Hi all! I'm back to the hobby after a few decades of hit and miss activity.
I worked over twenty years as a journey man tool and die maker. It gives me a whole new understanding of not only how kits are molded, but also how to finish them. I have nothing but respect for the level of detail you see in newer kits. The new tooling is amazing.
I build mainly aircraft and ships. My dad made a history buff out of me lol! Last year I was fortunate enough to take him along with my son to Philadelphia to tour the USS Olympia and the USS New Jersey. One of the results is a vintage Revell Olympia and a new Revell Germany USS New Jersey kit on the bench.This spring we went to Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton and I was inspired to pick up the classic B-36 kit.
Another big interest of mine is photography. On both trips I took a lot of photos with the idea of having reference materials for my models. I definitely need to find a good B-58 and a XB-70 Valkryie!
Also wanted to mention the Cradle of Aviation museum on Long Island. Grumman had some history there and they a Wildcat, Hellcat and an actual LEM there along with other aircraft. The other benefit of the museum was the gift shop where i found a lot of vintage kits that had been donated to the museum. Still kicking myself for the vintage Neptune I left on the shelf. Well, you can't buy everything I guess, but I do keep trying!