I just signed on with the forum and made my first post (Nervous newbie......).

As I said in the post, I'm new at this and will probably be looking for some questions answered along the way....

A little about myself. Married for as long as I can remember. Same lucky woman all that time. I'm retired, spent 30+ years as an Ops Supervisor at a large central Texas power plant. Served a hitch in the US Navy aboard USS Biddle, DLG/CG 34. Two tours of duty in Vietnam. 3 kids out in the world doing us proud.

I hope to make some acquaintances on here and get to know this hobby a little better with the help of some old "salts" on here.

Welcome aboard Ray - good luck with the Biddle, personally I don´t do surfaceships (targets ) - but I know others do, and I feel confident that they have a lot of answers for you.

Cheers/Jan

Welcome, mate!

I make almost everything afloat, warships, liners, merchants, sailing...,some submersibles too. Like action and dioramas. If there anything you think I can help, you can count on me.

Happy modeling,

Jorge Augusto

Nice to have you around.

You'll find the various forums very helpful. Take things easy and always put the fun at the center of your modelling activities! Remember that even the old salts around here had to learn the trade, so allow yourself to a learning curve, too.
Never hesitate to ask, when in doubt!

Welcome aboard, Ray!

Cheers,
Guido

welcome aboard Ray, the more the merrier here ! The inmates are a very friendly and informative bunch too
cheers,
Julian

Welcome aboard Ray.
I too returned to the hobby. I built the Revell kit of the USS ESSEX in 1959, wound up serving on ESSEX 1961 - 63.
My kids got me a vintage Revell ESSEX kit and a cheap 1/700 Hasegawa ESSEX kit to practice on about 2 years ago. I also dug up my old modeling gear and my stash from 50 years ago. With the help and encouragement of the guys on this forum, I've gotten back in full tilt. I like to follow builds, esp with photos as it helps me visualize better. I also joined a local IPMS modeling club. Lots of help there too, esp with the new methods and materials. Hope you have as much fun as I am. Don't hesitate to ask for advice. Somebody has been there before and will have some answers.

Here's where I'm at now - Up to my elbows in plastic!!

1/700 Hasegawa USS ESSEX (Two of them) To be done 1- as commissioned (in progress), 1- May 1943
1/700 Trumpeter USS ESSEX to be done as mid 1944
1/700 Dragon USS ESSEX to be done as measure 32/6-10d
1/700 Trumpeter USS Yorktown to be done out of the box
1/540 Revell USS ESSEX (Vintage model, 1958) Like she was when I served on her in 1961
1/350 Trumpeter USS ESSEX to be done as commissioned
1/350 Trumpeter USS Lexington CV-2 to be done 1939
1/500 Trumpeter USS Nimitz to be done out of the box
1/400 Academy RMS Titanic to be done out of the box + PE
1/350 Gallery Models USS Wasp LHD-1 (to be done as USS ESSEX LHD-2)
1/48 Trumpeter HH65A Dolphin Hilo working on with my grandson.
Have 1/700 & 1/350 airwings, PE and aftermarket stuff for most of the above kits.
The following are kits I have had in my stash since before I went in the Navy in 1960. Someday I’ll get to them, get to them, get to them.
1/520 Revell Wasp CV-18 (vintage)
1/490 Revell Hornet CV-12 (vintage)
1/490 Revell Hornet CV-8 (vintage)
1/350 Trumpeter Lexington CV-2 (vintage)
1/500 Revell Lexington CVT-16 (vintage)
1/542 Revell Saratoga CV-60 (vintage)
1/520 Lindberg USS Neches AO-47 to be done as Mattaponi (vintage)

EJ

Thanks for the replies, guys! And thanks for the offers of help. I may wear out my welcome there....lol!

EJ....I was a snipe, too. That's really cool about you building the Essex then serving aboard her.

Hi Ray,

Welcome along.

Al

Ray,

Welcome to MSW. As you have seem there are plenty of great people here to help on your way toward modeling bliss. DO not hesitate to ask when ever you have a question.

Hi Ray,

Welcome aboard! What years were your tours in the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club? I served in USS Bainbridge (DLGN/CGN-25) and was there in 1966-67 and 1969.

Howdy John! Our Vietnam deployments were Jan. '68 - Sept. '68 and May '69 - Dec. '69 .....got credit for 4 tours because both were extended. The first cruise was an around-the-world deal. Biddle went back a third time after I got out. I remember the Bainbridge ....we relieved each other once or twice as memory serves. Piraz, SSAR, AAW, or something...we were probably over there at the same time! We also relieved the Long Beach several times. Thanks for replying!

Hi Ray,
I recall Biddle as well, but can't say for sure when/where. We spent most of our time in 66-67 with Enterprise on Yankee Station, except for one short stint as flagship for the new COMCRUDESPAC when he rode us to various other station, including Market Time. We were refueling at Mare Island in 68, and our 69 tour started with Enterprise's flight deck fire. We then escorted Kitty Hawk on Yankee Station, and did a longish tour on North SAR, followed by escorting Enterprise on Yankee Station when she repaired and rejoined.

Ray:

Don't know where in "middle" Texas you are, but there is a real fine model show up in Dallas around the end of May. The Squadron Shop sponsors it and they have an open house that weekend. There ae several gerat ship modelers up here so you may ant to come up and see the sights. The Squadron website will announce when and where in a month or so.

Steve, thanks for the tip! My Activity Director says we are going to be very busy around the end of May but I'll keep it in mind. (We live NW of Austin)

hello from raining england

Neil.....can you bottle up some of that rain and ship it over here to Texas? We are burning up (literally!).

Thanks for the welcome. Fair winds and following seas to ya!