New to the Hobby

Plamo Otaku

Member since
August 2009
From: Yokohama, Japan

New to the Hobby

Posted by Plamo Otaku on Thursday, August 6, 2009 3:06 AM

Hi Folks,

Just thought I would check in. I have only been doing plastic model since 1 year ago and an FSM sunscriber since last month.

I live in japan and do 1/48 WW2 aircraft of which I have built 12 so far. This stops me from going crazy ( or too late?). I try hard to learn the techniques but langauge barrier keeps me from networking with other modellers so I read everything I can and do many tests and experiments.

On the plus side the range of kits, tools and materials in the shops here is mind boggling. I have assembled a huge tool kit which I can to use for many years. It seems if there is a modelling task or technique some obscure Japanese company has made a tool for it.

I'm from Australia and one day I will live there again. At home, my wife has nearly finished managing the construction of a 400 square foot plastic model workshop and display room for me. I'll hang out in there when I retire. The room will be finished next week but will remain unused for a few years.

I got a bit carried away with buying kits and bought 336 kits since I began modelling 18 months ago. I'll probably not live long enough to make them all up !

My real name is Greg Triplett but I chose "Plamo Otaku" as the screen name. "Plamo" is the Japanese word for Plastic Model (a contraction from the English) and "Otaku" means geek. So I'm a proud plamo otaku.

My current project is scatchbuilding all the special modification parts for a 1/48 Dambuster Lancaster. Prior to that I built a P47 Thunderbolt

Looking forward to meeting some of you on the forum.

Regards

Greg Triplett

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camo junkie

Member since
January 2009
From: clinton twp, michigan

Posted by camo junkie on Thursday, August 6, 2009 7:15 AM

greg to the forums

hope you get back down under one day, in the mean time im jealous your in japan. look forward to seeing some of your stuff!

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"

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Watchmann

Member since
January 2005
From: Cave City, KY

Posted by Watchmann on Thursday, August 6, 2009 8:16 AM

Irasshaimase!

In what part of Japan are you living?

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mg.mikael

Member since
December 2007
From: Bridgeview, Illinois

Posted by mg.mikael on Thursday, August 6, 2009 12:10 PM

to the forums, Plamo Otaku!!! Hope to see you around!

By the way, nice screename(very creative.)

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

Photobucket

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Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Posted by Daywalker on Thursday, August 6, 2009 3:27 PM

Sign - Welcome [#welcome] to the forums Greg, I am excited to see your Lanc progress! Thumbs Up [tup]

Frank

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subfixer

Member since
March 2004
From: Spartanburg, SC

Posted by subfixer on Thursday, August 6, 2009 6:23 PM

I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

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Plamo Otaku

Member since
August 2009
From: Yokohama, Japan

Posted by Plamo Otaku on Thursday, August 6, 2009 6:30 PM

Yokohama, Motomachi district.

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Plamo Otaku

Member since
August 2009
From: Yokohama, Japan

Posted by Plamo Otaku on Thursday, August 6, 2009 6:41 PM

Daywalker wrote:

to the forums Greg, I am excited to see your Lanc progress!

I've discovered that scratch building takes a lot more hours than build-out-of-the-box. But then I supposed this is not news for more experienced modellers.............

I cant finish the Dambuster in Japan due to problem of shipping such a large fragile model to Oz. I am building the mod bits only here. Consists of bomb bay fairing, upkeep bomb, arms and belt drive. Some parts made of wood and some plastic plate. I'll post some pix when done.

Cheers

Greg

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Plamo Otaku

Member since
August 2009
From: Yokohama, Japan

Posted by Plamo Otaku on Thursday, August 6, 2009 6:42 PM

subfixer wrote:

Thanks for the warm welcome folks.

Greg

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camo junkie

Member since
January 2009
From: clinton twp, michigan

Posted by camo junkie on Thursday, August 6, 2009 8:38 PM

so i have to ask just because your in japan...have ya visited the tamiya factory??? i'd love to be able to!!

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Friday, August 7, 2009 7:57 AM

Welcome to the Forums . Glad you're here.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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Plamo Otaku

Member since
August 2009
From: Yokohama, Japan

Posted by Plamo Otaku on Thursday, August 13, 2009 7:54 PM

camo junkie wrote:
so i have to ask just because your in japan...have ya visited the tamiya factory??? i'd love to be able to!!

Yes I have visited Tamiya.

On May 16th was the Annual Model Show in Shizuoka. Nearby is the Tamiya headquarters and they have an open day each year to coincide with the Model Show. The following things were available:

- Demonstration of the development of a model including hand made prototypes and 3D CAD design

-Various injection moulding machines in action and moulds on display

-Kids section where young ones could try out plastic modelling under supervision of parents

-Museum of historic made up kits

-Demonstrations of air brushing and other plamo techniques

-RC cars runnning around on the roof of the building

-Shopping area: I bought their brand new twin fan spray booth and a super fine air brush. Also bought a large quantity of spare sprues and decal sheets going for 100-200 yen.

- Tamiya's collection of historic F1 cars including the famous Tyrell 6 wheeler

This was Tamiya's headquarters where they do all the engineering development work as well as HQ for the Company. There is one factory in Shizuoka but the main factory (brand new) is in the Phillipines.

Cheers

Greg the Plamo Otaku