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New/Old Modeler From East Texas

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  • Member since
    March 2017
  • From: East Texas
New/Old Modeler From East Texas
Posted by gtshadow on Monday, March 13, 2017 3:46 PM

Hello everyone. Like many here I guess, I grew up building models as a kid and I'm trying to get back into it. I've done this a few times over the years, but have always had other things get in the way. Hopefully this time will be better. I live in East Texas, in an area lacking any good hobby shops, so I look forward to having access to others here who also enjoy the hobby.

I've always enjoyed the challenge of making models. I mostly like WWII aircraft. I used to watch all the John Wayne and other war movies, on TV, with my dad, when I was a kid and that lead to a life-long fascination with all things WWII. I also like WWI planes and WWI and WWII armor, but haven't built any yet. I'm also hoping to try my hand at some figure painting.

I haven't ever been great at making good looking models, but I'm hoping to learn more here. One of the big problems I have with making models is painting. I haven't ever used an airbrush and frankly I'm a bit scared to try. Maybe one day. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and get frustrated when things don't turn out the way I want them to, but hopefully I will have more patience now that I'm older.

I recently started a Hasegawa 1/48 Spitfire Mk.IXc model, but I'm finding it dificult because, somewhere over the years, I have lost my good eyesight and steady hands. I'm thinking I may need to move to larger scale models.

I may or may not post much here, but I will probably be checking out others posts quite often.

Just skating along on the thin ice of modern life...Cool

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 12:21 PM

Welcome to the Forums! Glad to have you aboard!

You've come to the right place. Plenty of us "Old Timers" here that started the same way you have. I started in 1946 (6 years old) when two of my uncles brought some kits and supplies for me. They were both in WWII. One was a submariner and the other was in the Coast Guard. They both built models and wanted my brother and I to try it. Our parents thought it was a waste of time and money so our uncles kept our stash and supplies up. I've been building ever since. My favorites are also WWI and WWII planes followed by Sailing Ships. I build whatever strikes my fancy and my wallet says OK. I'm finishing up all my 1/72 planes due to shaking hands and poor eyesight also. That's the hazzards of getting old Wink.

Hang in there. Relax and enjoy the hobby.

Jim  Captain

P.S. If you have any questions/problems, just ask. We've all been there at one time or another.

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:40 PM

Welcome aboard. Might i suggest an optivisor or somthing similar. I have found it a rel must have since i started straining to focus on parts a few years back and now its never off my head. Even when doing 32nd aircraft or 35 armour its useful, never mind my more common scale of 72nd aircraft. And you certainly should not be scared of an airbrush,m it opens up a whole new world of model building.

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
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 2:50 PM

Welcome to the Forums!

Spent a year in East Texas a long time ago.  We lived in Tyler, but got around to Longview, Kilgore--and once in a while as far away as Dallas/Fort Worth.

I did enjoy the winters there.  Never saw a single snowflake all year long.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by Mopar Madness on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 3:20 PM

I'm in East Texas once a week.  Definitely a model desert.  Welcome to the forums!

Chad

God, Family, Models...

At the plate: 1/48 Airfix Bf109 & 1/35 Tamiya Famo

On deck: Who knows!

  • Member since
    February 2004
Posted by dhenning on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 8:08 PM

Welcome to the forum!  One good thing you have going for you is not too long of a drive to some great shows!  Scalefest is usually held in Grapevine the last weekend in May or first weekend in June.  Great show, tons of vendors and Squadron usually has a large prescence and sometimes an open house where you get to shop their warehouse.  Their is also a show in Shreveport (it was this past weekend).  There is also a show in Houston, though I haven't been to that one.   Go to the IPMS website and look at the calendar (www.ipmsusa.org)

My family and I try to make it Scalefest every year.  We make it a family vacation to celebrate the end of the school year and hit the science museum in downtown Dallas and Six Flags.

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by patrick206 on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 12:27 PM

Welcome, GT - You've opened a brand new box of fun, although some human conditions impose certain limits, (eyes, steadiness and such,) these are all overcome with patience and learning how to work around them. The aids like Optivisor, or less expensive ones from Harbor Freight to start with, really help with detailed construction and finishing. I have two, one helps me find the other. (:>) 

Airbrushing is such an enjoyable way to really finish off a build, and they need not be all that expensive to turn out good results. When I began airbrushing, I was intimidated by what I thought was just too complicated for me to understand.

Actually, careful reading of the manual and lots of practice at dis-assembling, cleaning, then re-assembling the airbrush answers the questions you will have. The three major components of airbrushing are practice, practice and then more practice. 

A good place for you to start is by a thorough look at a website, just go to "Don's Airbrush," there you will find a great introduction to the types, brands, use, cleaning and maintaining of an airbrush. I had been airbrushing for decades before I learned about Don's site, then I learned a great deal more than I had known before. Priceless information for me.

With no hobby shops nearby, you will be limited to online orders. You'll find reference to many that are reputable and reliable right here at FSM, and you can ask questions of the other members for places to re-supply your needs. That includes tools, paint, decals and even kits.

I hope you'll enjoy building and advancing your skills as you go. At age 76 I find my vision and steadiness is a factor to deal with, but if I just step away to take a little break and then return to the bench, all seems right again.

Best of luck with the hobby, jump in, lots of fun to be had.

Patrick

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • From: East Texas
Posted by gtshadow on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 4:02 PM
Thanks for the welcome guys! I actually think I have an optivisor around here somewhere. I tend to lose things easily. LOL! I also just got a desk lamp with magnifier. Haven't tried it out yet, but hoping it will be helpful. Thanks for the info on the modeling shows, dhenning. I didn't know about those. Maybe I'll be able to check them out. I'll take a look at the Don's Airbrush sight, Patrick. I'm always looking for good resources. Have a great day everyone! Greg

Just skating along on the thin ice of modern life...Cool

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Central Texas
Posted by NucMedTech on Thursday, March 16, 2017 12:53 PM

Hello and welcome! Nice to have another Texan on the board. I am in Central Texas and have the luck of having one hobby shop about 30 minutes away, however I don't visit as often as I should. Get yourself an airbrush, they are not that difficult to use and a 40% off coupon at Hobbylobby will get you a nice one. I got an aircompressor at Walmart that does great for my use plus it does some nice frame nailing when i need it. More shows that you might find interesting is The Austin Scale Modelers show that is around October and Alamo Squadron's show ModelFiesta in Feburary. Hope to see some models from you soon.

Most barriers to your successes are man made. And most often you are the man who made them. -Frank Tyger

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Sunday, March 19, 2017 8:53 AM

Welcome to FSM Forums!

Toshi

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

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