JSB Models

For some they are also an absorbing hobby during leisure hours, as a restoration project — or in the building running and racing of model cars.

Recognising this, Stuart Bevington spotted a business opportunity.

Mr Bevington, who lives in Carterton, also saw a way of providing himself with a fallback income, should he suffer another spell of ill-health.

A heart attack in 2004 was followed by a period of rehabilitation, but happily he is now back on his feet and his online business, JSB Models, dealing mainly in radio-controlled cars, boats and planes is thriving.

No Dinky toys these, nor the cars which a dad would help the youngsters to run around a track in the living room. They are up to one-fifth scale, and can reach speeds of more than 30mph.

Mr Bevington said: “It started as a hobby and has developed from there. Before I was ill I enjoyed wind-surfing, but that had to come to an end and model cars took its place.

“Anything which is small-scale engineering has always fascinated me. You could say this is a hobby which has got out of hand.”

Mr Bevington was an airframe mechanic and has worked on survival equipment during his 22 years in the RAF, which he left in 2000.

So he has the engineering background for his firm, which started by buying out the stock of a model shop that was closing down.

And it proved to be very helpful when it came to getting a foot in the door with suppliers.

“It is difficult to get in with the suppliers when you start,” he explained.

“You need a trade reference and you can’t get a trade reference until you have a supplier. But they saw I was serious and I now have two or three suppliers with whom I deal regularly.”

Mr Bevington buys, sells and deals in both new and second-hand models, the majority being new, and always online.

He said: “It is more convenient, I can deal with enquiries at the end of my working day and it keeps overheads down, which is important when you are starting out.

“Clients can see the stock and catalogue on the website. The idea is for them to look and, if anything takes their fancy, they can telephone or e-mail me to find out more.”

Customers can buy online and Mr Bevington aims to despatch all orders the next day.

His stock covers a wide range — touring car models, off-road buggies, rally-type cars, drift cars which slide around corners, and both two-wheel and four-wheel drives.

“I go through quite a lot of stock and I have fresh supplies coming in regularly,” he added.

Model cars have become virtually another tier of motor sport, with competitive events held at both national and international level.

“A basic model starts at about £80,” Mr Bevington said.

“There are different types of motors, different types of batteries and different types of transmitters — you can continue on up the scale.”

Some buyers choose to start with just a body and build up their car. When it comes to choosing the tyres, the choice is as great as for a road car.

A basic, moulded plastic body can later be upgraded to carbon fibre.

JSB models are mainly electric cars and just a few are petrol-driven, using two-stroke fuel, and are known as nitro cars. Then there are the battery-driven models.

“These batteries are very sophisticated,” said Mr Bevington.

“They are not the type you can buy off the shelf. They are specialised, rechargeable batteries, designed for use with models.”

Mr Bevington concentrates his stock mainly on cars, although as a former airman he does keep a few planes and helicopters, as well as a few of boats.

“Depending on what people want, I usually have two or three examples of what they may be looking for, or I may be able to find it for them from one of my suppliers,” he said.

Spares are another sales driver for JSB Models and Mr Bevington stocks an extensive range.

“This aspect of the business seems to go in phases, especially for older equipment which may, by now, be out of production,” he said.

His customer base is not only in the UK. He finds he has a market for spares from customers in the USA, particularly if they are for a discontinued model.

Mr Bevington’s expertise in his field is being shared with the young enthusiasts at Carterton Community College. The college is taking part in the Formula Schools’ Challenge, which involves building a model racing car from a basic kit.

The students have to make all the parts themselves — they cannot be bought off the shelf.

Each college team is marked on various aspects of the project, including the quality of the engineering and the ideas they have used to develop their car.

The final stage of the challenge is to race their car against those from other colleges on the track at Silverstone.

So from a hobby of his own, Mr Bevington has opened up opportunities for enthusiasts of any age to take up the challenge of building, racing, or just owning their own special model car.

Name: JSB Models Established: 2009 Owner: Stuart Bevington Number of staff: One Annual turnover: Confidential

Contact: 0800 612 2895 E-mail: www.jsb-models.co.uk