Fleet Air Arm Group Build

TANGO 1 wrote:

Y'know, I often get it the neck from rivet counters  for running a group build that is home to "rum drinking and lunacy"

Bondo, I really enjoyed reading your story on how the two of you met, and yours as well, Dave. I never ceases to amaze me how the powers that be work. Some very romantic stuff and I appreciate you guys sharing that.

...and, since you all asked so nicely here's mine on how two people 3000 miles apart made it work. We met of all places on a feedback discussion board on ebay in early 2004. We began emailing back and forth, later including pics before moving on to IM'ing, the phone calls (I found out how expensive it was to call Canada without a decent phone plan - my next bill was about $1200! - signed up for a much better plan and they pro-rated my account - talk about lucky!). We both knew a meeting was inevitable, and it happed over the Christmas holiday of '04, when I flew to BC for 9 days and my best holiday ever. Three months later she flew out to NY for a 3-week stay (Mar. '05) and that was when I proposed. I flew back to BC for a July wedding, and with my dad as my best man, tied the knot. We immediately then set about getting me to BC on a permanent basis, so we hired immigration attornies - we were going to do this once and do it right. It is quite the procedure, with tons of paperwork and questions. We had to provide all sorts of documentation to validate (prove) our relationship (emails, phone records, etc.), I had to undergo a thorough physical, get fingerprinted, submit them to the FBI and send in all documentation I recieved in return to the lawyers saying I had done so. There's more, but this post is already long enough!! I arrived in Canada as the papers were being finalized (Nov. '06), but still needed to have them signed by a border official to make it final. We did that by taking a day trip to Hyder, Alaska and crossing back into BC a few hours later, and here I've been ever since. 

Keep these stories coming everyone!  Excellent stuff, and so much fun to learn about people.  Allright, who's next?

bondoman wrote:

Sher' me the scurvie lot'n i'll treat em ta the cat! Load the grape, point the carronades down th' gangway n' XO sir- permissun ta breach th' Rum stores. Been a good week'n here's ta the crew!

BY ALL MEANS CAPTAIN!!!  I think you are absolutely correct, it's the weekend and time to get this ship heading in the right direction!  Rum, please.   AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Mike- More pics, eh?  Sorry, none of the Corsair as I have not touched it in a while.  Have been busy working on a Zero though, here's where she is at...

Frank-Grats on 11000 post!!! It has taken me forever to almost reach 100 post. The Meatball is looking sweet.

It has been so much fun reading everyones Bio's. They differences in everyones life and so many commonalities. After reading the Bio's, I believe I need to amend mine.

I am 36 yrs old and was born and raised in East Texas. I am part city boy (Houston native) and part country. I was educated in the city but my best times where in the country. My cousins are pulp wooders/ timbers guys and as a kid I got to into the woods play around Skidders, chainsaws, & log trucks. It is a blast to ride a field pine to the ground...TIMBER!! I have helped build 5 homes for family, one was built over a 70 ft trailer & the trailer cut away and carried out the front door. During high school I was a shelf stocker, transmission mechanic and finally got bored and joined the Marines. I was able to parts of the US i had never been and flew to differents climes & places world wide. After the Corps I went to college and recieved my A&P licence. I went to work for the college as a lab assistant & was shortly promoted to a Powerplant Instructor. I was a teacher for 2yrs before someone looked at all the C-130 items I had on my desk and said I have a job for you!!! I have been fixing 130's and training Marines since.

I currently have a residence in North Carolina and About 4yrs ago I ran into my wife at the local Country Club(that sounds so much better than we picked each other at the country BAR!!)  I noticed this cute lil lady  watching me as I two stepped around the floor. Sometime during the night she got fed up of me not asking her to dance(I had a full dance card already) so she asked me to dance as I was buying a beer. the night went perfectly dancing, drinking and conversation. I asked her if she had a bf, was seeing anyone, or was at the club with anyone.....I was told no. Then she asked me my age and I told her to guess..she said 27-28...I said close enough. Well later after we started dating the truth came out on these two lines of questions. I was really 32 and she was seperated and getting a divorce, if ethier of these facts been known on that first night we would not have started dating. I proposed to here on here 21st birthday on the dance floor of the country club. My Job took us to San Diego, so we decided to get married in Las Vegas. Vegas was a blast !!!  My 2yr old son was born shortly after we returned to North Carolina.

I Left the wife stateside half-way through the pregnacy to go around the world to Okinawa Japan. After the boy could travel they where brought here to Okinawa.

As Far as models go ....My dad helped me with my first ones and then I started recieving 2 models a month through the mail as part of a birthday present. Most of these turned into Fire cracker & bottle rocket carriers. After I became a Jr in High school girls, cars & work took over all my time. I just recently picked the hobby back up. I thank you gentleman on these forums for putting out the information to build better models. I have learned alot about building and friendship on this forum.

Kannichiwa & Aigato-Jason

Yours is a beautiful family, Jason. I wish you the best... now roll the sarge of'n the taps o' that keg, grab a mug and be our guest in the wardroom. I'm making a batch of the finest- for the finest! And thank you for your service.

I keep the rum under lock and key!

Daywalker wrote:

Oh boy... Now I've done it!  Ordered myself a Trumpeter 1/32 ME-262 to build here, if only I could find my workbench under the keyboard! LOL...

Frank-This explains 1000 post in a short amount of time!!!! Please disconnect your keyboard and place it on the floor. Look ....theres your Workbench....lol.

Bondo-I hope no one asked for a 16 inch shell to be fired. I guess thats the quick way to get the rum a'shore!!

WoooSMURFINhoooooooo....100 post!!!

Kannichiwa & Arigato-Jason

Congrats on the 11,000 posts Frank.

Who am I?  My name is John I will be 40 in 2 months arghhh.  I have been married for 16+ years to Linda. We have the same birthday so I can never forget it.  We have 2 kids, my daughter is a freshman in high school who made the varsity swim team.  My son is 10 he is a techno geek.  He is in his last year of Cub Scouts and will be moving on to Boy Scouts next year.  I am the Asst. Cubmaster.

I have been working for the US Postal Service for 14 years as a mail carrier.  Was orginally born in England moved to Connecticut when I was 4 months old.  My father actually had the job before I was born but decided to stay until after.  My brother is 3 years younger then me and he was born here.

My family history is a bit strange.  My father is 100% English  my mother was 100% Syrian born and raised in the Sudan.  My parents met while my father was in the RAF stationed in the Sudan, my mother was a civilian interpreter for the RAF.  They were married for 47 years until my mothers death in 2001.

I have been modeling on and off since I was 8 years old.  Planes are my thing with maybe an occasional car in for good measure.

Hello Lads,

this thread is real busy this weekend! Jason, Mike and John, thanks for sharing with us. 

John, best of luck with the house hunting and please pass on our best wishes to your nephew.

Frank, wow! Stellar paintjob fella!! 

No bench for me today, spending the day with my son Tom. We've just built a 1/20 medieval castle in the living room and having good fun with his knights and archers. We'll be out later taking the hound for a nice long walk in the countryside. Hope you all enjoy your weekend, I'll check in later on tonight.

TANGO 1 wrote:

Mike, you poor sod...........you should listen to your son, he sounds like a very clever chap indeed!

Woo Hoo, another Super Reds supporter. I love this forum LOL.

...Guy

It takes all sorts I guess..................

I say, anyone seen a Corsair around here? 

Jason and John- Excellent!  Thanks for sharing those.

Jason- Beautiful family you have, are they with you in Japan or in the states?

TANGO 1 wrote:

I say, anyone seen a Corsair around here?

Hmmm... sarcasm I see!  I shall get some work done on it tomorrow, and post some pics then- promise!

But first... another glass o' rum- cheers!

CHEERS X/O!

FAA Christmas Gift Exchange Update

Bill

Darren

John E.

Guy

Sean

Jason

have all recieved their gifts as of today.

To my victim, I mean recipient.  I have your gift, just got to get it booby trapped and wrapped.

To Frank and Jason,

Congrats on 11k and .1k posts.  Somewhere along the way I went over the 1000 mark, probably during the 48 hr build.

CAG,

I've still got the Corsair II from the NAVAIR build somewhere, does that count?  Really need to dust that one off and git 'er done.

FAA Christmas Gift Exchange Update

Bill

Darren

John E.

Guy

Sean

Jason

Aaron

have all recieved their gifts as of today.

Buddy, thanks for the update.

Everyone please try and not peak at your gift until Christmas.  Ignore the voices calling to you to open it.  Aaron you can not say/blame the kids or Deefor opening the package early.

Who keeps locking up the RUM! heck it's only Monday!

The Captains new Security Team.

Kanichiwa-Jason

Evil Herc wrote:

The Captains new Security Team.

Rumor has it this will be their quarters.

Where is Capt. Bondo ?

Their Quarters?  Oh no, they were just in for a visit.  Those are the Admirals Quarters!!!!!!!

Summit wrote:

Evil Herc wrote: The Captains new Security Team. Rumor has it this will be their quarters. Where is Capt. Bondo ?

FAA Christmas Gift Exchange Update

Bill

Darren

John E.

Guy

Sean

Jason

Aaron

John H.

have all recieved their gifts as of today.

I'm sure my name will be up there.  If not, always remember it's about giving not the getting.

I got my first Christmas card yesterday, thanks Darren.

I'm not sure if this photo has done the rounds yet but I saw it on another forum and liked it as it's a good shot of FAA aircraft of a variety of types.

You're welcome Roy.

Dave, good pic! Thanks for posting it.

Hey all, sorry I haven't been around lately.  The weekend GB dragged on a little longer than hoped for me and I was away for the weekend and just getting caught up now.  I sure enjoyed reading everyone's bio.  Good to get to know you all a little better.

Frank, That Zero spinner is absolutely stunning.   Yeah, the rest of the plane looks nice too. 

Bill, can't wait to see you build that Bv222.  It's a monster of a kit but I know you'll do it justice.

harvs73 wrote:

I'm not sure if this photo has done the rounds yet but I saw it on another forum and liked it as it's a good shot of FAA aircraft of a variety of types.