Model warships, military aircraft and space vehicles (fiction and non-fiction) in that order. Started when I was 4 years old building Lindberg 1/48th scale aircraft and various scale Revell ships and aircraft in the 1950's. Stopped for a while during the 70's (family, music and war have that effect). Re-started the passion in the 1980's when the hobby re-invented itself.
Worked for the Department of Defense for 15 years working as a "yardbird" at several U.S. Naval Shipyards. My job brought me up close and personal with battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and auxiliary ships throughout the years. My QA work involved hull integrity, power plant components and structural modifications. Got down and dirty in the dry docks and in the ships on a regular basis; good fun. Amazing engineering and workmanship on our country's naval forces; you all should be proud of what you all have accomplished in maintaining the defense of our country and families.
I am of Japanese descent (half of me, anyway) and I do have a passion for IJN WWII warships, especially the Yamato class battleships. Modern Soviet/Russian warships are part of that passion, too.
I hope you all have a great year of modelling and a better year living your passions. I just have one word of caution: photoetch; where does one find the patience????