Author Topic: Hello from the great nothwest (Read 2210 times)

Ollie · « **on:** November 27, 2012, 04:26:00 PM »

I've been snooping around this site for a while and I thought I should do an intro. I'm Drew Oliver and if you couldn't tell by the subject title I'm currently living in the state of Washington. I'm currently in the US Air Force and in a few months I'll be retiring after 26 years of faithful service. I've been trying to build models since I was 12. I can buy them, start them but finish very few of them. I hope I'm not alone in that category. But I'll keep trying until I die. Love aviation as a whole but I needed to settle down for a particular era and I chose WWI. I guess watching the cartoon of the 70's kind of helped. Try watching "Stop that Pigeon". Loved those wacky planes they flew each week.

I look forward to seeing your builds and learning techniques so I can actually complete a model someday. As for a scale I'm trying 1/32 scale for the first time (my eyes aren't what they use to be and my hands aren't as steady). I'm really loving what WNW has done and look forward to more from them in the future as well as Roden. I have a couple kits in the stash now and just made a huge purchase of WNW stuff so hopefully after I've completed my Bachelors Degree (2 classes left), find another job I can start building more. Until then I guess baby steps.

Ollie

rhallinger · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2012, 09:50:40 PM »

Welcome Ollie! Thank you for your service in our armed services, and good luck with wrapping up your degree and the job hunt.

Your modeling experience sounds familiar. You are most definately in the right place to improve your modeling and learn new skills, and you've now got dozens of topshelf "consultants" to help you along.

Seriously though, use this site and forum, and don't be afraid to ask about anything. Usually, we all learn something when someone asks a question here.

I was like you about a year ago. I now have five 1/32 kits completely successfully, and two more on the bench right now. Don't even ask about the stash.

My results are largely becasuse of the learning, inspiration and help I receve from this site and forum members. I suggest that you read the basic tutorials by Des and others such as workbench setup, rigging, preshading, etc, along with build logs for the kits you are doing. Do what Des suggests---it works! Don't be put off by the inevitable setbacks of modeling. We all experience them. You'll just learn to regroup and overcome.

I think you'll also enjoy the cameraderie and personalities on this forum. Not a day goes by when I don't get a smile or a chuckle from someone's post here. But mostly, I learn and am inspired. You will be too, and we'll see some fine builds from you before too long! Good luck!

Regards,

Bob

lcarroll · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2012, 12:12:04 AM »

Ollie,
First, welcome to our special Group, I believe you couldn't be in a better place given your decision to concentrate on the WWI era. Bob's advice is right on the mark, spend some time on reviewing some of the basic threads/tutorials and once you're ready the articles and hints on workspace and layout, basic equipment and supplies and tools will help enormously.
Last, congratulations on finishing your Service; I spent 37 years in service and if I learned one thing it's that when were "IN" we tend to fear the outside; don't sell yourself short as 26 years says you have a lot of qualities and talents others do not and you'll be shocked at how quickly you'll adjust to and succeed in the big world out there.
All the very best in your new adventure!
Cheers,
Lance

Chris Johnson · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2012, 12:45:12 AM »

Welcome aboard Ollie! This is a great place to learn how to build WWI aircraft. A finer bunch of fellows you'll never find.

Cheers,

Chris

mgunns · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2012, 01:16:37 AM »

Welcome aboard Ollie:

As has been stated here, a great bunch of folks are here to share in their enjoyment of modeling WWI a/c in all scales. Des' tutorials are a great place to start as has been mentioned as are the blogs.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement from the USAF and thank you for your service, hopefully you never had to stand duty as the "PLO".

I get bogged down in some of the minutiae of a kit, but I work at something every day, even if it is drilling holes for rigging, or painting tires, I do something or it never gets done.
Good luck with modeling and I too look forward to seeing your work.

Best

Mark

pepperman42 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2012, 01:28:03 AM »

Welcome Ollie. Thanks for posting and making yourself know. Finishing is big problem for me too but this site has got the "mojo" back.

Steve

coyotemagic · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2012, 01:59:17 AM »

Welcome aboard, Ollie. Congratulations on your upcoming Air Force retirement and on completing your degree. Lance is right about the transferability of the skills you aquired in service. Especially in management. There are no better managers on earth than noncoms.
Also true is what all the other guys have said about this site, its use in shortening the learning curve and the camaraderie. You couldn't have landed in a better place. I look forward to seeing your work here.
Cheers,
Bud

GAJouette · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2012, 07:37:22 AM »

Ollie,
First off congratulations on your upcoming retirement and more importantly thank you for your service. Welcome aboard my friend and it's an pleasure to have you as a member here. I'll be looking forward to seeing your projects posted here as build threads or completed projects. Don't be concerning asking questions or for advise, you'll find many of your fellow modeler willing and able to help you .

Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

Ollie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 28, 2012, 02:33:24 PM »

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and awesome inspirations.

Ollie

Whiteknuckles · « **Reply #9 on:** November 28, 2012, 02:53:10 PM »

Ollie, hello and welcome from an ex Grunt.
You'll have lots of fun and learn a lot here

Andrew

Des · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2012, 03:57:29 PM »

Hello Ollie and welcome to the forum, it is so nice to have you here. Congatulations on your upcoming retirement from the USAF, I'm ex RAAF so I know how it feels. It is great that you have chosen 1:32 scale, there are so many wonderful kits available and Wingnuts have certainly contributed immensely. There are many very talented modelers here on the forum and all are willing to share their knowledge, all questions will be answered so please don't be afraid to ask. I look forward to seeing you post your work here soon.

Des.

Vickers · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2012, 10:43:05 AM »

Glad you joined up, Ollie. Thank you for your service and congratulations on your upcoming retirement. When I decided to join the service in 1986, I was considering either the USAF or USCG and having been raised on saltwater I decided that as much as I love aircraft the Coast Guard would be a better fit. So, 26 years later I'll be retiring this summer as well.

I commend your affinity for the old kites- there's something irresistable about the dawn of combat aviation. I'm confident that this forum will quickly become a key information resource and source of information for you!

Trackpad · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2012, 11:22:39 AM »

Hi, Ollie, and welcome!

Geez, but there are a lot of service members here! Well done on your USAF service,a nd best of luck with your retirement. If you need any hints, tips and suggestions, just post them: someone here will almost certainly be able to assist. Again, Welcome!