Memoriam to Barry Esprit Clay
We mourn the passage of Barry Clay a fellow modeler and a friend.
Barry was always a gentleman, a teacher, a prolific model builder and an accomplished painter. I would remiss if I failed to mention he was a cat lover and a spiritual adviser.
As an original member of the first Solid Model Memories group, he brought to us a mastery of making models and creating magnificent aviation art portraits. Barry was a prolific builder and frequently used salvaged wood that he and his father rescued from a defunct De Havilland Mosquito assembly line.
"Balsabasher" as he was known to most of us on Solid Wood Memories, never shied away from helping novice carvers and was first to offer helpful suggestion to anyone who appeared to need assistance. Barry's forum topics were always educational as well a delight to read. He was the most active contributor to our photo gallery accounting for more than a full third of our users' album pictures.
To this end, have selected some of Barry's photo for your viewing. Balsabasher's comments, articles and images may be view at our forum and gallery at http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/SMF/index.php?board=51.0 and http://smm.solidmodelmemories.net/Gallery/index.php?cat=10005
It was always a pleasure to see Barry's models. The range was very diverse. As a relatively new wood modeller I was always interested in Barry's approach to various modelling techniques. His contributions to the solid model community will certainly be missed. However, he has left us with a lasting legacy. His models will no doubt be an inspiration to those future modellers who decide to engage in this wonderful hobby.