I wanted to take this moment to thank every one at FSM for providing this site. When I first started in this hobby 30 odd years ago, there was nothing for me to compare my work to or find new ideas from. The kits I grew up with were the early Monogram and Revell and the occasional Aurora and Lindbergh. I can step back now and look at the hobby as a whole and I’m overwhelmed by how far we have come. I look forward to the next 30 years. Kudos also to modelers like Swanny, Demono69 and Ardy299 and others like them for taking time to answer questions and provide help when needed and with authority![:)] It’s because of modelers like this that the hobby is growing.
PROUD TO BE A MODELER
Kevin M. Bodkins
roadkill_275
Don’t know about the rest of these guys but I’m just like you. Nothing to compare against until just recently and these sites do a lot for improving your skills too. I have learned more in the last five years knocking around the forums than in the previous 30 years of solo modeling.
I agree with roadkill. When I satrted modeling there were a few books out there but I felt that they were written with to much technical language so the new modeler could not understand them. But the guys on this sight are great, if you are not sure what you are doing they will explain what to do so you can understand it.
Being somebody who have just started in the hobby, I have no club membership. This is why I find FSM a good place to learn from those who have been in the hobby from quite sometime now. The honest opinions and great tips available from the site is a good source of knowledge that helped me developed my skills and techniques.
So I thank FSM, too for a great site and the guys who keep it so.
When I got back into this hobby about 10 years ago, after a 20+ year absence, I found the FSM magazine an invaluable resource. I later took about 1& 1/2 years off for school, so when I came back this time (FOR GOOD !), I had the computer, and finally visited this site in July. There is so much useful information and so many helpful people here. I have no friends that build, so I consider this the club to which I belong. Thanks, everyone at FSM ! ! !
I agree with all of you. Since finding this site my builds have made a 180 degree change in quality. If it were not for all the things to learn and try here I would have probally stopped building once more from getting bored with the same results over and over.
This site has been a blessing. Before this site, I had two friends who actively modeled. Now it’s down to one. Since I have discovered this site, its over 20,000 and counting. That’s alot of advice and opinions. There’s alot of standup people that I feel I can trust here, and at times I feel overwhelmed by the knowledge of some of you guys. Keep it up, I’m listening.
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
This site is excellent, eh? I’ve been reading the magazine since the '80s, and it’s just great to be able to participate in this site with all you great modelers. I learn so much every time I log on.
Also, this is the first opportunity in 10 years for me to talk about modeling IN ENGLISH! I love my club here in Japan, and all the guys are great people, but no matter how good my Japanese gets, English will always be easier! [:D]
Seems like a good opportunity to “ditto” my thanks for this site as well! Being very new here, (not to be confused w/ innocent!!), I am very impressed and thankful for the many fine modelers I have seen here. Although perhaps we share different expressive tastes in types of models, I value differences. The friendlieness and qaulity of work I have seen as I traversed individual sites is truly refreshing. Thanks for providing this haven !!!
Tigerman,
I think you sum it up pretty good. Aren’t we all friends? friends are there when you need them, they’ll stand with you even if they disagree with you (sorry styrene!!) and they help you to grow. Since I started reading FSM I’ve noticed a major increase in my skills as a modeler. And I owe this to my friends.
I completely agree. In a town that considers models to be a “Children’s Pasttime,” it’s wonderful to be involved with a great group of folks, were you can learn and teach at the same time, and where the comradrie is second to none. This site and all of you on it have been a godsend. Thank you all, and FSM for giving us a truly magnificent gift.
That’s right Roadkill, we are friends. You can see it in the posts. There is a playfulness and brothering going on. At times I think of this as a fraternity. You can joke around, ask for some advice on life etc., express your feelings, and of course, share our most passionate hobby with one another. Heck, I’d rather sit online talking with you guys, then be in a some smokey bar. This is my guys night out. [:)] Wife appreciates me home also. Unfortunately, I cut into her computer time. [:(]
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
I’d say that Roadkill has the idea -
FSM has the best overall format, articles and photos of any plastic model mag on the newstand.
It’s also nice to have questions answered, or to provide help using this forum. My only gripe is that it can often take time away from actually building the bloody things!!
Have a good one…
Cheers
LeeTree
I agree with EVERYTHING said. I look so forward everyday to coming on to this forum and talking with my friends. And I consider you all my friends. I’ve learned so much in the last 10 months. My skills have increase greatly. Now if we could just get FSM to publish 12 months a year so I wouldn’t have to go thru withdrawals 2 months every summer.[:p] Although this year having this forum has lessened the them a bunch.[:D]
Therriman, I’m with you. I’ve been screaming for 12 issues too. I got shot down in the suggestions forum when I posted for 12 issues. Seems the consensus is the quality would suffer. FSM is to good a magazine in opinion to let the quality suffer. Seems to be a problem with advertisers also. Believe me, from experience from working at a newspaper, if they want them, they can get them. It’s all in the marketing.
Lee, I agree with you totally about the forum taking good modeling time away, but it’s still worth it.
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow to fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
I agree with you all as well. This forum really helps my motivation when things get “sticky” with the builds, and as a source of help I can think of none better.
There is no modelling club in my area (that I am aware of) and the friends and acquaintances I have made here have made up for that as well.
I am especially looking forward to a face to face with some of the others I met through this forum in the near future.
And I also agree with everything that’s been said. I’d really love to get all of us in a room together just once so we could meet face to face and shake hands. We are a modeling band of brothers (with a few sisters, too!)
Like your idea! When we held the first ever meeting of Big Scale Modelers, we were all so excited and busy and benching, we forgot to eat lunch!! It was a blast to share in person!!
Speaking for myself, I have gone full circle. After a lifetime of wanting and trying to build models the right way. I now feel that the time and patience has paid off.
This forum has helped in the sharing of my model art and my ideas. When I need the time to see and read what other model builders are doing and saying then I will get online.
My goals for my model art are now set in stone. I now know that model building is strong, and is done by some very passionate people. Often i’m in awe of the work and insight of that work that has been posted on this site.
Without this site and ebay my model art would still be just a dream.
I’m now restoring a 1966 Aurora ROBIN model. Worked on the base of the model; four hours last nite, WHAT A BLAST IT WAS!!!
Thank you FSM.
Dales Model Art http://community.webshots.com/user/dales_model_art