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Introduction

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  • Member since
    December 2007
Introduction
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:41 AM

Hello.  I have been in the aviation industry for 43 years including a flying career in the military, corporate and airlines.  I retired from NWA in 2009 and now do consulting work.  Building model aircraft has been a lifelong interest but due to family commitments and work, I hadn't been able to really get back into it until now.  My particular interest includes US military aircraft in the 1/48 scale. 

I have been a regular subscriber to Finescale Modeling for a few years now and enjoy the articles and especially the reader suggestions; many of which I now use.  I would like to be able to use this forum to further my knowledge about building these models and will be happy to share any knowledge about the aircraft I have flown with other members.

Frank Alexander

Tags: Introduction
  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Minnesota City, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Posted by FlyItLikeYouStoleIt on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:58 AM

Welcome Frank!

OMG, a military pilot? In here? Awesome! You are going to be real popular! It's alright, they don't bite. I personally look forward to seeing some of your work and hopefully pick your brain for some hands on knowledge of aircraft appearances and mechanics. I'll be glad, as will everybody in here, to share any tips I may have to help you as well.

Again,  Welcome!!

Bill.

On the bench:  Lindberg 1/32 scale 1934 Ford Coupe and a few rescue projects.

In queue:  Tamiya 1/35 Quad Tractor or a scratch build project.

Moderator
  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by Tim Kidwell on Friday, May 3, 2013 10:03 AM

Frank, welcome to the FSM Forum!

Glad to have you here, and I'm glad that you read and find FSM helpful. The girls and boys here like pics, so whenever you're ready to share some of your builds, you'll find a willing audience.

Tim

--

Timothy Kidwell
tkidwell@firecrown.com
Editor
Scale Model Brands
Firecrown Media

 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Friday, May 3, 2013 10:19 AM

Welcome to the Forum, Frank.  Lots of aircraft around here!

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Friday, May 3, 2013 11:26 AM

Welcome to another ex-military member. What did you fly in the service? I wasn't a pilot but was a Huey crewchief for 8+ years. Sure miss it alot I'll tell you! You should be able to learn alot in here no problem. I have learned more in here in 1 year than I have in years of reading books. It's a great place to be. Welcome aboard, Joe

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Friday, May 3, 2013 1:25 PM

Welcome aboard. Dive right in and enjoy. I am sure you will have a lot to offer as well as being able to pick others brains.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Friday, May 3, 2013 3:18 PM

Welcome aboard, Frank. I'm guessing most of us have only "flown" the plastic ones we build (only late at night, when nobody's looking), so you're the real voice of experience here. Hopefully we can all pick up a few tidbits from one another.

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Guam
Posted by sub revolution on Friday, May 3, 2013 3:38 PM

Welcome! I second the notion that a former pilot will be very welcome here! Just stand by for a lot of questions!

If I may suggest, have a look at the Group Build section of the forums. We have several good ones going on right now, and surely one of them will spark your interest. They are a great way to share information and techniques.

-Budd

NEW SIG

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 4:56 PM

Thanks Joe. I flew the F-100C, A-37B and 0-2 in the National Guard.  Put in 11 years.

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:08 PM

Bill,

Thanks for the nice welcome.  It's been a long time since I flew in the military (my 40 year pilot training reunion is this year), all of it in the National Guard.  Right now I'm working on Academy's F-86F-30.  Trying to make it as good as I can but not quite able to get the finish as smooth as I would like.  I'll post some pix when it gets closer to being finished.  Looking forward to learning a lot here.

best,

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:10 PM

Thanks Tim.  Right now I'm working on Academy's 1/48 F-86F-30.  Will try to post some pix when it gets further along the road.  Remember I'm a newbie here (actually an "oldbe") because it's been along time since I worked on any of these but I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:12 PM

Thanks Greg.  I'm hoping to learn a lot from you guys.  If I can give back anything in return, I'll be happy to try.

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:14 PM

Thanks Budd.  I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you guys.  I'll try to do what I can if there are any questions.  I do have one question which prompted me to join the forum in the first place.  I am building Academy's F-86F-30 (1/48) and need a new decal sheet.  I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get one besides from Academy?  

Best,

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Friday, May 3, 2013 5:24 PM

I am not sure if any of these are the right variant you are doing, but you might want to look through these.

www.hannants.co.uk/.../index.php

I am sure you can find these closer to home.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by connorMcclain on Friday, May 3, 2013 8:30 PM

Frank thats awesome that you flew for the guard, my dad is serving in afgan atm but coming home roughly on the 20th of june. i bet those A-37's where fun. they look wicked

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Guam
Posted by sub revolution on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:04 PM

Hannants is a great resource for decal sheets. Bish pointed that out to me when I needed some. If you can't find something there, you may be out of luck. But, the good news is, you can supposedly print your own decals pretty easily now. If you have a decent hobby store nearby, ask them about it. That's where I heard about it from. All you really need is a good printer and the specil decal paper.

-Budd

NEW SIG

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Friday, May 3, 2013 9:33 PM

From one vet to another WELCOME!  I worked F-15 and 16 avionics for 21 years.  It will be great to have a pilots perspective....rest assured, you will be popular and get lots of questions!  So in return, don't forget to post pics of your builds.  We love pics!  And don't hesitate to ask questions.  There is an awesome group of people here more than willing to help and have vast amounts of knowledge.....and we like to have a good time too!  Check out the group builds, they are a blast!  Again, Welcome!

Eagle90

 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
Posted by subfixer on Sunday, May 5, 2013 6:38 AM

Welcome Sign

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

  • Member since
    July 2012
  • From: Douglas AZ
Posted by littletimmy on Sunday, May 5, 2013 6:08 PM

Welcome!!!   Since you flew the real thing Maybe you can help me.

Which wire do I cut ......    The red one or the green one ?  

 Dont worry about the thumbprint, paint it Rust , and call it "Battle Damage"

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:06 AM

Thanks Budd.  That is one of the main reasons why I joined the forum  Will check it out.

Best,

Frank

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:10 AM

That was exactly what I was looking for.  Thanks!

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:16 AM

It was a great airplane for the Guard back when the Guard was more of a flying club than the active Air Force.  You could be away from it for a few weeks and when you got back into it, you didn't have to worry too much about hurting yourself.  I enjoyed it a lot.  By atm, do you mean air traffic management?  In any case, I'm glad he's coming home soon and we appreciate the sacrifices he made for us.

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:19 AM

I thought about making my own decals but I don't think I'm ready for that or skilled enough.  I have a great hobby shop near me in Minneapolis and they do have the decal paper so I may try it one day.

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:21 AM

I have a number of friends who flew the 15 and the 16.  It's fun to get them started on which is the better airplane.  I imagine that the avionics in those jets are a whole lot different than what I was used to in the F-100!

  • Member since
    December 2007
Posted by hispeed on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 5:24 AM

From what I recall, the red one fires the ejection seat and the green flames out the engine; your choice.  Either way have your emergency checklist handy :-)

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:19 AM

hispeed

I have a number of friends who flew the 15 and the 16.  It's fun to get them started on which is the better airplane.  I imagine that the avionics in those jets are a whole lot different than what I was used to in the F-100!

Oh yea, they can get all bent out of shape over their A/C.  But it is the same with Maint.....My first and only true love is the F-15.  Learned about her, went to war with her, can't beat that bond.  To me, the -16 is like a toy!  Cute little thing, but not an Eagle! Wink

Eagle90

 

  • Member since
    May 2013
Posted by connorMcclain on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 10:48 AM

yeah ive always enjoyed the air force flying over my house cause i live not even 30 miles from the AFB, and then alittle more out is the colorado air force academy. its cool and once in a blue moon we see c-130's. if i wasnt afraid of heights i would wanna be a pilot  

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