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Humbly proud to be the current VP of IPMS Ocala. Modeling since I was six years old, which means I've been at it for half a century! I find model building is relaxing (usually), informative (with a few exceptions), and a creative outlet for a guy who is stuck in traditions. I cannot understand why none of my eight children or fourteen grandchildren have taken up my hobby, but I'm still working on them. (I have two more grand kids on the way -- maybe they will become the first of the next generation of modelers in the Knowles family tree!)
I have used my models for educational purposes in schools and clubs. I particularly appreciate the big eyes as they see the contrast and comparison that a slew of models portrays. I also like finding the oddities and eccentricities of the real thing, and then build the model to illustrate it.
Special thanks goes to Ray Waddey, whose huge display at the Fredericktown Mall in the late 70s convinced my young bride that models are cool and not just toys. Thus she permitted me to build even if it took time away from her (within reason).
I build aircraft, ships and armor. My display cases are full and many projects are in storage bins.
I am best known for my many unfinished projects (due to too short an attention span with all the models available to be built.) I am also known for my story telling when it is Show-and-Tell time in our club meetings.
The Z class was Germany's answer to the fascination with the so-called Super Destroyer of WWII. France had the Fantastique; England had the Tribal class. Originally envisioned as a flotilla leader, Germany tried to trump the [...]
This is a basic build in comparatively unusual colors -- Nationalist Chinese in 1945. The USA was supplying arms to many allies in WWII, and we needed fighters to protect our B-29 bases in SW China, as well as our transports flying [...]
The Val was Japan's naval dive bomber, comparable to the American Dauntless or Germany's Stuka. Vals were significant contributors to the expansion of the Greater Co-prosperity Sphere in 1941-42. As the front line bomber on Japanese [...]
The Stuart was an American light tank designed to emulate the cavalry of old -- racing out to spy out the enemy lines, wreak havoc, and dash back home. It was thus named Stuart after the dashing Confederate General who served as Robert E [...]
The 150 howitzer seems to be the universal infantry support weapon, as nearly every army has them. The Wehrmacht entered WWII with significant numbers of towed SiG 33 guns, but soon found it difficult for them to keep pace with [...]
This is a P-47D which I inherited from a modeler's estate upon his death. He had done some fine work, including the invasion stripes. They had obviously been on the plane for a considerable amount of time because they discolored to an [...]
The Sturmovik was known as "flying tanks" to the Russian ground forces of WWII. Presumably built in greater numbers than any other aircraft, these planes made an idellible mark on their enemies. Heavily armed with cannon , [...]
The Panzer IV was the workhorse of the German Panzer forces throughout WWII. Though eventually replaced by the Panther, Panzer IVs fought on every front till the bitter end. The F/f1 shown here was an early version which fought with [...]
World War I began as the last Napoleonic War revolving around infantry, artillery and cavalry, but quickly devolved into mass carnage at the hands of machine guns, barbed wire, poison gas and massed high explosives. Sweeping maneuver was [...]
The Aerosan series of armed snow mobiles is not to be laughed off. In the harsh Russian winters of WWII, the Army needed mobile support even in tough snowy conditions. Earlier Aerosan versions had automotive engines and open cockpits. [...]
