80's modeler & resin caster returns

Hi everyone,

I was a very avid modeler back in the '80s, when I was still a teenager and college student. Unfortunatley, the real world intruded, and I just didn't have the time or the workspace necessary to continue modeling, though I tried (unsuccessfully) to keep up with all the new kits and the blossoming of the after-market market.

I mainly did armor when I was "into it". I was lucky enough to go to the 1986 IPMS nationals right after I graduated from high school, and picked up the "best of show" in the junior category for a Vietnam-era Centurion tank, and the Testors Corp. "Most Realistic Finish" award for an M3 Bradley CFV. I was pretty proud of that one - I remember some of the old-timer aircraft modelers grumbling about the award going to a teenager, let alone a non-aircraft model! (Does Testors still give out a most realistic finish award?). I also won some best-of categories at one of the first national contests for an armor modeling society a few years later, which I can't remember the acronym for now.

During college I worked for one of the first after-market resin companies, AEF Designs. I cast parts and filled out orders, but also got to work on new products. I designed & built AEF's M1A1 conversion, which was the only way to get one back then. I also did several Sherman hulls, LAV tires, ammo boxes, and other things I can't remember anymore. I think AEF still sells some of that stuff. But I haven't been in contact with them for years. Working at AEF was a unique experience. But there was no way it was ever going pay for *bleep*, so I had to leave it behind for the real world.

I now live far, far away on the island of Saipan, where WWII is still a living memory and you can't go anywhere without seeing an old Sherman or Japanese tank, and you certainly can't walk off the road without running into unexploded shells still lying in the jungle. I have a family now, and just bought a simple 1:48 scale P-51 at the gift shop of our new WWII museum (run by the US National Park Service). I am going to build it for my youngest's 2nd birthday. With everything closed, and no small protruding parts of course. There are no hobby shops on island, so I will be trying to do it with spray paints from the Ace Hardware store, and perhaps Future as a decal and top coat.

So the main reason I joined today, was so that I could look and see if Future could be hand brushed, since I have no airbrush here (in storage, for past 10 years ). I didn't find anything using the search function. I know it might not look the best, but I am just trying to make a "toy" for my son. He recently found my WWII aircraft books, and just couldn't put them down. He especially likes the color paintings on the covers of my Squadron books. Since that reminds me so much of myself, I just want to do for him, what my Dad did for me (back in the days of Lindberg & Aurora).

So hello to all, and let me know about that Future thing. (also, I am assuming that Future dries to a safe and non-toxic finish, since they use it on floors - does anyone know if I am correct?)

Brian B