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Model maker 'thrilled' to have pieces on display

John Devine
Reporting fromWisbech
John Devine/BBC Fred Clarke, 82, has grey hair swept back over his head and a large handlebar moustache he is wearing a brown fleece with checked shirt underneath. Behind him is a display case containing some of his models including a traction engine, spitfire aircraft, and more, all made of wood and brass and highly detailed.John Devine/BBC
Fred Clarke, 82, took up model making when he retired "to keep my brain active and hands supple"

An 82-year-old model maker said he was "thrilled" to have an exhibition of his work displayed at a local museum after picking up the hobby in retirement.

Fred Clarke, from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, started making models 20 years ago and has built around 50 highly detailed classic cars, trains, traction engines and aircraft.

A collection of 30 wooden and metal models were currently on show at the Wisbech and Fenland Museum until 19 April.

Robert Bell, museum curator, said he was "astounded" by the pieces when Mr Clarke bought his collection in.

John Devine Four model cars in a display case, some are brass and some wood, the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang vehicle is at the back on the right with other ornate late 1800's cars at the front with open tops and leather seating, all made by Mr Clarke.John Devine
Mr Clarke built cars seen in TV and films by using old bits of furniture and scraps of metal

Mr Clarke is a founding member of the Wisbech and District Historic Vehicles Club, which launched in 1989, and has also restored three full-size vintage cars in his spare time.

He learnt engineering skills at Perkins Engines in Peterborough, including tool-making, machining, welding and fitting, but when he retired, he changed hobbies, and the "model-making began to take over" from car restoration.

Mr Clarke said: "With retirement, old age and creaking joints, I was looking for a pastime of a lighter nature and a bit kinder to the body."

"I saw an advert in a magazine offering to supply a wooden model of your classic car based on photographs for around £180.

"As I had two classic cars in the garage at that time I decided to have a go myself.

"A good supply of wood offcuts and redundant furniture, including table legs, old mantle shelves and plenty of scrap brass was at hand and I haven't looked back", he added.

John Devine/BBC A collection of four Volkswagen vehicles sit in a display case in the main gallery of a museum, including the iconic camper van and Beetle, models are highly polished wood and brass about 30cm long and 15cm high they are very detailed.John Devine/BBC
Mr Clarke said people have tried to commission him to make them a model, but "if I'm getting paid, it's a job, and I don't want that"
John Devine/BBC A 1938 Rolls Royce Roadster car made of oak and finished in a high gloss the hood is down in the picture but can be activated up. the vehicle sits in a glass display case.John Devine/BBC
A 1938 Rolls Royce Roadster, Mr Clarke restored the real thing in his garage over an 18-year period, the oak and brass model took considerably less time

Kateryna Vidiushenko, 26 popped into the museum by chance and was thrilled to meet Mr Clarke.

"I didn't expect such an incredible exhibition and I didn't expect to meet the person who made the models with his hands", she said.

"I told him how excited I was to see his work, I want to show it to all of my family, all of my friends, I want to share it with everybody I know. I really appreciate the time this person spent doing this, it is worth it."

John Devine/BBC Kateryna Vidiushenko, 26 has long dark hair parted high on her forehead she is wearing a black leather jacket over a light brown shirt and behind her are some of Mr Clarke's wooden and brass models displayed in a case in the museum.John Devine/BBC
Kateryna Vidiushenko, who is a regular visitor to the museum, said she was "blown away" by Mr Clarke's skills

The Wisbech and Fenland Museum is open every Wednesday to Saturday.

Fred Clarke A highly polished wooden and brass model of an MG Tourer saloon car with its top down.Fred Clarke
An MG Tourer: Mr Clarke said he can now complete a model in about "two-months"

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