Jim H

I started building models around 1975, and since I was but a wee nipper, I started with the typical click-fit kits and the Airfix 'bagged' kits that hung on those wireframe carousels. Over the next few years, I must have built nearly all the kits available to me in my hometown of Darwen, Lancs. Pocket money was hard earned, and saving up for the 1/32 Matchbox aeroplane kits, then going down to town to pick them up was a real thrill. In the early 1980's, I was no stranger to Drem Models in Darwen Market Annexe, and I could be found there most Saturdays, with the very patient proprietor letting me open the boxes and taking a peek. I'd get insider information on the latest Revell or Italeri releases. Italeri was about my limit; Tamiya kits were beyond my reach for expense.

From Darwen and PROUD!

I carried on building every week and trying to improve myself when I also began to build models out of wood. For a while, I was a member of the Blackburn & District Model Aircraft Club and used to fly Control-line models on Sundays. I also helped my dad to build them too. Keilkraft was the order of the day. I carried on with my plastic building, experimenting with masks and the Humbrol rattle-cans and attempting to get that elusive professional finish. I failed miserably, but had great fun doing it. My plastic building ceased around 1992, when I went back, for a period, to building in wood. I began to design scale flying model aircraft for rubber-power and CO₂, and even Jetex. I designed a Hawker Hurricane model in around 1/18 scale, resplendent in scale stringering and panelling. This model was presented to Squadron Leader Andy Tomalin of the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight, and now resides at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.

The 'good old days' .....

I re-entered modelling again in 2001, by building timber warships and setting up a very large forum based website at www.modelshipworld.com,  catering for this topic. The site currently has around 6000 members and is the largest English language site of its kind on the internet. I actively built in timber until around 3 years ago when I began to hanker for placcy again. I bought my first return kit from P&S Hobbies in York; the 1/35 Dragon Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf.C, and simply HAD to buy some resin bits for it, so opted for the CMK kit. Firstly, I'd never used resin and when I tried to paint it with a brush, the paints wouldn't cover. Yes, everything had changed, so I stripped the kit of paint and put it away. I needed an airbrush, no doubts. All signs had pointed that way and I'd tried to ignore it through airbrushophobia.


Eventually I bought an airbrush and began the learning curve, and here I am so far. The fear is conquered and I've built a shameful stash of around 60 kits so far; most of them being 'deals I coudln't resist' or 'limited run' kits. For aircraft, I model in 1/48 and 1/32 scales primarily. I have to say that I suffer badly from AMS, or 'Advanced Modeller Syndrome' which means that is any resin or photoetch part exists, then I HAVE to get it. I simply can't build a kit OOB anymore; it's shocking! Do I count rivets? No. I do want to get the best from my hobby though and not build in ignorance, so to some, I'm probably just a Joyless Modelling Nazi!! On the other hand...I know I'm not.

Joyless Modelling Nazis

I enjoy modelling more than ever now, and this is my hobby for the foreseeable future. I can't ever see myself giving up. In the words of a respected modeller on my favourite website 'Large Scale Planes', they will have to 'take the kits from my cold dead hands'.

I also read Modern German History with the intention of doing a Degree at some time. I have an avid interest in militaria too, again, primarily German WW2.

Steve

Having turned  50 this year, I can at last use the 'It's my age' excuse now .Truth to tell, I can't really remember when I started modelling, though as a typical (male) kid, I recall playing with Corgi, and Matchbox cars as far back as I can recall. I also remember my first Hornby train set when I was around 8 or 9 years old...

My real "modelling memories" started when I was around 11.. and I had a very close relationship with a favourite Aunt & Uncle.

Uncle Les (RIP) was my real motivator for my modelling, every other weekend I would take the 45 minute bus ride to their house on a Saturday morning  and stay overnight till he took me home on Sunday Evening. Uncle Les, was a HGV lorry driver, and his passion in his spare time was plastic modelling. I spent a long time just watching  what he did, and how he did it, the seeds were now sown.

I can't recall my 1st model ( It's my age see... ) However I do recall the Saturday Morning trips to the model shop to select the next kit for my treat from my Uncle.Like Kaboom, I also recall ( amazing that.. must be a flashback ? ) those Airfix kits in little plastic bags hanging on a carousel for starters. How I longed to have a BIG BOXED KIT !

I don't think I had a specific genre, more dabbled in everything planes, vehicles  but my favourite was always heli's .. yet another seed sown !

As I grew older, my skills improved and sadly Uncle Les passed away, but the modelling stayed with me.

Through my modelling 'career' I have pretty much dabbled in most things, some with passion ( & much expense) and some on whims, when funds allowed. I have built and flown r/c  helicopters  & crashed them too. Getting married a house and a family ended that passion as money was prioritised elsewhere. I collected model trains, then I started to build layouts to exhibit at local model railway shows. My children accompanied me to many of those and became skilled operators too. Curiously ( but there are reasons) I only modelled Swiss Railways.. never had a jot of interest in UK railways, and still have little interest or knowledge. But I do have an appreciation for all genres of modelling, dolls houses to metal engineering, all fascinate me.

Then I discovered r/c cars, r/c trucks, r/c forklift trucks (yes -really) but the enjoyment came mostly from the building than the playing.

Next up and alongside model railways is R/c model boats, ships and yachts.For several years I was a kit builder/ reviewer for a popular  UK modelling magazine, with my own quarterly column too .However with build deadlines etc and politics (to be aired in the Rants Section sometime), it became more of a chore than a hobby, the enjoyment diminished. I now only have a small yacht to be used on a nice sunny Sunday afternoon.

Nowadays, my true passion is O Gauge /Spur O model railways specifically German and  only from the Lenz Elektronik GMBH stable.

These images are from my Alter Lokschuppen blog

 http://busybeas-alterlokschuppen.blogspot.com/

These are masterpieces in 1/45 scale, fully digital, lights and sound of the real thing.. brill

I enjoy the scenic aspect of railway modelling the most, and will happily share with you, how I  get results like this :

I still dabble in plastic models, and helicopters are still my favourite, recently I have ventured into some military stuff too.

I have a stash of kits in the workshop which will be started one day, and several kits partly finished to complete too.

So thats where we are....  It's therapy!