I think it was December 1989, I'd just turned 14 and with one year and a bit of secondary school English under my belt, I discovered Military Modelling magazine in our village bookstore (they don't carry it anymore, but it is still the most easily found model magazine in NL). It had all the usual goodies, but what caught my eye was an article about two Victorian highlanders made and painted by Bill Horan. Man, that was inspiration and a goal to attain!
Five years later, I was a freshman history student at the University of Nijmegen and we took a three day trip to London. Just off the 'chunnel', we stopped over in Canterbury. As all modellers, I have a knack for finding the nearest model shop and lo, I found just such a store with Bill Horan's new book, The Military Modelling Masterclass, sitting in the window. 10 Minutes later much of my weekend budget was gone, but I've read and browsed through it dozens of times. It's a testament to its production qualities that it hasn't gone to bits yet!
So, long story short, I'm not the type to be a 'fan' of anyone very much, with one exception, the above mentioned Bill Horan. When the Antwerp Model Soldier Society announced that he was going to attend their International Painting Competition, I just had to go. Besides, high quality figure painting contests are rare in the Netherlands (in fact, they may well be non-existant), so it'd be a good occasion to see some really well painted figures in real life. And that's what it proved to be. Christy and I drove to Antwerp Saturday, feasted on the models on display, including a case full of Horan's work (but why in a glass case back on the wall!?) and managed to not buy more models (she's much more disciplined than I am in that respect). I did get myself a copy of The Complete Bill Horan and got it signed by the master, yay! (I also got compliments on my American accent. What a disappointment that must be for Messrs. Van Maanen and Eijsink and Mrs. Van den Born who taught me 'proper English' all that time ago).
Below some of the figures on display. The top one is by Horan.
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