Ramage

Great work. I feel like I know this model very well, having spent many years gazing at it in admiration and wonder on google images. This one and your HAS1 inspired me to buy several, butcher at least two of the matchbox variants, hide them away in the box of shame, buy probably a dozen or more Italeri versions. Become too afraid to tackle one. It even inspired me to begin work on writing a Wessex book. I figured we are way short of Wessex reading out there. Your very model, pre restoration, was an inspiration. she looks very fine indeed since the make over. I feel a trip to the model stash is looming. Just when I thought I'd got that darn Wessex thing out of my system!

many thanks for the welcome. I dare not even think to rig a bi-plane. I have seen many amazing results, and one day aspire to throw myself into an attempt. May well be some way off at the minute. I suppose as modellers we all go through patches when things don't go according to plans. We march on.

Well here I go. Mark here, a 40 something East Yorkshire airfix addict (though quite how that happened I'm not entirely sure, The airfix bit). I have been modelling for a good forty years when time permits, and buying vast numbers of kits under the illusion that each and every one will be built. As with many it started with the glorious airfix spitfire mk1. My models are reasonable, mostly aircraft and never intended or capable of being to the standard of some of the works of art I have marvelled at throughout this great place over many years. I Buy things I like at the time, usually inspired by a book on the subject or a great project or quest I invent. I have a weakness for buying lots of the same kit all at once (the Ramage record is 100 to my shame) but I'm learning to rein this in somewhat. I'm not a one brand monopoly however or indeed aircraft exclusive. I have a grand plan to wargame world war two 1/72 figures, using a 1970's wargame set of rules. I'm interested in many areas of modelling. I have yet to take the plunge on an airbrush, I valiantly defend the paintbrush and I cling to enamel paint. I only recently invested in some plasticard for scratch building purposes. Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I'm not beyond learning or indeed being convinced. Until a recent January lockdown stash stocktake/ inventory afternoon which turned into several days of chaos, mess and shame I was content to continue under the illusion that I had this thing completely under control. Building one a year and pretending the new ones don't count as long as you can fit them into the office space is an enormously guilt free way of doing things I find. Empowered by my cunning resourcefulness of cramming kits into every available model room/ office space I was feeling pretty optimistic. That was until, what can only be described as a massive meltdown moment involving an Airfix chinook one night in late January when I stood up and pronounced the end of modelling in the Ramage household. Much merriment was had by Mrs Ramage as I swept all before me, ranted and raved, offered my entire stash to my Brother 300 miles away and vowed never ever to be seduced by the dark art of plastic again. Which brings me to the present. Here I am, thrown upon your mercies. I was drawn to join as a member here as a way of re finding the enjoyment in our dark art. I'm sure many folks have been here. I look forward to talking to many, adding what I can and encouraging those who like us all, will stall from time to time. Thankfully the Brother was unable to collect the stash due to lockdown. I have found myself wandering in to the model room of shame and have almost picked up a box or two. I did also make a purchase recently, but only because it was a bargain. There may be some green shoots of recovery. I wish you all well and look forward to many better times to come.