How did you find the site?
I was web searching for build reviews of the old classic Hasegawa “Mavis” way back in 2006.
My model as a result.
Dry transfers, painted markings and multi colored natural metal were all tips from members.
I have been subcribing to the Mag since the early 90’s, so i would guess i came to the site through seeing it in the magazine.
As many of you know by now, I got into a work related accident and now have TBI, Traumatic Brain Injury. I was sent to a rehabilitation center to live at a place called MENTIS in Stow Ohio.
I learned to eat, read, and write again. One day in therapy class I was presented with a Testors 1/72 F4U Corsair. I refused and fought with the therapist as I didn’t want to build model kits. I then thought of my childhood watching a TV show called “Black Sheep Squadron”.
Having the Corsair being my favorite childhood aircraft of all time I decided to build this foolish and stupid thing that was a waste of my time! I hated model kits.
The therapists even had me on a computer (As I couldn’t even use one yet) looking for a modeling club so I could physically meet other modelers as the therapist felt the Corsair came out great. I also fought with the therapist in that I would not join a modeling club to meet other modelers as I felt it was a waste of my time plus I hated the idea.
After several days of my refusal, I compromised with the therapist and said I’ll join an on-line forum but will not participate in any of this! This was the TBI messing up with my mood and personality changes. We both finally went on-line and sought a forum.
To much to my chagrin and anger, I just chose the first thing that popped up on the screen. FSM Forums. I had to join so said the therapist as I made a compromise and promised her I would do this. My avatar became my completed first model kit, the Corsair after a 40 year hiatus.
I decided to join and do a WIP so the therapist would leave me alone. My very first WIP on FSM Forums was a Revell 1/48 P-61 Black Widow of which I remember as a child building two of these. I went to Hobby Lobby of which was next door from MENTIS and purchased the P-61 and all of the paraphenilia needed to complete this kit. I really got into the shopping for this kit and started to do some research with my therapist on-line.
I even purchased something called Eduard Photo Etch, Vector Engines and Cowlings, and Metal Landing gears, all on eBay. I was having a blast doing this even if I didn’t know what PE was for nor resin products. I slowly started my thread and they let me go home to continue my WIP on FSM Forums and I was hooked!!! I loved it!!!
Three years later, I’m building a original Monogram P-61 Black Widow and that’s how I got hooked on FSM Forum.
Toshi
To tell you the truth I’ve been here so long I can’t remember. But probably the same as Bish.
Wow, had to think about it for a minute. LOL! During my 21 years in the Air Force, I stopped building models…due to TMO breaking most of what I had during my first PCS move. I continued to BUY models, but never built them…they were for my retirement! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. [whstl] After retiring and settling down in a home I wouldn’t be leaving in 4 to 6 years, I set up a model room in the basement and jumped back in feet first. Of course I had been continuing my FSM subscription and read about the Forums…and the rest is history as they say. Never regretted it for one moment! The FSM Forum family rocks! I have made so many friends, met some of them at shows, and have gotten a wealth of tips, tricks, and information that I can’t thank everyone enough for!
Bobby
P.S. Toshi…I love your story man! [:D[
I had a subscription at one point in time, let it lapse (shame on me) and my daughter got me a new subscription as a Christmas gift. I purchased copies at the grocery every time I saw a new one, so that part makes sense. I knew there was a forum, and thought I would join. Pretty simple, really.
Fine Scale magazine years ago…
Thank you for loving my story. It’s members like you that makes this forum the best one around. I too have made many friends and read many threads. Like yours above, and learned so much about you and from you. Thank you for everything!
Toshi
I haven’t been on the forum that long relatively new have learned a lot from fellow members .The way I found fsm forms I was out of work needed something to do .I always like building stuff .I just started looking for information for model building online and found fsm.
This Forum ?
Well , I have to tell the the truth here , I think . Like Toshi , I didn’t want to bother . Then I got the 1/200 Arizona and figured I’d like to see what anyone said about this kit . Boy , when I got here what a surprise . Ship stuff !
Now I have to have my fix when I need it . I have made a lot of friends and even got to put a face to at least one . Why did I take so long ? It was a pain going to the library and trying to figure out the thing . So I bought my own laptop and the rest is history . T.B.
I was a subscriber and I saw it mentioned in the magazine,so I checked it out and signed up.
I can’t believe it was 2003
I also found it from the magazine.
I would give one tip for those who discover a single FSM forum. Be sure to scan the whole list of forums to see the lot. There are many, some quite specialized. If you have a question, and it is very specific, it is generally better to raise it in one of the more specific forums than in the general ones. And the forums in the Tools, Techniques and Reference Materials section contain some real gems that many folks overlook.
I was looking at the online FSM page and opened the Forum tab and started browsing. I never had been on a forum before nor social media so I figured what the heck.
I was on the forums a lot at first just looking around, and happy to find others with my same plastic problem.
My dad and I would model together and he had some old black and white modeling magazines and I wanted some newer ones so we subscribed. I found it through the magazine and once I started building them on my own (15ish) I joined. Been on and off depending on the season and life’s demands since then.
I’ve been a reader of the magazine since the early 90s. I’ve been a member since this site started. If you go to the first page of armor modeling, I’ve got one of the first posts there on December 5, 2002. http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/35.aspx
Great topic Bill,
I found out about the forum through my dad as most of you know. He had a subscription to FSM for 30 years. I am immensely happy I joined and got to know all of you. I have learned a lot through each of you. Thank you!
I found the site after subscribing to the magazine. When I finally decided to build all those kits that had been sitting around for 30+ years, I got a subscription because I knew I would need all the help I could get. Then I found the forum. So much had changed with the hobby that I spent a lot of time just looking at WIP’s to get a sense of what was available. That would be…a lot! Time well spent, I must say.
When my wife passed on, I decided to get back into modeling to have something to do to fill the hours, other than just the idiot box. Bought a copy of FSM, found the forum, joined, end of story. Now have a stash of kits big enough I doubt I’ll get them all built.
The people I have had contact with here are some of the best I have ever come into contact with, and are generous to the extreme with good advice, tips, encouragement, and giving of their time, parts, and even to the extreme of sending a flag case for a friend who recieved the service flag from her father’s funeral.
While my skill set is not up to par with most on here, I know without a doubt, it is way better than when I got back into it, all due to the folks on here driving me to get better at it.
My sincere thanks to all!
Like most, mag first then as I started walking upright I needed somewhere to drag my knuckles,( key board seemed like an obvious choice), jumped in and tried to make friends, realised I should probably have a clue as to what I’m replying to or trying to converse in so I took a step back, watched, learned, and enjoyed. Now I know my place here, I quietly lurk on many different threads, encouraging when I can, advising when possible. I think once I get posting pix figured out again I will pop up alittle more frequently, until the I’m good with watching, learning,enjoying, and of course lurking. FSM is the ONLY forum I’m a member of.
Gad, I cannot remember. I have been buying the magazine since it was first published, but it wasn’t through it. I think it was when I was just learning to navigate the internet and in searching for models, actually got this site and not a site showing leather, chains, a full moon with melons, and with a 1-900 number flashing across the top of the page asking to call and have my credit card handy.
Hee hee, 1-900 numbers, man, was it really that long ago?