Creating a Blog!

So having worked as a model-maker in a professional capacity for the past 3 years - I decided that my 'online presence' was somewhat lacking. For prospective customers or those interested in what I do - the only avenue was to look at the items which I sold on Ebay every week or so. For people enquiring about my work - I needed an online resource for people to have a look at.

Hence this blog.

So what do I do? 

Put simply; I build model kits - assembling, painting and finishing them to a standard suitable for display. I then sell these 'built-up' model kits (primarily via the aforementioned auction site) on to a variety of customers. It always raises eyebrows when people ask what I do for a living - but it seems to have worked well enough for the past three years.

It isn't so much a full-time job as a 'self-sustaining hobby which pays the bills'.

What kind of models?

Mainly aircraft in 1/72 and 1/48 scale - these scales being well catered for by most kit manufacturers. The likes of Airfix, Academy, Hasegawa, Hobbyboss, Italeri, Revell, Tamiya and Trumpeter (probably missed some out) all do a great selection of kits to a variety of specifications - meaning that there is something for everybody.

I also occasionally make motorcycles (the Mike Hailwood Replica above now resides in a bike showroom somewhere in the Midlands) and cars. I did make a foray into 1/35 AFVs - however the fact that tanks are not planes significantly dampened my enthusiasm. The odd ship or boat is also not unknown!

Who is interested in models which are already built?

People who collect such models, to businesses and individuals who want them for display purposes. One particular 1/72 Spitfire Mk V was purchased by a proud father to hang from his son's bedroom ceiling! Others have been used as part of community displays.

Many people also would like a particular model but don't have the money to commission one from a master scratch-builder or the time to build their own. In such cases; buying a model built-up from a readily available kit is an affordable alternative.

A wide range of customers after a wide range of models.

What is the point of this blog?

Hopefully, this blog will raise the profile of what I do - much more so than people just having a look at my Ebay profile. Secondly; it will also be a blog of general kit-building - e.g. odd reviews, aviation modelling and the occasional tutorial. Either way - something to interest most people.

I sincerely hope visitors to this blog will enjoy what they read.