!Hola! From Canberra

[GMK]

Hey guys,

A quick hello from Canberra, Australia. Never done paper models before: this should be interesting!

Greg

[sqwarsh]

run while you can!! for me this is probably one of the most addicting hobbies i've had

[chilledmonkeybrains]

Don't bother running, Greg; it's already too late...

[cdavenport]

Check out the free models on the Canon web site....easy, varied subjects, and excellent instructions:

Paper Craft - Canon CREATIVE PARK

[richkat]

Maj. Davenport beat me to it!....Cannon is a great starting point...Very easy to very complex...and welcome to the site.....Rich

[mbauer]

Welcome to the site!

Hope you enjoy your builds!

Mike

[Yale]

Another welcome, Greg. You may well have seen the huge range of subjects -- aircraft, animals, buildings, people figures, ships, rockets, vehicles of all types, and more. Many models are simple enough for young children, but others are challenging for adults, so it's a natural hobby that parents or grandparents can share with kids.
Hundreds of websites offer free downloadable models; even the commercial outfits usually have a few free teasers. Finding all these sites involves searches for "papercraft," "card models," and all the variations you can imagine for "paper models." These sites are good starting points:
1. Canon Creative Park (http://www.cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/1006/ ), as others have mentioned - an extensive range of models, with the best instructions. A typical kit has separate parts and instruction files, in your choice of paper size -- LTR or A4.
2. Another extensive set of models is from Paper-Replika (http://www.paper-replika.com). Instructions, however are not always convenient – you may want to paste screen captures into a Word document to create your own instruction file.
3. Disney (http://www.disneyexperience.com/services/models_index.php ) has a surprisingly large set of models related to various Disney films.
4. http://www.ss42.com/toys.html has another extensive set of models.
5. The Lower Hudson Valley (http://www.jleslie-48.com/gallery_models/html) has another nice set of models, most of them related to space exploration.
6. Yamaha (http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/entertainment/papercraft) offers many motorcycle models, just as you'd expect. But the site also has a surprising number of animal and other models.
7. Tamasoft (http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en) lists many kits in .pdo format -- but the corresponding Pepakura viewer is available for free.
Finally, be sure to visit the gallery of this website, to see the amazing skill and artistry of members. And the Downloads section has another good set of free models.
Again, welcome aboard!

[chunder]

Hi Greg

let me be the first Aussie to welcome you, there are a few of us here.

I'm just up the road from you, about 5hrs, Newcastle NSW.

[GMK]

Thank you all for such a warm welcome! I intend to spent some time checking out builds-various and seeing what's what.

Thanks again,

Greg