Found in a box in my cellar - Jack's boats

I was sorting through some boxes in the old coal cellar (very small basement to US readers) and I came across a box with these two boats/armoured barges.

I bought these from Jack when I was first introduced to him by our mutual friend Stuart Asquith when he still lived in Harrow.

It was a very long time ago and I fell out of love with 54mm gaming only painting one set of crew and they have been in a box for many, many years.  Anyway I thought I would share with you another example of Jack's handy work.  

The boats/barges themselves are made of card.  Jack cast up the machine guns and the sailors come from a range I think he sold to Little Legion but he made them himself.

The roof to the 'steering house' can be removed

and up to 12 figures or equipment can be carried in the hold which also has a removable deck cover.

Jack is 90 this August still making bits and pieces and has just finished gluing together lots of Perry's ACW figures.

54mm Battle of Britain Anniversary set

Went over to Jack's to take some pictures of his 54mm figures and he asked me whether I had ever seen his Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary set which he made back in 1990.  Well the answer was 'no' so I thought I would share some picture's of the boys work.  The added extra being the 100th Anniversary of the RAF.

This is set 217 of 300 I did ask him why he didn't have set 1 or at least a lower number!

Jack's Landau collection

Some pictures of Jack's 54mm collection of Landaus which he produced and are now sold by Little Legions.

The Royal Landau

54mm British PomPom Gun

I still have more 20mm Jacklex models to photograph, but I thought you might like to see some of Jack's 54mm work.

This is a British 54mm gun crew and pom pom gun.  I think they are available from Little Legion.

54mm Admiral's launch

For those who like their 54mm figures, this is the Admiral's launch that Jack made many years ago, just because he liked the idea!  Jack's 54mm  model of HMS Warrior is in the background.

54mm Chinese Junk

Here is another of Jack's 54mm creations.  Built 4 years ago when he was a mere 82!  Again this is scratchbuilt using foamboard, cardboard, paper and metal items such as the cannons and anchors that Jack cast himself.

The figures are the Armies in Plastic Boxers with the odd conversion.

54mm Dapper Class Gunboat

Having made some 20mm Dapper Class Gunboats for me, Jack felt the urge to 'up-scale' and produced this 54mm version.  As with everything else this is scratchbuilt.  Jack made all the rigging using florist wire.  All the guns swivel on this model.

You can see it alongside his 54mm HMS Warrior.  This model is a mere 2 feet long.  I think there was an idea that it would take on the 54mm Chinese Junk which he went on to build.  Needless to say we haven't found a table big enough!

54mm HMS Warrior

One of the things Jack says he likes best is making model ships.  For a while he has mentioned to Bob and I that he wanted to make a 54mm scale model of HMS Warrior.  After telling us about it on and off for a year and the fact that to scale the model would be huge, he set out making a 54mm 'representation' of HMS Warrior.  The model is splendid but big. There were times when I didn't think he would get it out of the room.  It is made with foam board and cardboard with Jack casting the guns and other bits he needed as he went along.

The final model is just over 5 feet in length and 2 foot 6inches in height! and yes, the deck guns do swivel as well.

She dwarfs the 54mm 'Dapper Class Gunboat' which is 2 foot long and the 20mm River gunboat in the foreground.  More pictures of the gunboat to appear soon.

HMS Warrior in all her glory

Jack's 54mm launch alongside the Warrior

Jack and King Hussain

In the 1980s at an RAF Benevolent Society Jack's 54mm Arab Legion figures were presented to the late King Hussian of Jordan for his son, the present king. The set consisted of both camel troops and marching infantry.  Jack was commissioned to produce this set.

Jack's 54mm Arab Legion is presented to the late King Hussain

Jack with the presentation set in the 1980s

54mm Arab Legion marching

Jack today checking on of the figures