Meet the Maker

A long while ago (in blog years anyway), probably in the early eighties, I bumped into a rather pleasant fellow at a Liverpool Comic Fair. The conversation naturally turned to toys and ultimately to Spacex and SWORD. We traded details and after I left we corresponded briefly. Years later, the local library in Southport held a commemorative exhibition for Dan Dare, which had a fabulous display of models and other materials. It wasn't till later that I discovered that the builder of some of the models was in fact the same Mike Burrows who I had met at the Bluecoat Chambers. Even later, when the blog was up to speed a certain M.Burrows began to comment on the articles and I was pleased to make his acquaintance once more. During Woodstocks second visit to Mars Base, I invited Mike over to meet myself and Woodstock in person and a great evening was had by all. 

I've long been an admirer of Mikes work, especially his amazing dioramas, so it was my great pleasure to visit Glenn Field itself at the weekend and see Mike in his workshop. Mike built a large modular diorama of Glenn Field to accomodate the Aoshima Zero X model, complete with strip and hangars. During my brief visit, Mike revealed some of the secrets behind his fabulous models and his amazing photography. In order for everyone else to get an insight into the man behind the magic, i'll let Mike take up the story from here:

"It goes without saying that I’ve always liked the Anderson series,  the models of course, and in particular the model sets. I loved creating little scenes for my Anderson toys along with my Spacex and Sword stuff. When Space :1999 turned up on TV in the early seventies I wasn’t that taken with the series but I thought the models were pretty good, and to my mind fairly simple to make. Mainly basic shapes, I tended to use sanded and filled hardwood with a few bits of plastic kit and brass tubing stuck on them.  Add a spray job and some Letraset , and hey presto a reasonable representation.

Along with most people,  I generally like to have an outlet for my creativity.  I  suppose the first  Fanderson  convention in 1980 was a bit of a turning point – I suddenly I found a lot of like-minded people who  enjoyed the same stuff I did. I saw a lot of great scratch built models and met a few interesting people like Phil Rae and Martin Bower who gave me a few pointers.

While I didn’t feel I had the skill or patience to build a huge Fireball or Stingray, I did want to have a go, so for the next Fanderson I entered the model competition with a small Marineville tower (see last photo) made from card, paper and some bits of plastic. Needless to say I didn’t win but I did enjoy the experience.  For the next convention in 1984 I built a studio scale Space City Tower complete with electric motor that turned the main tower. I thought it was a bit different than the usual Thunderbirds offerings and had high hopes – but the judges didn’t see it that way, and needless to say I still didn’t win. Around this time I produced my 2 minute Super 8 film featuring the take off sequence of Fireball. I built an 8’x 4’ set of Space City with a 6’ launch rail and a small wooden Fireball. To put it mildly, the film didn’t turn out the way I would have liked but it was a lot of fun, it spite of what my wife would tell you! 

Not put off, I decided to build a more accurate Fireball model which would require a clear cockpit cover and a top blister.  This involved a bit of Vac-forming using clear acetate.  With this new knowledge the model world was my lobster and from then on I  decided to build a studio scale Fireball  to go with the Tower.

Along with the Anderson shows, I’d always had  soft spot for British comics and Dan Dare. When it was announced that an Eagle exhibition would take place in Southport during 1990 I just had to get involved.  I’d built a small wooden model of Dare’s spacecraft, Anastasia a few months back and figured this could be my way in. Luckily, the organisers loved it (even though most of the models that were eventually displayed were built by model master, Martin Bower) and I found myself in the thick of it. The organisers wanted me to create a moonscape. complete with a base and lander. They paid expenses and I duly obliged. The scene was  eight foot square and great fun to do. I built a couple of other models for exhibit – a Treen Super Shark Fighter and Space Kingley’s Comet spaceship. Even  my Fireball made an appearance.

Recently, a  chance purchase on eBay from Woodsy reignited my interest in creating something in three dimensions. Woodsy directed me to Moonbase Central and the next thing I know I’m back building dioramas for my Anderson toys along with my  Spacex and Sword stuff. It’s funny how things turn out isn’t it!"  - Mike

The Master at work!

Mikes MLP Launch Pad Diorama

Glenn Field in all its glory!

Behind the magic - Mikes wife Laura captures the set up for another cool photo

The final shot!

A selection of collectables and original models from the Burrows Man Cave!