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When I was a kid in California in the 80's I saw a model airplane kit in our local pharmacy. I begged my mom to buy it even though I had no clue how to assemble it or that you needed paints to complete it. It was a Revell F/A-18 in 1:48 scale. I used super glue my dad had in the garage and a few random paints to slap it together in an afternoon. I was hooked on the hobby and would save money mowing lawns or from birthdays to buy whatever kit looked interesting on the shelves of the pharmacy. I built some random kits including modern aircraft (80s and 90s fighter), world war two aircraft, and eventually a couple tanks over the course of my middle teens.

I had those kits displayed in my room over the rest of my childhood, but they eventually found their way into a moving box as we moved across the country and I moved on to more adult things like college and career. Shortly after leaving the Army in my mid 30s I was trying to find activities that could take my mind off of uncomfortable events and a way to relax in my free time. I found my box of poorly built models that had lived in my parents basement for 20 years and it sparked the interest again in the hobby.

I decided to try to build a new kit for the first time in decades. I ordered one online while I looked for a new career and attempted to build it using what little knowledge I had gained from my previous building experiences. The first few kits were not great, but I had a lot of fun and I was definitely hooked again. I would attempt a few kits over the next few years between going back to college and getting established in my new career. Then, in 2022, I found a local hobby shop and a model making group that meets once a month.

Meeting with people and learning so many new techniques and ways of doing models has really elevated my skill and given a whole new life to my hobby. I now take months, instead of days, to build and paint my kits. I take pride in the work I do and strive to create things that I not only like to show on my shelves, but also share with others online and in groups. I am glad I have found these local resources and also this online community to see the awesome work that others create and also share my own creations that others enjoy.

My attempt at the Hasegawa Macchi C.202 Folgore 1:48

I have liked the look of this airframe for some time now and wanted to attempt this kit. I waited until I had some more practice with the airbrush since I knew this was going to be a challenge. I also wanted to use masks for most of the [...]

Star Wars Stormtrooper 3D Print and Custom Diorama

Well this is something different for me and gives me a little break from planes and tanks... Last year I decided to make a custom diorama base to showcase various action figures in 1:12 scale. The catch was, I wanted to make it a forced [...]

Tamiya Panther Panzer V Ausf. A in 1/35 scale

I was walking through my local hobby shop a few months ago and saw this on the shelf for $20. I couldn't resist getting such a classic tank for that deal. I figured it was probably an older model that had been created decades ago and had [...]

Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. J Remote Control! by Tamiya 1/35

I was working on several other models, as we often do, when I got distracted and saw this was available. I was blown away by the fact that Tamiya had 1/35 scale RC versions of some of their tanks. I had to pick this one up immediately. [...]

British Valentine Mk. II/IV by Tamiya

Here goes my second post. I have been obsessed recently with World War 2 British equipment. My last post was a Hurricane so I thought it appropriate to represent the ground forces this time. I chose the Valentine because I have been trying [...]

Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 1:48 scale

This is my most recent build and my first post to this site. I think my skills have improved greatly thanks to my local IPMS chapter. I don't think any of my previous airplanes were good enough to show so I am proud of this build. I hope [...]