Mark's Scale Modelling Story

Like many British boys born around 1960, Mark had World War II servicemen as his heroes. His fascination with the military was fueled by the rise of plastic scale modelling at that time. He favoured 1/72 scale aircraft kits, particularly Revell’s for their slightly superior detail over Airfix and Frog kits. Each Christmas, he looked forward to receiving a 1/32 Revell “super kit” from his grandmother. By age ten, he subscribed to Airfix Magazine, discovering the deeper aspects of the hobby beyond just building kits in an afternoon! Many early articles remain vivid memories even 50 years later (and he still has the magazines). 

At 12, his family left England and moved to a small village in rural New Zealand, where kits were scarce. This mattered little as his interest in girls took precedence over modelling, although he maintained his subscription to Airfix Magazine. His modelling interests changed to 1/24 scale muscle cars, coinciding with obtaining his driver’s license at 15.

During this period, Mark's decade-long dream of becoming a pilot in the RAF/RNZAF ended abruptly at age 15 following spinal fusion surgery to treat four years of chronic back pain, when he was told that he’d never be cleared to use an ejection seat. He spent six months in a plaster cast from hips to armpits, moving 150km to a new town and school a month after his surgery. He recalls continuing to build a few 1/24 model cars but left school on his 17th birthday without completing his exams. Mark's spinal surgery did not fix his chronic pain, despite which, in the following three years, he worked various jobs, including bank clerk, shop assistant, builder's labourer, beekeeper, NZ Wildlife Service employee, and native tree nursery labourer.

At 20, he joined the NZ Army as an officer cadet, being sent directly as a civilian to the Australian Army’s Officer Cadet School. After graduating as a 2nd Lieutentant, he served eight more years in New Zealand, achieving the rank of captain. Commanding a joint Army/Navy team unloading a U.S. supply ship in Antarctica was one of his more unusual duties. During this time, he was married twice; his first marriage lasted three years, while his current one has lasted over 35 years (as at: January 2025). He’s fond of pointing out the prison sentence for murder is only 20 years in comparison!

Approaching 40, Mark found himself as a senior executive with an international role in an American company whilst he continued to reside in New Zealand. Unfortunately, he experienced burnout and severe depression during his tenure. Treatment included advice to engage in a relaxing hobby and exercise, complemented by medication and therapy. He transitioned to jobs mowing lawns, landscaping, and commercial cleaning, and later took on storeman roles for a dangerous goods and a catering equipment company. The hobby he embraced was scale modelling. 

Attending a scale model show in 1996 revealed to Mark the significant advancements in the hobby over two decades. He joined the Auckland branch of the International Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) and made lasting friendships driven by a shared passion for the hobby. Mark also became a kit reviewer for Hyperscale.com for several years, writing hundreds of reviews focused mainly on 1/72 scale products. He called 1/72 scale “The One True Scale,” not only for being the first consistent scale for plastic aircraft kits but also as a playful dig at enthusiasts of other scales. This phrase has gained popularity and is often used by 1/72 scale adherents. Mark stopped reviewing in 2017 due to Parkinson's disease, which made typing articles difficult and too time-consuming.

Mark got to know several kit manufacturers from Australia, the Czech Republic, China, and France by assisting them with their research. He created a comprehensive MS Access database with hundreds of thousands of references on aircraft, military vehicles, ships, uniforms, and weapons. He shares this vast information freely with companies and modellers worldwide.

Since 1997, Mark accumulated over 4,500 unassembled kits, selling around 3,500 of these mainly through Trade Me. He has gained insights into top sources for various brands by purchasing from retailers worldwide. Mark oversees a purchasing group that benefits friends and fellow modellers across New Zealand, allowing them to share shipping costs and access his discounts. He dedicates several hours monthly to manage the orders. He underwrites purchases of $6,000 to $10,000 annually, all transparently and without profit.

Army service and heavy lifting jobs seriously impacted Mark’s body in his 40s and 50s, resulting in three more spinal fusions, a total knee replacement, a fused wrist, and surgeries on both shoulders and an elbow. The year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's also marked his fourth spinal surgery and second wrist operation. Recognizing that he faced a decline in quality of life before turning 65, he chose early retirement.

His prediction turned out to be correct, so by the age of 64, Mark realized he needed to transform his ideas for a charity model gallery into reality before he became too disabled to tackle the job of converting an old, dingy basement garage into a presentable and welcoming space. Aware that his wife would likely disapprove due to worries about his health, he chose to wait until she was abroad visiting family to begin the project unbeknownst to her. Over the course of seven weeks, Mark dedicated 500 hours to installing a floor, framing new walls and a ceiling, fitting a ranch-slider door and windows, as well as plastering, painting, and wallpapering. The only tasks he didn’t handle himself were the electrical work, completed by his son who is an electrical engineer, and some occasional heavy lifting with help from friends.

Images of Mark's garage conversion into a model gallery...

It’s important to acknowledge Fran, Mark's wife, who has accepted his commitment to his hobby and the influence it has on their home. Initially, Mark’s first large green display cabinet variously found its place in the entrance hall, lounge, and a spare bedroom. As his collection of completed models expanded, so did his need for additional display space. For many years, this demand was fulfilled by converting two adjoining spare bedrooms, which Mark fondly dubbed ‘The Modellers’ Lounge.’ With the establishment of the Miniature Marvels gallery, these rooms now function as an office and dressing room for Fran.

Not one to let space go unused, Mark has also made use of the basement, which was originally just bare earth and timber framing. By repurposing materials collected from annual kerbside inorganic rubbish removals and other disposals, Mark has transformed the area with flooring and internal walls to create a spacious workshop, complete with creature comforts such as carpet, heating, and a TV, alongside necessities like a vented spray-painting booth, multiple workbenches, a resource library, and of course, ample shelving for his unbuilt kit stash.

Images of Mark's basement workshop...