Hello from Sunny California

[StrikeEagle15]

After about 30 years away from the hobby, I have finally decided that it's time to return to my hobby roots, and begin building models, again. If I remember correctly, my first model was built with my dad circa 1968. It was the old "box scale" Monogram B-26 hard nose. My dad had been an Aircraft Captain of a B-26C Invader in Pussan, South Korea, so it was a natural subject. We just glued it together. No paint. No details. Simply straight out of the box. I was hooked. By the time I was in Junior High School (grade 7-8) I was building kits on my own with full seam fill and paint. Lord how I HATED filling seams. Squadron Green was the dearth of my hobby, but it was the only choice. Living withing biking distance from the famous San Antonio Hobby Shop, in Mountain View, California gave me access to a huge selection of kits and accessories of the time. That, and I was able to meet some of the best modelers of the day. George Lee was a frequent visitor to the shop and graciously led a class that was sponsored by the store. The following year, George, Larry Templeton and the Golden Gate chapter of IPMS hosted the IPMS-USA convention. The work I saw there was awe inspiring and even by today's standards was simply amazing. This inspiration got me even deeper into the hobby. Then came college and my early career years, and model building went by the wayside, as it does for so many. I simply didn't have the time.

Fast forward 30 or so years, and career life and raising kids is on the back hill slope. Kids have mostly moved out and retirement is within sight. And, besides, I'm always looking for something relaxing to do. One can only cook so much fine food before it starts to catch up with the waistline. And, so, I'm beginning to gear up for my re-entry into model building.

I continue to be amazed at how much the hobby has, and has not, changed. Lots of new techniques and more than a few new products (fillers, paints accessory items like photo etch), yet at it's root, the kits are much the same. Though, I will admit that engraved panel line make dealing with seam lines and weathering a much more palatable venture. I'm still pulling everything together and getting my space defined. It won't be as big or palatial as Paul's, but man cave, but.... I'm claiming the back portion of our three car garage and will have enough space for a work area and a spray booth. The spray booth is under construction using the Vent Works Design. Waiting for the Apex to come back in stock to order one from Ultimate, and I'll be set. Working IT in a hospital gives me access to a wealth of tools and goodies to aid in my building. Many people don't realize how many instrument kits are opened for only one of the half dozen instruments in the kit. The rest are disposed of in the bin. If they need one more clamp, they pop open a kit that has two clams, a scalpel, two forceps and a pair of stainless surgical scissors. Once I found out, I let my buddies in the surgical departments know that I would be more than happy to give those instruments new life in my workshop, rather than having them bin them.

YouTube has been a great source of inspiration and info in getting me up to speed on the latest and greatest in the hobby. And, it is how I found ISM. Lee and Paul have created a terrific collection of videos and information that serves as inspiration for getting things going and doing it "right". As I get going, again, I hope to contribute to the community, even if it's only by sharing my mistakes.

Thank you all for building such a welcoming community!


Jamie
The StrikeEagle
"When you care enough to send the best to get the job done."

[privatepete]

Hi Jamie to ISM

[Lars]

[Icemannique]

to ISM.

[ElCapitan]

Hope you enjoy it here!

[SteveW]

Hi Jamie, to ISM

[Kevthemodeller]

[Avgas]

[sabashahid]

After about 30 years away from the hobby, I have finally decided that it's time to return to my hobby roots, and begin building models, again. If I remember correctly, my first model was built with my dad circa 1968. It was the old "box scale" Monogram B-26 hard nose. My dad had been an Aircraft Captain of a B-26C Invader in Pussan, South Korea, so it was a natural subject. We just glued it together. No paint. No details. Simply straight out of the box. I was hooked. By the time I was in Junior High School (grade 7-8) I was building kits on my own with full seam fill and paint. Lord how I HATED filling seams. Squadron Green was the dearth of my hobby, but it was the only choice. Living withing biking distance from the famous San Antonio Hobby Shop, in Mountain View, California gave me access to a huge selection of kits and accessories of the time. That, and I was able to meet some of the best modelers of the day. George Lee was a frequent visitor to the shop and graciously led a class that was sponsored by the store. The following year, George, Larry Templeton and the Golden Gate chapter of IPMS hosted the IPMS-USA convention. The work I saw there was awe inspiring and even by today's standards was simply amazing. This inspiration got me even deeper into the hobby. Then came college and my early career years, and model building went by the wayside, as it does for so many. I simply didn't have the time.

Fast forward 30 or so years, and career life and raising kids is on the back hill slope. Kids have mostly moved out and retirement is within sight. And, besides, I'm always looking for something relaxing to do. One can only cook so much fine food before it starts to catch up with the waistline. And, so, I'm beginning to gear up for my re-entry into model building.

I continue to be amazed at how much the hobby has, and has not, changed. Lots of new techniques and more than a few new products (fillers, paints accessory items like photo etch), yet at it's root, the kits are much the same. Though, I will admit that engraved panel line make dealing with seam lines and weathering a much more palatable venture. I'm still pulling everything together and getting my space defined. It won't be as big or palatial as Paul's, but man cave, but.... I'm claiming the back portion of our three car garage and will have enough space for a work area and a spray booth. The spray booth is under construction using the Vent Works Design. Waiting for the Apex to come back in stock to order one from Ultimate, and I'll be set. Working IT in a hospital gives me access to a wealth of tools and goodies to aid in my building. Many people don't realize how many instrument kits are opened for only one of the half dozen instruments in the kit. The rest are disposed of in the bin. If they need one more clamp, they pop open a kit that has two clams, a scalpel, two forceps and a pair of stainless surgical scissors. Once I found out, I let my buddies in the surgical departments know that I would be more than happy to give those instruments new life in my workshop, rather than having them bin them.

YouTube has been a great source of inspiration and info in getting me up to speed on the latest and greatest in the hobby. And, it is how I found ISM. Lee and Paul have created a terrific collection of videos and information that serves as inspiration for getting things going and doing it "right". As I get going, again, I hope to contribute to the community, even if it's only by sharing my mistakes.

Thank you all for building such a welcoming community!


Jamie
The StrikeEagle
"When you care enough to send the best to get the job done."

Welcome