Interesting Articles

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Matthew Cook – War Artist.
by Dorrell. November 2018.

For those of you who are not already familiar with the artwork of Matthew Cook, then you are truly missing out. As well as having won commissions from major corporations his illustrations have been featured in the Times newspaper. Regardless of subject matter they conjure up a certain atmosphere and are compelling to the eye, with their accurate perspectives, perfectly balanced colours and spot on contrast between light and dark.

His War Collection, concerning itself with the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be interpreted as a modern version of the First World War artwork documenting life and death in the trenches.

Indeed the artist’s favourite piece was created in open ground, under fire from insurgents with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. A distinctly dangerous situation to be in when holding a rifle let alone a pen, yet it presents a scene of apparent tranquillity and beauty.

As Edward Hopper’s compositions manage to capture little snippets of everyday life, so too do Cook’s, albeit in the un-controlled environment of a warzone. They share an honest glimpse into the conflict from an average soldier’s perspective, a perspective which was their everyday scenes. Through a selection of line drawings and coloured illustrations, the collection covers a diverse range of subjects from military jet aircraft and foot patrols to unloading aid trucks and wrecks of war.

So why then are Mr Cook’s pictures so compelling and seemingly real. Far from seeking to glorify war they are merely documenting. The art derives from a personal perspective, that of a soldier - an artist, who was actually there, having served on numerous tours. The mastery of his chosen medium and an understanding of the military situation create a certain accuracy that is hard to replicate.

Depending on the circumstances and time allowance, he would quickly sketch out the scene in situ, especially crucial for moving subjects or whilst taking fire, then add colour using acrylic inks, giving his line drawings a deeper and real dimension. This careful choice of medium is not only a practical one but it is a key factor as to why the finished pieces are so striking. His collection shares a deeper understanding of these conflicts.

Military aside, Cook’s portfolio encompasses many different topics, such as sport, travel and industry, which are just as atmospheric, if not more so and should be given ample time to be explored. The complete War Collection can be viewed at his dedicated website,
whilst prints can be ordered directly from the artist himself.

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Matthew Cook - War Artist.

For those of you who are not already familiar with the artwork of Matthew Cook, then you are truly missing out. As well as having won commissions from major corporations his illustrations have been featured in the Times newspaper. Regardless of subject matter they conjure up a certain atmosphere and are compelling to the eye, with their accurate perspectives, perfectly balanced colours and spot on contrast between light and dark. His War Collection, concerning itself with the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, could be interpreted as a modern version of the First World War artwork documenting life and death in the trenches......

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Three Reasons Why War Memorabilia Collecting is a Viable Investment Strategy.

When you consider your long-term financial investment strategy, you may not consider items such as collectible rifles, daggers, and medals to be a viable option for your portfolio. Truth is, collecting war memorabilia is a practice that can yield many long-term benefits for your financial future. Here are three reasons why it is a viable investment strategy.....

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Not without my helmet!
The tin helmet escape attempt.

It is mid-war 1942, Singapore has fallen to the Japanese, the British have secured a key victory against the Deutsch Afrika Korps at El Alamein, while the Russians are making an epic stand in Stalingrad which will eventually turn the tide of war on the Eastern Front against the Germans once and for all. ...

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The History of the Springfield M1903 Rifle.

For militaria enthusiasts, the Springfield M1903 rifle may be a familiar name. During its active duty throughout the early-to-mid 1900’s, it became the standard U.S. infantry rifle and served as a base for several variations of sniper rifles for years afterward. It was widely considered to be a reliable, accurate, and beautifully-made firearm. The Springfield M1903’s history is layered with several innovations, which made it a reliable partner to soldiers and a coveted collectors’ item....

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M1 v. M75
An essential comparison: US M1 and Austrian M75 steel helmets.

At first glance the postwar Austrian M75 steel helmet may appear to be a carbon copy of its Godfather, the original WWII US M1 helmet, upon which it was based. While both helmets feature many similarities, such as swivel bales, sewn on chinstraps and a stainless steel rim, it is the details of such that makes comparison between the two fairly easy...

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**John Lewes, author of Jock Lewes Co-founder of the SAS, talks in detail about his book and the background behind it.**

The story of Jock Lewes, a founding member of the SAS, is an interesting yet tragic one. He was a man whose name and huge contribution to the regiment had been all but forgotten, perhaps due to his untimely death during the war. However, thanks to Jock's own letters, combined with the tireless work of his nephew and indeed the testimony of Sir David Stirling, "Jock could far more genuinely claim to be the founder of the SAS than I", his place in history has been justly...

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"Euroclones" - An essentiel guide to postwar
steel helmets.

After the Second World War, the US M1 helmet was adopted by many armies of the NATO alliance, as well as by non-NATO countries which wished to show that their sympathies did not lie with the East Bloc. Within NATO, the main exceptions were countries such as Britain, Italy and Portugal, which had their own tried and true designs, and France which adopted a helmet clearly based on the M1, the Mle-51, but was sufficiently different in form.
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THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN STEEL HELMET 1916-1945

Attention all helmet collectors. An exciting new history-reference collector's book has just been released. Written by Russian collector Ivan Karabanov, it is entitled, "THE HISTORY OF THE RUSSIAN STEEL HELMET 1916-1945”, and promises to deliver ...

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French Warships.

Historical fiction through books and film, such as Sharpe, Hornblower, Richard Bolithio, or the relative newcomer, The Dawlish Chronicles, is not merely a form of enjoyable entertainment but helps bring the past to life...

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Understanding Austrian Army peaked caps.

Peaked caps are used by all ranks of the Austrian military (Osterreich Bundesheer), which includes their air force. As such the detailing on the caps are relatively standard and branch and rank easy to identify.

The basic cap fabric consists of a top, band and peak, with a chinstrap and side buttons...

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Helmet Trends.

Infantry combat helmets have come a long way since their development a hundred years ago. Whilst the first examples were made from steel, since the 1980s ballistic nylon, kevlar and composites have taken preference. With the continual advance of technology modern infantry helmets are lighter, more comfortable and have better chinstraps...

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Radio Controlled mini submarine review:
T2M B2 Sub Explorer II.

Submarines have been around a long while, however it was during the First World War that they reached their fuller potential. A menace to merchant shipping as well as enemy naval units, it was tragedies such as the sinking of the liner RMS Lusitania, that would have far reaching consequences and highlight the potent and real threat that they posed. By the Second World War technology and strategies had developed so...

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End of Empire.

Book presentation. The End of Empire - The Cyprus Emergency: A Soldier's Story, from Pen and Sword Military.

Martin Bell OBE is perhaps best known for his impressive 30 year career in journalism. Wearing his trademark, typical British looking white suit, he reported from over ten war zones in eighty countries, winning various awards...

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Auf Radern & Ketten 2016 review.

Imagine the smell of fresh grass intermixed with the waft of diesel and petrol hanging lightly in the air... a selection of khaki clad vehicles proudly gurgled and creaked across the arena to the satisfaction of two hundred or so spectators. In the background...

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Last Execution

On the 15th of August 1941 a detachment of Scots Guards lined the inner wall of the Tower of London. The condemned man's last words were, "Shoot straight, Tommies".

Who was this man and how did he end up at the Tower of all places?

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A guide to selling your militaria.

Militaria dealers have got the collecting world pretty well tapped, however if you are a private individual and are looking to sell a old army cap, uniform or medal etc., how can you go about it? Attracting buyers should always be a key agenda of any business and is even more important for a seller...

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From Colonial Warrior to Western Front Flyer. The Five wars of Sydney Herbert Bywater Harris.

A Real ‘Boys Own’ Adventure!
Sydney Herbert Bywater Harris was an adventurer, a man possessed of great courage and charm, who fulfilled every schoolboy fantasy and really did ‘live the dream’.

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New collector's book on the Vietnam War

One of the most rewarding parts of our hobby is identifying and researching the sacred items that we hold so dear and marvel over.

That is why OCAD Militaria Collectors Resources is so excited by a relatively new book on US military equipment of the Vietnam War. Which you may or may not already be familiar with...

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Forgotten Hope 2 PC game

Have you ever dreamt of flying a Spitfire through a hazy desert sky then swinging her down out of the sun for the attack?

If you are a fan of playing computer games on the PC but seek something more authentic concerning WW2 details then the first person shooter Forgotten Hope 2 is definitely worth considering....
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Dad's Army – the movie!

February 2016 is the planned release date of the new film version of Dad's Army. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, Dad's Army is a “classic” British TV sitcom from the 1970s, running from 1968 – 1977 to be more precise. Set after the Dunkirk evacuations of World War II, during the dark days of the Nazi invasion threat to the south coast of England, it follows a misfit band of Home Guard from the fictitious town of Walmington-on-Sea, one of Britain's last lines of defence should an invasion have taken place.
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The South African Air Force in colour.

The South African Air Force, S.A.A.F - S.A.L.M, was formed in 1912 as the South African Aviation Corps., and can claim to be one of the oldest such organisations.

As well as supplying pilots to the Royal Flying Corps. during World War I, it also saw fighting against the Germans in South West Africa. After the Armistice in 1918...
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An exciting new book series from
Pen & Sword Books.

An exciting new series has been released from the specialist military publishers, Pen & Sword Books, about Britain's towns and cities during the First World War. While many books have been written about the politics and military actions themselves, often the local stories surrounding the Homefront have been overshadowed...

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10 other uses of military helmets.

First introduced in 1915 the modern military helmet has seen many advances and developments over its long life, both minor and significant, but perhaps the most significant was the change over from anti-magnetic steel to ballistic composite materials during the 1980s.

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A trip to a museum

As 2013 races to a close and the 100 year centenary of the start of the First World War is creeping ever closer. We are looking back to June and a visit to Austria's Heeresgeschichtlichen Museum in Vienna, where the blood splattered uniform of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand together with his limousine are on permanent display.

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Showcase:
a beginner's guide to COMPOSITE HELMETS.

Composite helmets have been in use since the 1980s gradually replacing the typical steel combat helmets. Made from ballistic nylon or kevlar materials these helmets are now the standard issue for the vast majority of military forces throughout the world, not to mention many law enforcement agencies.

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British Officers’ Peak Caps of the Second World War.

Book presentation. British Officers’ Peak Caps of the Second World War, from Schiffer Publishing.

It is the first book of its kind specifically focused on British Officer's visor caps of World War II. A valuable addition for any cap collectors, as well as reference libraries, museum and curators. Read the full description for more details.

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Les Casques Militaires des Etats de
l'Amerique Latin

Les Casques Militaires des Etats de l'Amerique Latin, has already been receiving glittering reviews from collectors across the globe. Yves Plasseraud is not only a noted author and authority in this field, with his three volumes of “Casques”, but is a pillar of the collecting community, but what makes this particular offering so special? ...

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The Mysterious Lt. Dr. Humphry
By James Katzenstein

A number of years ago I was attending a Military Show in Patterson, NY and came upon the tables of one of my favorite dealers who always has some wonderful items and groupings. There I spied an interesting British MKII. The helmet was part of a grouping that also included an officer’s hat, dress uniform and a ...

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Anodised Aluminium:
The ‘No Bull’ Cap Badge of the British Army

A forensic level of investigation of all the officially authorised and manufactured, regimental and corps, anodised aluminium cap badges of the British Army including those badges also administered by them such as Civilian Employees, Messengers, Royal Arms, Royal West African Frontier Force, Malay Regiment, West India Regiment etc. ...

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A Time to Reflect

With the approaching centenary of the start of the First World War, it is worth reflecting upon the huge technological, social and medical advancements that took place over the past 100 years, for which the two major wars played no small part. Despite these

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The M1 Helmet of World War Two - A Basic Overview.

The amount of reference material available from books and websites on the US M1 steel helmet is vast and in most cases of a very high standard. Due to this we are merely choosing to touch on the basics of what to look out for when identifying and dating an M1 helmet to the Second World War.

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An introduction to British & Commonwealth WWII Officer's peak caps.

As every collector knows, there is a huge amount of information available in books and on the worldwide web concerning WWII German helmets, while the resources on US M1 helmets is also vast. Visor caps (as the US call them) or service dress caps (if your are British) ...

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