Greetings everyone,

My names Richard, I am in my mid-30's & I used to do alot of modeling as a kid in the 70's-80's, I have recently "caught the bug" again so I have been hitting the web to see what I could learn.

I've been browsing this site for a few days & thought it the best source of modeling information I have seen so far, there is alot of talent & expertise on here, I have already learned a great deal just browsing.

Hopefully I can contribute, participate, & continue to learn from the pros.

I am currently re-organizing my workbench, switching over from gunsmithing/reloading to scale modeling (wish I had space to do both at the same time).

For my first project I have selected a Tamiya sdkfz 251/1& a Tamiya MG squad.

I am planning on a scene featuring the sdkfz crew dismounting from the vehical to lend support to the entrenched MG squads.

I am planning on going with a wooden reinforced, sunken trench system on a small hill, I havent determined the dimentions as of yet, still working on getting enough scrap plate glass to enclose the thing (that'll probably determine the size).

Nor have I decieded on which unit, or a color scheme.

I am leaning towards having the scene portray the "reinforcement" of one of the trench's on one of those small hills at Omaha beach near les Moulins.

(any resources as to which German units were present at les Moulins?)

I would'nt mind trying my hand at some bunkers, but I think for this first project I should stick to getting some more basic techniques practiced before trying to tackle a larger project.

Prehaps I could sectionalize it, so that additional scenes could be "snapped together" to form larger intergrated landscapes (what do you guys think is this something I should consider?)

Anyway I am still working on disassembling my workbench, I should start construction on the infantry pieces sometime this week.

I plan to photograph & detail in writting my work step by step & share it with the group.

Of course I'll be looking for constructive criticism, I am sure I'll screw alot of stuff up, its been 20 years since I've done any modeling!

But I am in no hurry & I wont mind redoing a piece several times until I get the results that I desire.

Oh one other question, I dont see a way to upload an image of myself for use as an avatar.

I read another thread that said the avatar had to be 75 x 75 pixels, I am not sure what that means.

But I do have a photo of myself that I use as an avatar on the other message boards I frequent, will that work?

Thanks,

Oh I guess I can link the image, if a moderator could edit my profile & add this as my avatar I would appreciate it!

-Richard.

Hey puppy ,welcome to the biggest and best modelling family on the net ,you get to find out evrything here all you need do is ask, so
welcome aboard , and look forward to chatting in the future!

forgot to say welcome back to the hobby
and who cares if you screw up a little ,the major point of modelling is Have a BLAST doing it ! cheers K

Welcome to Armorama Richard aka puppy!!
Wow, that's the longest introduction ever in this forum. Congrats, u've hit the Armorama Guiness Book of REcord!! . Just post the photos when u're ready!

Welcome to Armorama Richard. You have come to the right site for modeling. We have a lot of very talented people here who love to share their ideas and photos of the completed models. Jump right in and enjoy.

Hey Puppy

Glad you found us. Enjoy the site and have fun.

HastyP

Thanks for the welcomes Steeldog & Silantra.

Yea when I get to typing online, I tend to over-state things, so my posts can get rather lengthy.

Its odd ... becouse in person, I generally resort to grunting & pointing to communicate.

Thanks Animal, Hastey, wow wasnt expecting so many replies so quickly!

Welcome Puppy. Glad to have you aboard. You really picked a winner here!

Good to have you aboard Puppy.

Welcome aboard Richard. Good to have you on board.

Hi Puppy

You won't regret your choise of modeling site. This is no. 1.
Velcome to the big A.
Looking forward to see your work
cheers

Hi Richard

Welcome to "the Big A", and greetz from sunny SA

You certainly have given your dio some thought, sounds really great and I can't wait to see the progress.

sound like me

:-) :-) :-) especially the grunting part
:-)

Many wishes and welcome on the best modelling family of the world.
I hope u enjoy ur stay and also find Armorama as helpful as it really is. Dont hesitate to ask and everyone will be very glad to help u

Costas

Welcome to Armorama, Puppy.

I like your call sign.

Angela

Welcome aboard Richard...for some reason your photo and call sign dont quite match up

Welcome, Richard, and greetings from Pennsylvania, sir...So glad that you have been "bitten by the bug " again, I'm sure that you won't find another site on the net that can even come close to the family that you will find here at the big "A"! Don't be afraid to participate in all that this site has to offer...Why don't you sign up for one of the campaigns? It's a great way to meet new modelers and participate in a fun competition...Don't worry if your a little rusty after 20 years, everyone here will give you good tips and useful constructive criticism on your projects, for it's just one big happy family here, sir, I'm sure you will find! Looking forward to seeing some of your work, Richard...

Gunny

Puppy -

From the state of Washington and the "Great Northwest" a hearty welcome back to a great hobby. There isn't any doubt that this is THE best site for learning and sharing modeling. Like you've already seen with the responses, everyone is part of this fantastic "family" and anxious to help and support. Your diorama idea sounds great and I like the "modular" approach to expanding it. Take it and run with it. Let us know how's it is coming so we can benefit from your experiences, and have at it with questions.
Like "Gunny" said, look into the "Campaigns" to join for another great place to interface. There's one starting 7 Nov (Battle of the Bulge), your Sdkfz 251/1 could fit right in;

OPERATION: Ardennes Offensive
CAMPAIGN LEADER: Ralph Emerson M. Dabao
NOW FORMING! STARTS: 2004-11-07

See you're not the only one who can get "lengthy".

Blade48mrd

Welcome puppy! Enjoy your stay in the Big A!!!

Hiya Puppy, just wanted to say welcome to the Big A. and back to the hobby. You have definately stumbled across the best model family that you will ever find. Can't wait to see your work...
Mary (++)

hello puppy! as someone who came back into the fold in the nineties after packing up in the early eighties myself, it was the advice and help on this site that has improved my modelling skills to the point where i think i do O.K. ( compared to some of the stuff i,ve seen here) welcome aboard!

Looks like you will fit in perfectly here puppy.

A-train

Wow I did not expect such a warm & friendly welcome, thanks everyone I am starting to feel right at home!

I guess I can give a quick update on my progress.

I finished the reorganization of my workspace to make it more "model friendly" & then began & finished the assembly of the sdkfz 251/1 (its waiting for putty, primer & paint).

I then began assembly & paint on the 12 crewmen, which are about 70% completed at the moment.

The detail work on the tiny figures is really slowing me up, been using a magnifying glass to see & a toothpick as a paintbrush.

Mixing my own colors has been a pain in the butt too since I am partially color blind, I initially started using enamels, but the colors did'nt look "right" when they were applied to the plastic so I started mixing up some acrylics and finally found the colors I was looking for (had my wife confirm with her eyes just incase).

The dry time & clean up with the acrylics is just awsome too. I might look into more acrylics when I need more paint and forget about enamels.

So far I think I could have done a few things better, maybe took a bit more time with each aspect of the project but to be honest I was really starting to get excited about see'ing the end product & I knowingly cut a few corners I thought I could hide with paint to the casual observer.

I have also been scavaging wire & other assorted bits and pieces to make barbed wire, fence posts & bamboo shiska-bob skewers to trim & stain (to make miniture logs) for lining the inside of my trench with.

Oh and last night while I was out shopping I picked up a 1/35 Tamiya Marder III M for my next project!

I am seriously getting hooked on modeling again.

Welcome to the family Puppy. You'll have a good time here