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Hello my name is Lenny, I'm a proud Scot and I have a confession. I hate lager or beer, love cider. (I'm quarter Somerset) I hate Scotch Whisky, love Bourbon. Go figure...

The best thing you guys could do is become Scottish, then you would adopt the proper vernacular straight away!

One of the main purposes of the MCN, is to help new collectors, young or old...

For anyone who was wondering, which is probably no one

It's my day off and the chores are done, so I like to have a brew while I mess around with my militaria and chat with my fellow collectors here. I am for the most part a Guinness drinker, but love a good Scottish Ale. I haven't had Belhaven in ages . Now, I hear when in your own country, everyone favors the imports. Let's find out. Where are you from and if you indulge, what is your preference? I'll sit back and sip a few while you all think on that.lol Have a great day!

I am old tho, so I keep getting told ...:)

Superb to have you back @Henri. Just like old times. I went through a similar situation, divorce, sickened with the hobby etc. Remarried just over 4 years ago and a weekend break to Berlin rekindled the interest. The rest, as try say, is history. ...and yes, I love my Land-Rovers, don't have one at the monent, but never say never.

Hi @Norrie, Well your new "Tommy helmet" was made way too late for North Africa and I agree with Mark K the finish would not be like that. I have seen early Mkii desert helmets painted inside the shell, but it was not common at all. The main method was to use a non reflective tan/buff shade of paint, sometimes mixed with sand on the outer shell, but gloss buff paint was used early on in the campaign. D

+1!

Hiya, I'm 60, and literally only just started collecting..an almost complete newbie......and i totally agree with what you say...there are great guys and experts on here, always happy to divulge of their knowledge...good luck to you...:)

I think you are well on your way. As stated before, we all started somewhere. Me, I was about your age when I first started to seriously collect. I have now tipped 50, my wife and I have raised 3 kids (all adults now) she has her horses and I have my medals, and lots of other things that she knows nothing about. It all comes with time. I do hope the attitude of the 'old collectors' have changed since I was a young buck. Back when I started, I would ask a question, pretty much told to go away kid, you are bothering me...OR you can't afford it so leave and let the real collectors have a look at my table.

The only stinky old crap in my collection are my old boots and a t-shirt I bagged up then sent home from Afghanistan. I tried to bottle some of the poo pond smell, but it melted the glass jar. Welcome to the forum. Most of us here are pretty unbalanced, yours truly excluded though.

Hi @Norrie is there a manufactures Mark on the liner perchance....IMHO this Mk II was very probably painted in this color early postwar and it stands a good chance of being an Israeli used helmet and not British issued if it was an army used helm I would expect to see a textured finish to the paint instead of the smooth finish on the helmet body ... And one has to remember that when helmets were over painted this would have been done in the field and not at the factory so there would have been no reason to strip out the liner and components ...This takes nothing away from this helmet at all because if it is indeed an Israeli used helm they are very scarce and hard to source in good condition.. Regards Mark

You have to start and no one ever started with a full collection with high end items that are one of a kind! I started when I was about 17 or 18 years old and in that time "old" collectors told me already that I started to late. Now younger collectors call me lucky that I started in time. Just a lot of BS!!! Do what you like, buy what you find interesting and can afford and don't give a sh#t what others tell you what you need to do! Every millionair started with his first penny!

Harvey, in theory a good idea provided you are prepared for all the cockwombles that will eventually turn up and start to comment on subjects they know nothing about or the trollers who will try to sell items through your forum and those individuals who just like stirring up trouble, dont forget, this was the reason why MCN was set up, to get away from facebook and all the problems involved on there. But if your happy then go for it, and I hope you do well on there

Thanks Dave! Oh well, at that time it was the worst time of my life! Afterwards it was the best thing that could happen to me. She costed me money, but I did not stay behind poor and got stronger because of what happend. Got me a nice girlfriend and we are together now for about 5-6 years. She doesn't mind my hobbies and finds everything interesting and believe me: if you can do that with me.....oohh man....!!!! Well, I am not an experienced modeller in my own eys, but I do know how I want the models look and keep fiddling till I manage! Main interest: WWII allied, scale 1/35. But like you, I also have some 1/32 planes, some boats and other goodies I just like! It is all about the fun!!! Still reading around the forum and there is a lot to see. In time I will also show what I still like to "collect", or maybe better said: what may be added to the items I am interested in. Hope you guys like a weird kind of humor, because that is me!!! Never be offended by what I say or write, because my main believe is: as long as YOU are happy with the piece, who am I to judge or correct you! Have fun, be nice and keep history alive!

I wasn't but joined before you'd start this medals thing, therefore

Welcome Henri, Sorry to hear that you,ve been through a bad time, but glad you,ve put that behind you and resumed the hobby. Modelling is a very easy way to relieve stress and the more you do the better you get. Your models are very detailed and that is the sign of a patient and experienced modeller . There are a few of us on here who like modelling , myself included. I like 1/35th 1/16th and 1/32nd,1/24th, both figures, tanks,and aircraft, much to my wifes dismay. You will enjoy yourself here, its a different vibe to all the others out there and we like a friendly atmosphere with advice on any subject, so post away and be prepared for some excellent collections

Thanks guys for the warm welcome again! Well, the scale modelling is something like the collection I had: if I start something I do it good or I don't do it! Of course it needs practice and a bunch of fellow modellers around who can teach me the tricks of the trade, but at the end you have to do it your self. I am currently working on a project that Lenny likes....I think! As far as I could remember Lenny is a real Landy nut and I am now working on a Land Rover Defender Wolf with a Milan installation. Something "modern", but hey, you have to try everything! Will be set in a small diorama that represents Iraq or Afghanistan. There were I can I will submit on topics with the knowledge I still have or reference pictures from my own collection I had or still have.

Here are some photos of a very interesting Soldbuch along with associated paperwork in my collection that once belonged to Erich Berger an Obergefreiter in Stab Nachschub Kolonne Abteilung 909 Afrika. The supply column was formed on 25 May 1941 at Wehrkreis III [Berlin area] and sent to Africa. Die Nachschub-Kolonnen-Abteilung 909 wurde am 25. Mai 1941 im Wehrkreis III als Personal-Abteilung mit sechs großen Kraftwagen-Kolonnen als Heerestruppe aufgestellt. Die Abteilung verlegte nach Afrika, wo sie mit Beute-Kfz ausgestattet wurde und unterstand im September 1941 dem Kommandeur der Armee-Nachschubtruppen 585 bei der Panzergruppe Afrika. Sie gliederte sich zu diesem Zeitpunkt in: 1. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 2. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 3. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 4. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 5. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 6. große Kraftwagenkolonne 60 t 7. große Kraftwagen-Kolonne für Betriebsstoff Kraftwagen-Werkstattzug Im Mai 1943 wurde die Abteilung in Tunis vernichtet. [Lexikon de Wehrmacht] D

Well, title says it all! After a long time I am back at the MCN forum. I was a member on the old forum and just checked that I had ID# 98 there. Who I am: Henri from the Netherlands. Started collecting in 1989 and added anything to my collection that crossed my path and looked interesting. Later on I concentrated on mainly British and US stuff, with a main interest in Airborne, SOE, OSS, RAF and USAAF. Builded me a special building for my collection in 2002 and had 17 complete battle ready mannequins and sh#tload of displaycases with small stuff and other goodies. In 2008 i got a divorce slapped around my ears that cracked me as a collectors as also as a person. I had a good lawyer and my complete collection was untouchable for the wicked witch she appeared to be! After a year I of doing everything what God has forbidden, I got more or less back to my sences and picked up collecting again. How ever, it was not what it was before after a life changing experience ( well, that was it for me!) It followed by a few incidents with people I called friends ( collectors that had become close friends). They stabbed me in the back for idiot reasons. After that I was so fed up with the complete military collectors world that I decided from one day on the other that I would quit! Everybody told me stupid, but I did not feel the same again like I started collecting. I kept my decision unspoken for the world for a year, to be sure for my self and only told some close friends ( but what are friends????). After that year I still did not got the urge again to keep on going so from that day on I started selling my collection bit by bit. Some of my mannequins were sold to a mueseum, some to private collectors. The same for a lot of loose items. But from the 17 mannequins I still have 9 and also a lot of loose items. There were still items I liked and I decided I would not sell them. Hell, I even still add these to the "small" collection when I come across it or someone wants to trade it for something I want to sell. This are U.S. and Commonwealth ration items, tabacco items and escape items. Also some personal stuff like watches and hygiene items, but these don't have my main interest. Don't get me wrong: I still love a good museum and can enjoy a nice private collection, but I don't feel the urge anymore to own it my self. I don't visit many militaria shows any more, do not look for a specific ration or tabacco item. I just see what comes on my path! After the decision that I would stop collection, I picked up an other old hobby again after 25 years: military scale modelling! Love to do it and attend competition all over Europe with a couple of idiots that like to do the same! So, why did I join the MCN again? Well, I do like facebook, but it gets more and more restrictions. MCN always had a good group of guys that were serious. Here I can may be sell some of my stuff, but also show and search for the items I still like! My story in nutshell! If you want to know more: just ask! Regards, Henri P.S. some of my work I made the last few years. Everything scale 1/35, except the Mini that was 1/24.

Bloody typical !!! Following on from my recent post.......... ....................I spend all those years looking for a WW2 dated 6lber shell, a friend very VERY kindly sends me one, then the very next week......... ......at the carboot, for some reason I deliberately missed out a 'row'. Tailing back to the car 30 minutes later having found nothing from WW2, I remember the row I skipped and went down it. Third car in, trench art shell cases! Some nice WW1 shells, and some totally butchered WW2 2lbers. I was just about to walk away when I saw some old fire pokers sticking out of a partially covered brass tube. Uncovered it and bugger me!!! WW2 dated 6lber shell case. I didn't even haggle when the booter told me what he wanted for the shell. I parted with my £3 and went back to the car. This is very fortuitous as I just happen to have a flat top 6lber solid shot shell, ground dug relic. As the shell case was already half shiny, I shined it up properly and will now paint the flat top in the correct colour. I think I'll also try to pick out the embossed stamps on the projectile. A very nice pair I have now!!

Well, I have acquired my first full size mannequin. I have named him,Ludwig(after Beethoven)and as you can see devoted to the DAK. At present, it is a mix of original and reproduction , aside from the boots and the shirt,all is good. I will swap out the repro stuff as the funds come in an I can afford orig. He could use some tan. There is someone in one of these photo's who is looking for a spanking!

I am now getting my self back on my seat after laughing my ass off!!!!

....and some more pictures I thought you guys would like!

Nothing at all wrong with a good Bourbon @Lenny!

Especially the old....:)

Hi @Norrie, I think this one is good and it was an early army helmet with khaki green gloss finish. Look for a date on the liner you should find it if you look hard enough. I would think 1938/39 would be accurate. Can you do a closeup photo of the "M" please. D

Dang, you guys and your freakin British terms got this crazy Canuk all screwed up trying to figure out what you are saying. Jobby disturber... just call it $hit disturber. LOL

Mark,I have NEVER,EVER raised havoc in my whole life!You're giving me a bad name by saying that mate,but if you're referring to my clashes with the Mafiosos/crooks/forgers at the Shithouse,aka Wehrmacht Awards* and the Mobsters at Warelics* well....comparing those places to this is like comparing apples and oranges!This forum is the frendliest I've ever been part of and superbly moderated by the likes of Lenny and Dave!There are no primadonnas.no drama queens,no undercover sh#t-stirrers like WAF's Lucky Duck, no grave robbers like Dimas and Collectrussia* amongst the others,no convicted felons...in a nutshell;this forum is a somewhat "enlarged" family while the others are the collecting community's equivalent to St. Quentin and Alcatraz! *I stand behind my words,spoken or written while taking FULL responsability for them !

My Poison.... J2O!

Just a DAK picture I have laying around.

Thank God that our VCs are considered too rare to be just sold off for pennies, its a great shame that these types of awards from America find their way out of family possessions

Good luck Buddy!

You've always been a jobby disturber @Manu Della Valle ...lmao...

Very nice collection! Grenades in The Netherlands is a "No GO", even when they are inert! ( at least......they are a "no go" if you want everything "officially") Never the less, impressive to look at!

Hi @Norrie, Wow great research and what a flying record F.O John Reid had. D

Hi all A new addition to the models on the ceiling in my warroom. Bristol Beaufighter, 1/32nd scale Not the best model kit in the world, (Revell), with some major modifications needed to get it to fit together properly, but once it was together I think it looks awesome Very pleased I went with the NF version as well, as it makes it really stand out against everything else on the ceiling.

Wilkommen Henri, it's good to have you here, sad story about the divorce and such but those models are fantastic, I'm no good at it myself!

Here are some photos of a scarce 1943 Panzerarmee Afrika Kalender complete with it's rare original map still present. However, these maps really did not reflect the Germans position in North Afrika at the time of issue. D

Glad to have you here @Henri we aren't a bad bunch Nice models. Look forward to more posts from you.

This is the official list of craft he flew during his 5 years in the RAF....when the head of records chap at Hendon Museum saw it, all he said was....WOW !!!! made me feel real good...:)

That really is a scum bag, What annoyed me so much about my scum bag was that he used to come round and ask me for opinions on values for all the badges he had, which I thought he was a newbie collector, but then I found out he was selling them as fast as I was giving a valuation. I actually asked him for money for my time and valuation once. He thought I was joking, so I stopped helping him, but he kept turning up like a bad penny

That guy sounds like a right c#^*! he'd be walking the other side of the road with me too mate...

Hetz,you have,nt said anything wrong mate, in fact I did,nt even see your reply until now. I,m talking about dishonest collectors who do this all the time. I have a bloke near me who does exactly that. buys from house clearances from old ladies or families who are a bit hard up, and then wants full or even above prices for them.

I'm the same way I've boght things from vulture (family members) that just want cash don't care about honor or family pride

I believe birdie and cockade are reproduction. D

Terrific stuff @Lenny..... just looking for something to wipe the dribble off my chin

Great photo Thanks for sharing. D

Watch your spelling when replying to Steve's posts guys, I just got ripped to shreds on Facebook, I'm currently thinking about becoming a recluse for the rest of my days.