New Guy

newarmorman

Member since
May 2009
From: Las vegas, NV

New Guy

Posted by newarmorman on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 8:29 PM

Hello, fellow modelers! I am new to the forum arena and just want to introduce myself. I like to model modern armor, I am a fourth generation marine, my son is fifth. I started modeling again when he left for his first tour in Iraq, five years ago.. he will be leaving in a few days for his third tour, this time to Afghanistan . I started modeling modern US armor because I didn't know enough about it to have an intelligent conversation so.... I decided to learn and I figured the easiest way was to model the machines he talked about. Thats how I learned about cars, and planes when I was young! I, all told, have been modeling about 20 years off and on. I am a retired engineer. I was with Lockheed Corp. for 20 years! I have recently acquired a Taig Micro lathe and as I did 27 years ago am now turning my own gun barrels, road wheels, hatches etc. I like having it, I can make parts I can't or won't buy! Why pay premium for parts I can make myself and make them better! Of course judging from Finescale and its fine readership and all their varied skills, we all kinda share that same or similar philosophies. Make it better, more accurately and I really admire how we as modelers always help each other!! By the the way, I have been trying to purchase a Cougar MRAP made by Cromwell models in Scotland... for about five months and their website is and has been down, and a couple of emails I have gotten from Gorden ,I believe his name is, he says its available, and the website will be up soon?,but when I ask him to give me a price in US dollars and how much for shipping etc. I never get a response! Does anyone have resource for this kit? Also I understand there is a new resin kit of the Buffalo MRAP and/or a plastic kit already exists, does anyone know who makes these and where I can purchase one? There aren't so many modern US armor models that I shouldn't be able to keep my collection complete! I would also like to offer my services to anyone that might need a turned barrel or gun etc. that maybe isn't available for sale, I don't charge much more than for my materials, and expenses and of course if you can provide details for measurements etc. I can do it. I only offer my help because I have turned a few pieces for myself that I couldn't buy and I know the pride of having a nicer more accurate looking model. My email is danstew72@gmail.com feel free to contact me if I can be of help! Well bye for now, I look forward to talking with all of you. Newarmorman

Reply

Jagdwolf

Member since
April 2006
From: Navan, Ontario

Posted by Jagdwolf on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 9:03 PM

to the forums, newarmorman. Hope your stay is a pleasant and fruitful one, and looking forward to seeing your builds.

Jagdwolf

Reply

mg.mikael

Member since
December 2007
From: Bridgeview, Illinois

Posted by mg.mikael on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 9:28 PM

to the forums, newarmorman!!! Hope to see you around the forums!

As for your question about the Cougar MRAP, I can't help but ask your question in the armor section, some of the guys may be able to help you there. As for the Buffalo MRAP, the kit does exist in resin, but not stryene. Vajra makes a 1/35 version, but it is expensive. Nevertheless here's a link that should help: http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=603&Type=FL

"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week." - George S. Patton

Photobucket

Reply

newarmorman

Member since
May 2009
From: Las vegas, NV

Posted by newarmorman on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 10:20 PM

Hello to you Sir,

Thank you for your kind welcome! As soon as I figure out how to post my photos, I will be glad to post some PIX. I have one I am rather proud of, its an M551 Sheridan, Gulf war version with a scratch built main gun, a LionMarc 50 cal. and fiber optic head and tail lights. I entered it in a local hobby shop contest and I took fourth place out of 54 entries in the post WWII category. Well thank you again! Stay in touch!

Newarmorman

Reply

newarmorman

Member since
May 2009
From: Las vegas, NV

Posted by newarmorman on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 10:26 PM

Thanks for the welcome,

I look forward to the forums, I only hope I have something to contribute, some of you guys are incredible! Thanks for the suggestions about my questions and the link! I need to learn how to insert links also, I go to a few great ones in the UK they have some very interesting techniques they use in their modeling. I learn a lot about what to do, as well as what not to do, if you know what I mean! Well gotta go, talk to you later!

Newarmorman

Reply

mg.mikael

Member since
December 2007
From: Bridgeview, Illinois

Posted by mg.mikael on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 10:54 PM

newarmorman wrote:
Thanks for the welcome,

I look forward to the forums, I only hope I have something to contribute, some of you guys are incredible! Thanks for the suggestions about my questions and the link! I need to learn how to insert links also, I go to a few great ones in the UK they have some very interesting techniques they use in their modeling. I learn a lot about what to do, as well as what not to do, if you know what I mean! Well gotta go, talk to you later!

Newarmorman

To add a link, simply copy and paste the link to your posts(like I did.) Then simply press space after you paste and the link should be highlighted(meaning you have a working link.) Hope this helps.

"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week." - George S. Patton

Photobucket

Reply

Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Posted by Daywalker on Thursday, May 14, 2009 7:20 AM

Sign - Welcome [#welcome] to the forums!

I am quite envious of your little machine shop tools, I bet that is nice to use. Being able to turn your own detail parts is about as good as it gets. Approve [^]

I shall keep your son in my thoughts and prayers for a safe tour.

Frank

Reply

newarmorman

Member since
May 2009
From: Las vegas, NV

Posted by newarmorman on Thursday, May 14, 2009 11:53 AM

Hi Daywalker,

Don't be envious, watching me trying to remember how to use machine tools after not using them for like 30 years is probably very comical to the casual observer. I used to cut my own prototypes sometimes when the machinists in the engineering model shop were very busy, but they would set it up load the material to be cut and I would do the rest. So I am relearning some and learning the rest, but it is kinda fun. The only problem is all the tools are miniature and the material can be expensive to waste ( if I have to cut a part like three or four times to get it right). My first part was an intake stack for a car, I volunteered to make for my buddy, I thought I knew exactly how to do it, but I failed and it took me two weeks to get it right and the actual setup ended up being nothing like I envisioned! Sooooo......, but anyway if you run into a barrel or ? and need a part cut, let me know and I will give it a shot. I only need a few pieces of info and I can make it, we can talk about price. I am trying to help my fellow modelers by making parts that can't be bought or aren't even made. I think its a niche I can fill and make a buck or two besides. Barrels for tanks don't cost much to buy and the materials to make them is fairly cheap ( aluminum, brass etc.) so to cut a unique barrel might cost you $20 max. Considering its a one up custom made part that a pretty good price, and if you help by lets say sending me the plastic part so I can get basic dimensions and/ or tell me what error needs correcting that makes the original part useless it will help to keep the final cost down. Or maybe we can barter for something I might need or? Anyway the offer is out there, and I am willing to try to cut anything as long as it isn't any larger than 3" x 6" and I can get the material! Because sometimes they want you to buy 20 feet of something and all I need is 1 foot. You know? Well bye for now.

Newarmorman