Hello all! I am new to the beautiful community of FSM and a year into modeling. Since the forum said to introduce myself, I decided to comply.
I am a 27 year old from Texas. I have always wanted to get into modeling, ever since I was a kid and Wal-Mart would sell models. But the fact that I had to paint all pieces and glue them always scared me a little bit. I would try to build paper models as a kid of Star Wars ships, which led me to my first hobby; collecting Star Wars figures. But that curiosity for modeling was always there.
I'm also a history buff, so last April 13th, I decided to take my wife to watch the Titanic re-release, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the tragedy. While we waited for the movie to start, however, she asked me to take her to Hobby Lobby. I didn't think much of it, but while she looked around, I found my way to the model section. I decided to pick up Academy's 1:600 Titanic... and it began.
The next day (we got home late from the movie), I opened my model and realized I was going to need a lot of tools. I started reading up on the hobby and went back to the store to pick up paints, hobby knives, tweezers, etc. For a beginner, I'd like to think I amassed a rather respectable set of tools.
Well, to this day, I have not been able to finish that Titanic--it's about 1/3rd ready, but I realize I may have started with a model a tad too advanced for me, plus I really don't want to ruin that Titanic. I took a step back and instead built a Revell 1/77 Ford Tri-Motor, learning a few more skills in the process, and I painted it to look like the Tri-Motor in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It's my first finished model, and I'm rather proud of it (I want to post some photos soon). I had to take a break for a while because we moved to a new house, but since I set up a whole room just for my modeling and collections, and now I'm able to work a few minutes here and there on my models. I'm currently working on a Revell Huey Hog, still picking up skills. As soon as that's done, I'm going back to finish the Titanic. I already have a backlog waiting, though. My interests are ships, planes and helicopters, particularly historic and military ones.
Well, I just subscribed to the magazine and website, I'm really loving the hobby (I'm a very patient guy, so it's really down my alley), and my wife really encourages the hobby: a plus in my book! I'm currently looking into buying a compressor and airbrush, since I keep reading how much better your models can be with one of those. Hopefully I can have it by this weekend and complete my Huey Hog.
I apologize for the wall of text, but that's my introduction. I'm really looking forward to learning from all of your amazing skills! I'm loving the community around here!
P.S. - A quick question: can someone tell me what the model is, at the top of the website next to the FineScale Modeler logo? I'd really like to build one of those!