'Absent Friends' memorial build

Modeling Subjects Group Builds
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Short story. The passing of our mate Toshi hit me very hard and I wanted to do something to keep his memory alive. I was also aware of Lewbud’s recent passing, so I put forward a suggestion for a memorial build in the General Modeling Discussion section.

My post received a good number of positive comments and suggestions, the outcome of which follows.

Starting from September 1st a new group build will commence titled ‘Absent Friends’. the rules are simple. 1] There is no end date. 2] The build must be dedicated to an FSM Forum member who has passed on. 3] Subject matter/genre dosen’t matter. It can be anything. 4] It must be family friendly.

As a suggestion only, you might want to build a subject favoured by the person you are honouring, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.

It looks like I am going to be the facilitator of this build, although I would have no objection if someone else wants to take it on. I am still new to the forum and although I am involved in a couple of group builds, I have yet to complete one. So my experience is very limited. In the General Modeling thread I have offered a couple of times to stand aside, but there were no takers. I guess as it was my idea, so I’m going to be the bunny. I would simply ask this- If I’m doing anything wrong, or missing something, please don’t hesitate to let me know. You won’t hurt my feelings. (Ok, so maybee I’ll sulk a lot…)[:'(]

No ‘badge’ has been decided yet, but a suggestion that two ‘clinking’ glasses over the words ‘Absent Friends’ be used. Whatever is decided I will need help with that as my computer skills are limited.

Modelcrazy has put forward the following names of passed members, Toshi, Lewbud, JTilly, Modelman68 and Hunter. No doubt there are more. It has also been suggested, that later down the track, the concept could be developed further, like a memorial page or such. For now however it was agreed that we start with a memorial build.

Ok. Thats the idea. If there are any further suggestions, please let me know. Thanks for your time.

Rob Ferguson

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Build List.

Goldhammer88 - Hasegawa 1/48 RF4-E in German markings for Toshi. (Now not going to happen, as our mate Goldhammer has joined the list of those we build for.) Gone but not forgotten mate.

Mopar Madness - Airfix 1/48 P51D for Larry Wolfe, (Lewbud).

GMorrison - Model Shipways HO steam Tug ‘Taurus’. Built as ‘John A. Tilley’ for Dr. John Tilley.

Armornut - Revell 1/32 Corsair F4 for Toshi.

Real G - Tamiya 1/72 Corsair for Toshi.

Crown r n7 - Tamiya 1/48 Corsair in Salvadorian markings for Toshi.

This is an extra from crown r n7 for Lewbud. The WIP is on the Larry Wolf GB.

Greg - TBA

The Mongoose, (and Clayton). Pegasus Hobbies 1/24 Spinosaurus.

BrandonK - Accurate Minatures 1/48 P51C for Lewbud and Tamiya 1/48 F4 Corsair for Toshi.

Das Beav - Revell 1/48 PV1 Ventura for Toshi and AMT 1/48 Meteor for Lewbud.

fox - Tamiya 1/48 F4U- 1A for Toshi.

Dodgy - Tamiya 1/48 Corsair for Toshi.

Mustang1989 - AMT '67 Mustang Fastback for Toshi, Lewbud and Rigidrider, (Doug Shearer). And for Mustang’s mom.

Gamera - 1/48 Corsair for Toshi. 1/48 Tamiya P38 for Rigidrider.

Justinryan215 - Revell 1/48 Corsair for Toshi.

Modelcrazy - Revell 1/48 Do 335 Pfeil OOB for Hunter and Modelman68. Revell 1/144 Puma for Lewbud.

“There you go Buddy, I hope it does you proud my friend”

Keyserj - 1/72 Tamiya F16 for Lewbud.

Hope I did good Lewbud. Beer

JOE RIX - Tamiya 1/72 F4U-1D Corsair for Toshi. Matchbox 1/72 HE 115 for Rigidrider.

jeaton01 - TBA

lawdog114 - Tamiya 1/48 F/G for Toshi and Hunter.

Tony, (taxtp) - Special Hobby, 1/72 Me 163 for Lewbud.

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I’ll join with the old Italeri 1/48 RF-4C. For Toshi.

Got a set of decals coming that I can make the tail code “AM” out of, in his honor.

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Excellent idea Rob! I’m in with an Airfix 1/48 P-51D for Larry Wolfe, aka. Lewbud.

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Oh I like this.

Don’t fret too much about running the GB in a sense as I think members will carry it along.

If I could, a few suggestions.

  • those lost members deserve a bit of an introduction from the builder.

  • respond to every post, as you have time, it builds morale.

So, here is my entry.

John Tilley was a cornerstone of the Ships forum here for many years. Dr. Tilley was a professor of Naval History at Eastern Carolina University and was an expert on the Continental Navy and the United States Navy from the colonial period through the Civil War.

John was employed at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News as an assistant curator for some years. He drafted a number of plans of ships for the United States Coast Guard during that time as well.

He was not a prolific builder, and often found sardonic humor in his few (excellent) builds, which was a source of both delight and instruction to us.

Among his friends both in person and through this forum were Al Ross, Bill Morrison, and others who enjoyed John’s Chestertonian banter.

I’ve collected some of the more interesting threads in which he shared his views. I don’t think he ever actually started a thread, but he sure could contribute.

An example about the Revell Beagle:

"Unfortunately this kit is just a reissue of one of the more notorious marketing scams in the world of modeling. …

I rarely muster up the effrontery to advise other modelers about which kits to buy, but in this case I think virtually every serious scale sailing ship modeler would agree with me: avoid this piece of junk like the plague.

The situation is especially lamentable because the Beagle was an historically important, attractive ship - and more than enough information to build a fine model of her is available. But so far as I know there’s no kit on the market that even remotely resembles her."

And so forth.

John had started a model of the Model Shipways “Taurus”, a steam powered tow boat from around 1900 or so. The plan was to build her as the tug “George (? initial) Tilley” in honor of his father who was an architect.

I have that model and will build her for this GB as the “John A. (Andrew) Tilley”.

Since the model is in HO scale and John was born in Ohio before finally settling in North Carolina, a ficticious operating company such as the Carolina and Ohio Railroad would be appropriate, stack letters C&O, colors red and gold I guess.

John passed away in 2017 at the age of 67.

Respectfully,

Bill

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I’m in, Revell OLD SCHOOL 1/32 F4 Corsair.

Toshi loved the bent wing birds and if I recall built this same kit into an extremely presentable display. While I may never do it justice, the best I can hope for is to gleen the patence Toshi had, harbor some of his imagination, and most of all project his infectious positive attitude. It was said in a different thread that he never let life get him down…and he had been through ALOT! Something all of us can take away from knowing him, even if it was just on the forums.

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I’m also in. I’ll provide a “Toshi Squadron” wingman for Armornut in the form of a Tamiya 1/72 Corsair.

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I’m in with some thing…

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What a lovely idea, Rob. [Y]

I cannot commit to a project right now, but hopefully down the road.

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Wow, I’m stunned about Toshi passing. He and I went to the same LHS on the East side of Cleveland. I’m in and will do something in his name. Maybe with my nephew as Toshi was always excited about teaching Ezra to build models.
will check back in awhile with my build. Thanks for starting this Rob!

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I’m in as well. It will be sometime before I begin as I am still building my hobby room. But for Lewbud, I will build a Accurate Miniatures P-51C and for Toshi I will build a sweet Tamiya F4 Corsair, both in 1/48. Likely late this year before I get going.

BK

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I am in.

I just found out Friday about Toshi’s passing. For somebody whom I have never met, I took it pretty hard. He is about the only FSM member who I have had any real interaction with. Xmas cards, DMs, etc. He was the best of the best. RIP, Allen.

I have been in a modelling funk for the past few years, even had my FSM account cancelled. Tried the GB route and didn’t finish them. This one I will finish to honor Tosh. Also to Lewbud whose Weekend GBs I really enjoyed.(and finished!) It must of been the time frame because I am a terrible procrastinator. And to Hunter who I just began to know before his untimely passing.

For this GB, I will be building a Revell 1/48 PV1 Ventura. I had posted a photo in the “latest acquisitions” and Toshi commented on the kit and said he couldn’t wait to see me build it. So, this is for you, Brother.

I will also finish an AMT Meteor was suppose to do for LewBuds Weekend GB.

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I’m in with a Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1A for Toshi.

Toshi was also a stamp collector. I contacted him several times to ask questions about a stamp collection left to me by my father. He was very helpful. If he didn’t know the answer, he would point me in the direction to go to find it. I’m still working on it, on the side, but I’m a lot further than I would be were it not for Toshi’s help.

Jim [cptn]

Stay Safe.

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Thanks everyone for your replies and support, and Bill I think your suggestion of an introduction to the person being honoured is excellent. Please check the list in the ‘Completed Build’ section to ensure that I have all your details correct.

As for me, I have neither a Corsair nor an F4 in the stash, so I am going to have to decide which one to build and then go shopping, (via the internet because we are in our 7th lockdown and they reckon it’s going to go on until November). PS Planes frighten me…

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While the Corsair was his favorite plane, he did most allied a/c. Did a beautiful job on a big Mosquito and on a clear sided B17-G. Did a couple of German birds, I remember an Arrow, and a couple of Japanese as well. Was more into the old warbirds than the newer stuff.

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Awww dammit!! I am beyond words to hear of Toshi’s as well as Lewbud’s passing. I haven’t frequented this site on a continious basis in a while and totally missed this. I used to love looking in on Toshi’s builds and learning from Lewbud’s comments. I am currently working on a '67 Mustang build and both Toshi and Lewbud used to visit my builds and they really enjoyed watching my builds come together. I’m in and I’ll be starting over with the build log to where I’m at now and dedicating this build to both of these guys.

Edit: Didn’t state the make of the kit. It’ll be the AMT '67 Mustang Fastback

Image

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I sorta knew Lewbud and Hunter but talked to Toshi a lot. So I’d like to toss a Corsair in for him. 1/48th for sure but not sure what brand. I have a MiniCraft but might pick up a Tamiya considering how cheap they are. No idea when I’ll be able to start.

Dodgy: If you want a easy starter plane to play with you can’t do much better than the 1/48th Tamiya Corsair. Fits like a dream and if you go with the late war USN camo the whole plane except for the cockpit and wheel wells is a glossy dark blue so very little masking.

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Gamera thanks for the advice, I’ve decided to go with the Tamiya 1/48 Corsair and I have you on the list with another, sans brand, for Toshi.

Mustang1989 I have you down for the AMT '67 Mustang Fastback for Toshi and Lewbud.

Just a reminder mates, if you know anything about the background of the person you are honouring, please include it. This was Bill’s suggestion and I think it’s a good one.

Cheers

Ferg

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I am in on this one too…chalk up another Corsair (Revell’s 1/48th) in Toshi’s (and my own dad’s) honor!

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I’ve got you JR215, a Revell 1/48 Corsair for Toshi. Tell me about your dad.

Cheers

Ferg