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Navy vet, California born and raised. Pretty much came back home after my wonderful adventure in the Navy. Now working in the Automotive industry in the IE in So Cal. Enjoying the So Cal lifestyle. Year around modeling, sports, photography and home gardening. My main subject is Naval aviation in 48th scale. But I don't limit myself as WWII subjects of all nations and aircraft that participated in that conflict I will build as well, some armor, a ship here and there and for a change of pace a car. As a kid that is where it all began with the old MPC Monkee Mobile in 1/25 scale. Thats me in a nutshell.

IJN Mitsubishi G4M1 Model 11 Betty Tamiya 1/48th

Built before the start of the Japanese Empire GB, so really can't put it under that label. Completed in late 2019. Tams Betty which seems like a couple of year ago is over 20 years old now since being released in 1996.

On this Day: 16 January 1991, Operation Desert Storm 30 year Anniversary

Task Force "Normandy is launched soon after dark on 16 January 1991, 8 AH-64A Apache attack helicopters along with a CH-53 mother ship, belonging to the 101st Airborne Division, their mission was to attack and destroy 2 Iraqi [...]

2020: A Year in Review/Memoriam

It is 6PM on the last day of 2020 in So California, USA. It is Thursday, 9PM in New York and already most of the world it is 2021. 2020 started out with nothing unusual situation normal. It is an election year, the Super Bowl teams are [...]

Empire of Japan-Fujimi 1/48th Aichi D3A1 Type 99 Val IJN Pearl Harbor

The Val is my first entry to The Empire of Japan Group build. The Fujimi Val is not as detailed as the Hasegawa offering, but shape wise it is pretty accurate. A kit from the mid 70's, but it does have fine engraved panel lines. Just [...]

ON THIS DAY: 5 December 1945, 75 year Anniversary of The Mystery of Flight 19

It is a beautiful warm fall bright shiny day. A fine Navy day for flying. Lt Charles C Taylor was tasked as the training flight instructor for Flight 19. At 28 years old, 2 tours of combat in the Pacific, Lt Taylor had 2500 hours [...]

Douglas A-1H Skyraider, Tamiya 1/48th USN Vietnam 1965 “Special”

It's the last mission day for the USS Midway (CVA-41) before sailing back home to Alameda, Ca. Conducting operations into North and S. Vietnam. The XO of VA-25 " Fist of the Fleet" CDR Clarence Stoddard, Jr. was planning the [...]

Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 1/48, GiNA, DFC,VC Ft Lt. Nicolson 1940

Flt Lt. Nicolson was at 17,000 ft patrolling near Southampton when he noticed a flight of Ju-88's and started down to engage when he was struck by 4 cannon shells that damaged his left eye,left foot and the gravity tank which caused a [...]

Review: Quinta Studios 1/48 P-38F Interior Detail Set For The Tamiya Kit

As I was finally getting around to get started on the fairly new Tamiya P-38F/G Lightning. It's amazing it has been out for over a year. I have been building Tamiya kits in order that starting with Ki-84 Hayate Frank way back in 1992. [...]

IJA Mitsubishi Ki-46 III Kai Dinah, 1/48 Tamiya PTO

It's late June 1945, the B-29 bombers streams are approaching the Japanese mainland, Lt Fuchida and his radioman Sgt Yamada are in their Mitsubishi Ki-46 III Dinah. Lately the B-29's have changed tactics were not coming as high once they [...]

On This Day 2 August 1990, Iraq invades Kuwait

I't s a nice sunny hot Thursday morning flying up the California coast to NAS Bremerton, Washington. Just left Moffet topping off the tanks for the final leg of the flight. Pilot, Lt Luis "Ball" Saenz,co-pilot Lt Cdr [...]