Current Information:
I am very excited and happy
to announce that I now have pictures for many of the airplanes
on this site. I will continue to be updating the various
sections, but for now, I have some pictures for each model, or
at least most of them.
I will continue to update the
rest of the sections as time goes on. Once I finish all the reviews, I plan on updating the current projects
section on a more routine basis. I do apologize for not updating the
current section, but
the work of all the reviews is keeping me away from that. Never fear
though, I am still
building kits day in and day out. Thank you.
Background Information:
I began building models at age 10 with my first model
being a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber from World War II 1/72nd scale.
I had always been interested in aviation when I was young and was always fascinated when I
drove past an airport. As airplanes took off and landed, I watched them with intent, but I
never imagined that that interest might someday become not only a hobby, but a career.
In the past I had watched specials on TV with my dad
about Midway, Korea, Vietnam, and other events in history, but when I saw the A-6 and fell
in love with it. I bought the plane and my parents helped me set up a work bench in our
basement in Illinois. It took me some time and some screw-ups, but I eventually finished
it and ever since, it has become a hobby.
I am now 24 and have built well over 400 models in
various scales and configurations. In 1:72nd scale, I pretty much have the entire United
States Inventory in the Navy and Air Force, and even aircraft from days past. 1:48th scale
is a different story, I have fewer in number, but the detail is extremely accurate.
Finally, I have a nice collection of aircraft in 1:144th scale, the bulk of these are
airliners.
Over the years I have accumulated more models than I know what to do with. The 1:72nd
scale models are at my parents house in my old room. I have a majority of the 1:48th
aircraft adorned on shelves in my current room. All the 1:144th models are
hanging from my ceiling, and luckily my roommates put up with my hobby and have allowed me
to place my naval fleet of an aircraft carrier, destroyer, battleship, and submarine in
our living room.
Some might ask why? The answer is simple, each model is
challenging, and I like to see what else I can do to it to make it look more realistic.
Hopefully this web site will help the new and old model builder alike see what I have done
and get new ideas for their own models.
You will find more info in the following locations:
Current Project:
This page is currently not being updated due to the
updating of the Commercial and later on the Military galleries. Please be patient. In
fact, any new models that I work on will be placed in the appropriate categories. Until I
complete the update, this page will have information on any new kits that I see and/or
have bought.
Photo Gallery:
In this photo gallery, there are pictures of some of
the planes that I have reviewed. Also, there are other pictures that I have taken at
different airports and air shows, so sit back and enjoy. Now
Open.
Personal Accomplishments:
In 1999 I entered a local model contest and came away a
winner. I decided to put in three airliners (A330, DC-10, and L-1011) since few people see
these. I also entered a BF-110 and an S-3. I came away a winner with a 1:48th Ju-52/3m
Transport worth about $50. So all in all the contest was worth my time, and if there are
contests near you, I suggest to enter....
In 1999, I entered a few photos into the annual Aviation
Week & Space Technology photo contest. Each year AW&ST sort through
hundreds of pictures to see who is truly the Best of the Best in aviation
photography. I am proud to say that one of my pictures was chosen in the Civil category.
It is a picture of a De Havilland Beaver on floats. I will of course enter next year, so
airplanes worldwide, watch the birdie....
For the past 5 years now, I have entered photographs in
the Iowa State Fair and each year I have either been displayed or received an honorable
mention. This year I was once again displayed, with a picture from Seal Rock, California.
I will continue to enter contests to increase my understanding of photography and
aviation.
New Additions:
Just so everyone knows what is going on with this site,
I plan to add some new additions to the model information. Under the categories of Commercial
and Military, I will be writing articles on each of the aircraft that I have and
give reviews on them as well as why I chose to buy and paint them in their liveries. This
will be a long process, but I do hope to start in the next few days on this. Just
remember that with over 200 models in this home, it will take a while.
New Information:
I recently found a great
site that has a variety of Russian military and commercial
aircraft. For those of you who are looking for these kinds of
kits, go to: http://www.aviapress.com/viewallkits.htm
Also, for other commercial
models, the one site that I always check is Airline Hobby
Supplies located at: http://www.airline-hobby.com/
Featured Airplane:
Boeing B737-300
(Southwest - Pigskin One)
Updates:
Boeing B747-300 (Ansett Australia
- Olympics 2000)
Boeing B737-300 (Southwest
- Arizona)
Yakolev Yak-40 (Czechoslovakia Airlines)
Tupolev Tu-334 (Aeroflot)
Sukhoi S-37 'Berkut' (1:72nd)
To
come in 2001 and beyond:
Tupolev Tu-104 (Aeroflot)
Tupolev Tu-154 (Aeroflot)
Boeing B-29 Super Fortress
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker
Boeing B747SP
Boeing B747-200 (E-4B)
Boeing E-737 (Turkey or Australian
Air Force)
The Old Continental
Fleet:
Boeing B707-320
Boeing B727-200
Boeing B737-200
Boeing B747-200
Douglas DC-9
Thanks for all support and feedback,
enjoy the site.
