40 articles · 7K karma · 49 friends · active 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Ah jus' loves me a model airplane...

Fell in love with Airfix 1/72, and some larger stuff as a kid, and by 18 was on to other endeavors. Re-discovered the hobby in 2004, as I needed something to do. I build WWII aircraft 1/48, pretty much OOB, and accept the contents of said box without resorting to blueprints. OK, so I've built a few turkeys, and am reluctant to weather my work to a great degree,but every build gets a little closer to being "there".

Professionally, I have been involved in the yachting industry on a global basis in any number of positions, and currently build things for people by turning expensive rough lumber into dust, noise and shape. Mid 60's . Single.

Trumpeter RA-5C Vigilante

Another case of buy the kit, then read the reviews just before building. Oh, my! One of three kits that I didn't think would be available in the future due to their countries of origin, I purchased this and two other "gotta [...]

Eduard 1/48 Grumman Hellcat 1 (F6F-3)

This is a great kit that I thoroughly enjoyed building and am reasonably happy with the results. Anything else is superfluous. It's one half of a twin boxing-still have a Hellcat 2 (F6F-5), Pacific Theatre.

Accurate Miniatures Yak-1 on skis

This was a nice little kit that I've had tucked away for a decade or so-built in 2020 along with a dozen others. Part two of the VVS ski team-see my Stormovik, located somewhere in here.

AMT Douglas A-20G

My favorite twin-engined bomber of WWII, and probably the most iconic, as in overexposed, livery. Relatively straight forward and basic kit-another member of the 20/20 club, and another lockdown build.

Revell C7R Corvette 1/25 scale

A $14 Hobby Lobby find this year. I have a personal connection with this car, as several years ago while working an early season test session (corner marshal), it caught fire first thing the first day and ended up in front of my station. [...]

Azur Arsenal VG 36/39

I found this kit in a box during the lockdown and was astounded. I was sure that I'd binned it, as I remember it being unworthy of building for some obscure reason several years ago. I gave it a look over and decided that all was not lost, [...]

Lockheed P-38J Droopsnoot

A really nice Academy kit of a lesser known version of the Lightning. Built during the 2020 debacle. One of a large number of great kits that I've classified as 20/20, meaning at least twenty years old and purchased for less that $20.00. [...]

Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano

First completion of 2021, Hobby Boss in 1/48. A nice kit and enjoyable build. I made paper masks for the camo and as usual used Model Master enamels.

Tamiya 1/20 Ferrari F189

One of a series of 1/20 scale Formula One cars put out by Tamiya with a focus on the late 80's through early 90's. This particular car was driven by Nigel Mansell and debuted at the Portuguese Grand Prix in 1989. These kits are great for [...]

Trumpeter 1/48 SM 79 II

What I will say about this kit, finished just a couple of weeks ago after being buried in the stash for a decade. It went together cleanly, was interesting to paint and looks pretty much like an SM 79 should. The interior is sparse, so I [...]