I have been a plastic modeler since I can remember. My dad brought home promotional jet models (mostly F-84Gs) from his job at Luke AFB in the early 1950's. Every night I would greet him at the door asking for a new jet airplane. All through my youth it was airplanes until it was girls then it was almost a tie. Fortunately my wife of 47 years understands.
I spent 9 years in the USAF to get closer to my obsession then went to work in a two major aerospace companies, Martin Marietta and General Dynamics Convair.. Throughout this time, I haunted local hobbie shops and websites and have gradually developed some respectable out of the box skills.
I have over 100 models in 1/48 scale of airplanes that I have seen, touched flew on or worked on. I also have the big boys in 1/72, B-52s, KC-135s etc. Now that I have retired, I am researching techniques to refine my scratch building skills and finishing techniques like weathering and wear.