Derek A

Further pictures of my models can be found here https://derekaaustin.myportfolio.com/ .

Originally from Plymouth I joined the Royal Air Force at 16 as a Craft Apprentice to become a Navigational Instrument Fitter.  After passing out a Junior Technician I was posted to RAF St Athan working on V Bomber majors.  Within 2 years I was posted on to the Jaguar Flight Simulator and changed trades to Electronics Technician Flight Simulators.  I served in this trade until it was disbanded in 96/97 being made redundant as a Chief Technician.  For the rest of my working life I was an MoD Civil Servant providing Post Design Services for in-service Flt Sims.

In 2009 I returned to modelling with attempts to build the De Agostini McLaren of 2008 World Champ Lewis Hamilton.  This really rekindled my interest and there's been no stopping me since.  My main interest is WW2 aircraft but recently I've been building more diverse subjects and have produced 2 dioramas!  I am really enjoying the freedom my retirement has given me to follow my hobby.

I have also joined my local model club, IPMS Avon, and revel in the company of other modelling nuts once a month!