I believe your 'history' and 'facts' offered here could stand a tad bit more research.
The late Dr. Arthur Farstad (d. 1998), although the 'originator' for the HCSB, was not "the main translator for ...HCSB," but was the initial General Editor of that version. However, he was called home at the end of August, 1998 (like maybe the 28th, if my memory is right about the exact date), almost as the project began to get underway, in any significant manner.
In some points you are right. Art Farstad couldn't finish HCSB due to his sudden death on Sept 1, 1998.
You can find the Eulogy for him here:
http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/byauthor/52
I do not know how much he influenced on HCSB, but HCSB was originated by Art Farstad and he was the chair of the committee. But he was originally a scholar of the majority texts, while HCSB became almost the same as the most of the MV. So, I must accept he should remain only as the Originator for HCSB, not the main translator.
He also started the project for Logos 21, but died even before the John was finished.
Dr. Farstad was succeeded by Dr. Edward Blum, who was the Associate General Editor, 'under' Dr. Farstad, initially. As you said, Dr. Farstad was, in fact, the General Editor and a primary NT translator (and could properly be characterized as "the main translator") of the NKJV.
Correct.
Dr. Farstad was not PB (either Plymouth Brethren or Primitive Baptist), but would have been more accurately described as Conservative Baptist. I do not know what local body of believers he regularly associated with.
I have heard that he also attended the same church as Zane Hodge did, Victor Street Bible Chapel. We don't call our churches PB, but usually call them " Gospel Chapel, Gospel Hall, Assembly, Bible Chapel"
You can find here that Art listed his article about the Lord's Supper which is typical to PB ( Unfortunately the site missed the contents).
The reason why he doesn't look like a PB is because, I guess, he had many disciples from DTS and they listed him as one of the leaders for their society. Once I communicated with a chapel where William McDonald attends, and they confirmed Art Farstad was one of our elders in Dallas assembly. I think Victor Bible Chapel started to disappear from the Address book of PB since some years ago. I don't know why, but there can be many reasons for it. But I am quite sure that they have been with PB for a long time. This may be the same case with Harry Ironside who spent 1/3 of his time with Salvation Army, 1/3 with PB, 1/3 with Moody's memorial. Harry Ironside has never left the basic belief shared with PB since he had departed from Salvation Army. He respected the viewpoints of PB assemblies all the time in his messages.
The late Mr. Zane Hodges (D. Nov. 2008) was the Senior 'pastor' of the Victor Street Bible Chapel for more than 45 years, until his own homegoing. He would properly have been characterized as "PB" as you said. While he may have been elsewhere on occasion, he was certainly usually to be found here, and if Dr. Farstad fellowshipped with his friend and mentor, Mr. Hodges, Victor Street is where they most likely would have gathered, I'd say.
Interestingly enough, neither Dr. Farstad nor Prof. Hodges ever married, although both came from fairly large families, and both 'adopted' many of the students, at Dallas Seminary, over many years.
Ed
I think Zane Hodges is still alive, but I don't know the latest status about him.
You can find his articles on PB site here.
http://www.plymouthbrethren.org/byauthor/395
Not all the people listed there are the PB, but some of them may be ex-PB.
PB are nothing but the extremely fundamental group of independent Baptists. "Brethren" was another name for "the Baptists" outside RCC throughout history.
Some of the typical aspects of PB are:
1) they celebrate the Lord Supper every week.
2) they baptize only the Believers by total immersion.
3) their women believers wear head covering in the service.
4) No pastor, but plural elders.
5) They call themselves only as Brothers and Sisters.
6) Don't call the churches with any name of denomination. If anyone call himself or herself as PB, he or she is not PB any more. PB is originally attached by outsiders.
One of the common reasons why some PB assemblies depart from PB is because their leaders try to have mono-pastoral system, which is common among the protestant churches.
Some elders already call themselves as Pastors outside the chapels while they are called "Brothers" inside the chapels.
PB people consider both Farstad and Hodges as PB.
As for the Bible translation, both Art Farstad and Zane Hodge are the men of Majority Texts. Even Darby the initiator for PB movement was rather pursuing the Majority Texts in general.
Logos 21 is very interesting because its stance is unique, neither TR nor WH-NA, even though it has only Gospel John. You can get the free copy of it by asking.
