Hi All DFW Dwellers,

I recently moved from Los Angeles to Dallas. I'm one of them modeling fool who try to find happiness with someone who share common interest.

I would like to know where can I find the best hobby shop in town, modeling club, and model shows.

I enjoy building anything interesting... Espcially German AFV from WW2. Oh yeah I also enjoy long walks on the beach and holding hands.

If you have any above info or get to gether... Please PM me!



WC

Hey Ben. I'm the knuclehead you met at Squadron that turned you on to the site. The last show was in Arlington at the beginning of September. Andy (Rottenfuhrere) and Keith (KFmagee) and Rebel soldier were there. The only decent shop left in the Metroplex is the Hobbyland located on Cooper just north of the Parks mall in Arlington. They have a slight discount as compared with the only other Hobby shop I am aware of (Wild Bill's in Irving). They get some of the newer stuff in. Wild Bill's quite frankly is totally out of it unless you deal with R/C cars The next show won't be until May at Mesquite again. There are shows that occur in San Antonio and Houston from time to time, but I've never been

Hi Steve,

Yes, meeting with you at Squadron was a turning point of my modeling career. Now not only I build crap, now I can build and share my crap online!

I just went to your gallery and saw your works. Wow... excellent stuff! I really like the King tiger and the Nimitz you built. It's nice to know someone live close by who do great work!

WC

I'm kind of trying to get a few of the experts in the area to do a group project. Keith Magee (KFMAGEE) does fantastic dioramas and sells super diorama building material you can make...... as a sideline. He knows this guy that is one of those super duper figure painters. Between the 2 of them, they swept all the diorama awards in the Arlington show as well as the Best of show and MOst popular. Me, I build great vehicles and do pretty damn good ground work. Keith has been trying to get the guy to join up in Armorama where his figure painting skills could teach us ho to improve our capabilities. Keith publishes articles from time to time on diorama stuff.

There's a group called Lone Star Armored Brigade that meets once in blue moon in North Fort Worth. Another group meets in Plano once per month, but I don't go as I'm rarely home. Former SF buddy of mine can give you more details if you want.

welcome to the area and to the big A!!!!!!!!

as balster said the only place around is here in arlington, easy to find, if ya need directions let us know.

again welcome and looking forward to meeting up sometime at a show or whatever gathering.

reb

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the warm welcome! I just went to Hobbytown in Arlington today. Needless to say I left my wallet and pawned my watch there.

I have to honestly say, it was much better than Wild Bill. however, I'd wish they carry AM and resin parts, not to mention Velijo paint.

Oh well, I'm glad all the basic necessity are there.



Please keep me updated (if possible) on shows and gathering. I'd be happy to meet with you guys and soak up more knowledge.

WC

The Hobbytown in Plano has a decent stock of kits and books plus some AM items.

Paul

A group that meets in Plano once a month? Where do they meet?

Hi Paul,

I went to the Plano Hobbytown USA today. Finally, a knowledgable staff with decent model selection. Very happy they have velijo paint and AM parts. End up chatting the whole afternoon away and brough home more loot!


Thanks!

WC

Where is the Hobbytown located in Plano. My sister lives up there. She is right off of Preston just north of the Bush tollroad. About 3 blocks from where Keith Magee lives. I go up there from time to time. The Arlington store has a good product line, but they know diddely about models and don't carry much after market.

There are actually two nice HobbyTowns in the area... the one in Plano is my favorite (Parker Road and Independence) and the other is located on Walnut Hill east of 75.

Both have a nice selection, although Plano is definately bigger... additionally, Rich at Plano is a real armor and aircraft buff, and quite the expert airbrush guru... try them out.

There are actually two nice HobbyTowns in the area... the one in Plano is my favorite (Parker Road and Independence) and the other is located on Walnut Hill east of 75.

Both have a nice selection, although Plano is definately bigger... additionally, Rich at Plano is a real armor and aircraft buff, and quite the expert airbrush guru... try them out.

Hi All,

Yeah I chatted with Rich. Real nice guy.

One of the AM part I bought is the Eureka XXL King Tiger tow cable. Wow Wee, It's so nice you can actually take home to your parents.

I would like the visit the Walnut Hill store and see what they have. Do they have 35th resin figures and AM parts?

Thanks again, I didn't know there were so many good friends here in Dallas.

WC

Ben

If you are planning to diorama anytime soon you need to clck on to keiths website (KF Magee) located at the bottom of his post. I've seen the stuff first hand and it is definitely the way to go

I'm about 1 mile NE from Keith as the crow flies.

Paul

All you rich folks !!!!!! :-) :-) My sister moved there about 5 years ago, and that place exploded with stores since then. I think we'are wall to wall now up through Mckinny and closing on the Sherman area fast. Pretty soon the metroplex will go from south of Waxahatchie to the Okla border. We're gaining some ground on the east coast that has wall to wall city from Boston down to Richmond I think. (If you want to call it a good thing)

Hi Dallas Dewellers,

I'm going to the Plano Hobbytown tomorrow afternoon (sat 22). If you are there please let me know who you are! I would love to make new friends.

WC

I second that! I've seen Keith's stuff while at the Mesquite show and he does incredible work on it, the scary part is he makes it look so damned easy! Definitely check his stuff out, it's top notch!

When are we all gonna get together?? I can't wait to exchange horror modeling stories with you guys over a pint!

Oh yeah... I checked out Keith's website... Very nice work! However, I don't think I'm building any dio soon cuz I only have four fingers. I heard you must have a posable thumb to build dios!

BTW, I'm an asian with long black hair.... yeah kinda like those kung fu guys in the sunday afternoon cheap karate movies on TV. If you spot me at the local hobbyshop, feel free to give me a holler! I will talk your ears off!

WC

A long haired Asian like on those afternoon kung fu flicks? So does that mean your voice and your mouth aren't in synch when you speak? lol

Yes... sometimes... depends on how much I had drink that day.

BTW, Moe. Thank you for the advice on the vinyl track. I just finished a Strur Emil with that same method you told me. Check it out in my gallery and see if that's what you're talking about.

WC

Nice work Ben, very nice work! Funny thing is I just did that little trick this weekend but with a different hair dryer, my wife's. Of couse I ended up not paying as close attention as I should have and slightly warped one of the tracks. lol They're still useable, if I hide the warped section (small section but to me it's huge) well under the top of the Panther I'm building.

Glad it worked out well for you, very nice sag in the tracks. I like it! I am beginning to see why the experienced modelers use the track links though, they're more proper to use than the rubber band tracks. I'll stick with the rubber band tracks for now though, they work well enough for me and when I get to the right skill level I'll buy the track links. Very happy it helped you though!

Hey Guys,

Do we have a modeling clubs here in the big D? I'm talking about the kind that meets every other week with discussion about modeling technique.

Oh hey Moe, thanks again for the tip, counldn't do it without ya! BTW, if you need rubber band tracks i have tons of them(including the new DML ones), They are all German AFV's if you need them PM me and I'll send you some.



WC

I'm one of those individual link guys myself. About the only thing I'll use the rubber bands on is roller track suspenions like the M60 series . Track generally has very little sag in modern support roller vehicles. If anyone has any spare King Tiger links, (especially Tamiya) I sure could use some. I've got a few KT's and have bought spare link sets for a couple. with all the spares left over from these, I've got enough to make about one and a half sets for my final one. Don't want to go out and buy another full set cause then I'ld have way to many left overs.