Bill Wilkinson - King of the paddle tug modelers

[Paulrjordan]

Well after Stuart's "eye feast" of his new feathering wheels, prepare
thyselves for another Paddleduck treat!!!

This message is LONG OVERDUE and should have been posted at the
beginning of this month, but what with Model Boat Shows and the
'flu...well you know!!!

Those of you who have been subscribed to UK boat modeling magazines
over the past 10 years cannot fail to have noticed impressive photos
of some enormous sidewheeler models which have been showstoppers in
the public displays they have appeared at. In fact I posted a picture
of one at the very start of "Paddleducks" in our files server showing
someone sitting right INSIDE the model of the famous old Royal Navy
sidewheel steam tug "Pert". I tried for the best part of a year to
contact the builder of these models, and only this January was
successful in locating a contact... in fact the young man sitting in
the model shown in the picture we have. His name is Paul Chester and
he assists Bill Wilkinson, the builder, in transporting these huge
models to major shows. He told me that Bill is not a fan of "new
fangled technology" and spends his time planning and building bigger
and better models rather than sitting at a keyboard..(ah how
refreshing to know the "old school" still exists!)

Paul has spent the past few months putting together an online tribute
to his mentor and his fleet, and I've waited until the Website was up
and running before mentioning it to our group. Well... now go and
take a look and, without me taking up any more time with inadequate
words, let the wonderful photos speak for themselves! You won't
believe your eyes!!!

I really do think that you'll all agree that Bill Wilkinson is the
undisputed King of British Paddle tug modeling and I am going to make
a special point of looking him up when I visit the UK again in
May...espcecially as his latest project, which is an astounding 25
FEET LONG is due for launching this year!!!

You'll find pictures of Bill's magnificent paddlers and his other
models at:
www.modelmania.btinternet.co.uk

Enjoy and if you wish to send a personal message of appreciation to
Bill (he lives modestly alone and Paul says that when he learned of
such worldwide interest in his models he was heard to say "It made my
Christmas") you can email him c/o:
P.J.Chester@btinternet.com

Paul Chester is also a delightful fellow and would love to hear some
encouraging words about the website he has put together.

PJ

[Paulrjordan]

Try this,,better with one click:

http://www.modelmania.btinternet.co.uk/

By the way, the first picture you see on the website is of Bill
sitting inside his Royal Navy Sidewheel Steam Tug "Cracker" (one of 6
"Dromedary" Class Tugs, this one built in 1900 by London & Glasgow and
scrapped 56 years later at Grays, Essex.)

Paul (Chester) who has put up the website is the young fellow to the
right of the picture holding the bridge and superstructure and about
to lower it over Bill's head!

PJ