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Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 10:46 pm
by 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

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:34 am
by 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 :th:

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 12:08 pm
by 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 :D!

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

Cheers!
Gabriel

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 1:41 pm
by 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.

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2018 2:26 pm
by 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

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 12:33 am
by golfermd
Welcome! Love the Caribbean.

Dan

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 3:32 am
by 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

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:46 pm
by Kevthemodeller
:welcome:

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 12:49 pm
by Panzergrau
Thanks, Kev. Glad to meet you here!

Gabriel.

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:26 pm
by 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.

Re: Hello from the Middle of Nowhere!

Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2018 8:42 pm
by Panzergrau
Novasquad23 wrote: Tue Jul 10, 2018 1:26 pm 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 :thumb2: