Modeling runs in the family
I haven't been at the bench long enough to finish a project lately, but hopefully soon, life gets in the way as everyone knows.
This post is about one of my Grandfathers. Both fought in WW2, my Dad's father in the south Pacific, and my Mom's father, who this post is about, fought in The CBI theater of operations. Before being sent there though, he was stationed in Kerns Utah, building models, by hand, for training soon to be ground and air crews in aircraft identification. This was before the factory made cellulose plastic training aids that can still be found once in a wile.
My Granddad started building models in the 1920, carving them from wood and others of stick and tissue. He built over 7,000 models during his modeling years, ( yes that number was correct according to him, as he kept records of what he built, ) most of which were airplanes, with a few cars and tanks as well. Before enlisting, he built models for many pioneers of the avation world, some of whom are mentioned in the article.
He himself was a pilot before the war but didn't pursue a pilot position in the Air Corps. I never knew why, I never asked. Instead he went on to be an armor and weapons specialist, a skill he continued through the rest of his life as a custom gunsmith, he also became a law enforcement officer in his home state of California and also in Navada for a short time.
It was always funny to me that I had as much in common with the Granddad the lived all the way across the country, as the one that lived with us. I myself became a Gunsmith and have always had a love of anything that fly and was a helicopter mechanic in the Army. I got my love of Hot Rods and anything machanical from my Dad's dad.
My Granddad would call me at work from time to time ( long distance ) looking for gun parts for projects he was working on and he sent me a old Cox fly by wire gas Albatross Dv along with a large kukri knife that he was given during the war that I still have. I really miss both of my Granddads alot, but I'm glad I was able to know both and talk to them about there experiences, as much as they would talk about them.
I'll post a follow-up to this if it's interesting to anyone. I've found a few pictures of a few of his models and some pictures of him in theater, and later after the war when he did some film set security for movies filmed around Lonepine California where they lived in the late '40s through the '60s.
Happy Reading everyone.
Very cool!
Thanks, Mr.Cleaver. he was a pretty neat guy, and knew a lot of cool people. I wish I had more time with him that I did, but I'm thankful for what I had.
Excellent writing Clint. Our memories of Grandparents and parents who endured those times are our generations greatest treasures. Thank you for sharing.
My parents and grandparents fought in both world wars but odly not on the same side. But again a story for another time.
Cheers Clint
That you, Guy. I'd love love to here some of your families stories. I really feal that while generations stories need to be recorded and told. Everyone sacrificed something, no matter if it was at home or overseas, of what side of the conflict they were on. They all deserve to be remembered.
Clint every family has a story and yours is well beyond fascinating and cool.
Thanks Tom. Both did some cool things, but my Mom's Dad had an especially interesting life before, and after the war. I miss being able to talk to them, especially now that I'm older and could grasp more of there experiences.
That is a very interesting story. Thanks for posting it.
Thank you Jay, I win post some more about him as I found some pitchers of some of his models and stuff.
Amazing story, Clint! I'd love to read a follow-up.
Thanks for the interest Spiros, I will definitely post a follow up as I mentioned I found some pictures of a few of his models, and I have a couple of neat stories from after the war as well. He was an interesting man for sure.
Thank you , Monsieur
Thank you Jose for taking the time to read my little story. I hope you found it interesting.
That is so neat, Clint! 👍 What a great story, thanks for sharing it with us! 👏
Thanks Gary. He was definitely a neat guy, and a highly talented person from a young age. The people he knew was quite impressive to say the least. I'll post a follow up soon. Thanks for reading my little story, I appreciate it.
An interesting history, Clint @curtisshawk
Would be great to have a follow-up. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you John. I will definitely be doing a follow up.