Decided to check out a hobby shop today that I’ve seen listed in FSM. It’s about a ten minute drive from my house. I can’t believe this place! It’s a little mom and pop storefront jam packed with stuff, all military, and get this, about 80% of the hundreds of kit were armor! This guy has everything, just about every manufacturer - even a bunch of the European stuff (I got an ICM T-28 for the Russian build). He’s got a ton of AM too - aluminum barrels, PE kits, zim kits, tracks, decals. He’s also got a ton of books and all kinds of tools, paint, etc(even the MM 2000 series colors - which I’ve only ever seen sold on line). I’m amazed I never knew this place existed even though it’s right around the corner from my wife’s office (good or bad? time will tell. LOL) Here I was, happy sitting in my livingroom and burning up my plastic on model stuff, now I have instant gratification ten minutes away!!! I also picked up the Dragon 251D 3 in 1(he had about 6 of them) and had both the Tamiya and Dragon Ardennes Tiger II in my hands but put them back cause I couldn’t remember which people thought was better. Sorry for rambling, but I had to share this with someone other than the wife, who would roll her eyes, lock me up and take away my credit cards - and rightfully so!!!
Lucky guy, my LHS is shrinking it’s stock of armor from it’s heyday some 20 years ago. The Tamiya King Tiger is a great choice, but from viewing my Dragon box, I’d most definately go with that kit. So much more for so much less. The Tamiya would be a quick build though.
If the clerk was on the Swedish bikini tem, I would say you did indeed find Nirvana. Wished I had one that nice near me. I have 3, one isn’t very good, and the other two have a decent selection of armor, but little to no AM stuff. By the way, both the King Tiger kits are nice, kit wise. The Tamiya is more expensive, but has a motorcycle and rider plus two nice figs. The Dragon has a bunch of extras like barrel and ammo and is cheaper.
Man your lucky my lhs that is about 15 minutes without serious traffic and they don’t have much armor or airplanes. Their so expensive too.
Good for you!!! I’m in the middle of no LHS-ville. There was a Riders in Lansing for Years and they had such a stranglehold on the market they were high priced and haughty. Well the web caught up with them and they are going out.They were the closest decent shop, about 30 miles. I know I can get anything shipped to me but there’s something nice about going to a well stocked brick and mortar shop. Happy hunting!!![bow][bow][bow][:P]
pmm, I see I am in the same location as you, so could you tell me the name of the shop? I would really like to know. I have a good one near me too, it’s called Alsand’s. (hehe this could be the same shop you’re talking about come to think of it)
Its called Baseline Models and its at 107 Main Street (between 1st and 2nd Sts) in Mineola (north of the LIRR tracks-runs parallel with Willis Avenue). Where on Long Island are you located? I’m in Hicksville. (No jokes please!!) The owner was pretty nice. He told me he’s getting the Drilling in next week.
Hicksville eh? I’m a bit east of you. In Commack.
Wait, I’ve been there come to think of it!!! Another good place near baseline is Willis Hobbies. Have you ever been there?
I was in there before Baseline today. Seems they cater to so many different hobbies, they just can’t carry a real good variety of kits. Mostly Tamiya with a few others sprinkled in. Although they did have 3 Dragon Wagons in there today. Just too rich for my blood though.
Very lucky find, from where I live it is at least 25 miles to a HS.