Bob Symes - RIP

[Eric Mc]

Not sure exactly where to post this - News, TV, Models?

I plumped for models as there may be a few on here who remember his name and the various model themed TV shows he presented in the 70s and 80s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Symes

[WelshChris]

Amen to that Eric - A true gentleman. I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions, and was lucky enough to spend the day at his place in Surrey marvelling at his garden railway.

[silverfoxcc]

Chris, agree 100% always approachable for a chat, esp when he was browsing a stand, and talking about the models etc

[dr_gn]

Jeeez I thought he was ancient in about 1975 when he presented the Model World series. I've still got the book :

[Starfighter]

Now, there is a blast from the past. I built the glider with my dad and the frigate.

[dr_gn]

Starfighter said:

Now, there is a blast from the past. I built the glider with my dad and the frigate.

I've still got the plans for those in the back, plus a yacht.

[Boatbuoy]

What a marvellously eccentric chap he was, an increasingly rare breed. Model World certainly inspired me as a kid.

Thanks for posting Eric.

[W124Bob]

Robert Alexander Baron Schuztmann Von Schuztmanndorf heir to a German brewing family if my memory is right, I met him once in the mid 70's whilst visiting the late Rev Teddy Boston's garden railway in Cadeby. I was only about 12, the Rev Boston had a large OO GWR layout which he ran once a month for visitors (and a railway in the grounds and a traction engine) I think Bob Symes was visiting with a few do doing some filming. I remember him speaking to me about the layout, he asked me whether I had a layout and had I been to the Shackerstone Railway which was just down the road. Fun how he never seemed to age! Here is the Rev and his layout

[Zad]

dr_gn said:

Jeeez I thought he was ancient in about 1975 when he presented the Model World series. I've still got the book :

I said exactly the same thing to my dad earlier! 90 is certainly a good age, but I was under the impression that he was older. I definitely have the Model World book somewhere, probably at my parents. I know for certain that there is a board with a half finished model glider wing pinned to it up in the loft, I saw it at Christmas when I was putting the trimmings away.

In a way, I think Bob Symes was the Patrick Moore of models, charismatic and inspirational. A kindly uncle who must have brought thousands upon thousands of people into the hobby.

[nigelpugh7]

Thanks for the post Eric.

Sad to hear of Bobs passing though!

It was that fine gentleman and his infective enthusiasm that got me into Radio Control Models back in the 70's!

I still remember him starting the model world show with an aerobatic plane model taxiing into the studio, and Bob saying " Isn't she a beauty!"

Funny how you have such detailed recollection of moments like that!

[rasto]

I've just spent the last half hour watching old Model World videos on YouTube, I can remember watching it back in the day and pestering my parents to take me to our local model shop once it had finished.

[caziques]

Missed this first time around.

I met Bob Symes on my last trip back to the UK a few years ago - the main reason being that he was married to my best friend from school's ex wife.

I even had the pleasure of driving his train round the garden.

I would have gone to the funeral, but 12,000 miles is a bit of a barrier.

Strangely enough, it was my wife, who is friendly with Bob's wife - who just said to me "did you know about Bob Symes on Pistonheads" - hence why I'm posting.

[Eric Mc]

Pity that his passing went largely unnoticed by the media. I found out from a posting on Britmodeller.

[Smiler.]

Eric Mc said:

Pity that his passing went largely unnoticed by the media. I found out from a posting on Britmodeller.

Absolutely right, probably due to his lack of fake tits or arse.


Only just seen this on the Telegraph obit section.

What a quality gent - I have a desire to watch some of his TV programmes.

[Tempest_5]

Truly saddened by this news. Another part of my youth gone. He always came across as a thoroughly likeable chap.
I was somewhat surprised to find a German presenter just like him presenting a train program on German Telly about ten years ago. Turns out it was him, he was an Austrian aristocrat who had settled here.