Adrian Swain, ABS Models

[Steph Dale]

I'm very saddened to read of Adrian's passing, even if it was not unexpected.

I do recall many moons ago at a show, him spending time with a young novice modeller to sort out parts to complete projects that had been started more in hope than expectation. Thanks to Adrian those projects were completed and added greatly to the confidence of that modeller - a key step on the way to the modelling hobby/career I've now had for longer than I'd care to admit.

Rest in peace, Adrian.

Steph

 

[adrian]

Thank you for letting us know and agreed it's a sad news, I was aware of the situation but it's never nice to hear about it when it finally happens. I can't say I knew him personally but I don't think there isn't a modeller around who hasn't at some point built one of his kits. His range was vast and his knowledge unparalleled, skills as a caster sublime, he seemed to me to be in "the business" for entirely altruistic reasons. I hope we all have a little memento of his contribution to the finescale hobby we enjoy as his contribution should never be forgotten. If there was ever such a thing as a modellers hall of fame then he throughly deserves a place in it.

 

[djparkins]

Thank you for your post Adrian. I hope one or two others from the leading figures on this forum might be along soon to post their respects

DJP

 

[adrian]

Thank you for your post Adrian. I hope one or two others from the leading figures on this forum might be along soon to post their respects

No thanks necessary. I appreciate that you took the time to let us know. I always feel uncomfortable with condolences when I didn't have the personal contact and close relationship that that yourself and others obviously had, so there is always a reluctance to add anything as I struggle to add say any more than has already been said. However that said Adrian S has been a huge influence on a great number of finescale modellers so I felt a response of his passing was due as a mark of respect.

So I will wait with interest your intriguing announcement of a potential range procurement - I hope it might be Cavalier based but that should be a material for a separate thread.

 

[Eastsidepilot]

Sad to hear of Adrian's passing the last time I had any contact with him was many moons ago to buy a Zero Zephyrs kit for a Deeley 0-4-0t.

Col.

 

[dibateg]

Thanks for letting us know David - that is sad news. Adrian's contribution to the hobby is remarkable and many of our model collections benefit from his work.

Thanks Adrian.

Tony

 

[Martin Shaw]

Many years ago I built one of his LSWR road van kits which I seem to remember went together very well and the finished product looked like the prototype. One couldn't, and can't ask of kit maker better than that, so much so that I have another stashed, it's time has probably come to the fore. Rip Mr Swain.
Martin

 

[Deano747]

Very sad news indeed. RIP Mr Swain.

Deano.

 

[JasonD]

Thanks David, there's another respectful, affectionate thread on the GOG forum too. Memories of trips to see you for the flat bits of the first Gilmaur kits and then on Adrian's to get the small, fold-up card boxes of w/m parts off his piano are still clear. As we all know, RIP means Repair In Place in American railroad parlance and I hope it means we get up to something interesting in the next life!

Thanks and RIP Adrian.
Jason

 

[djparkins]

Thanks David, there's another respectful, affectionate thread on the GOG forum too. Memories of trips to see you for the flat bits of the first Gilmaur kits and then on Adrian's to get the small, fold-up card boxes of w/m parts off his piano are still clear. As we all know, RIP means Repair In Place in American railroad parlance and I hope it means we get up to something interesting in the next life!

Thanks and RIP Adrian.
Jason

Indeed Jason

I’ve no doubt Adrian will have a casting shop and mould making area running up there, very quickly - so he can start flogging us stuff when we all get there!

l don’t know whether he’ll be reflecting that models are any less important than he thought them to be on earth though. I rather suspect he agreed with the paraphrasing of the old football saying - models are not a matter of life and death, they are far more important than that!

Best to all

DJP

 

[Joe's Garage]

Rest in peace Adrian and thank you for taking over Eric Underhill's O gauge loco kits, I have uploaded this again as a tribute to both and for good measure Richard Hollingworth gets a look in too!!

A gentleman and thank you.

Julian

 

[John TAYLOR]

I was a member of the EM Gauge group Bournemouth/Poole for twenty years so I met up with Adrian once a month and bought many of his 4mm kits and cast LSWR rail chairs way back in the early 1990`s.

Sadly, you never did find that gorgeous blond with lots of money....

Cheers Adrian for all those GWR bits and pieces always following close to prototype practice.....

My last O Gauge ABS kits completed...... as designed.

 

[John TAYLOR]

Adrian did`nt just specialise in wagons and loco`s he had a vast range of GWR trackside kits of very high quality.

So, this is a moving tribute to his skills....

His early GWR ground signal kit...



I used some extra weights so that the signals return to danger under their own momentum.... and then attached to the turnout crank with thread....

modelling should be fun....

 

[Tim Hale]

Last week, I bought a cheap copy of Bradley’s LSWR Drummond Locos, it arrived this afternoon.

Inside was a handwritten name, Adrian Swain, Napier Road, it was a very poignant moment.

I had known Adrian as a member of the Poole MRC and Wimborne EMGS group, he was such a generous and kind person.

Adrian will always be missed.

 

[john lewsey]

I spoke to Adrián early Last year, he had an LNWR 2-4-2 kit on his table for me. Unfortunately I had to get back to Spain before the lock down hear so I didnt get the kit or have a chance to meet him again. Nice guy
John

 

[paratom]

His castings became the benchmark for other manufacturers.

RIP Adrian.

 

[LarryG]

Adrian never minced his words and cut through bullsh*t with a bulldozer.

 

[7mmMick]

What Fantastic news,

Purchase made thank you David

 

[richard carr]

That's great news, I'm sure this will be the perfect home for the range.

1 BR brake ordered.

Thanks

Richard

 

[John TAYLOR]

Did you paint these or have you left them as-built as a tribute?
They look gorgeous in bare white metal!

Thanks,

As you can see they are at the top of my `to doo` cabinet primed in Closterman Black etch.




but I am frightening them with the airbrush !!