My British Battleships book was signed with the same date. Meeting Alan at Santa Clara was one of those events you'll never forget. After that show, I would get random calls from him to discuss new kit ideas, and opinions on the old ones. I can remember one call where he dumped a vast amount of information on me about V and W class destroyers, and how to identify the builder just from design differences. He really got back into the modeling after that show, especially with the camouflage. He will be missed.
Jon
I was fortunate to have met Alan, because he visited my home in California and viewed my collection on July 4, 1998. I know the exact date, because he signed a number of my books that he had authored or coauthored. He was a curmudgeon, but a likable one when you got to know him.
...after a long illness.
He made a major contribution to our field, and many of those who continue to contribute to our field stand on his shoulders.
I remember as a kid staring wide-eyed at the various Ensign series publications on display at Sky Books in New York City (long since out of business), with their glorious color centerfolds showing the amazing camouflage schemes worn by various Royal Navy ships during WW2. And I recall reading his build series on the USS McCalla (DD-488) that was run by Model Ship Builder in the early 1980s. I was thrilled and inspired.
Little was I to know that I would get to know Alan several decades later, and to be fortunate enough to call him a friend.
In addition to being a prolific author on maritime topics, Alan was a professional ship modeler, building many models over the years for private collectors and museums. One of his biggest customers was Der Scutt, who designed Trump Towers and many other Manhattan skyscrapers.
I will miss him, and our field will miss his contributions.
May he rest in peace - and may his memory be a blessing.
Mike E.
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