Hi from Salt Lake City!

Hello Forum!

My name is Ray and I...  I...    build Models.

Oh it started innocently enough.  Picking up a copy of FSM from time to time or maybe a Snap-Tite Easy Kit, but nothing too difficult.  I see now these were just "gateway kits" and things only got worse.

But I could handle it.  It was nothing serious.  Yet.

Then one day it happened, I found my first Model store.  Not a TOY store that sells models but a full-on Hobby store, and I was home.  Names I'd never heard before like Tamiya and Dragon and Oh the colors and box art.  From that moment on ever cent a 12 yr. old could earn went to feed my new "habbit".  To my next fix.

Thank God a couple years later I found Girls  and my life got simpler.

About 15 yrs ago I rediscovered my past and the need that goes with it.  Back when I was "experimenting" in my youth there weren't any Acrylic paints around, now I'm hip-deep in photo-etch and resin aftermarket detail sets.  And it's Great!!!

I'm now 41, am not married and w/ no kids.  I've had diabetes most of my life and now am medically disabled, so I have a lot of time to model. I've subscribed to FSM for many, many years now but didn't join this site until May of '08.  I thought it best to lurk around and get a feel for the place before "throwing in". 

Over the past year + , I've learned much & have gained much respect for many people's skills and knowlegde in these Forums. But I must say that the One thing that stands out the most to me about this site is how willing and eager it's members are to...  Help.   No matter the subject in question, their's a Forum for it filled with other modelers who have answers.   

Anyhow,  Any and Ever kind of kit I'll try,  but I tend to lean towards Armor/Autos/Ships.  Also I'm big into settings. Not Dioramas so much, more putting a subject in it's natural surroundings.

Currently on the bench is Zvezda's WWII German Heavy 4WD cargo truck L4500A (#3596) and it looks amazing.  Why can't Tamiya make WoodGrain without injecter-pin marks on one side, but Zvezda CAN??  Also, their's NO seemline running down the center of the leafsprings so no more cleaning up steps.

Well that's about all and I look forword to joining in.

Thank You to all who read this post,  Ray.

 P.S.-  Almost forgot,  I believe  The Doog  should be Knighted.  I learn at your feet, Sir.