A Wonky Story

Three decades later, The Wonky Sprue is back! Think of this site as a scrapbook of gluey fingers, paint mishaps, unexpected wins, and miniature miracles. Join me as I fumble, learn, and create—bringing tiny worlds to life one delightfully wonky sprue at a time.

The Wonky Sprue's Return

Many moons ago, I was building Tamiya armour with nothing more than a tube of CA glue, a bit of midnight oil, and very little sleep. Out of that chaos, a Challenger 1 was born—and by the next evening it was painted. Yes… I was impatient.

Then life took a turn toward the outdoors. I fell in love with mountain biking, climbing, hiking—pretty much anything that involved fresh air and muddy boots. Needless to say, modelling and the great outdoors don’t mix particularly well.

Time flies when you're having fun

Fast-forward more than 30 years. I’ve learned a little patience, gone through life-changing surgery, and felt the need to slow down. A volunteer at work showed me some of his recent armour builds, and something instantly sparked. Before long, I’d bought myself a Rye Field Models Panzer IV with a full interior—because if I’m going to return to the hobby, why not make it difficult for myself? (You’ll see this theme crop up again and again.)

Now, where did I put my glasses

And now I’m here—back at the bench, glue on my fingers, surrounded by tiny plastic parts—and eager to share this renewed passion. I want to pass on whatever enthusiasm, knowledge, and skills I’ve picked up along the way, and just as importantly, share the journey: the wins, the mishaps, and the wonderfully wonky moments.

For the record: I still have more enthusiasm than skill… but that’s half the fun.

A Community of Modellers

While The Wonky Sprue is a personal project, it’s also a place for modellers of all levels to connect and share their passion. As the secretary of the Helston Scale Model Group—and a regular visitor to other local clubs—I’m committed to fostering a friendly, supportive community where everyone feels welcome. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, we’re all united by the same love for this wonderfully absorbing hobby.

"The Wonky Sprue is a refreshing take on scale modelling! It's great to see someone embrace the imperfections and focus on the fun of the hobby."

A fellow modeller from Camborne, UK