Posted about the Ford Tri Motor I started building last winter on a car forum.  Couple members there were also modelers and posted pics of their work.

Don't know if that brouht me straight here, but I'm sure once I started finding branches leading to various forum I came here.

Bish

I have been subcribing to the Mag since the early 90's, so i would guess i came to the site through seeing it in the magazine. 

In 1998-99 I was living alone in a very rural area and looking for something to do with my free time. Having built models quite actively earlier in my life, I found a hobby shop and bought some models. I just sort of dabbled until 2002-2003 when I found out a co-worker also built models. I was looking for something specific (don't recall what) and He mentioned that there were some model websites good for getting information. This was one of those he knew of. He wasn't really a computer guy so purely a lurker, but I had questions so I signed up here and over at Scale Auto sometime between 2003 and 2005.

I lost my log in info a couple years ago and during the reset my post count and join date got reset, I've actually been here off and on 12+ years.

I actually wasn't that familiar with the magazine until after joining the forums.

I've known about FSM and their forums for some time, just never "bothered". When a Google search lead me to a forum thread, I decided it was time to re-subscribe to the magazine and actually create an account this time. So I guess you could say it was a combination of the magazine and Google.

When my first wife and I split in '78, I sold all of my hobby stuff and a stash of maybe 50 kits and my Badger 200 airbrush. Back then I subscribed to Scale Modeler magazine. I didn't do much until this past spring when I jumped back into the hobby in earnest. The first kit I finished was a Revell 1/48 Stearman, painted with rattle cans. At the time I bought a copy of FSM, subscribed to the magazine and the forums almost simultaneously. Very soon I also found the local IPMS chapter. The magazine, the forums, and the IPMS chapter together make this "new" hobby a very rewarding experience. Without the support I get here and with the local chapter, I would have given up almost as soon as I started. Altogether, this makes retirement worthwhile.

Toshi

  I then thought of my childhood watching a TV show called “Black Sheep Squadron”.  

 

Toshi

 

Funny you mentioned this show as just yesterday I thought about Robert Conrad. I googled him and he is still alive at 81 years old I believe. I never get tired of watching The Wild Wild West.

As to how I found this forum, I have no clue as to how it hapenned....

Hey guys, great stories there Toshi and Fermis, I've been kinda down, thanks for letting me know how you guys pulled though from a far worse situation than I've in. And beautiful model there GM! 

My first copy of FSM was back in '87 or so I think, I've still got it around somewhere. I don't even remember how I found the forum, I did lurk here for over a year though. I've had bad experiences with several forums I've joined, one of the figure forums I used to belong to it seemed like about 50% of the population actually contributed with posts of their work, 25% were the 'atta-boy!' crowd that never posted anything, and 25% were the troll type pot-stirrers that never posted, never said anything nice about anyone's work, and tried to turn everything into a political or religion rant-fest. Thankfully the FSM forums are pretty troll free and full of helpful nice folks. I believe the few bad apples we did have were tossed out or left a few years ago. Love you guys and gals- in a manly platonic sorta way of course.....   

Eagle90

Wow, had to think about it for a minute.  LOL!  During my 21 years in the Air Force, I stopped building models....due to TMO breaking most of what I had during my first PCS move.  I continued to BUY models, but never built them...they were for my retirement!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.    After retiring and settling down in a home I wouldn't be leaving in 4 to 6 years, I set up a model room in the basement and jumped back in feet first.  Of course I had been continuing my FSM subscription and read about the Forums.....and the rest is history as they say.  Never regretted it for one moment!  The FSM Forum family rocks!  I have made so many friends, met some of them at shows, and have gotten a wealth of tips, tricks, and information that I can't thank everyone enough for! 

Bobby

P.S.  Toshi....I love your story man!  

 

 

Eagle 90, what was your AFSC?  Mine was 2F0X1.  

Honestly I got into the hobby after a 20 yr hiatus (I was actually helping out Vets and had plenty of down time at work) and was looking around as the modeling world had changed since I was a wee lass and had no access to the Interwebs (or limited access).  I was actually looking for a couple of model stores in the local area and just kinda stumbled upon it.  For a while I just kinda lurked around the site looking for ideas, and finally decided to join.  

Subscribed to the mag in the early 2000's and saw the advertisement for the site and enrolled in 2003. The site really fueled my interest in buying and building again. Great advise and have met some really cool people over the years. A shame so many have left though.

Well, the forum history puts me back at Feb. 2005. I think I had just rediscovered modeling during my junior year of high school. I was probably searching for some tips or tricks, and stumbled here. 

Incidentally, the thing that really got me to get interested in aircraft kits was Swanny’s Models. Does that guy still come around here?

Tanker - Builder

Josiah ;

  Is that Fredricksburg , Texas ?

 

Negative, the F'burg in Virginia. I am no longer there, however, moved 40 miles north near Washington DC a couple months ago.

Christmas 2012 and my then-future step son in law and his wife bought me a 1:48 Academy (Accurate Miniature rebox) TBM. 

I was delighted. Then it hit me, oh crap, I'll have to build the damned thing.

I needed to start over buying "stuff" and learning new techniques. Probably 90% of the search results that were worth a darn were, guess where, right here. 

I joined after a couple months of lurking and soaking up info.

Toshi, great story brother!!!!!

I hadn't built anything for a few years...busy working, then in flight school. Absolutely no joy in the job market (pilots were getting laid off left and right). Over 300 resumes sent out, apps at every business around town...even McD's said no. I had zero income (on paper) for 2008...I only ate one meal a day and it was always something I shot (mostly venison). I was "losing it" and NEEDED an "escape". Booze is a bad idea and I didn't have money for such a venture....I did have a stash though still, but zero desire to build anything. I checked out the website, just to look at some models. Saw the "forum" tab...honestly had no idea what a "forum" actually was, so I checked it out...signed up...and starting building again that very day...almost 9 years (this January), and if I haven't built 200 models yet, I'm pretty dang close to it!

When I decided I wanted to get back into modeling last year (it was March of this year before I finally built something), I started watching a lot of YouTube videos on techniques and tips... etc.  I also started lurking around several modeling forums, just to get a feel for the "vibe".  Of all the forums I checked out, the FSM Forums seemed uniquely free of trolls or locked threads.  I viewed that as a very good sign. 

Since joining in March I have felt very welcome here and have only experienced encouragment, support, as well as very helpful critique and tips.  My hat's off to you all!

Cheers, Mark

Started with a subscription to FSM back in 2005 ? Read somewhere about the reader's gallery on this site so I let my finger's do the walking and "DISCOVERED" this forum. I lurked here for a few year's before I finally joind in 2012...............................

And my constant "tounge - in - cheek " posting has set the modeling community back by at least 100 year's.

( Hopefully some of my "advice" actually helped somebody.)

If nothing else at least I'm good for a laugh or two.  (Why does that guy have an intake manifold glued to his eye? )

                      ....................  I meant to do that  ......................

Always bought FSM at the local HS. When it closed down, got a subscription and then thought I'd give the forum a try. Been here ever since. Like what was said above, made a lot of friends on here that I see at shows too. I've learned a lot from all of you. Thanks.

Jim  

Long time subscriber of FSM, saw reference to the Forum, prowled through it for some time and joined. Great place, made some nice friends, love all of the detailed posts and WIP's. Any question or advice I've sought was very quickly answered, so many skilled builders take the time to help others along in this hobby.

Have to mention the excellent modeling work we get to see, which can only help others to learn the ways to improve their own building skills. Both the magazine and Forum are just first rate, a wonderful resource for beginners and advanced modelers alike. I'll be a member for the long haul.

Patrick 

Josiah ;

  Is that Fredricksburg , Texas ?

Gad,  I cannot remember.  I have been buying the magazine since it was first published, but it wasn't through it.  I think it was when I was just learning to navigate the internet and in searching for models, actually got this site and not a site showing leather, chains, a full moon with melons, and with a 1-900 number flashing across the top of the page asking to call and have my credit card handy.

Hee hee, 1-900 numbers, man, was it really that long ago?

Like most, mag first then as I started walking upright I needed somewhere to drag my knuckles,( key board seemed like an obvious choice), jumped in and tried to make friends, realised I should probably have a clue as to what I'm replying to or trying to converse in so I took a step back, watched, learned, and enjoyed. Now I know my place here, I quietly lurk on many different threads, encouraging when I can, advising when possible. I think once I get posting pix figured out again I will pop up alittle more frequently, until the I'm good with watching, learning,enjoying, and of course lurking. FSM is the ONLY forum I'm a member of.

When my wife passed on, I decided to get back into modeling to have something to do to fill the hours, other than just the idiot box.  Bought a copy of FSM, found the forum, joined, end of story.  Now have a stash of kits big enough I doubt I'll get them all built.

The people I have had contact with here are some of the best I have ever come into contact with, and are generous to the extreme with good advice, tips, encouragement, and giving of their time, parts, and even to the extreme of sending a flag case for a friend who recieved the service flag from her father's funeral.

While my skill set is not up to par with most on here, I know without a doubt, it is way better than when I got back into it, all due to the folks on here driving me to get better at it.

My sincere thanks to all!

I found the site after subscribing to the magazine.  When I finally decided to build all those kits that had been sitting around for 30+ years, I got a subscription because I knew I would need all the help I could get.  Then I found the forum.  So much had changed with the hobby that I spent a lot of time just looking at WIP's to get a sense of what was available.  That would be....a lot!  Time well spent, I must say.

Great topic Bill,

I found out about the forum through my dad as most of you know. He had a subscription to FSM for 30 years. I am immensely happy I joined and got to know all of you. I have learned a lot through each of you. Thank you!

I've been a reader of the magazine since the early 90s. I've been a member since this site started. If you go to the first page of armor modeling, I've got one of the first posts there on December 5, 2002. http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/35.aspx

I was looking at the online FSM page and opened the Forum tab and started browsing. I never had been on a forum before nor social media so I figured what the heck.

I was on the forums a lot at first just looking around, and happy to find others with my same plastic problem.

I also found it from the magazine.

I would give one tip for those who discover a single FSM forum.  Be sure to scan the whole list of forums to see the lot.  There are many, some quite specialized.  If you have a question, and it is very specific, it is generally better to raise it in one of the more specific forums than in the general ones.  And the forums in the Tools, Techniques and Reference Materials section contain some real gems that many folks overlook.

I was a subscriber and I saw it mentioned in the magazine,so I checked it out and signed up.

I can't believe it was 2003