Author Topic: Hola de Cuba!!  (Read 2452 times)

Offline SEADog

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Hola de Cuba!!
« on: May 14, 2013, 11:28:45 PM »
Hello From Cuba! My name is Richard Kunkel. I am acutally from Canada, but currently residing in Cuba. I have been modelling for most of my life, but nowhere near to the level displayed on this site! What a fantatastic find. Thanks Des for creating such an eye-opening and eductaional website. I have learned more here in a few short weeks that I have in years of independent modelling.
Modelling here in Cuba in almost non-existent. There are no hobby shops, no sources of materials on or for just about any scale, and very, very few individuals who atcually DO build any models. There is no active website for Cuban modellers, nor are there, at least to the best of my knowldege, any modelling clubs or groups here either. I am based in Havana and have been here since September of 2012. In all that time, I have found one other modeller who builds RC aircraft.
To get supplies into Cuba is a chore, at best. The postal service in terrible, and even drop-shipping materials can be hazardous. Things very often get ¨lost¨in transit.
Regardless, one soldiers on as best one can. I am trying to find other modellers here so that, perhaps, we might actually get a club or group going (without running afoul of the goverment), so if anyone knows of any Cuban modellers here, please let me know.
Thanks for reading this, and take care.
Richard
Off with their heads!!!

Offline GAJouette

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2013, 11:43:44 PM »
  Richard,
Welcome aboard my friend. Sorry I can't help you with any Cuban modelers but perhaps some of our South American brothers here will be able to lend you a hand on the matter. I completely understand your supply difficulties I resorted to raiding whatever Hobby Shop I could find when I worked in Saudi Arabia which at the time wasn't much. But when I rotated out for leave I had a hay day visiting LHS in Europe. I would imagine you do much the same. At least they have excellent cigars there and who knows as thing change maybe a Hobby Shop or two as well.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
" What Me Worry"

Offline michael

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2013, 11:48:54 PM »
Hello and welcome Richard.

michael
“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.”

Offline bobs_buckles

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2013, 01:08:56 AM »
Welcome, Richard  ;)
Have you ever considered moving back to Canada? lol  :P

Enjoy your time with us.
Cheers,
Von Buckle



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Offline coyotemagic

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2013, 06:34:45 AM »
Welcome aboard, Richard.  I wish you the best of luck in overcoming all the obstacles living in Cuba can bring.
Cheers,
Bud
"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream in the dark recesses of the night awake in the day to find all was vanity. But the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, and make it possible." -T. E. Lawrence

Offline Des

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2013, 07:19:35 AM »
Hello Richard and welcome to the forum, I am so pleased that you have joined our friendly group of modelers, I'm looking forward to you participation with the forum and its members.

Des.
Late Founder of ww1aircraftmodels.com and forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Offline LindsayT

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2013, 01:47:45 PM »
Welcome, Richard, from a fellow Canuck.

Lindsay

Offline pepperman42

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2013, 02:31:38 PM »
Hello Richard. Welcome to the forum. No hobby shops is mere punishment for avoiding snow, shovels and winter driving. Hope you find a modeller in Havana but if not theres a thousand here to shoot the breeze with.

Steve...Barrie ON

Offline SEADog

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2013, 01:07:39 AM »
Hello To All!

Thank you, everyone, for your warm welcome. You are an amazing group of people! As for returning back to Canada, I will be heading north in early August. Once there, be sure that I will stock up, and I mean REALLY stock up, on supplies, material, and kits to bring back to Cuba with me.

Thanks again for the warm welcome. I am very much looking forward to my tenure as part of the great group. As for you fellow Canucks, I can tell you that the weather here is amazing, as are the people. Needless to say, the government leaves much to be desire, but that will change once the old guard as gone.

Take care all,
Richard
Off with their heads!!!

Offline Ernie

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2013, 12:52:07 AM »
Welcome Richard!  Would have loved to trade places with you over this
last winter.  Great to have you with us. 

Best Regards,
Ernie ( in Sask.)
The new old guy, take two...

Offline lcarroll

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2013, 04:50:53 AM »
Welcome to the fold, Richard. I thought I had it tough being almost 300 KMs from the nearest Shop!?! I know you'll enjoy the Site.
Cheers,
Lance (Cold Lake, AB)

Offline SEADog

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #11 on: May 22, 2013, 08:25:47 AM »
Hey Ernie and Lance! Thanks for the kind words.

Where abouts in SK are you Ernie? I was born in Humboldt and raised (more or less) on a ranch just south of Saskatoon.

Ernie, trust me, during the summer, the weather here is a killer! The winter is not too bad, but I would still prefer the cold to the heat and humidity.

Take care guys, and thanks again.
Richard
Off with their heads!!!

Offline FokkerFodder

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #12 on: May 22, 2013, 03:06:51 PM »
Welcome on baord

I can sympathise with you Richard - living in Qatar is pretty much the same (minus the cigars and rum). Now into week 8 waiting for supplies (paint etc) to be shipped, plus 2-10 weeks to get here once shipped (and arriving.... hopefully)..... arrrgh......

Offline Whiteknuckles

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2013, 09:33:25 AM »
Hello and belated welcome Richard :)

Andrew
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Offline Lyle

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Re: Hola de Cuba!!
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2013, 12:10:59 PM »
Hola Richard!
Greetings and welcome to this great forum!  I wish I could get down to Cuba sometime, I suspect the restrictions imposed by the USA will be lifted (hopefully) before I leave this world.  However, my time schedule is that with all the models I have to build, and my slow pace of building, then I will have to live to 150 years of age!  ;)  So, it may yet be a while before I can get there!  I know there is an incredible model of the famous Spanish 1st rate Santissima Trinidad there in Havana, I think it's in a monstrous scale because this is a huge model!

Anyway, cheers from nearby (I live in Tampa, FL) and hope you enjoy good Cuban tobacco....
Best, Lyle
Lyle