the loft that just really needs throwing away. The shape is completely wrong - look at the skirt angle below the vent. And the vent,,,,well, just wrong. These new repros are easily available on ebay etc and are very cheap but better to go for the more expensive ones that, at least, look the right shape before you go trying to age and paint up.

I agree that originals are soooo expensive and risky to buy due to the forgeries and that repros are a pretty good alternative. But go for a good one or an original helmet that's been restored. Good quality ones can be up to £500 but keep away from the junk.   

Thank you Gents, all your comments are appreciated.

Chris - I asked Sophie if she would like to respond to a German based South African ex Foreign Legionnaire who called her beautiful - she said "No thanks, he probably wouldn't understand me...." . 

Arrived

Thank you Chaps and Chapesses. A very warm welcome Squadron Girl Alli, you'll enjoy it here, very knowledgeable and friendly people. Enjoy.

Thanks Gents. Paul - it's just about 15 pounds (that's what the bathroom scales say) and very unwieldy when trying to paint.

Something I've done for the AAC at Yeovilton Base. An Apache tail rotor - a lot bigger and heavier than you may think.

Cheers Eric

Proper laminated wooden prop with riveted brass edge. 

Tony, probably almost the exact time I was painting them 

Been working on a few of these lately. Obviously can be done with any unit, dates, service number and name. Ha, this time next year Rodney.

A few others

Late on the 18th June 1916, Max Immelmann in a Fokker E.III, serial 246/16 encountered No. 25 Squadron of the RFC near the village of Lens. He attacked immediatley and got off a burst which hit RFC Lt. J.R.B Savage, pilot of FE.2b serial 4909, mortally wounding him. This was Immelmann's 17th victory claim.

The crew of the second aircraft he closed on was piloted by Second Lieutenant G.R. McCubbin and Corporal J. H. Waller as gunner/observer - it was Immelmann's last fight. McCubbin was awarded the DSO and the DSM and sergeant's stripes were awarded to Waller.

Take that.

Michael, yes you could be correct, thanks for that, I'll have another chat over the fence.

Gents

Any idea what this is? Obviously RAF and crudely cast brass, Quite big at approx 100mm by 100mm so wouldn't fit on a cap.

Came from my next door neighbour and belonged to her late husband's brother who was stationed in India during WW2. At the war's close he and a friend meant to fly to Australia but they never made it. Apparently no one knew what happened. His belongings were sent back to relatives which is how it has ended up here.

I'd guess a locally made souvenir but can't find examples on t'tinternet. 

Thanks in advance.

Colin, another great piece of work from you, I expect it's now painted and joined your other guys on the shelf. 

I don't know if it's just the art section or overall interest. I expect admin will know the numbers. I must admit I've struggled with the new format of the site and i really don't know why. Maybe it's the same for others. A shame if numbers have fallen away. 

I've always liked the hotrod built in someone's garage rather than the ferrari or the custom chrome chop that the big bucks can buy. Your hand made busts are super hotrods and would get my vote.

Cheers Steve    

Peter

Sorry mate, I've been a bit diverted and haven't replied, remiss of me. The Admin Staff is building a proper website for me but gets diverted a lot by knitting, crochet and cutting the grass. Nothing has been sold other than commissions so all will be available once the website is done plus quite a few you haven't seen yet.

I'll also probably be binning some of the militaria I've posted as I'm not really collecting any more, it's a bit of a waste just sitting in a drawer somewhere in the dark.

Steve 

PS, most of the old iron that will be sold is on my facebook page - skywolf artwork - if you are interested