WORKSHOP
BRIAN BORLAND
Brian Borland is well known around NZ and abroad as an accurate and determined builder of fine RC scale models. He has been to world championships and Top Gun as well as many trips across the Tasman.
His present working area came about by default. Within five years of building his house many years ago, he started Scalecraft Models, making display models for the likes of Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Ansett and Gulf Air. He started with what was then the“ den” in the house, a room specifically for modelling. It wasn’ t long before he not only needed more room, but also to get the constant smell of polyester resin out of the house.
In 1978 he built a carport and added a room to that. This has been his workshop for some time now. The airline model business was moved to larger commercial premises in Birkenhead which left a dedicated modelling space. There is still a supply of remnants from the Airsail manufacturing days.
His Vampire project is almost his sole focus but he also has a Hawker Hunter, a Dave Platt P51, a prototype Percival Provost all needing to be finished. The“ Duxford” Hurricane needs to be refurbished and put back in the air, he says, and he still needs a big bucket for his list of” need-to’ s.”
The aim of this page is to present a regular column which features modeller ' s workshops, their favourite tools and techniques. We hope you might find the column interesting and even informative, and we invite suggestions for future candidates! If you have a layout you find works well, or a technique or tools you would like to share, or a model you enjoyed building in your workshop, let us know!
Brian’ s list of top tools and aids ….
Proxxon Hand held Tool Scroll Saw Band Saw Perma Grit tools
Optivisor Small Drill Press Assorted small Clamps Three sizes of Sanding Bars