Meet the Team
Gary Madgwick
Managing Director - Gary, The Big Cheese, has had a life long interest in aviation and modelling which he has continued to carry forward with him to the present day. His father helped him make models from Airfix Sherman tanks to the classic Airfix Dog-fighter double sets as a child and he was immediately hooked.
Beginning his professional life, he was initially in the British Army, serving a short service commission serving in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Belize and Rhodesia before re training in Architecture. He is currently a Director of a Architectural & Interior Design Practice and has worked on many famous building around the world as well as working full time as a Director for an International Construction Consultancy. He is also the Building Development Director for Wantage Silver Band where he has designed a state of the art music centre. Having been associated with the band since 2003, Gary likes to nurture his passion for music through playing the Tenor Horn, alongside his son and wife who are also very capable musicians.
Gary established The Aviation Workshop, over a decade ago an importer of decals from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. No other company was distributing such stock in the UK at the time and in the knowledge that he wasn't the only interested party he decided to stock the limited run decals. The rest is now history as The Aviation Workshop is the largest decal producer in the UK.
Gary has written for many publishers over the years including IPMS (UK) Magazine, AirFrame magazine, Combined Forces, Scale Aviation Modeller and many other magazines and publications around the world. He is also a keen photographer with over 400 hours logged in military aircraft as a photographer, from Chipmunk to Apache and Tornado F3. His writing and photographic library has been used to good effect since 1997, as in 2003 the first of the On-Target Publications was released and the company has now produced many more Profiles, Specials and Spotlight books with many new titles in production.
He has built a close and trusted team within the Aviation Workshop including decal and book artists, authors and photographers in his strive for accuracy and his passion for perfection.
gmadgwick@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Andy Donovan
Commissioning Editor & Non-Executive Director - Andy is one of our authors and artist for the Aviation Workshop having previously worked in the General Aviation industry. He attended the University of Portsmouth from 2003 and graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Physical Geography. During the course Andy passed selection for Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve service and spent several years undergoing Elementary Flying Training with Southampton UAS based at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. He also served a short period as OIC Flying Operations for the squadron and spent time in training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005. Having developed a keen interest in competitive shooting Andy has also been a member of the RAF Target Rifle Team, and trained an extremely successful UAS team which went on to dominate the annual Skill-at-Arms meet of that year.
After leaving university he applied for commissioned service with the Royal Air Force and passed through the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell. Having been selected for training as a pilot he began his Initial Officer Training course at RAF Cranwell in January 2009. Due to the demands of this high-tempo course Glenn Sands was asked to become an Assistant Project Manager for the company's publications and assumed the role for 2009. Andy is an enthusiastic squash player and is also passionate about the ski slopes, despite not getting away as often as he might wish! He previously found time for illustration, producing both profiles and front covers for TAW although has now joined other members of the team whose contributions depend on prior commitments to the Royal Air Force.
Beginning his working association with the Aviation Workshop in 1999 Andy assumed the role of Project Manager in 2006 and alongside Gary became directly responsible for the co-ordination and presentation of many of the company's major titles from books to decals. He has been at the centre of a number of logistical and organisational changes, including the redesign of the company's web site.
In 2009 Andy joined the RAF and graduated as an officer in August, he is currently in his flying training period but is still actively involved with The Aviation Workshop carrying out the artwork for a number of titles and can also be seen at Model Shows. We would all like to wish him the best of luck in 'gaining his wings!'.
adonovan@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Andy Kime
Author - Andy Kime has been modelling since the days he helped his father build the 'Transport of Yesteryear' series that came free with the Cornflakes! Today he uses modelling to express his many and varied interests in military aviation. Joining the Royal Air Force as a direct entrant after attending The Kings School, Grantham, he is, like Mark Attrill, a serving logistics officer, making the most of the opportunities this provides to study aviation history, contemporary air power and to discuss military aircraft topics with operators, maintainers and enthusiasts alike.
Andy joined The Aviation Workshop team in March 2007 after arranging an 'Away Team' visit to the resident aircraft and squadrons at RAF Waddington. The research trip encompassed detailed photographic sessions with the Sentry AEW.1, Sentinel R.1, Nimrod R.1, Avro Vulcan, plus a visiting Chinook and a 32(TR) Squadron Agusta A109. This effort was part of the research for the upcoming ISTAR decal sheet in which Andy subsequently became deeply involved. At around this time he was propositioned to provide the words to accompany the mammoth project that was to become the 'RAF Germany' book and since then he has become a charismatic and enthusiastic member of the team. He would however freely admit to discovering just how hard it is to commit those first words to paper!
Andy enjoys the opportunity to work on The Aviation Workshop stand at numerous shows throughout the year and also to meet similarly minded modellers. He relishes the opportunity to discuss current products and potential future projects - something on which most customers have a view and which The Aviation Workshop relies upon for inspiration.
akime@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Glenn Sands
Magazine Editor & Non-Executive Director - Glenn has held an interest in aviation and modelling for as long as he can remember and blames his Dad on both counts! He has been a keen photographer from a young age with most of his shots focusing on wings or rotors. After completing his academic studies Glenn first began to work as a freelance photographer for the main city paper in Portsmouth, which gave him a taste for the rush and tear of the publishing world. In addition to photography he received further training on all aspects of the printed media. When an opportunity arose to work as an editor at Aerospace Publishing in London, the publishers of World Air Power Journal and Wings of Fame, the post seemed to be a natural next step for Glenn. He subsequently moved to IPC Media to work as a freelance feature writer supplying articles to magazines as varied as Woman's Own, Jets and Aeroplane Monthly, where he developed the original concept and idea for the Datafile reference section.
A large upheaval followed when he traversed the world to work in Australia as a freelance writer for a year. During this period he worked closely with the Royal Australian Air Force on a number of modern and historical articles, also becoming a temporary member of the SPASM model club in Melbourne. Now working as a freelance aviation and modelling journalist, Glenn has had features published over the years in Aircraft Illustrated, Air Forces Monthly, Scale Aircraft Modelling, Model Aircraft Monthly and ModelArt Australia. He is also a trusted member of the Aviation Workshop team and after many years of support and contribution stepped up to assist in a Project Management role at the beginning of 2009.
gsands@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
James Lawrence
Book Design & Layout - James has had an interest in military aviation ever since attending the 'Fighter Meet' Airshows at his local airfield, North Weald. Making models in his early teens, James realised models and Mum's dusting don't mix! so he chose to concentrate his attention to his chosen career of graphic design.
With over 12 years experience as a designer, he has had a varied career in print, marketing and advertising. Such work has included working on contract for Serco Aerospace providing media services support to a variety of RAF and joint service units such as the RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine, RAF HQ Provost & Security Services and the Joint Arms Control Implementation Group (JACIG). Other careers paths have lead to designing the packaging and advertising for flight sim add-ons for Just Flight, layout work for PC Pilot magazine, marketing & advertising for Ian Allan Publishing, Midland Publishing and various other publishers of all sizes.
Many reading this will probably be aware of the one job James is most proud of - 'Big Cat Diary - The Last Year of the Jaguar with 6 Sqn RAF'. Wg Cdr John Sullivan approached James to design his book with the end result doing justice to the Jaguar and his squadron's service.
James joined TAW Team in 2009 to bring some fresh ideas as well as ensuring the QA of the books is maintained. With his aviation knowledge, combined with his graphic design skills, James has quickly become an essential part of the team and works closely with Neil Robinson and Andy Donovan. James is also a very accomplished artist and his artwork will shortly be appearing in our books.
jlawrence@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Judith Chapman
Accounts & Office Manager
accounts@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Kevin Nunn
Product Development Manager & Non-Executive Director - Kevin joined The Aviation Workshop in the summer of 2009 as the Product Development Manager. His knowledge of the industry and contacts within our hobby are vast.
Many customers will know Kevin from his days as the owner of Brigade Models before his semi retirement and employment as advertising Manager at Scale Aircraft Modelling before joining TAW. Since joining TAW he has already developed new markets and retail outlets as well as starting to develop the resin range and is working with Mark Attrill on the Joint Ventures with the mainstream manufacturers.
After serving in the London Fire Brigade where he rose to senior rank level, undertaking various roles along with the main one of attending 999 incidents, Kevin’s successful career was sadly cut short due to a injury. Only able to do certain types of work because of this, he applied his numerous skills attained in his previous career to work within the model hobby industry. Having previously created a range of injection moulded conversions under the M&E label, upon retirement he established Brigade Models whose activities included show retailing, a shop, along with a new range of conversions under the Brigade Models label. Due to health factors he scaled back this work load. Kevin is now working for us developing new products and markets along with assisting the industry in many ways as his knowledge and understanding of how it works is almost unique within the industry and hobby.
knunn@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Mark Attrill
QA and Sub-Contract Manager, Non-Executive Director - Mark is a serving Officer in the Royal Air Force with a lifelong interest in military aviation and history. He attended the UK Staff College in 2002 and holds a Master's Degree in International Relations and Defence Studies from King's College, London. As a keen aviation photographer, Mark occasionally had his work published in UK aviation titles during the 1980s before his first full commission, for Airframe Magazine, in 1990. Since then, he has produced numerous photo-articles for the mainstream UK and International Aviation and Modelling Press.
After co-authoring several aviation book titles Mark produced his first solo book, Tiger! Tigre! Tigros! - The Squadrons of the NATO Tiger Association, which was published by Airlife in 1997. Mark has had a long affiliation with the NATO Tigers and has been the official Press and Public Affairs Adviser to the Association for 10 years. Mark has also been a regular participant on the UK scale model scene, attending his first IPMS Nationals at Stoneleigh in 1987. He has also worked as a consultant or researcher on colour schemes and markings for a number of kit and decal manufacturers including Aeromaster, Hasegawa and Revell.
Mark formally joined the Aviation Workshop team in January 2004 and, with Mark Rolfe, helped to launch the Spotlight series with their first book, on a personal favourite, the Dassault Mirage F.1. As Series Editor, Mark is largely responsible for determining which titles will appear in this particular series but is also called upon to assist with the preparation of other TAW publications, such as Profile Plus 9 on the 'legacy' variants of the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F/A-18 Hornet. A valued member of the team and in spite of a busy year in 2009 and the challenges of a recent tour of duty back in the Balkans and a more permanent relocation to Stavanger, Norway, Mark continues to work on developing the Spotlight Series and is looking forward to embarking on the next three titles covering the Westland Lynx, BAe Sea Harrier and Sea Vixen.
mattrill@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Mark Rolfe
In-House Illustrator - Mark Rolfe has worked as a freelance technical artist for 21 years as MRTA (Mark Rolfe Technical Art), During that time, he worked for a number of distinguished publishers and publications in the United Kingdom and overseas. These include, Aerospace Publishing, AIRtime Publishing, Guideline Publications, Traplet Publications, Osprey Publishing, Arawasi International, Flight International and Arms & Armour Press.
Having known Gary for many years, he added The Aviation Workshop (TAW) to his client list in 2003, and from that time has seen the company continue to grow and develop. Mark was offered the the opportunity to join the team full time in January 2010, a role which he enthusiastically accepted and is working on a number of important projects already, including helping to launch the Spotlight series with Mark Attrill. He often attends shows throughout the year with the company which gives him the chance not only to meet our customers, but also to gain feedback on the products.
Mark specialises in vector (Adobe Illustrator) and bitmap (Adobe Photoshop) based artwork and uses iMac equipment. He also undertakes restoration and cutaway artwork as well as producing accurate scale plans and drawings.
In his spare time, Mark is a very keen modeller in both aviation and military subjects, and also has an interest IN photography, Aikido, military history; notable Second World War, armoured fighting vehicle and all things Russian/Soviet aeronautical-oriented as well as Italian WW2 aviation.
In Marks words; "It's a privilege to be part of a team of like-minded enthusiasts who have a real love and dedication for what they do. That's important. I've always firmly held the belief that things can only be achieved through working as a team, and you get that with The Aviation Workshop. I'm looking forward to the future and to being part of and watching the company go from strength to strength".
mrolfe@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Mike Starmer
Author/Consultant - Mike Starmer's secondary education took place at Northampton Technical High School which concentrated on practical rather than academic subjects. He began making model aircraft with balsa wood and dope nearly 60 years ago and quickly attempted to replicate the various colours and patterns of the real machines. Realising that photographs and official orders held the key to authenticity Mike bought many magazines and talked to wartime veterans to accumulate as much information as possible. His book collection grew considerably covering many countries, the greater majority of these concentrating on the colours and markings aspect having been written by authors with access to official documents and colour samples.
Since retirement Mike has been able to devote most of his time to his hobby and more time to research period British military colours, of which little was known about, understood or published. A great deal of Mike's time has been spent and still is, working out the mixing formulas to match official colours for both aviation and military subjects. Over many years he has written occasional articles for IPMS, Tankette the MAFA magazine and a few for the more mainstream magazines dealing with aviation and armour. In addition Mike has written and produced four booklets about British military colours of WW2.
Throughout, Mike's interest in aviation never waned and he was asked to assist Peter Freeman with work on a range of aircraft decals in 2006. His role has been purely an advisory one in finding suitable subjects and in some cases researching their history with the somewhat tricky task of assessing colours and patterns as seen on photographs. Mike?s knowledge and accumulated reference material pertinent to different time periods makes him a valued member of the team.
Neil Robinson
Book Project Editor - Neil joined TAW Team on 1st April to manage the book programme so that we can bring more superb and exciting books across all the On-Target series plus working on some new ideas and products. He will be working closely with Andy Donovan, Glenn sands and Mark Attrill.
Neil will also be helping out with some of the modelling products with Kevin Nunn, especially developing our hugely successful resin range.
nrobinson@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Pete Freeman
Illustrator - Having been trained in Fine Art, Peter taught art and design for over 20 years before setting up his own design business with his daughter Kate. He has been a keen modeller since he was a boy, now specialising in pre-1939 aircraft. His first attempt at modelling the German WW1 lozenge pattern was a hand-painted affair before decals were even invented! Peter produced decals for many years with Gaston Bernal Jnr. at Aeromaster before meeting Gary and the Aviation Workshop. Since then he has been involved in decal production alongside his son Jon, but has recently concentrated more on book illustration, again specialising in subjects of the pre-WW2 era.
Peter Scott
In-House Illustrator - Peter spent 11 years in the Merchant Navy as a Navigating Officer, followed by other associated maritime jobs, involving caro surveying, hydrographic surveying, marine supervisor in Saudi Arabia and as a fisheries officer with MAFF. Following that, he was an analyst programmer with the MOD.
After leaving the MOD, he then became a self-employed graphics designer, contributing artwork for publications produced by Hall Park Books, Guideline Publications and Kayabura Books and contributory graphics artist for “Scale Aircraft Modelling” magazine, then "Modell Aircraft Monthly" (Know Military Aircraft Monthly).
Book work has included the illustrations of the Messerchmitt 109 on the Western Front - 1941 for Guideline Publications and the artwork in "Emblems of the Rising Sun", published by Hikoki Publications.
Peters main interests are model-making and military aviation. He has a BSc (Hons) in Maritime Studies (the standard Merchant Navy Degree) and a M.Sc in Business Computer Systems.
He works closely with Mark Rolfe and the production team across the whole spectrum of artwork products that is required by TAW design studio including books and decal sheets.
pscott@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Steve Webster
Research Assistant - Steve joined the team in September 2009 bring with him a wealth of experience in decal production and research.
He has had a keen interest in aircraft and aviation since an early age whilst attending the local airshows including the Battle of Britain airshow at RAF Abingdon, Benson and others since the early 1960's.
His modelling started when his Gran's neighbour gave him some aircraft models. He went onto build most of the Airfix and Frog models before taking a break from modelling after leaving school. Back in 1972 he restarted modelling and this eventually evolved into a serious hobby with the purchase of magazines, books and reference.
Steve concentrates mostly on RAF and has a passion for researching different camouflage and markings from those in the kits. He is also interested in airfield research and aviation photography. All of this led to producing his own range of decals under the RAFDEC label of subjects that appealed to him.
More time is now spent on research than actual modelling although occasionally something comes along that he cannot resist building including aircraft, tanks and military vehicles.
swebster@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
Will Madgwick
Sales, Dispatch and Logistics - Will has recently joined the team to help develop the re structured Sales department working closely with Andrew Warne, Steve Webster and Kevin Nunn.
He is keen to develop his skill base and learn the business. In his words Take over from The Big Cheese!.
Will is a natural musician, playing percussion with numerous local bands and helps out with a bit of arm twisting for the local Championship Section Wantage Silver Band.
wmadgwick@theaviationworkshop.co.uk
...and all of these guys too!
Information coming soon on:
- Denis J Calvert (Author)
- Malcolm Lowe (Author)
- Jonathan Mock (Illustrator)
- Gert Weckx (Illustrator)
- Mike Shackleton (Layout)
- Andrew Warne (Sales)
