Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

[Panzergrau]

Hi, guys!

My name is Gabriel Szeitz. I activate on other different forums under the pseudonym Szmann (old nick from my videogaming age) and on YT as Panzergrau Models.

I'm born in Romania but I moved in the Caribbean (Netherlandse Antillen) some 15 years ago... and that is in the middle of modeling nowhere The closest hobby shop is some 1200 miles away, in Florida. I can get pretty anything from the online stores so this is not a big problem Amazon is my friend too

As about anyone else here I started modeling as a boy, under my father's surveillance then I took a loooong break until I established myself solidly in Caribbean. I started modeling seriously some 4 years ago and I've learnt a lot from many of the guys activating in this forum, including Paul. When the quality of my models reached a decent quality, I started publishing build logs, reviews, features and such in various sites.
When I considered myself 'ripe' enough, I opened a YT channel. You can have a look at my recent activity by accessing my latest channel update:
[youtube]3P3j96lpEC8[/youtube]
At this stage I'm working towards improving the quality of my videos on YT.

I see the modeling fenomenon like a continuous learning experience and I am very open to constructive criticism.

I am very glad for being accepted in this community and I intend to be an active reviewer / blogger / vlogger / youtuber.

Please do not hesitate to ask anything that might be of your interest!

Gabriel

[kiwigav]

Hi from way way way down under. New Zealand to be exact. Know how you feel about isolation. Even tho I do have hobby shops on New Zealand, the prices are most of the time over prices due to frieght costs. But that's where eBay and free frieght comes in.

Happy modelling mate

[Panzergrau]

Hi, Gav!
Yes, buddy, we're really on opposite sides of the world . I like that.
Well, I can find enamel paints, urethane and cheap acrylics at DIY stores. I also can find all kind of stuff by the dollar stores but there is no way I can find kits, after-market parts or speciality tools / paints. Not even glue other that CA!
I have become an logistics expert meanwhile !

Thank you for the welcome and I like your motto at the signature. That's why I run my YT channel.

Cheers!
Gabriel

[digger303]

hello on back from the slightly less down under
I source kits from all over as, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Uk,Japan, China of course, but not the USA the freight is so bad.

[Panzergrau]

Hi, Digger!
Haha! Yes, here things are going the other way around... The kits from European and Far East producers are easy to find, but not so the materials - Revell range of materials and tools are out of reach, unless I order them thru Amazon and I pay horrendous hazmat surcharges. That's why I use Testors glue (crappy). Fortunately I have access to Tamiya supplies thru Tamiya America.
Cheers!
Gabriel

[golfermd]

Welcome! Love the Caribbean.

Dan

[Panzergrau]

Thank you for the welcoming words, Dan.
I also love Caribbean very much (when we have no hurricanes that is . Superb beaches, amazing blue sky, lovely climate and beautiful Dominicano girls! But no hobby shops

Cheers!
Gabriel

[Kevthemodeller]

[Panzergrau]

Thanks, Kev. Glad to meet you here!

Gabriel.

[Novasquad23]

Wodonga in rural Victoria here. The only stuff I buy in Oz are consumables such as paint, putty and glue. The price mark up here is usurious, so I buy kits online from where ever I can. It almost always winds up saving me 20-30 AUD. BTW I try to wait until I can afford to spend as much as will get me free shipping ($150-250 USD) to maximise the kit value rather than making a freight company rich.

[Panzergrau]

Wodonga in rural Victoria here. The only stuff I buy in Oz are consumables such as paint, putty and glue. The price mark up here is usurious, so I buy kits online from where ever I can. It almost always winds up saving me 20-30 AUD. BTW I try to wait until I can afford to spend as much as will get me free shipping ($150-250 USD) to maximise the kit value rather than making a freight company rich.

I agree with that and when I'm ordering from Amazon I follow the same policy. My hobby supplier never heard of such niceties as "free shipping" and they have a "standard s&h fee" which amounts for 9.50 USD. On the other hand, their products are the cheapest I can find in my shipping range and they never disappointed me when I signaled out shipping errors - they replaced promptly the wrong items without asking ever for return and without questioning.

Gabriel