Spotlight on master figure sculptor Ray Lamb (Part 3) Euro Militaire

Euro Militaire

Euro Militaire was established in 1985 and was sponsored and organized from its inception by Charles Davis, Lynn Sangster of Historex Agents and Ray Lamb of Poste Militaire. Ray Lamb created the original poster and branding for the show's launch. The event was held annually at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, UK. It became one of the most prestigious international competitions for figure and military modelling.

Euro Militaire 1986 Show Brochure - including two prints by Eugène Leliepvr

Some well known names in the world of Military Modelling at Euro-Militaire in its early days...1987

LtoRt. Back row John Schley ? Ray Stout, Rodger Saunders, Derek Holmes, Bill Horan, Brian Stewart, Pete Armstrong, Keith Durham. Middle Row L to R Mike Good, Alice Armstrong. Front Row L to R Steve Warrilow, Rick Scollins, Alex Williams ? (Photo credit: Ray Stout)

The partnership continued until Ray Lamb eventually sold his share in the brand. While Historex Agents remained a constant, other sponsors and partners changed over the years, particularly after Ray Lamb sold his share in the brand and later, after the death of Charles Davis in 2012.

Lynn Sangster of Historex Agents remained closely associated with the event for many years, with Sangster often cited as having helped run the show for over 30 years. Despite changes in individual ownership, the event maintained its status as the premier international military modelling competition through the 1990s and early 2000s.

In its final decade (roughly 2006 to 2016), the show was sponsored and organized by My Time Media. Euro Militaire officially ceased operations following its 30th-anniversary show in September 2016 due to dwindling attendance and the loss of its original organizing team. Following its closure, it was succeeded by a new show called Euro Miniature Expo.

Unfortunately Lynn Sangster of Historex Agents passed away on January 7, 2017.

Ray Lamb on Lynn Sangster passed away.

I'm sure most of you are aware of the very sad passing of Lyn Sangster of Historex Agents who died on Jan.7th. Lynn was a great cog in the ever turning wheel of Militaryodelling and his name belongs at the top of a long list of international sculptors, painters, dealers, collectors and modellers for his life-long contribution to the hobby. I have included a photo of an early Euro-Militaire which will jog a few memories amongst you. The photo is of the magnificent re-enactment group of Artillerie a Pied de la Garde, organised by the late Derek 'The Major' Mellard who attended Euro-Militaire every year and became a good friend to Lynn and myself. Lynn had a massive passion for anything 1st.Empire-Le Garde Imperiale. He will most certainly have many friends waiting for him and I know without a doubt 'The Major' will be there to provide a 50 gun salute to greet him (I hope you're listening Derek). Au revoir Lynn, thank you for your shared encouragement, enthusiasm and your great friendship...so many wonderful memories. Rest in peace dear friend. Our sincere condolences to Shirley, Lisa and David. Love, Ray and Norma.

 

Bob Letterman on Lynn Sangster passed away.

I just heard from Ken jones that Lynn Sangster, owner of Historex models in England and the co-producer of the Euromilitaire exposition has just passed away. I knew Lynn since the 1970s. Back in 1986, Lynn and Ray Lamb, the owner of the prestigious figure company, Poste Militaire, partnered to create the Euromilitaire, the most prestigious figure show in all of Europe. I attended the first 7 shows.

I know people say these things about those who pass, but Lynn Sangster was the most honest, the most dignified and charismatic man I ever knew. His humility was striking. There will never be another man like him come our way for many moons. He will be sorely missed. Lynn was in his 80s. His son now runs the business.

Rest in Peace my friend,

Bob Letterman

Around 2017-2020 the event was organized by a new team consisting of Thomas, Richard, Steve, and Adrian launched the Euro Miniature Expo to continue the tradition.

Adrian Hopwood - a noted figure painter and former Euro Militaire judge. (aided by son Thomas, a former Euro Gold Medallist who assisted with the show's photography and organization), SK Miniatures proprietor and judge Steve Kirtley and Oakwood Studios owner Richard Wharton, who initiated the effort to save the show by contacting friends and traders. Paul Dobson was also a key contributor and also played a significant role in supporting the event during these years. 

The show continued the tradition at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. While maintaining many similarities, the new Expo introduced changes such as a "display" judging option, where a group of models by the same artist could be judged together, rather than only individual models. The show briefly moved to a May date in 2019, but after it "didn't quite work as hoped," organizers planned to return to the traditional September slot for 2020.

The 2020 and 2021 shows faced severe disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with organizers citing "enforced delay," financial risks, and rising costs of the venue. The 2021 show was cancelled and on February 11, 2022, it was announced on Facebook that the 2022 show had decided not to proceed and for the future. The show was completely dead, end of an era.

On February 11, 2022 Steve Kirtley post the following on Euro Miniature Expo Facebook page:

There is no easy way to say this.

After thinking long & hard, I have decided not to proceed with the show both this year & for the future - sorry. The situation remains uncertain & changeable & whilst things should continue to improve, it's very difficult to plan ahead with total certainty.

Backers & events that I had lined up for the show have now stepped back over the last 2 years of enforced delay & I would have to bear the vast bulk of the organisation involved as well as the considerable financial risk. The cost of the hire of the Leas Cliff Hall (LCH) has also understandably risen.

As well as the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Brexit means that it is very difficult to see many European Traders coming to the show because of the new rules.

In a year which also sees the World Expo taking place in the Netherlands, I expect that the vast majority of modellers will be headed there & many will have to choose between which show they can afford to go to.

I have also turned 65 & want to work a little less hard.

It's possible that someone else may step up & say that they want to go forward with running the show. If there is, then please let me know & I can put you in touch with the LCH if that’s what you want.

I am very sorry that it has come to this & having helped to run the show on 3 occasions, this is a sad moment.

Thanks for all of your help & support.

By 2022–2023, the event faced its final, definitive, or near-final, pause, with organizers retiring or stepping back, marking the end of that specific era of the competition. 

Fun facts: My journey in collecting Ray Lamb and Poste Militaire figure kits in the pre-internet era.

Personally, I never got the chance to attend any of the Euro Militaire shows. Like Ray Lamb, I worked in advertising and the graphics industry as a creative art director for over 30 years. I started buying and painting figure kits in the late seventies. My first Ray Lamb Taisho kit was purchased from my local hobby shop. One summer day back in 1978, I graduated with honours from the college with a major in graphic design and illustration. While browsing at my local hobby shop, I came across Ray Lamb’s Taisho. Being a Samurai enthusiast, I immediately asked the shop owner to order one for me. That’s how I learned to know Ray Lamb and later his Poste Militaire.

During the pre-internet years, between 1978 to the late 1990s, the only way to get information on new figure releases was through figure magazines, catalogues, newsletters and visiting my local hobby shop. I subscribed to the Military Modelling, Campaigns, Fine Scale Modeler and Military Illustrated Past and Present magazines. Occasionally I would purchase the Military Modeler and a couple more that had interesting articles. There was also a figure newsletter that I subscribed to “Grendel’s Cave Figure Review”, which was put out by a gentleman Llyod Corning. He would review and rate all the new releases. Nowadays you can order your figures online or get some vintage Poste Militaire kits that you have missed on eBay.

Thank you for looking!