Kia Ora!! A big hello from New Zealand

[tay321mod]

Hi Everyone.
My name is Andrew and when it comes to the world of scale modelling, I am a jet nut! I love jet fighters and mainly US Navy jets and more specifically the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.

Now before I go on, I have to warn you all that anyone who builds and F-14 Tomcat or an F/A-18 Hornet, I will be watching. I'm not a rivet counter and nor do I pick on things willy nilly for the sake of annoying people and I know this is not that type of forum nor does it have to be. My usual approach to scale modelling is anything goes and if it looks good to me, then who cares what anyone else thinks, but unfortunately it is my ackillies heal when it comes to the big cat and the bug that I have to look closer. I have a long affiliation with the tomcat, not so much with the hornet but I have done my homework. I know my squadrons, I know the variants fairly well and the types of things that are and not carried. Also, I have been to the Topgun school at NAS Miramar as was and know the details and intricacies of the training and operations both for that school and NSAWC out of NAS Fallon. One of my real bugs is when so any people confuse the Top Gun Movie with the Topgun school. They are both completely different entities and likewise for their spelling. The movie is two words and the school is one word. Sorry, just had to get that over with before I later get accused of being OTT!!!!

So onto more a bit about me. My modelling style is not perfect but I can hold my own and I don't build for competitions. I mostly build 1:72 and 1:48 kits from any manufacturer although I lean towards certain mfr's for certain subjects. I am getting more into 1:32 but as we all know, where do you put them when they are a meter in wingspan!! Yes I spray models and use all the current techniques most of us know regarding pre and post shading, weathering, bleaching etc etc. I have been on the modelling scene off and on and more seriously in the last seven years where I am now the secretary for my local Scale Modelling Club and present at several shows throughout the year.

I have grown up around many types of aircraft thanks to my fathers service in the Royal Air Force for 30 years. There aren't that many aircraft I don't know about or don't know something about. I am a former aircraft engineer for British Airways, Airbus and Air New Zealand. I now work in Quality Assurance for a local pipe manufacturer in New Zealand. In my spare time besides modelling, I am a crew chief who goes by the call sign "Shooter", for a private owner of two BAC 167 Strikemasters and am a volunteer for the Warbirds Association who own a collection of WWII era aircraft including T-6 Harvards, P-40 Kitty Hawk, P-51 Mustang, A-4 Skyhawk, Dehavilland Chipmunk and Macchi MB-339. We routinely operate the aircraft every weekend and offer adventure flights to the gerneral public.

I moved to New Zealand in September of 2009 following my apprenticeship and advanced skills training with Airbus at the Broughton site in North Wales. Myself and parents sought to create a new life in the South Pacific and experience life as a Kiwi. Having spent over five years living in some of the most spectacular surroundings, I have to say, I've never felt more at home and have no desires to return the the UK where I was born and raised.

I am sure you can imagine that with my role in QA, club secretary and crew chief for some great aircraft, my life is pretty full on and seldom do I get a full day to myself to do some decent modelling time. I often have to force myself to put the kettle on and sit at my desk for a few hours. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I am an easy going person (sorry if you have already formed a different opinion from the first part of this intro!!) and am happy to help people where and when ever I can so don't be afraid to shout out or ask me questions.

Got to dash now but in the meantime I look forward to watching all your builds aircraft or not and hope to present some of my own work soon.

Regards
Andrew

[Paul]

Well.....thats a cool story bro lol. Im just joking welcome to ISM buddy

[AndreFerro]

Welcome Mate! And show a little of yr works.
I am a newbie here at ISM as well, apart being a Total Apprendice on the hobby, eager to learn new techniques.
Also have two F-14A Tomcats in stock here, to built someday, when I feel confident enough not to ruin a kit. One of those I intend to built Agressor NSAWC !!

[AchtungPanzer]

Welcome aboard

[Russ72]

Welcome to ISM Andrew.

[tay321mod]

Welcome Mate! And show a little of yr works.
I am a newbie here at ISM as well, apart being a Total Apprendice on the hobby, eager to learn new techniques.
Also have two F-14A Tomcats in stock here, to built someday, when I feel confident enough not to ruin a kit. One of those I intend to built Agressor NSAWC !!

Thanks Andre. I reciprocate the welcome by welcoming you too!! Let me know if you want any help with your tomcats, glad to help and if you need any reference material or additional decals I will see what I can do.

Regards
Andrew

[UKguyInUSA]

to ISM Andrew!

Cheers

Martin

[Lee]

Welcome to ISM Andrew

[Richard]

Welcome to ISM. I have the Tomcat on my wishlist. Will take a while before I get tot it though.

[CaiusMartius]