My Plastic Modeling Page
Here's the biggest draw of my leisure time -
that is, when I actually have leisure time - building models. It
is generally regarded as a child's activity (mostly by people who built
models as kids!) but there are a whole lot of adults who've never been
able to shake the habit - or the stigma that comes with the hobby. We
have to endure "Isn't that a kid's hobby?" or "Yeah, I used to build
them as a kid." sentiments from all sides. Well, it's a deep-seated
interest in me and I believe it helped me (perhaps subconciously) in my
choice of careers as a drafter - the exploded view line drawings and assembly
steps of a typical model kit are technical by nature and hit a chord with
me at a young age.
While my drafting board, vellum and technical pens may
have given way to computers, plotters and the digital realm, building a
model - with one's hands - still gives a sense of accomplishment that I've
yet to see in another hobby of mine. I also have a radio-controlled
airplane kit still in the box in the attic as well as my beloved Thunderjet
HO slotcars, some HO railroad engines and rolling stock, so my hobbies
are varied yet remain in small scale. But, I have always come back
to modeling...
I tend to gravitate to larger scales of aircraft
(1/48th scale and larger) and still have my hand in armor (1/35th scale),
autos and commercial vehicles (1/25thscale). I prefer United States
Navy subjects from the 1930's onward, armor (mostly US) from World War
II through present day and commercial trucks and heavy equipment (1/25th
scale). All this interest has to spill over elsewhere and the local
chapter of the International Plastic Modeler's Society (IPMS/USA) branch
fits the bill. I've been Secretary, Chapter Contact and newsletter
editor since 1996 and have enjoyed the cameraderie, awe of looking at member's
models, road trips and general fun at our club's functions. To
find out more, check out the IPMS/Lackawanna
Valley Scale Modelers website. If you're in the neighborhood,
consider stopping by - we don't bite. Well, maybe later during our
meetings...
I don't claim to be an expert modeler - I've
a ways to go before then. Still, after building models for all these
years, you'd hope something improved. My abilities have indeed
improved to the point where I can build a well-constructed, accurate
(at least as far as my meagre references allow) model. Yes, long
gone are the days of FBI-quality glue fingerprints and seams down the middle
of an airplane model. Paints are matched for historical accuracy
and markings (waterslide decals) are obtained for particular subjects
of given eras. I count two airbrushes in my inventory, several rotary
tools, hundreds of paint bottles... While all this has taken place,
I still marvel at my 14-year-old nephew's ability to crank out a Tiger
tank in one afternoon. Was it that long ago that I was able
to build a model in a day? I suppose so; I'll admit I'm lucky if
I can turn out a completed model every six months. Anyway, I try
- my wife, four kids, one fish and the dog nothwithstanding...
Here are a couple models I've built or have
on the desk in various stages of completion... Don't let the fact of them
being ground vehicles fool you - I've got far more aircraft models than
armor or autos stashed away in my 'sanctum santorum'... I'll have
to post some of them as well.
An AMT/Ertl International 'Paystar' tractor - I won two awards with
this model.
A German 'Luchs' (lynx) light tank from WWII. Single-link tracks
take time to assemble... Aside from the gun being undersized, this ICM
kit goes together well.
A 'Cold Warrior' - Italeri's M47 Patton tank. A bit more work
needs to be done but it's a great kit...
The timeless Sherman Tank - this one's a Tamiya M4A3 with a couple
'refinements'.