Gallery of Guild members models.

Many Guild members make detailed scale models of a huge variety of horse drawn vehicles, handcarts and wheelbarrows; and here on this page are shown many of these models – just click on the members name to see these. Every year there are many craft fairs, model exhibitions, agricultural shows and county museums where members display their models to the public and this is a grand opportunity where members can get to meet each other, chat to the visitors and have a memorable day out
JOE CARTLEDGE
BIDDY HEPPER
john husbands
HEFIN JONES
JOHN HUNTBATCH
PATRICK HALL
ANN MEANLEY
CED LEWIS
JOHN CASTLE
MICK DAVIS
ROGER MORGAN

John Walford
“Retired and living halfway between Birmingham and Stratford on Avon. Started modelling over 30 years ago and joined the Guild a few months after it formed as, "The Model Wheelwrights". I prefer to use Lime for all the wooden parts of my models, steel or brass wherever these were used in the original, and work from my own drawings. Most of my models have a military theme, if only to get away from the numbers of Tip carts, Monmouth wagons etc.” (John's models are all 1/12th scale)

Apple scratter
A model of one of the many different types of scratter found around Hereford & Worcester. Used to break up apples before being put in a cider press.
Spoke machine c. 1901
Used in the part mechanisation of wheelmaking, it could form the tongues on spoke ends, drill the felloes to accept the tongues and mortice the hub, all with unskilled labour.

Onager
Roman siege engine.
Petarara
15th.c. breech loading gun.

Burgundian cannon
15th.c. Burgundian wrought iron cannon.

Swivel galloper
A very unlikely weapon from 16th.c. illustrations.
Pevensey.

Pevensey.
Close-up details.
Ten barrel cannon
Designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
British galloper

Ribaudequin, c. 1350
Multi barrel gun for defending bridges and gateways.
Cannon barrel sling carriage.
Shown carrying a "Heavy" pattern cast iron 24 pounder c.1800. Used to transport newly cast guns between the foundry and the proving ground

Dutch military wagon c.1860.
The front axle can move in 3 planes, allowing the wheels to stay in contact with uneven ground. 
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Close-up of front axle (1)
Close-up of front axle (2)

Brian Simpson
"I am retired and live near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. I have always had an interest in heavy horses and farming; started HDV modelling 7 years ago after seeing the Guild stand at a show. Started with existing plans but now prefer to draw my own from measurements of an original vehicle. I don’t specialise in any type but look for subjects that are unusual and that no one has done before." (All Brian's Models are made in 1/8th scale)

Bavarian Waggon
Rear View.
Bavarian Waggon
Close-up view of front section, showing detail of metalwork.

Bavarian Waggon
 Measurements and photographs were taken of the original when found outside a pub in Staffordshire in 2001. Plans were then produced, from which the model was made. The original vehicle no longer exists; it eventually rotted away and was scraped.

Mark II Horse Ambulance
Both horses have been carved by Brian using American bass wood. The ambulance driver has been made using "Fimo" modiling clay.

Shepherds Hut
The original full-size vehicle can be seen at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Shepherds Hut
Roof removed to show view inside. Note the bread, cheese and tea mug on the table. The slatted section under the sparse bed is where a sick or weak lamb would be kept. The shepherd would receive six pence for every lamb reared.

Grev Lyons
"Apart from the usual Airfix boats and planes kits, I suppose my real modelling started in my twenties when I built a model theatre with flys, ropes and wings etc. My next efforts began following a visit to the Malpas Yesteryear Rally in 1985. After looking around all the exhibits, I wandered into the “Model Tent” – and stood there, mouth open, in awe at what I saw. A very wide variety of all sorts of subjects and then I came to an exhibit of Horse Drawn Vehicles by an Albert Pickstock. We got chatting and in fact I became friends with the entire family over many years. I went back to the Model Tent the next day and kept asking loads of questions – I was hooked!" (All Grev's Models are made in 1/12th scale, unless otherwise stated)

Open Lot Caravan
Sometimes called the Yorkshire Bow, the Open lot is a direct descendant of the four wheeled pot cart and is of simplified construction relative to the old types. It is built on an existing four wheeled tradesman’s cart, called a dray, trolley or lurry. The bow roof projects to form porches at the front and rear, but there is no footboard. From John Thompson plans.

Courage Show Dray
For more than 50 years this ‘Courage’ dray with its superb Shires has been taking top prizes at shows throughout the country. It was built in the Old Kent Road and can now be seen at the Courage Shire Horse Centre near Maidenhead. From John Thompson plans.

Hand Cart
This model was quite an achievement for me, as it was the first model which I measured and drew my own plans for. I was standing outside the goods shed (Exhibition Hall) at Blists Hill and started looking at the original which I’d seen many times before. I suddenly realised what a charming little cart this was; and was painted in the livery of the Grocer’s shop opposite. (Made in 1/8th scale.)

Delivery Van
A light one horse van of the type used by Bakers, Butchers and grocers for town deliveries. These vans were usually turned out very smartly to maintain the reputation of their owners. From Barrie Voisey Plans.

Monmouthshire Wagon
Built in a village wheelwright’s shop on the welsh border, this farm wagon preserves the traditional style to that region. The original can be seen at Gwent Rural life museum. From John Thompson Plans.

Northumberland Long Cart
The north of England does not have the variety of farm wagons found in the south, but to compensate for this their carts are very large, well made and in this example, really elegant. An original of this cart is on display at The North of England Open Air Museum at Beamish in the Home Farm. Note the light open spindle sides and nicely curved rails. From John Thompson plans.

Cornish Haywain
A light harvest cart of the type used in West Devon & Cornwall. The low railed sides are a distinctive feature and the large harvest frames are detachable. The light body is well suited to the sloping fields and narrow lanes. The small wheels keep the platform low for stability and easy loading. From John Thompson plans.

Market Float
This smart outfit was used to take light produce to market, and would have been used as a light van or estate car is today. The presence or the rail indicates that the vehicle was expected to be driven rather than led like a farm cart. The extra check spring would provide for occasions when it might be piled up with sacks of potatoes etc. From John Thompson plans.

Baker’s Cart
A stylish cart for a high class town tradesman. Although this is sign written as a Baker’s cart, the type was also used by butchers and indeed, in makers catalogues around the turn of the century, is more often described as such. The closed but ventilated body was a feature needed for the carriage of foodstuffs. From John Thompson plans.

Ambulance Wagon Mark VI (Circa 1903)
The wagon was constructed to carry 12 sitting patients or 6 sitting with two stretcher cases. There was room for 4 additional men on the box seat, one of whom would be the driver. A large water tank was carried in a box under the rear step/tailgate. Lockers were provided under the floor to contain medical supplies and dressings. There were also lockers provided under the driver’s seat. The cost when new was £180.10s. – Plans from unknown origin.


Showman’s Caravan
The Burton or Showman’s wagon is built with straight sides but with wheels under the body, which projects over them, affording maximum floor space. The most ornate wagons had carved panels and elaborate carved oak plaques fixed to each panel. Some, like this model, were painted green so as to merge with the countryside when ”pulling up”.
Though sometimes used by gypsies, this type of wagon was the one most favoured by travelling showmen; unlike the gypsies they kept to the high roads, did not need high wheels to cross fords and preferred the greater floor space. If bought just before World War 1, a good Burton would cost you £100 to £150 and by the 40’s, the same wagon could have fetched £200. from John Thompson plans.

Showman’s Caravan
Roof of Showman's Caravan removed to show details of interior.

 
Devon Wagon
A loose bodied cock-raved wagon of typical form. The wheels of many of these wagons seem small, making the cock-rave apparently unnecessary. They were omitted on many later wagons. The wide track, small wheels and low light build gave stability on hill terrain. This wagon was made in 1891 at Broadwood Kelly village in the carpenter’s shop of Earland & Son. The price paid was £9-10s, low even in those days. It was used up to 1945 when a tractor and trailer replaced it. The wagon was used for harvest, with ladders fitted, and also for hauling manure and lime from the railway station. From John Thompson plans 

“Brooke Bond” Tea Wagon
Vans of this type carried the bulk of city trade in late Victorian and Edwardian times. Photographs of London streets show that these vans with canvass tilts out-numbered all other style of vehicle. Many firms ran their own stables but the wear and tear of city work on both vehicles and horses favoured the larger operations of transport firms such as Lloyds, who operated vans on contract. Fleets of similar vehicles with interchangeable parts helped the contractor with his own wheelwrights shop to keep a high proportion of the vans on the road, while horses could work a shift system. From John Thompson plans.

JOHN ELWOOD"
"I live in Somerset. Spending 42 years in the Services I was unable to model but once retired, my life changed. Having limited storage space was restrictive. An "n" gauge model railway was appealing but impossible for lack of space, similarly model boats and it was on a visit to the Wood Festival at Westonbirt that I first came into contact with the Guild. Here was my answer: precision modeling at 1/12th scale meant four models to a Banana box! I was also introduced to an absorbing study of horse drawn transport. I specialise in carriages and commercial vehicles both of which reflect the social conditions of the time they were in use."
(All John's Models are made in 1/12th scale, unless otherwise stated.)
Stanhope Wagonette
This vehicle was used mainly by country houses as a general purpose utility vehicle driven by the coachman or a senior groom. It carried five passengers and the driver but was also used for the carriage of goods. The model is to plans by John Thompson.
Bakers Cart
The baker’s van was a common sight on the streets of London from the mid-1800s to the first part of the 20th century. The baker made a daily round. In most instances the horse knew the round and would move from door to door automatically. The rear door of the cart could be lowered to reveal shelves on which varieties of bread, bread rolls and cakes were stored.
Canterbury Phaeton
The Phaeton is a small four wheeled vehicle accommodating a driver and three passengers. The rearward passengers faced to the rear. The name derives from the fact that the vehicle was constructed in Canterbury, Kent. It was used by private families much as the car is today. The model is built to plans by John Thompson.
The West Country Haywain
Unlike most haywains, this was a two-wheeled vehicle. Two wheels were essential because of the narrowness of the lanes in Devon and Cornwall and the constricted entrances to the fields. This wain was a “tip cart”, as shown in the photograph, which enabled the harvesters, when they returned to the haystsack area, to unload in the minimum time ( The model is 1/10th scale to the plans of John Thompson.)

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Brian Young
"Now retired and living in South Gloucestershire, I was eight years old when I began making models. After a technical education at Bath Tech. College, and an aircraft apprenticeship I progressed through model aircraft and boats until I made my first horsedrawn farm vehicle. I have enjoyed the challenge of making 1/12th scale horsedrawn vehicles and vintage farm machinery. I've also been known to make the odd wheelbarrow!"

Ransoms Threshing Machine
A very elaborate and detailed model, photographed on the Guild display table at Shugborough estate in Staffordshire in the 1990s.

WWI Mobile Pigeon Loft.
These vehicles were introduced in France and Flanders in the early stages of the First World War, remaining in use until the mid 1920s.

Mellor's Stripper c.1883
From the original at the Kapunda museum, South Australia.

"McKay" Sunshine Stripper/Harvester.
The original can be seen at the Science Museum as Wroughton in Wiltshire. It took Brian approximately 1600 hours to complete.

German WWII Medical Waggon.

A varied assortment of model wheelbarrows.
The birthplace of the wheelbarrow was in China, possibly as early as 100 B.C.

Horse Drawn Chaff Cutter.
From the original at the Cotswold Countryside Collection, Northleach, Gloucestershire.

Hornsby's Hedge Cutter.

Great Western Railway Coach

The Garden Shed.


Bell's Improved Reaping Machine c 1879

Knife Grinders Handcart.
Built in Gouda around 1870 and used in The Hague after the last war.
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Mk. 2 Water Tank Cart.
Horse Drawn Potato Sprayer.
Albion Expanding Horse Hay Rake
 From the original at Boscobel House, Telford, Shropshire.
 Cider Mill and Press

Ralph Kitching.
"I was born in Brixton, London and grew up there during the war. I started work in 1944 at University Motors, repairing Jeeps and army vehicles. At the end of the war it was suggested that there would be no future in the motor industry and to get out. The rest of my working life was spent in the gas industry, where the only experience I had of working with wood, was ripping up floorboards, then replacing them, hoping that the floor covering would hide the mess I had made!
In 1989 I retired after 43 years, and realised I needed a hobby to keep himself occupied; otherwise all the future seemed to hold for me was wiping-up and decorating! A friend lent me a Hobbies catalogue, and after a lot of studying I decided to make an Oxford Waggon.
I also wanted to meet other like-minded people and went to an exhibition of horse drawn vehicles advertised at Northleach. I was very impressed with the standard of work, and decided to join the Association as it then was. That was in 1992; and since then I have exhibited all over England and Wales with the Guild." (All Ralph's Models are made in 1/12th scale)

 

Night Soil Cart

 

 

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Roger Hardy
"I live in Barton in the Beans, near Market Bosworth, and whilst I am a relatively new member I have been building model HDV’s for many years. I started in the John Thompson era and still have a lot of books and items which he supplied. Over the years I have made 23 models, most are distributed around the family but I have retained a few; then I lapsed into Model Boats; but recently saw the error of my ways and returned to model HDV’s. I am currently making a Whitechapel Cart and East-Anglian Waggon from J.T. plans. My preferred timber is lime." (All Roger's Models are made in 1/8th scale)

Garden Seat Omnibus
The London street scene in Edwardian time was dominated by the horse-bus, with over 3000 on the road - nearly half being run by the London General Omnibus Company.

Garden Seat Omnibus
A view to the rear of the vehicle showing the spiral steps and more of the period advertisments.

Ledge Caravan
This must be one of the most elaborate and ornate of any horse drawn vehicle and requires many hundreds of hours of patient and detailed work by the model maker. The actual full-size vehicle can be seen at the Reading Borough Museum, where it had been completely restored.

Ledge Caravan
A rear view showing the cratch and pan-box.

Ledge Caravan
View to inside.

Ledge Caravan
A close-up of the cratch and details of carving inserts and painting.

Brougham

Brougham

Early Iron Age Chariot

Market Float


Hansom Cab

Hansom Cab - (Front view)

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Frank Rake
Frank lives in Venice, Florida, USA; and on retirement, several years ago, he was looking for a challenging hobby to do during the long winter nights and came across John Thompson’s plans in the Hobby’s catalogue. He picked the hardest he could find – the Ledge Caravan! So far he has completed two very fine models - both in 1/8th scale.

Ledge Caravan
Pot Waggon

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Bob Oliver
"I was born and raised in Toronto, but moved to a rural property near the small town of Palmerston, Ontario, Canada about 37 years ago. I was looking for a hobby to fill the winter months and was invited by a couple of neighbours to join them making a model show wagon. I really enjoyed the challenge and have been at it ever since. I usually use hardwood, mostly oak."
(All Bob's Models are made in 1/10th scale)

Irish Jaunting Cart


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