50 year private pilot. Flew C-150, 172, Citabria, Piper Tri-Pacer, Cherokee 140, Comanche 180, 250, Cub. 40 year Tool and Die maker. Trained to be an A&P mechanic but never was. Also like to hunt, fish, shoot, camp. Modeling is my first and most involved hobby, though.
I am exclusively an aircraft builder. Estimated lifetime builds; under a thousand. Stash; under 300. Current builds on display; 150. Flak damaged: 300. Air to air losses; 200.
Oldest surviving build; 196? Revell Me-109E. First build; 1963, X-15. A happy coincidence two weeks ago led me to a church rummage where I cleaned a table of 31 models and met the man who made the donation. He promptly offered me his paints, tools, supplies and more models IF I would commission build him 3 vechicles. So now I'm a vehicle builder too. (GMC CCKW 353, M-577, M-113). Those, if completed would be my first commission builds. I also have on display at a local airport a dozen models that I switch out a row every month or so.
2024 kit additions stand at 47. 2024 completions stand at just 10 mostly due to an April-June back surgery and stuff.
Yesterday's completions were an LS made Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa-Oscar and a UPC made Curtis SB2C-5 Helldiver, both in 1/72. Both ancient kits. I build 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 scales. I build all brand plastic scale models.
On deck is a group build project Birdcage F4U, two Sikorsky P-35's and that GMC CCKW 353 for the first commission build. Carpet monster got the exhaust pipe. How do you lose a whole exhaust pipe? And my carpet is concrete!
I'm a Badger man for airbrushes; 200, 105, 155, 2020 plus one Binks and have not settled on a paint brand. Testors and Pactra flats from the 60's, Model Master, Createx, Mission Models, Badger Modelflex, Tamiya, MCW, Vallejo.
I appreciate the opportunity to be here.
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