First Met!

[Armortek]

I came across this photo this morning and I am fairly sure this was the first time we met Steve Stuart. My first memories of Steve was that he gave me a 'Curly Wurly'! It was at London Olympia at the 'Who do you think you are show' possibly 2008 or 2009.

One of the great things about Armortek is the community, and that as well as being customers, many of you have become good friends too. I know that many friendships have been made between you through sharing a common interest.

Do any of you have any photos of when you first came across Armortek, or indeed how did you first hear of us? Maybe you met another customer that introduced you to Armortek, either way I thought it would be good to share any photos or stories you may have.

Gill

[Stephen White]

That's where I went wrong - no curly wurly....

13th Sep 2008 is the date - Armortek Open Day and this:





Ian Sinclair had just bought the 88 and half track to take to North Africa, where he was going to be working for me. He persuaded me to come, I'd just given up flying for a pastime and was looking for a new "thing". I remember Gill saying there were only three Pz III left, I couldn't get a signal on the mobile to consult with head office and by the time I'd made my decision, the last one had gone. Gill rang a couple of days later to say one had become available and the rest is history. That's three tanks, seven Open Days, Four TankFests, and a huge amount of good fellowship later. You did sell me the dodgy video bundle in the background though Gill.

Through this crazy pastime, my Armortek community now spans three continents, I'm in daily communication with skilled, generous and knowledgeable people, with a variety of experience and a common bond. I've learnt a huge amount, done a lot of rewarding research, spoke to people who experienced tanks at the sharp end, wondered why I ever chose to serve in the real ones and feel part of a real community of interest. Thanks Gill and Mark, it's so much more than a business that you've created.

Stephen

[leesellars]

Armortek Open Day 2007

Lee

[bryanrmassie]

Hi all

I remember having an insurance guy in the house and he noticed some of my 1:35 scale models and said he goes to this show every year and there are model tanks as big as my coffee table, of course I didn't really believe him until I went online ( took about half an hour in those days ) WOW, I couldn't believe it as my heart started to race, I was immediately hooked and said goodbye to the 1:35 forever. I remember ordering one of the first batch of Panthers a few days later and now I'm completely obsessed ( in a good way )!!
Enjoying my build on the PAK 43/41 and awaiting the Sd.kfz 7 which is currently being built by Derek Attree

Keep them coming

Bryan.

[Paul Wills]

Hi all,

I put my deposit down on the 09/01/2004 for the Early Tiger1 and by having access to the forum I soon met Clive Lockwood, Paul Morris, Vinnie Morris, Anthony(Warriorant)Rowley, Steve Norris, Duncan Allender, Roy Pickavance and many others in the North West.

Paul Morris and Anthony Rowley found us a running ground at Leighton Hall and the Armortek Nord West KampfGruppe 1st Panzer kompanie Schwere was born.

Left to right, Anthony Rowley, Steve Norris, Paul Morris, Paul Wills, Vinnie Morris.

http://www.paulstiger1.co.uk/Nord-West-KampfGruppe.htm

Paul.

[Adrian Harris]

My first contact with Armortek was sending off for the flyers for the Sherman and Panzer IV, probably after seeing the advert in a wargaming magazine.

I placed a deposit for a 222 on 17th September 2006 and joined the original forum on 2nd October.

Looking back through my home finance pack, I then bought a Sherman kit in October and a complete running Sherman from Lee in March 2007. I've also just totalled up what I've spent since then...

The first tank meet I went to was at Peter Shaw's running ground in December 2006, with David Ward and Vince Abbott. My first Armortek Open Day was 2008. It's interesting to see from the Open Day photos how the membership of this 'club' fluctuates.

Adrian.

[Derek Attree]

My First time was at War and Peace in 2002
I wanted a Tiger but it was before Mark and Gill took over the company.

I waited a while and ordered the Panther for 2005 this took 2 years to build and is now with a new owner on the continent.

At Olympia (the show Gill pictures Steve at) was I got the PzIII that
became the infamous Stug build this has moved on to David Bradley.

Then followed the Comet which I still own and is still getting detail work added but has still not been run. This I ordered at the south and west show in Bath.

Then last year the Skdfz7 that I am building at the moment came along.
However due to my current health problems that will be going
to Bryan Massie.

During this time Mark and Gill have provided a great product and great
after sales back up too.

Derek

[Dennis Jones]

I met Robin Ellis at Ally Pally model show in 2008. We used to race 1/8 th ic circuit cars back in the nineties. He gave me some Armortek leaflets and I came home and ordered a Panzer III and the rest as they say is history. I too have made a lot of friends as a result as well as being involved with the Tank Museum at Bovington.
Dennis.

[John Davie]

I first came across Armortek through their web site in around 2004 when they were in Daventry, not far from where I lived. However I procrastinated for a while and not being particularly keen on a Tiger 1 I got my first 1/6 tank from elsewhere in 2005.

I was at the Stoneleigh Military Show with the UK Tank Club in January 2007 when I first met and spoke with Gill and Mark. They had brought out the 222 and I thought that it looked interesting to have at indoor shows, so I ordered one. They also had the Halftrack and 88, but I was unsure initially but later in the day I had another look and ordered those two as well.

Always having a preference for British kit I 'had' to get the Comet when it appeared. I then bought a pre-built Sherman as these weren't available as kits, but shortly afterwards the Firefly was released so that was added to the collection, followed by the T34. Then it was back to the British theme with the Centurion and finally the MarkIV and a couple of Kompact kits in between.

So it's fair to say that Gill and Mark have a lot to answer for after that first casual meeting in 2007!!!!!!

[dennypatterson]

in 2005 i went to yeovilton model show, met 3 people who had armourtek tigers, mark ford , barry dominy and jim beer,, and asked them about the building of the tanks, they said was i any good with a spanner, file, and could i read instructions, i said that i had just rebuilt an MGB from the road up,so their reply was "go for it"
in feb 2006 my panther arrived, i visited mr and mrs wakins, at the next yeovilton show, and was told years later by gill, that she said to mark, this customer is going to be "trouble"
now several models later, i have met super people, steven white among them....and my mentors chris fry " build it once build it well"and my "sparks" in chief , dennis jones and not to mention adrian harris,my "add on man"
i,m now known to gill and mark as "TROUBLE"...
the attaached photo says it all.loved every minute.
and appologise to those who have unwittingly joined "des aussenseiter" club

[Stephen White]

Denny, you're a gent. I'm going to come over to your place and help you build the bar for your Armortek bouncy castle. Then you, I and Adrian can do Yeovilton in style. Thanks for all the good times. Oh, do i need collision damage insurance waiver for Yeovilton.....?

See you soon.

S

[simon_manning]

first encounter, tiger 1 on ebay 2005/06, could'nt believe it was all made of metal and it moved like the real thing, after it did'nt sell i made an offer which he accepted, off to south wales to pick the tank up, i was amazed! that was it for me, met some great characters and genuinely interesting people and still enjoy building the kits today. regards simon manning.