Sad news to report. David Boddington, leading flying scale model builder, author, magazine editor and designer of the Biggles Biplane BE-2c replica, passed away this morning after a brave battle against cancer.
David is probably best known to aeromodellers who have used his many plans. He was also a pioneer in operating large-scale models for film work including WW1 types for the BBC series Wings and Ruskin Airways DC-3s for the ITV drama series Airline.
More recently a large-scale multi-engined jet airliner was produced for an airline TV commercial to show the airliner ‘flying’ ahead of a new aircraft’s delivery. David was also a keen pilot, flying Provosts and Vampires in RAF service and later flying with the Barnstormers display team, taking over the leadership of the team following the death of his brother Charles.
(Modellers may be interested to note that a mass rally of David’s DB Sport and scale designs is planned at the Old Warden May Fly model event on 8/9th May. More information at http://www.modelair.info/ )
Condolences to The Blue Max and all the Boddington family.
Perhaps typically David chose a blue sky, CAVOK, morning for his final departure. Happy landings DB.
By: eye4wings - 13th April 2010 at 21:47
What sad news!
Although I only met him a couple of times he struck me as a man who had a ready laugh and really enjoyed life. He was on the flight line at OW only last year and I had no idea he might be ill.
As a fellow designer of sport scale models I looked up to him and in my earlier modelling years built a couple of his eminently buildable designs (Pup and 1,1/2 strutter) before launching out to design my own.
Another of his life achievements was his shop in Wellingborough.
He was a man who enriched the lives of many of us and for whose life we are grateful.
My condolences to the family.
By: The Blue Max - 11th April 2010 at 21:18
Thank you all for your kind words, both on here and via email.
Uncle David passed away late on Friday evening, thankfully through most of his illness he had been in no pain but at the end he was on morphine. He had non hoskins lymphoma and it was hoped he would beat is, at least long enough to see the aeroplane he designed, BE2 replica G-AWYI “Biggles Biplane” fly once more. It was so very close but sadly not to be.
As you can imagine this is a terribly sad time for us all but your kind words are very welcome. I take some comfort in the thought that hopefully he is now with Dad, the beloved brother that he missed so much. Im sure they are allready plotting the next adventure.
Thank you all, i must go now as the keyboard is getting a little wet 🙁
Rest in Peace Unc, and say hi to Dad.
By: DazDaMan - 10th April 2010 at 19:54
I think anyone who’s built R/C models over the years must have heard of DB.
RIP.
By: Martin Garrett - 10th April 2010 at 19:42
Sadly I never met DB I only knew him as many others would have done which was through the various magazines he contributed to.
Over the years he came up with some wonderful plans of scale or semi scale subjects. Over the years I made a couple of his plans and have collected many others for that rainy day which so far has yet to come. His articles were as others have said an inspiration.
My thoughts are with friends and family.
By: RPSmith - 10th April 2010 at 18:54
Sorry to hear the sad news – forever blue skies Mr. B.
Roger Smith
By: CTDavies - 10th April 2010 at 16:56
Really sad news. He was for me probably the most influential modeller. I loved his magazine Radio Control Scale Aircraft back in the seventies and eighties. It never was the same without him, though.
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April 10, 2010 at 12:12 pm