Hello to this great community. My name is Greg. I am from the western US. To be more precise, I am from the beautiful, quiet and sparsely populated state of Idaho.
My modeling history, I will try to be brief.
As a kid I was fortunate enough to be introduced to model making. I built cars and airplanes. Man, were they beautiful. Not really, looking back, but back then they were. At that age finding fault was not yet a learned thing. To be 12 again and not be able to see brush stroke on a car finish. Paint in a can; was there such a thing? Fast forward to my early 40’s, ten years ago. I am bitten by the modeling bug, I go all in. I learn many techniques and actually use them to build a few models. I am happy with my results and enjoy myself. There is one problem though. My ambition greatly outweighs my available time. It is much worse than that. I want to build everything. Some people have a hard time deciding on a scale within a genre, switching back and forth, or maybe settling into a certain era within a given subject area. Me, I wanted to build everything. I would start down one path, learning all I could, making great efforts to create my stash when I would see another direction I wanted to go. In the end I had multiple kits in various subject areas: cars, Sci-Fi, aircraft 1/72, 1/48, WW2, jets), boats (wood and plastic), large-scale figures, armor. There was another problem. I had another hobby competing for my time. Woodworking. In the end it won out. It will always be my primary hobby.
Towards the end I started hearing good things about a company called Wingnut Wings. I checked them out. Wow, I was blown away. WW1 planes are so much more interesting to look at aren’t they? Dam, I need to build these. But it was too late. I was defeated by the fact that I could not focus on one thing. Switching at that late hour to WW1 planes in 1/32 scale was not going to happen. I put the models away and eventually gave them to my son to sell on eBay. I was done.
So a few years latter and I have an overwhelming need to build something beautiful in miniature. The decision was made; I was going to return to modeling.
So a fresh start and a new approach.
This is my approach. I think it is right for me.
1. I just purchased 2 models from WnW. I bought a starter model and a goal model. I bought the Pfalz D.IIIa to start with. It is a pleasing plane to the eye and the rigging is less than most. Also, another area I worry about, it can be built with no Lozenge decals, or wing bottoms only, or both wings both surfaces. Now let me explain the goal model. It is the model I hope to one day be able to build. It lies at the end of a series of progressively harder builds. I may never get there but the plan is to one day build it. It will sit in my work area on a shelf, plastic wrap intact. That model is the early FE.2b. In my mind much too ambitious to be sane but the thought of one day building it makes me happy.
2. Restraining myself. I will not leave the bounds of 1/32 WnW models.
3. The most crucial part of my plan. Other than my goal model, I will not have a stash. One model at a time. Only when one is complete will I place an order for another one. My output is going to be low. This I understand and accept. If I have to wait a few weeks to get my next kit, no biggy. I have demonstrate that I can’t be trusted with a credit card when it comes to models so it has to be this way! I understand that a big part, an enjoyable part, of the hobby is creating that stash. I am glad otherwise there would not be such a vast model kit industry. For me though, one kit at a time will keep my focused.
I likely won’t post much. I will however prosper on the fruits of all those on this forum that are dedicated and giving. I want to thank you all, in advance, for sharing your knowledge. I won’t be completely quiet. If I have something to offer then I will share it. If you have managed to get to the end of his message then you have heard way too much out of me, so my silence for a while is very much in order.
Thanks for reading,
Greg
