Derek Barrett

My father was a professional model maker and keen model railway enthusiast so I can remember being surrounded by models from a very early age. Naturally my interest in models stems from there and I have been making models for more years than I care to remember.

Model Engineer exhibition 1957 at the controls of our model railway

As a young boy I can vividly remember spending my pocket money on the (then) very new idea of plastic kits from Airfix (when they came in poly bags). Over the years I must have built very many models. My father and I exhibited the large model railway layout that we built at several Model Engineer exhibitions in London in the 1950's. I can recall appearing in several newspapers with the model railway when I was about 13 years old.

After leaving school I worked away from home and traveled much of the world, only occasionally having the opportunity to make models. Those that I did frequently got damaged during my travels. It is only since I settled back in England in the last 10 years or so that I have had the opportunity to start serious modelling again.

My interests are mainly in 1/35^th scale armour, but I do have the occasional foray into other subjects. For example, I have recently built a Mercedes Truck, a sinking Titanic and am about to build the Revell USS Constitution.

Since joining Milton Keynes Scale Model Club my model kills have improved out of all recognition, thanks due to the encouragement of the members and from seeing the work of others.

I was elected to the committee in 1998 and from 1999-2000 was proud to have been Chairman. I have spent a considerable amount of my time in developing and editing the clubs Hints and Tips booklet, "The Roundabout Way to Modelling". This has been well received by the club members and has sold well, thanks to coverage in many of the UK modelling magazines.

Models

Click on the photos to be taken to a page about the model or an enlarged photo

Bren carrier This is the Tamiya kit with Airwaves etched brass and bits from the spares box
M113 Another Tamiya kit
M1A1 Tamiya again in Gulf War livery
M4A3 Sherman Tamiya yet again with Milliput sandbags
Vietnam diorama Diorama depicting the AFV Club M88 Recovery vehicle pulling a damaged M48 out of a ditch.
M48 Backdated Academy M48A5.K to make it suitable for the Vietnam diorama.
SU-100 Soviet Self Propelled Gun Italeri-Zvezda kit with Tamiya Russian Army Assault Infantry
German light command car Zvezda KIPzBfWg (Sd Kfz 265). A rather chunky kit but builds up well with a bit of work.
Spitfire The rather old 1/24 Airfix Spitfire built as a commission, just to prove that I do make aeroplanes as well!
Revell SpaePz LUCHS Kit built as review for IPMS Armour SIG
RMS Queen Mary The Revell 1/570 kit built from the box as a commission
RMS Titanic The Revell 1/570 kit converted to display her as she sank in 1912.