This is my first goal: starting a blog for all my model building. Last year I started a blog for my Spitfire modeling because I figured I would be able to sustain it. However I’m realizing I enjoy writing about the subjects and models I build and only half are Spitfires…
Our local club generates a list of themes for each monthly meeting to give us something to consider as we build our models. We’ve been doing this for about 10 years now and it remains popular; ranging in about 3 models to as many as 15 (the membership is only about 40, about half make the meetings each month and it’s always a different “half” so it’s a good mix). Each year I plan a subject/model for each theme, and each year I do better at actually completing the model for the theme.
I also try to have at least 1 Spitfire on the bench, always. Today I’ve actually got 4, a Spitfire I, III, XIVe and XVIII, but two should be finished this weekend. I’ll post those on my Spitfire blog.
My bench for 2012 will have the following, but may get more or less:
- PM Models Ta-183T “whiff”
- CMR F-51H California ANG
- Matchbox Halifax GR II
- Airfix Tomahawk IIb (new tooling)
- Dragon USS Arizona
- MPM FM-2 Wildcat VI
- Monogram F4B, F11C or P-6E biplane
- Airfix A6M2 Zero (new tooling)
- Hobby Boss T-6 Texan
- Revell A6M5 Zero
- Revell F4F-4 Wildcat
- Airfix Wellington III
- CMR Seafire XV
- Airfix Spitfire Va (new tooling)
- Airfix Spitfire II LR (new tooling)
- Airfix Spitfire IXc (new tooling)
- Sword Spitfire Vc
- Airfix Swordfish I (new tooling — if I can get one!)
- Hawk Gloster Javelin (my first kit, built on my own, ever – I’m doing a “build over”)
My display cabinets currently count 165 completed models. I know there are more in a storage bin or two, but those are going to have to wait as my display shelves are full. I hope to take a break in the Spring and have some new built-in cabinets installed, that should provide nearly 5 times the shelf space as I currently have, plus storage and some book shelves. If and when that fills, I’ll convince my wife I need to expand displays to other rooms, but that’ll be at least 10 years from now, even at my dream rate of building.
All of my aircraft are in 72nd scale. I tried 48th scale and even did a Me-262 in 32nd while in my ‘teens, but my budget and shelf space limited me to 72nd. I’ve built a stash of about 300 kits, all of which are for the period 1911 to about 1955. Okay, occasionally I’ll build something more modern, but only if the subject is right.
I also enjoy ships, and all but one is 1/700 scale. The odd-ball is a 96th scale USS CONSTITUTION by Revell. I first made one when 13 and about 10 years ago decided to make a second try. It’s my slowest build, because I’m rigging her using wooden ship modeling techniques instead of the kit threads.
Thanks for reading…