TRANSLATION OF SCALEMODELLE BOOK - 2011

Translation of page 1:

[Caption] The richness of detail on the expansion flaps of this Douglas SBD Dauntless, in 1:15 scale, is impressive.

GUILLERMO ROJAS BAZAN

Aircraft models made of aluminum

The South American Guillermo Rojas Bazan is one of the few model builders worldwide who work exclusively with metal - in his case extremely thin aluminum sheet that almost feels like thick paper. You simply have to see what he produces from this extremely difficult material to work with - and even then it is difficult to understand.

Rojas Bazan was born in Argentina in 1949 and started building paper planes at the age of five. Money was scarce, and so the boy was forced early on to make do without machines or expensive tools. As a teenager, he worked with plastic models, the quality of which soon made him known across the country. Next came the first completely self-made models - first made of wood and then metal. In 1982, the Argentine Naval Aviation Institute had a job to do: rebuild all the aircraft that had ever served the Navy. The result was 87 first-class aircraft models in 1:40 scale.

The hobby was now a profession, and in 1988 Guillermo moved to Madrid, where he began to produce 1:25 scale aluminum models for a London gallery. There he was given a free hand in choosing the prototypes, and thus many of what he called “non-commercial models” were created, like the Curtiss Shrike, the Douglas Devastator, the Bristol Blenheim or the Handley Page Halifax. He is proud of the fact that there was no order for any of these unique pieces - and yet they were all sold.

By now he had become a star in the world of rare and costly one-offs, and (continues below)

Translation of page 2:

[Caption] A Messerschmitt Bf 109 G in 1:15 scale.

(continues from above) his greatest (and financially strong) admirers lived in the United States. Gary Kohs, owner of the Fine Art Models company in Michigan, knew Guillermo's work and made him an irresistible offer: as Kohs' employee, he would build the best aluminum aircraft models the world had ever seen - and in return he would help the Argentinian and his wife to get their green cards. So both men got what they wanted: Gary got giant prototypes at 1:15 scale (which were then reproduced in small series by model builders in Ukraine and sold to collectors all over the world for five-figure sums) and Guillermo got the chance to pursue his passion in economically secure conditions.

The models that emerged in the next 15 years can't adequately be described in words. The main characteristic of an extraordinary (continues below)

Translation of page 3:

[Caption] A look under the hood of a Vought F4U “Corsair” in 1:15 scale.

(continues from above) model, collectors say, is that you can look at it again and again - and still discover new details. Each and every part of these gems is handmade. And in a place that you would not suspect: Guillermo's workshop is a table in a corner of his small apartment.

But if you are looking for complex tools, you will be looking in vain - scissors and pliers, all kinds of pens, a hammer, magnifying glasses, sharp knives, tweezers and glue (everything on his models is glued with a special epoxy) is all that this magician needs for the practice of his craft.

The list of Rojas Bazans models is long: Focke Wulf Fw 190 (as long-nose and with radial engine), Messerschmitt Bf 109, Supermarine “Spitfire”, Douglas SBD “Dauntless”, Lockheed P-38 “Lightning”, Vought F4U “Corsair”, Curtiss P-40 “Tomahawk” and the totally incredible replica of a Junkers G24.

His models are not just objects - they are the result of many thousands of hours of research and manual work. Guillermo Rojas Bazan has been working again as a freelance artist since the end of 2009. His creations are not cheap, but quality has its price - and these models are worth the money.

Translation of page 4:

[Caption] Guillermo Rojas Bazan in his “workshop”: a table in a corner of his apartment.

Translation of page 5:

[Caption] A Junkers G24 in 1:15 scale.

[Caption] The cabin of the Junkers G24 under construction. Even the seatbelt buckles work just like the prototype.

Translation of page 6:

[Caption] A 1:15 Curtiss P-40B “Tomahawk”.