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I build 1/72 aircraft, from WWII forward, only build them wheels-up. Until Dec. 2019, all my models were brush-painted (or rattle can if NMF). I finally entered the modern age of the airbrush at the end of that year.
Dad was a fighter pilot so I grew up on airbases - he was trained in T-28, T-34 & T-33, then flew F-100, F-101, F-105, F-4 (Cam Ranh Bay) and T-38 (as IP).
I'm a member of Tulsa Modeler's Forum club (www.tulsaipms.org).
Live in Tulsa, 6 kids, 1 GREAT wife.
Love the outdoors and good friends (stop and visit anytime you're in Tulsa!)
REALLY hope to build my complete stash before I die (does anyone actually know someone who has accomplished this?)!
I'm also a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, so if you ever feel the need for some extra prayer, feel free to reach out.
When I saw a pic of the Malaysian scheme in a magazine, I had to build it. I ordered a couple different sets of after market decals (none for an F-5), but they didn't fit the size of the model. I was surprised when I opened the box that [...]
I know it's been awhile. I just realized that between our annual show last year and the show last weekend, I've only completed 3 projects! The Privateer took me almost 8 months, and then I moved at the end of the year. I do have 3 [...]
For Christmas of 2003, I found a gentleman at a local airport who owned a T-28, one of the primary trainers my dad had flown earning his wings. I offered to pay him to take my dad up for a flight in his plane, but he agreed to do it and [...]
In November 1966 dad landed at Cam Ranh Bay in S. Vietnam, with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron. When he departed in September of 1967 he had flown 241 missions for 401.6 combat hours, with 69 of those missions over N. Vietnam. I don't [...]
Here are some assorted photos dad took at various locations when he stumbled upon interesting aircraft. Whenever I asked him if there were any aircraft he always wanted to fly that he never got a chance to, the F-86 and P-51 are the two [...]
I'm saving the Cam Ranh Bay post for last, so skipping ahead in sequence to post-Vietnam. Dad was posted to the Air Force Academy as his next billing, but the only reason he joined the air force was to fly (he had his pilot's license [...]
While stationed at Bitburg, Germany with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, the unit transitioned from the F-105 to the F-4D. Dad was sent to Davis Monthan AFB, AZ to learn to fly the beast. He trained on the C-model from April to June, [...]
From October 1963 to September 1965 we were stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in N. Carolina. Dad flew the B, D and F models of the Thunderchief, as part of the 334th Tactical Fighter Squadron. A TDY assignment took the unit and it's Thuds [...]
July of 1966, dad helped ferry a group of RF-4C's from Toul, France to Mountain Home, ID, in the company of their flying gas truck, a KC-135. That's him suiting up in the last couple of pics.
Bentwaters, AFB, England, Sept 1960 to July 1963. 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron. The Voodoo is such a cool, unique design. The 100, 101 and 105 are my favorite century series aircraft, as they had such character - unlike almost all modern [...]