Jim Baker

Hey Scott, I don't know how I ever missed that. Fantastic story and momentos. Thanks very much for sharing your Grandfathers story. These stories are what make this "hobby" so great. They help us to remember these guys were real people, with lives and families, and that some gave up everything for us and the world.

Very nice Ed. I have already posted my Dad's things in the collectors section. Unfortunately, I missed a lot of nice things as a kid. He threw out several items I'm sure I could have had if I were only old enough to know what they were. He wasn't very sentimental.

Thanks Guys! The business end......

It's surprising sometimes what's in that spares box. Not 100% accurate, but it was fun to build.

Here is a Tiger. This was built from spares left overs. There are parts from at least 4 kits in here. I just kept rooting around in the box til I had enough to build this.

Another view. There is some radio equipment and a drivers seat and controls. I had to just guess at some of this due to a lack of reference material.

Here is a Stewart that was absolutely wasted. The turret didn't survive, so I rebuilt it as a recce vehicle.

I hate to waste a good model. Here are some "trash can" pieces, stripped, and rebuilt. This is a good way to hone your skills and practice with an airbrush without the worry of screwing up a good kit. Here is a British armored car that was originally finished in a European winter camo. I think I originally built this in 7th grade. Again, this is 1/72 scale.

Hmmmmmm........... Time?? Well, I never timed myself on a kit. I'm really very much an amature and build almost straight out of the box. I concentrate on cleaning up and maybe a few bits of wire here and there. Sometimes I slap one together over a weekend, and other times it's a little here and there. The KV was a weekend project, and the Panther was built over 6 months. It really just depends on what's going on in the real world. At the moment, I have three completed and awaiting paint. It always takes me longer to paint than anything else. It's just whenever I get to them. If you read Steve's Modeling 101, the bottomless pit is MUCH larger when working in this scale, so I do spend a bit of time on my hands and knees looking for itty bitty parts.

Steve, Maybe I will call you STEPHEN!! Jeeezzus..... Your work never ceases to absolutely amaze me!!! The cut aways are just fantastic!! You guys should also know that STEPHEN has a great knowledge of the men who flew these beautiful machines!

Figures...... Some nice new stuff out now that I'm eyeballing too!!!

Yep, I've got that problem too. And fortunately/unfortunately my shelves are now full. Wifey can't believe I want "ANOTHER" model for Christmas!! Hopefully the 1/72 Revell VIIC U Boot. I'm kinda stuck in 1/72 scale. Steve, the bench looks a little tidier than last I saw it, and that top shelf is definitely a little more crowded. Take a shot of the awards wall!! All well deserved. Here's my stash. And the white shelves are full again after I went to so much trouble to empty them out a bit.

Another......

A very old Tiger II. Fujimi I believe.

Thanks guys. Here are a few more. First a Panther I have posted before. Sorry about the lighting.

Thanks again Garth. You have certainly helped me out many times. Thank you, I certainly appreciate it!! You know I like to stick to strictly the WWII stuff, so maybe a DI guy will chime in?

I also just bought this one. It's supposed to be marked sterling. I'll get better photos when it arrives.....

Hello Garth, Thanks much. Very glad to see you here. Your expertise is most welcome!! As long as I have you here, is this Armor School DI WWII period, or post war?

Can anyone ID this patch? It appears to be painted on leather. Thanks.

Backside...

Sherman M4A3:

I'll post some of my 1/72 scale tanks, and apologise in advance for the photos.... Here is a Russian KV-1C:

Some reference stuff...

Another shot. And Steve is right. Actual modeling takes place dead center of the bench. The rest gets used for coffee, books, photos, etc....

Hey Guys, I'm often curious about where people create their little works of art. Here's mine in a relatively (and rare) clean state.