Paddleducks
General => Chat & Off Topic Stuff => Topic started by: sandy_ACS on September 07, 2006, 07:29:17 AM
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:( :(
It is with much sadness that I learned today of the passing of 'Frank Hinchliffe' of 'Mountfleet Models'
Frank passed away on Friday 1st September and his funeral is to be held on Friday 8th September.
Frank was the founder, designer and driving force behind the 'Caldercraft' range and latterly 'Mountfleet models' and his passing is indeed a blow to model boating.
I am sure all of you will feel the sad loss of such a great stalwart, and join me in extending our sincere condolences to Franks family at this sad time.
The surviving members of Frank's family will continue trading under the Mountfleet Models name.
Best regards.
Sandy.
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This is very sad news indeed. I have known Frank for at least 40 years and he was a great asset to the modelling world.
Most of you will just know of frank in the model boat and ship field, but he was an expert in casting and designing white metal figures and artillery pieces.
He started out in the early 60s producujng a range of 54mm white metal kits of field guns and limbers to a quality never seen before that time. He then expanded the range to include limbers, horse teams, supply wagons and some truly large WW2 field pieces. He was at the forefront in the design and and production of a superb range of 25mm wargames figures which set the standard for all producers after that. His next company was Caldercraft where he used his skills in casting to great results.
he has been ill for a number of years but was still very approachable and cheerfull, modelling to the last.
I well remember wargaming the Napoleonic period with him on many occasions. Some of those tussles are lodged in my mind for ever. He could be a devious sod at interpreting the rules and was a devil with light cavalry !!!.
I will miss him along with a multitude of other modelling old-timers. May all his charges reach home and all his wakes be straight. walter Snowdon