TonyTiger66

Hello,

I Started plastic modelling aged 4, in 1970. My Grandfather was in the Royal Navy (Russian convoys WWII) and tried me out on a few aircraft and the HMS Hood. It all went terribly wrong, including a melted Airfix Savoia Marchetti (too much glue) and a Revell Corsair with the wings on upside down.

My uncles and other grandfather were in the RAF. Grandfather in Stirlings in WWII, uncles posted to Germany in the post war era, my auntie in the army. All encouraged my modelling; although my auntie pushed me more in the Lego direction  .

For some bizarre reason aged around 5, I made a pretty good Revell Brewster Buffalo (maybe it was the 'Felix The Cat' decal/transfer that did it?). Then a (finally) decent HMS Hood. Then Ark Royal, then the venerable Airfix Sunderland.

Shortly after that Matchbox kits became very pocket money friendly and two per week was not unusual, although paints took a while to accrue.

In adult life I became an architectural assistant then a university lecturer. Both were great fun, and I was fortunate enough to work in such lovely places as Holland, France, Spain, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Canada.

I lived in the UK for most of my life until 2008, in Bath, Bristol, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield and Helensburgh (Scotland).

I was born in Sydney, but I am a 'Pom' through and through. Sort of  I now live in Canberra  and society seems to have retired me, I'm  available for duty and considering fresh study to change that.

I last modelled in earnest in 2003, after my first wife passed away due to cancer. It really helped and over 3 years or so I completed around 35 aircraft. From 2008 until 2015 I had another break due to severe illness, but now much recovered I have started again.

I am a perfectionist, I will never be able to build to the standards I would like. On the other hand I'm not a rivet or millimetre counter. To me it is more about the model looking like the real thing. In light of that, I find modern kit panel lines often almost as bad as the old Matchbox 'trenches'. Real aircraft don't look like that, especially from a distance (1/72 is my preferred scale due to space restrictions).

I have a great deal to learn, but that is good. I very much need a challenge and I have always loved making models, so I'll do my best to take on any advice and improve.

It's a lovely hobby.

I have a weak spot for FAA, Spanish Civil War, early jets, Polish, Czech, French, Bulgarian, Romanian aircraft of WWII (and before) and obscure/photo recon Spitfires, weird 109's, Polar subjects and Golden Age aircraft. I also like to build the occasional AFV, car, ship, motorcycle, figures and hope to try a submarine soon.

I've even been known to build real Space travel subjects, Gerry Andersen related and early space movie/TV series Sci-Fi and the odd Aurora style horror figure!

If you read this far, well done and thanks  

Other interests:

Lots of different kinds of music. A good read. Classic cars and motorcycles. Lots of different kinds of films, but especially war films and old black and white mysteries.

War history. Good traditional food. Fine wine and real ale. Scotch single malts (highland). Sleep. Lots of healthy sleep

Best regards

TonyT 🐯