Ian Sayer – in-house photographer

SMN ‘Meet the Team’ Questions

Modelling

What first attracted you to Scale Modelling?
Always liked miniatures and making things. I was an only child and used to amusing myself.

How long have you been scale modelling for?
55 years (although not so “scale” for the first 10!)

Specialist area of Modelling?
Alternates between aircraft and model railways

Preferred Scale?
1/144, 1/72 and 1/48

What is your favourite real subject of all time (aircraft, armour or maritime)?
F100 Super Sabre

The best thing you’ve ever built?
Rescuing a Matchbox Buccaneer started by my son and eventually making a presentable model out of it

And finally: Most memorable Modelling disaster?
Messing up canopies with early superglue because I didn’t know about the vapour and, of course, this comes near the end so it only happens after a lot of work!

Scale Modelling Now

How long have you been a reviewer for?
I am not a reviewer. I have been the house photographer since inception because, prior to that, I had frequently supplied Geoff with photos, particularly “walk-rounds” to help him with magazine articles, books, etc.

What made you get involved with SMN?
Geoff asked me to.

What’s your favourite thing(s) about SMN?
The “walk-rounds” and, in particular, their ease of use. You don’t have to be worried about getting paint on a £50 book; you just print off the picture again.

Favourite SMN review?
Not my field

About You…

Sum yourself up in no more than five words.
Stubborn, persistent, patient, occasionally pedantic

Biggest hobby/hobbies outside of Scale Modelling?
Photography – primarily aviation

Favourite food/meal?
Varies with my mood but probably a toss up between Indian and Mexican

Three famous people who you admire
1. Hugh Dowding – he did exactly the right thing by refusing to send Spitfire squadrons to France, saved this country by doing so, and Churchill sacked him for it.
2. John Maynard Keynes – George Osborne please note.
3. Buddy Holly – he saved me from the interminable tedium of the 1950s.

And finally…tell us a (clean) joke…
What’s the difference between a catfish and an investment banker?
One is a ruthless bottom-feeding predator, and the other one is a fish