Decided before Christmas to try modelling aircraft again after 40 years. The last models I built were 1/32 Revell Corsair, Wildcat and ME109, 1/48 Phantom F4-E (Japanese, can’t remember whose), 1/72 range of Airfix and other makers US aircraft of the Vietnam war.
Had been modelling since my first kit, an Airfix Hurricane, at age 7 in early 1955. Built most of the Airfix kits of the 1950s and 1960s - when I was 12 the most expensive Airfix kit was a Short Sunderland which cost 10/6d (52.5 pence Sterling).
Have bought an airbrush - Harder and Steenbeck Evolution - compressor and a range of paints, glues and accessories.
So much has changed - acrylics, Superglue, Klear (aka Future), so many after market bits and pieces to choose from and so many new skills to learn.
I’m particularly interested in the US aircraft of the Pacific war and, if I’m any good at this, I may also go back to aircraft of the Vietnam war.
Due to considerations of space and age/eyesight I’ve decided on 1/48 scale for now and have bought a Tamiya Corsair 1/2, a 1A and, as a mule for technique tryouts, a Wildcat which could end up as a finished article one day.
Whilst I’m from the UK I live in SW Ireland, 70 miles from the nearest model shop which means mail order from the UK or Dublin with horrendous postal cahrges or spending time in model shops on regular visits to the UK.
How do Irish members cope as the mail order stock in Ireland seems limited compared to UK suppliers?
I look forward to learning a lot and maybe being able to contribute ideas eventually - though there are likely to be more questions than answers!
PhilB