Hello and welcome to my World War 1 aircraft models site.

I started constructing plastic model kits as a child, many years ago, but as happens, stopped as I grew up and didn’t start modelling again until I was in my early twenties. Another long break in modelling followed whilst I served in the Royal Air Force and later, as a civilian Technical Author. I’m now retired and find the time to fill my days with my passion for modelling. Although my 27 years in the Royal Air Force was spent on both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, my passion was always aircraft of the period covering World War 1 and therefore the models I build are those types of aircraft and in 1:32 scale. Most of these models have been modified and/or corrected to make them as authentic as possible. It was during my service career that I aquired the name ‘Sandbagger’, due apparently to the many ‘tall’ stories I would tell. Gallery Contents My models are shown on separate pages and some are accompanied by a ‘build log’ created in PDF format. These build logs detail, where possible, details of the pilot and of the particular aircraft. They also include reference material photographs and drawings as well as full stage by stage chapters on how the model was constructed. The build logs are for modellers to download and use as either a building guide or as reference material. The PDF’s have book marked Chapters if viewed in ‘Adobe Reader’. Look for the ‘PDF’ icon. Since 2007 I’ve been involved with the World War One flight simulator ‘Wings Over Flanders Fields’, created by Old Brown Dog (OBD). In addition I created the web site ‘EAW Tally-Ho’, which since 2002 has hosted third party modifications for the flight simulator ‘European Air War’, originally released by MicroProse. Mikes WW1Aircraft Models  2018

About

e:sandbaggeruk@sky.com

I’m Mike Norris and I live in Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom.

After leaving school at the age of 15 I took up an indentured engineering apprenticeship as a toolmaker. After I completed my apprenticeship, I worked on as a skilled toolmaker for a few years before deciding to join the Royal Air Force in 1971. I then served for a total of 27 years before being ‘de-mobbed’ in 1996, after which I started on my third career as a Technical Author working in the UK military aerospace industry. I continued in this role until 2016, when I retired from full time employment. After retirement I made use of a ‘spare’ room at my home and converted it into my ‘man cave’, where I spend most of my time either making models and working to create my model build logs. The photograph above is me at the RAF Museum, Hendon (I’m in the centre). When I’m not building models or creating the associated build logs, I can pass the time with either flight or driving simulators, using a dedicated PC or games console, both of which have dedicated seat and controller set ups. I’ve tried to obtain one of each type of aircraft from World War One that are available from current and past manufacturers in 1:32 scale, which include Wingnut Wings, Roden, Special Hobby, Planet Models, Academy, Aviattic, Hobby Craft, Omega, HPH Models, Copper State Models and Lukgraph. Occasionally I convert models to represent aircraft types that are not available. More models will be added to this site as they are completed. I hope you find my models of interest.