Kev in Deva

Hallo Dolf, Nice birds you got, . . . . here are pictures of the original "BIG BEAUTIFUL DOLL" its in the Imperial War Museum in London, I took these when I visited there about 10 years ago, sorry for the quality but I was using a normal camera and not a digi type Kevn in Deva

And for the WW2 tank fanatics here is a STUG III F in Kharkov, on the Russian Front. . . . (well er...actually on a plain bit of board ) This will probably be the last I post for a few days because I am heading for the mountains with the family for about 10 days Kevin in Deva

Hallo Dolf and of course other model making members Over-head shot of the British KFOR Armoured Engineer Vehicle, as he was away from home he was only able to send me some pictures taken on his digital camera and not complete walk around shots of the models Kevin in Deva

Now we see another of his creations a British KFOR Armoured Engineer Vehicle in or around Kosovo. Kevin in Deva

Another shot of the Serbian T-55 while undergoing the Rust treatment at the hands of my brother Anthony. Kevin in Deva

A photo if the engine deck details, with regards a knocked out tank, especialy after a fire the rust is very quick to set in. Kevin in Deva

All his models are handpainted by brush, NOT an Airbrush in sight Its late but hopefully more will be posted tomorrow night. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Dolf, thanks for the comments I will pass them on to my brother in Ireland, the camo uniform painting technique takes a lot of practise too But the next couple of shots show one of his specialities. . . . RUST SERBIAN T55 KNOCKED OUT IN KOSOVO

more shots of the British Vehicles, and a shot of an IRISH GUARDS SQUADDIE, OPPS forgot to mention all the models are 1/35th scale. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Dolf, here are some pictures of two models made and weathered to represent a British Warrior in U.N. Service and a British UN SIMITAR on UN Service In KOSOVO. Anthony, my brother, has become quite adapt at the sutle technigues used to paint and shade the vehicles to represent the day to day wear of the elements and the hard life these vehicles encounter day to day on duty. I have kept the pictures big to show details Feel free to post any comments. Kevin in Deva.

Dear Paul Cead Milie Failte Welcome to the forum and many thanks for your information with regards these Irish medals, and information regarding issue numbers. There has been at least one occasion on Ebay Ireland (linked in with Ebay UK) where a 1916 medal was sold, money paid, and nothing delivered, the buyer has contacted the Irish Police to investigate the seller, so potential bidders beware. Kevin in Deva

FINAL AUCTION PRICE: GBP 2,967.00 or $5,461.36 USA Dollars Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gentlemen please read the following with regards the V. C. Auction in Australia: news.com.au network Source: AAP VICTORIA CROSS SELLS FOR RECORD ONE MILLION! July 24, 2006. AUSTRALIA'S last privately owned Victoria Cross medal awarded at Gallipoli has sold at auction tonight in Sydney for a world record $1 million. Lot 1078 was purchased by a prominent Australian who wishes to remain anonymous and who bid over the phone. The medal, awarded posthumously to New Zealand-born Australian soldier Captain Alfred Shout, was sold by his grandson, 67-year-old Graham Thomas. Auctioneer Tim Goodman, of Bonhams and Goodman auction house, told the crowd it was hoped the medal would soon end up on public display. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new world auction record for a medal," Mr Goodman said as he brought down the hammer. "I can confirm the buyer is a prominent Australian who is going to work with the RSL to make sure the medals go on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra." Captain Shout was mortally wounded when the last of three grenades he ignited blew up in his face. He was the most highly decorated Australian soldier to serve during the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915, being awarded the Military Cross during the landing at Anzac Cove in April, and then the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Battle of Lone Pine in August that year. Tonight's $1 million price tag breaks the record of $595,000 set in 2005 for the VC won by Captain Thomas Hardy at Lord Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805. Capt Shout's collection of medals also included the Military Cross (GVR) for the landing at Gallipoli, Star 1914-15, British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-19, and Queen's South Africa medal and King's South Africa medal, awarded for his service in the Boer War earlier that century. Mr Thomas, a retiree from Sydney, who sold the medal to benefit his family, said he was "overwhelmed by the price". "I didn't think it would get anywhere near that, it just goes to show," Mr Thomas said seconds after the auction. "We didn't expect anything like that." Mr Thomas has two children and three grandchildren. Before the auction, he said now was a good time to sell the medal to help his family. "Otherwise, they would just be sitting in a box and if I just sent it off to the war memorial, it wouldn't benefit my family." Mr Thomas said his decision to sell the medals, passed to him by his mother, had met with very little criticism. The war memorial holds the other eight VCs awarded to Australians for service at Gallipoli. The auctioneer's head of collectibles, Giles Moon, said the medals were never at risk of leaving Australia. "These medals are protected from being granted an export licence due to them being classed as a class A item under the moveable cultural heritage act." The bidder will pay a $1,214,500 (Australian Dollars), including commission and other charges. Goodmans international head of coins and medals John Millensted said "the Victoria Cross would account for more than 90 per cent of the value of the collection" that was sold tonight. Mr Thomas later said his grandfather would have approved of the sale. "He'd probably say 'you did a bloody good job'," said Mr Thomas, who planned to celebrate over a beer. He said he would have liked to have been able to put the medal on display himself. "But you've got to be honest. If you get a few dollars, it's certainly going to help my family," the retired estimator said.pe"To get both, to get it on show and get the money, you can't ask for much more than that. I'm tickled pink." Speculation about the purchaser was rife but Mr Thomas could only suggest it may have been a Melbourne plastic surgeon or a group from Queensland who invest in war memorabilia. All the auctioneers would say was that the purchaser was a prominent philanthropic Australian businessman. -END OF ARTICLE- Any guesses from Forum members down under as to who the lucky buyer is??? Kevin in Deva

Well are you gonna keep us all in the dark duckie please reveal all as the Bishop said to the actress Kevin in Deva

Some more battlebars and a medal one with what appears to be a number engraved across the front also a Stalingrad bar that has been drilled in an odd position for fixing to the ribbon. I am hoping to get some concrete evidence that will be able to dispel the myth here in Romania that all these including the "Swords of Fantasy" are not original and just because somebodys writes up a description and sticks in a picture then it has to be officialy issued in WW". Kevin in Deva.

These multi bar ribbons went for a high price on Ebay last year, the were being sold from Canada. But they dont "feel" right to me, and could be add ons to enhance the award, and so far, what the black bar denotes is unknown, also to the rear of this one is a strange piece of medal ribbon that appears to be red with two thin yellow stripes on each side. The other with a triangular style of ribbon could reflect an award to an Austrian, Hungarian or Bulgarian. Kevin in Deva

These photos show what appears to be a German made battle-bars sewn to a Romanian ribbon: Kevin in Deva

Some of the Battle-Bar names for this medal are as follows: AZOV. BASARABIA, BUCOVINA, BUG. CAUCAZ, CALMUCIA, CRIMEEA, CRIMEIA. DOBROGEA, DONEŢ. KALMUCEA. MAREA NEAGRĂ, MARE NEGRU (misspelling ?) NIPRU, NISTRU. DNJESTR (for Germans?). ODESA, ODESSA. PRUT. STALINGRAD. Medals can be found with the reverse to the front even on German bars.

Hallo Gentlemen, sorry for the long title of this Topic Title. Recently I have noticed the selling on Ebay of the WW2 Romanian "Crusade Against Communisum" 1941 medal, while the medal was awarded to many German troops the recent auctions have begun to feature strange crossed sword devices on the ribbon, and the descriptions are also being beefed up with Bullshine as well. There were a number of Battle-bars allowed to be afixed to the ribbon, but these have been causing controvesy as well, they came in Silver and Bronze, and debate still rages as to what the silver denotes, Battle-bars for the German awards seem to be available in a smaller size because the Germans favoured a 25mm / 26mm ribbon as opposed to the Romanian ribbon being 38mm. German size bars have been observed sewn to the larger Romanian ribbon, these tend to stand out because the oval ends of the bars are supposed to be bent back behind the ribbon, leaving only the name showing to the front, also some of the oval ends bear a single punch mark for sewing to the ribbon others are found without this and I believe that some of these are modern repros. There are also spelling differences in some of the Romanian place names, but that might be ignorance of the official maker in Germany in WW2, a model of the Romanian medal is also believed to have been produced in Germany and Austria, this comes without the designer name "P.Grant" under the female head of Romania. Here is an example of the sellers spiel: Orden Kampf gegen den Kommunismus, 2.WK mit Schwerter Orden Kampf gegen den Kommunismus, 2.WK mit zus?tzlicher goldener Schwerterauflage auf dem Band With Goldern Swords on the ribbon!!!! * * verliehen unter anderem an Angeh?rige der deutschen Wehrmacht die im Rahmen der Kampfhandlungen mit den rum?nischen Verb?ndeten w?hrend des 2. Weltkrieges gek?mpft hatten. Gestiftet am 1.4.1942 von K?nig Michael I. von Rum?nien. Dieser Orden wurde besonderen Offizieren der rum?nischen Eisernen Garde verliehen, damals gab es eine Elitetruppe von Legion?ren die sich mit Deutschland verbunden hatten. Der Orden wurde auch wie bereits erw?hnt an deutsche Soldaten verliehen. / This Order was worn by an Officer of the Romanian IRON GUARD, he was a member of an ELITE TROOP of the IRON GUARD who joined with the German Army, the Order was also given to German soldiers. Auf der Vorderseite des Ordens ist das Kopfbild von P. Grant, einem Minister des damaligen K?nigs von Rum?nien und folgende Worte: On the frontside of the Medal is the head of P.GRANT, a Minister of the King of Romania, and the following words are written: ROMANIA RECUNOSCATOARE Auf der R?ckseite ist eine Hand die ein Schwert h?lt, die Jahreszahl 1941 und folgende Worte: IMPOTRIVA COMMUSNISMULUI CRUCIADA Sehr guter Zustand mit sch?ner Alterspatina. Do any members have access to the actual III Reich regulations pertaining to the wearing on uniform of Foreign awards and could they post any relavent sections in English for me please. I will post some pictures, these came from Ebay auctions and from a Romanian Forum WW2.ro Thanking you for any response, Kevin in Deva

The rear!

Hallo Pat I speculate your dark cross has just developed a dark patina with time, I took the liberty of high-lighting your original pictures and there is no indication it was given a dark finish, just what time itself as applied to the object. By the way for your reference, most post 1945 Hindenberg Crosses dont carry a maker mark!! the back is blank. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gentlemen just to show the latest price that the Irish Rebellion 1916 medals are rating, and this one is not even for a Combatant!! Link to Ebay Auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...A:IT&ih=018 This one is up to 1,800 GB Pounds with one hor one day to go!!! Kevin in Deva

http://www.bonhamsandgoodman.com.au/about_....php?article=39 The link will take you to the relevent web page, I also posted a copy of what is written here: Records Set to Break Bonhams & Goodman July Sydney Sales 17 July 2006 Bonhams & Goodman's July sales feature some of the most intriguing items to have appeared at auction in Australia. The auction series will begin this Sunday 23 July with the auction of Collectors' Cars and Automobilia. The impressive catalogue of 11 cars and bikes includes a 1934 Talbot 95/101 (85,000 - 120,000) and a 1926 Rolls Royce Phantom I Smith & Waddington Roadster ($80,000-120,000). Of particular interest at the sale of Automobilia is an important trophy (image 3) awarded to the winner of the first official Australian Grand Prix (1929). The trophy awarded to AJ Terdich takes the form of a mahogany and glass cocktail cabinet with a silver plaque affixed to the front. It has remained in the Terdich family's hands since it was presented in March 1929. The Bugatti car that won the race was acquired by the Power House Museum in Sydney. The collectables auction will conclude with 165 lots of Maritime collectables including 150 ship models, Balmain Bugs, steam engines, toys, chronometers and maritime pictures from the Maritime Model Museum Maritime Model Museum once on display in the old Department Store Gowings (now closed) in Sydney (due to expiration of lease). One of the highlights in the sale is an extremely rare museum quality model of a Gun Brig. Built in England, circa 1790-1800, it is fully rigged with comprehensive scratch built deck detail and hand sewn sails. Expected to fetch $15,000 - 20,000, this model is important from Australia's perspective as it depicts the type of of small ship that formed part of the 'First Fleet' to Australia. New records are expected to be set on Monday night, 24 July, when important medals (image 1) are included in the auction of Decorative Arts and Furniture. The interest in Gallipoli war hero Captain Alfred John Shout's medals, including his infamous Victoria Cross*, is expected to create a substantial stir on the night of the sale and set a new world auction record with bidders from Australia and abroad vying for the medals. Also included in this sale is the First Fleet White/Hamond Table c. 1790s (image 2). Made from casuarina (native to the coast of NSW) with tulip wood banding, the table has strong historic significance as it was made from timber (then referred to as ?beefwood') gathered at Botany Bay by the First Fleet. John White (1757-1832), Chief Surgeon to the First Fleet, sent the timber to London where it was made into a table for Sir Andrew Snape Hamond (1738-1828). The table has an estimate of $70,000 - $90,000 but may fetch considerably more. 207 lots will be offered at the sale of Australian, International and Aboriginal Art on Tuesday 25 July. The highlight is undoubtedly Conrad Martens' lost masterpiece View of Sydney from the North Shore (image 2), circa 1840-42. It is an early and large format work painted by Martens within seven years of his arrival in Sydney and was discovered by Bonhams specialists in rural England while undertaking a routine appraisal. The work has an estimate of $240,000 - $340,000. A Kevin Charles (Pro) Hart oil triptych, The Broken Hill Mural 1973, is expected to set a new auction record for the artist when it goes under the hammer. The image captures the true sense of Broken Hill mid last century and the town's history which is inseparable from Pro Hart's own story. Since the artist's death earlier this year, the demand for his work has increased dramatically as evidenced at the Bonhams & Bruce June sales in Adelaide. The large work (90 x 364.5cm) has an estimate of $80,000 - $120,000. All catalogues for the sales are available now online. More Images1234- - - - - - - End of Article - - - - - Next News Story can be found here with regards the sale of the medals: http://seven.com.au/todaytonight/story/?id=29324 * Why they list a V.C. as Infamous is beyond me, and why a V.C is rated beneath a load of Cars and steam models is also curious, apparently they are being sold to raise money for medical care for the Grandson of the V.C. winner. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Joe many thanks for your reply, and no dont go taking anything out at this time of night especialy if its gonna be a pain in the buttocks to get it in again Many thanks again from Kev in Deva, Transylvania where the vampires grow naturaly garlic free