Ahoy Shipmates

I have recently been appointed Host of the "Military Small Craft" forum.

I always love reading peoples introductions and I thought I should let you know a bit more about me.

Here is a picture of me and my “baby”



I am a 44 year old male from Auckland, New Zealand.

I have been married to my lovely wife for 17 years and we have three young boys. My middle son Matthew (call sign Mattyboy) is a member here as well at aged 7. He is also part of my AMPS club the youngest member having built 1/72 Airfix Tiger and Panther tanks.

My other interests include building and driving hot rods and street machines (Chevrolets and GM products). My current ride and most recent build is a 1955 Chevrolet Sedan. My other interests include modern history, gardening, cooking (Italian), rugby, motor racing (drag racing, speedway, A1 Grand Prix), collecting die cast 1/18 Chevrolet cars, surfing, computers, pc and playstation gaming, making homebrew beer , hi fi the list goes on and on. No wonder I have no time for modeling.

My modeling background is I loved all things military from a young age 5 years old onwards. I made models and loved my WW 2 German soldiers and tanks up until around 15 years of age. I discovered girls and cars and stopped modeling after building the 1970’s Tamiya Tiger 1 tank. At that stage I was also extremely frustrated how my skills etc did not match those I saw in modeling magazines of the time. I rediscovered modeling about 9 or so years ago after picking up a Tamiya modeling magazine and I have really been getting into in the last three or so years. However in the last eighteen or so months I have been unable to complete anything but I completed my Dreadnoughts campaign entry a huge psychological achievement. Having a set deadline and Marks (Gunny) support and enthusiasm here was the catalyst for success.

This year I have got the 1/700 IJN Isuzu ready for paint and I am going hard out on my Airfix 1/72nd E-Boat. I intend to finish both these this year.

My modeling interests at present include 1/35 WW2 German AFV, figures and vehicles and now more recently U-Boats and E–Boats. I completed my first battleship ever this year and it has reignited my passion for modeling. I also have a few Chevrolet car kits to make.

I am an active member of AMPS here in Auckland, New Zealand. I am the interim moderator for the Kiwi Forum here at Armorama

My modeling philosophy is simple to enjoy it, improve at it and work to achieve the highest possible standard with my models. Mostly just OOTB at this stage. Modern materials (acrylic paint) and an airbrush have helped me on my track to building better models. I am attempting to balance out this goal of improvement to avoid getting to obsessive and compulsive about it all and hence frustrated. I want to avoid developing that frustration that my skills are just not good enough to those in magazines and those posting here. At this stage after listening to the wise counsel of my AMPS members I realize to improve I need to build and complete more kits and the more the better. I work on one kit at a time and do not rush it and the results I want to achieve are I believe slowly coming.

My current occupation is an Application Specialist (no not for the New Zealand SAS or Army) but for a Software Company.

Phew already is anyone still awake?

If you are please feel free to introduce yourself.

Regards


Sean

Holy Moly Batman, that's one hell of a nice looking Chevy.

Well Sean I dont know if I can write as much as you but here goes.

To start a picture of me and my baby taken a couple of years ago only differance it she now has a roll bar and 4 long range spots along the bar.



I'm of Italian descent (my father), 38 years of age although that changes in a weeks time (5th August) and come from London, GB but moved out to the leafy Garden of England 'Kent'.

I'm single at the moment so no SWMBO to stop me buying that much need extra kit. I'm an active member of my local IPMS branch as well as our own Kitmaker British Bulldogs.

I started making kits at an age of 5ish as well as playing with the toy soldiers I had to make tanks to go with them thats were it started, of course nearly all were Airfix. At the age of 17 while at college I discovered Fantasy role play as well as girls and although I continued to paint figures for the role playing, model making went on the back burner.
Around ten years ago I rediscovered model making but was very much on my own until a couple of years ago when I discovered this site and also found the local IPMS branch.

I would say that my main area of interest has changed over the years and I have built all genres but I still have a passon for any thing Italian and have become hooked on to ships again. Photo etch is still a bit of a new one for me although I'm trying to over come it, but it does slow me down and in some cases put me right off finishing the kit.

Other interests include archery, paintball, off-road driving, pc gaming, history, science, music, reading and technology.

My present job is as a Maintenance Electrical Supervisor for a building services company.

Well thats me.

Ciao
Luciano

Ok, no car photos, it's raining outside. So here's a photo of Ian and I enjoying a parade.


I'm a 38 year old Scot-Irish/French Cajun. I live in the southwest corner of the great state of Louisiana in the nice little city of Sulphur

I've been married for the last 15 years to Mrs. Gator (Renee). We have an awesome little boy, Ian Brody (my Scot-Irish coming out) who is my hero. I'm a member of our local IPMS club, S.W.A.M.P.

I started building models when I was about 7. I've built all types of models over the last 30 years. It's always been whatever moves me, I'll build it. A good friend of mine and I usually have a fun little challenge build every year, so we vary the subject matter.

Although I build a little of everything, shipbuilding is my passion. I usually will do something a bit off the beaten path. I have a new found interest in ACW ironclads (see, off the beaten path). One of my goals is model ships named after the cities of Louisiana.

Other interests include military history, NASCAR racing, baseball and football.

My present job is as the supervisor for the Creative Services department for our parish (county) government.

That's me in a nutshell.

Nice looking '55 Chevy--that was my first car, and Lordy do I wish I'd kept it, given what they're worth now!

John Snyder here, part of the White Ensign Models team. I'm a 10th-generation Yank, 4th-generation Californian now living in lovely England. I married into WEM, and I couldn't ask Caroline to leave England, now could I? So over I moved, bringing my '92 Mazda Miata (Sunburst Yellow) with me. Since arriving, I've added a blower to the engine, upgraded the suspension (lowered it about 2 inches beyond stock) and brakes, and it's just made for twisty country lanes!

Interests? Well, ship modelling, of course. I'm also a specialist in historic paint analysis, so developing our Colourcoats line of enamels has been my baby. Caroline and I are both folk musicians (me--5-string banjo, 6- & 12-string guitar, mountain dulcimer; her--6-string guitar, electric bass, various recorders & whistles, and bagpipes!). We're both avid gardeners, and are heavily involved in WW2 re-enactment over here.







While veterans parades and things of that ilk seem to have gone by the wayside in the States (Memorial Day Parade & Armistice Day/Veterans Day Parades were a big thing when I was a kid, but no more), they haven't forgotten their vets here in the UK, nor have they forgotten the US participants.

'Bout all for now.

G'day Lads,

Pleasure to meet you all, great pix, great stories.

I'm originally a Yank, like John (hey, thanks for the great paints! Lovely pix of you and your wife and the reenactments), and moved to Oz cuz I couldn't ask my wife to move either. Been here 13 years. No kids, who wants to share toys and tools?! Besides, 42 now (time, what a pisser.) Digital Prnter/Graphics, and trying to start a writing career with my wife (technical for $, fiction fun and hopefully one day $).

Built some battleships and tanks before high school, and a scratchbuilt powerstation. That was what got me hooked, working from idea to plan to production to finish.

Took some time out, but finally have a nice workspace, and my wife is a modeler too, she's very talented (spaceand sci-fi). Working on expanding my modeling horizons and trying even the scary stuff. (The scary stuff isn't so bad once you do it!) Don't know what's more fun, researching, building, or enjoying the finished product. Probably learning and talking with other modelers actually! My best mate took 18 months to research a 1:12 resin pod from 2001: A Space Odyssey. He's been working on it for 6 years and is almost done.

Sean - hot car, mate. And good modelling philosophy. (Have I seen you on OFP forums?)

Luciano - don't let PE put you off! (How many expensive parts have zipped off to other dimensions for me...too many!) You've got a wide range of interests, if only we all had more time...

Gator - nice to put a face to you posts! And a fine model you've built,. the Ian Brody.

Cheers, Guys

Hello to everyone.


Sorry but thats me !!

The next photo shows my eldest son with me outside the German WWI cemetery at Langemark. I have been allowed by my long suffering wife of 28 years Diane to take both of my sons on trips to the battle fields of France and Belgium since they were 6 years old, they are now 20 and 22 years old, Diane is happy to remain at home while we are away, says its good for fathers to bond with their sons, plus she gets a rest.



I was born to Belgian parents who moved here after WWII and I will be 49 this Novemnber 11th. I moved from Birmingham to the South West of England some 20 years ago and live near Bristol and not far from Bath. I am currently employed as a senior lecturer in the Heavy Vehicle department of an award winning college.

I started to build models when I was about 6 years old, during my teens I found Beer and women so stopped modelling as it was not the thing to do. I returned to modelling in my late 20`s early 30`s and am very glad that I did as I have made some excellent friends due to the hobby.

I made my second model boat, well U-Boot about 18 months ago, the first model boat I made was about 41 years before that and certain circumstances put me off for a long time, more will be explained at a later date.

I think I am glad to say that I am hooked, it has cost me a small fortune in reference material. I made the change because I was getting bored with modelling aircraft and the amount of effort I was putting in, the idea was to build one U-Boot model out of the box. I am glad I did, I am enjoying the hobby again and that is the important part. While most of my builds now are submarines I still make aircraft , the change has resulted in a slowing down of my aircraft building propgramme but and this is the important part I am really enjoying what I do.

The change also introduced me to this web site and the people who are members, I cannot thank them enought for the help, encouragement and support they gave to me as a converted newbie, thanks to you all, it also resulted in me contacting others outside of the site who have an interest in U-Boots and several of these contacts have become friends.

Other hobbies, lots, my dear wife says that I will collect almost anything, I also really enjoy reading and a glass of single malt whiskey, or two, maybe three, hell once the bottle is opened the stuff will evaporate if not drunk immediately won`t it boys.

Thats it appart from telling anyone who will be attending the Avon IPMS show in Yate England on Sunday 19th August that I will see you there.

PeteV

Guys this is great.

Keep it coming.

Thanks for the nice comments about my ol Chev. She is patiently awaiting to have her motor reinstalled at the moment.

Wink I am am not sure what OFP Forums is but I am mainly here at this forum but I have been know to frequent others.

In my opinion this is the best forum around bar none.

Regards


Fordboy

Hello all. My name is John, and I got big into ship modeling about a year ago, although I have been building since I was a kid. The wife got me Trumpeter's 1/350 Sovremenny last Christmas, and I have been trying to build as much as I can lately. As a recently retired civil servant, I had some spare time (until the aforementioned wife made me get another job) and banged out a couple of ships I was pleased with - the Sovremenny kit and a Dragon 1/350 Sprucan, as well as Revell's 1/350 Kursk kit. When not playing with boats, I enjoy time with the family, as well as shooting (paper only). I stumbled onto this website a couple of weeks ago, and along with Steel Navy and Modelwarships, I try to see what others are up to, and I like to share my work as well. Here's me and the wife (a good sport regarding all of my silly hobbies):

hello John,
welcome to the site.there are alot of great modelers here.if you have any questions,please ask.
cheers,
Bruce

Howdy all, I normaly build those things that fly and those other things that have large guns and tracks. Have recently started taking an interest into ships though. I come from the great state of Colorado, or as we like to call it, the land of no oxygen If you've ever visited you know why. I've been building models for umpteen years now. Mostly armor as that is what I know best, but I like to build a wide variety of things as it gets boring (to me anyway) to build the same thing over and over. I've been married to the same wonderful lady now for almost 22 years. Had my son recently join the USAF and bring my a grandson this past June. My lovely daughter is readying herslef for cosmotoglogy school after the first of the year. As for me, I'm a retired scout/sniper after 22 years of doing Uncle Sugars bidding. Loved my job, but grew tired of the changes I saw coming and decided it was best I hang up my spurs. I started my own residential fencing business and did quite well at it for a couple of years, but have decided to just focus on taking care of my house, wife and finally getting some more time in at the work bench. Looking forward to picking all of your "ship knowledgable brains" in the future. Without a doubt the best modeling site I have found in a long, long time. While my "baby" is a bit different, she took great care of me while in the desert after I liberated her from a previous owner Thanks. "Q"

Welcome John and Matthew! Nice to meet you!

Well, these posts can be hard to add a reply to. I could go on and on about me, but I am pretty boring. So, I’ll just hit the high points.

I spent 3 years in the Navy, only 11 months at sea. Was discharged on a medical and I miss it every day. Spent the next few years working and finally ended up moving down the Georgia from Illinois. I have been a tech writer for Caterpillar, a Gas Turbine Tech in the Navy, an Engineering Technician, and a draftsman.

My wife and I love where we are and plan to spend out future making pottery and living in the mountains. She is actually the potter of the family and I am the business person. We do have a small following, but we are gaining in popularity. She makes line of “face jugs” that have caught on and really taken off.

I am able to help out our military in a new way, other than serving. The company I work at makes parts for many different military aircraft. I currently work in the engineering department, doing estimating, AutoCAD drawings, and am the current Catia “expert”. We make parts for everything from the international space station all the way to a FW-190. Our biggest projects are the C-17, AH-64, and F-35.

My modeling has taken off again after a few years of inactivity. I like building armor and ships. My main focus was to build two different ships in particular, the USS Scott, which I served on, and the USS Illinois. I have bee slowly working on a couple of Russian tanks and hope to get them done sometime soon.

I also have picked up photography lately. The main focus is being able to take good high quality images so Valerie can show off her work and one day have some published. This also allows me to get good images of my finished models when I ever get any done.

I included some of her work that was at our largest show of the year. She makes several different animal jugs and also makes a few custom pieces. The tiger was a custom piece and is really stunning in person. The moose was an OOAK piece, his antlers are like 20” across. The bears are the most popular and the coons are a hot second.

A little late, but what the hay...

I've been building models since as far back as I can remember and I'm 48 now. Took a 20 year break while I was serving in the US Navy. I began building models back in the 60's and my first kit was Revell's USS Coral Sea - the ship my father served on. I built mostly Monogram 1/48 aircraft. The ones that had the folding wings, retractable landing gear, canopies that worked, bomb-bays the opened and closed. Man, those were great kits.

Then I moved on to armor when Monogram released their kits with the Shep Paine diorama how-to's. I've been stuck on armor ever since. Recently, I bought Trumpeters USS The Sullivans and currently working on Italeri's PT Boat. I also have a Monogram B25 that started and then shelved when the PT Boat arrived.

Steve

Good Morning All

I'm a retired Navy HM who spent most of my time with the Marines, my career ended after being blown up one time too many in the lovely garden spot known as Fallujah; there isn't a day that goes by where I don't miss being frustrated by my Marines... I've been a long time member of Armorama and generally build those big things with tracks and guns, but I have been known to do an occasionaly ship or landing craft.

Welcome Steve and John!

Welcome guys.

Jim, your wife does awesome work. I love the tiger!

later...Gator

Welcome Steve and "Doc" (John)! I also have been back to the hobby for less than a year, lots of good folks in here, plenty of info and help available, cheers! james

hi everyone, my names john been modeling off and on sinces i was about 10. do mostly armor and figures recently bought light seal support craft and a pibber. look forward to the fun

Hi John

Welcome to the world of model ship building.

Great to see you here.

Cheers

Sean

Hi, I´m Jan - I like submarines and have been sneaking around in here for a few years ..

This is me, in the engineroom of a type VII c/41 - normally I look ... well, normal ...



I mostly build armour, figures and diorama in 1:35, but have resently been bitten by the sub-bug. - But generally I build what I like, so you can see planes, Sci-Fi, tanks, subs, figures etc. from my hands.

I wonder what will happen when I run out of subjects in 1:72 submarines

My other hobby is shooting, mostly blackpowder and I reload most of what i shoot - aside from that a old house, kids and wife takes my remaining time.

Cheers

WELL, Jan....then there are plenty of 1:350 and 1:700 submarine subjects to choose from, as well as a myriad of ship subjects in all scales that you can (and hopefully will! ) delve into.....

Hey Jan. I like the "How many destroyers are up there?!" look.

Here is one of "us", its my avatar pic actually which Im sure no one can make out

On top of the Great Wall near Badaling, apropos since the Olympics just ended...

Sorry to see your steering whell is on the wrong side...naw just kidding...welcome and good to see you and hear of you...also tell Brett and Jermaine I said hello, hey.....wait they're in NY....never mind.....regardless have a super weekend and hello from a fellow modeler...