Gentlemen,
the Fleet Air Arm Group Build has reached its end of year deadline and I feel that a few words should be written in this far flung corner of the world wide web to commemerate the occasion.
This all started about fourteen months ago when two guys on the Aircraft forum wondered if anyone else would like to have a go at building some FAA aircraft. The rest, as they say is history.........
As I write this, the FAA GB has had 59,098 hits, we are the most widely viewed GB in this website's history!
One of the first things I feel compelled to say is thanks. Yes, thanks.
Thanks for your friendship.
Thanks for making me laugh out loud after a really bad day, thanks for the donations of those spare parts and decals, thanks for sharing your time, thanks for sharing those incredible builds and showing us how it was all done. Thanks for all your kind words.
Thank you.
To my mind, this is what a group build should be. A bunch of fella's having fun building the same type of models and sharing their experiences, both good and bad. I have had the best time sharing this with you and I have to say I consider you all as my friends. I never thought a group build could ever forge friendships like the ones found here, I feel honoured to know all of you. One day, I don't know when-I'd like to buy you a drink. Lord knows you've earned it putting up with me!
So, the highlights? Out of twenty-five signed up model builders we had fifthteen fantastic finished builds. One got published in FSM magazine another one won a competition. Others, ended up on a shelf, some were displayed on Hyperscale and won many adoring critiques.
We had an international Secret Santa gift exchange and everyone was blessed with a Christmas gift....eventually!
In our "Officers Mess" we consumed over 20,000 bottles of Navy Rum and we didn't need to see the M/O!
In short.....we did good.
Its been a year of model making that I shall never forget. Thanks for making it happen.
Wherever you may be, raise a glass tonight and say "To the men of the Fleet Air Arm Group Build! CHEERS!"