Chip,
I got started in paper modelling thanks to you and the need to decorate for our 2003 Dining Out (1940's style "Wing Ding"). I have no idea where all of the pictures went, but thanks to team of scissor-challenged volunteers we build and suspended 88 WW-II aircraft from the Lackland AFB Gateway Club ceiling.
I've since build and presented your models as going-away gifts for both my troops and commanders, especially Joe Cangero's World Trade Center. I must've built that stupid thing over 20 times by now. The two most notable builds are the 3' tall (poster board) build on display in our "Heritage Hallway," and one I did several deployments ago that resides in the commander's conference room at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in sunny Southwest Asia.
I've even made grown men cry with your models! First was when a commander of mine retired in 2006, and I presented him with 1/24 scale versions of the Tuskeegee P-51 Mustangs (pictures on your P-51 collection page
https://www.fiddlersgreen.net/models...ollection.html). In 2008, I built the Portland Head lighthouse to go along with a motivational poster on Vision (
Wallsthatspeak.com Inspirational Posters Vision Lighthouse Motivational Poster) we presented to our chaplain, a Vietnam veteran and all-around REALLY great guy, when he retired. Both he and his wife cried.
I've repainted several models and on several occasions I've attempted to complete entire designs, but as soon as I get about halfway done something comes up and I'm gone. My OA-37 dragonfly died with a hard drive a few years ago, and I'm still not happy with my progress in the C-130 series. I haven't quit, but they've been sitting awhile.
I hope to be able to get back to building, modifying, ugrading and designing again soon. That is, provided that I don't have to go on another "extended vacation."
I'm glad to see that everyone else thinks of you as fondly as I have since the first day I stumbled onto your site. Even my forum name came from you, since you are the first person I let call me "Sarge." You meant it with respect, and we here have nothing but that for you.
Thanks and blessing to you, Annie, and all your westies!
Edward Merica
"The Sarge"