Main modeling interests: Sailing Ships-all Era's, and WWII:USN, DKM, IJN, and HMS . My First model was a USS Missouri, a small model, probably by Lindberg. I was 6. I tried to paint the deck and it looked BAD. My Dad used gasoline to remove the paint- Yep, it melted the plastic! That put me off making ships my major interest. I tried Tanks and Planes and a few Cars after that. I built Revell, Aurora, and Monogram kits. All were built to play with. Of course I did the 8mm movie thing of models burning and blowing up. My other interest, Music, took over by the time I was 13 and my Modeling activity took a back seat to buying Guitar strings and records. In College I did Electrical Engineering at Penn State followed by taking a job with IBM in late 1973.
Other hobbies: Photography, Electronics, and Upkeep on a really big OLD Home (Circa 1784).
Married; 2 Daughters, Four grandchildren, and one really BIG smart dog.
Employment: 43+ years at IBM. Retired May 31, 2016.
Other: Various local Rock Bands, Chief Cook at Old Barneys Dairy Queen and Restaurant in Barnegat Light NJ and a small stint at Sears. I also had a Partnership in a Photography Business from 1975 to 1983.
Current Interests: In 2012 I thought a Hobby would be a good thing to keep me "busy" when I retired. I got interested again in model ships (Long Story) and, over the last several years, I began to Read various Forums and purchase models to build when I retired. Glad I did.
Current Status: I am buying books on ships, I am reviewing this forum for advice, and I have purchased a "stash" of model ship kits. Currently working on purchasing "supplies". Getting great tips for paint and glue from this forum too.
Since retiring I have made 50+ models. i.e: a small Glencoe Viking ship, a Pyro Barbary Pirate, a Bermuda Racing Yawl and a Pyro Brig of War (I narrowed the hull a bit). I also did Cyberhobby 1/700 Arliegh Burke. My "Burke", at least, looks like a replica of a ship. I guess, with practice, I'm getting better.