Hopefully back into modeling after 20 years

Hello everyone,

While I'm new to this forum I have been a subscriber to FSM for many years. When I updated my profile tonight I noticed the email account I originally registered under was from an old 26k telephone modem account. I had not realized it had been that long ago.

Anyway, my name is Charles, most call me Charlie. I'm retired Army (26 years) and currently a civilian contractor at Ft Rucker's Combat Requirements Directorate (CRD). I analyze and assist the aviation proponent in determining C4I requirements for Army Aviation.

I have not built any models since the 80's because I spent much of my life in the hangers. I was a CW4 helicopter maintenance officer on active duty.  Maintenance officers and the maintenance men worked very long hours. I enjoyed the work though. I was qualified on AH-64A's, all the cobra, and UH-1 models, and finally the A/C model  58 skyscooters. I have always been a CAV guy. There just no better unit than the CAV.

I did have a break in service to finish my undergraduate degree and work in the civilian helicopter industry. I was the chief test pilot for a small FAA repair station that bought timed-out or crashed helicopters and rebuilt them as new for resale. I enjoyed that work very much until I was recalled to active duty in late 1990 for Desert Storm. Decided to stay in and complete my retirement requirements and here I am today.

Since retiring (1997), I thought I would try a new hobby called astronomy imaging. First it costs a small fortune for high quality equipment and the hours were killing me when you have to be at work at 0700. My company demanded I get my graduate degree which finished off my new hobby. So, after finishing my degree a year ago I decided I would get back into modeling. I'm going to specialize with the helicopter models for the near future. I just spent a small fortune buying tools, paints, and other miscellaneous items preparing for my first model in probably twenty years. I ordered the Academy UH-1C with all the photo-etch kits. That will be a trip because I never worked with photo-etched part before.

Let me end my endless talk about me to say hello and if any of you need assistance with helicopter photos, I can run by the aviation museum during lunch in most cases and take a digital picture for you if the museum has the helicopter you need research on.

Again, hello and I look forward to talking and discussing modeling with all of you.

Charlie