Before the beginning

Several years ago when the world was shut down, alot of people confined to their homes had to find something to pass the time. Picking up a new hobby seemed like the way to go, arts and crafts, video games, bing watching tv shows and movies. The list goes on. I dabbled in painting myself but mainly what I was doing was watching other people start a new hobby. Scale modelling to be precise. I tried it way back when and failed miserably. I mean, who paints with enamels straight from the tin!!! I was actually drawn into table top miniature painting. Now that has some skill. Hours have been spent watching warhammer mini getting zenethol primed, washes, dry brushed etc. etc.

As I was deep diving into mini painting videos, I happened across a modeling building log. A Star Wars model building vid. Now, I'm no superfan, I haven't watched the sequels, not even The Mandelorian or Ahsoka. But I do like the original trilogy and also the prequels. I'm not just saying that because everyone that's seen the sequel trilogy say they are a pile of shite. Anyway, it was a build log of a Randy Cooper Star Destroyer. Who the fuck Randy Cooper was I didn't know (at the time). But this build video was amazing. The scratch building, the lighting, painting, the whole shebang was spectacular. And as they say the rest is history. I dare not count the amount of hours that have been spent watching and re-watching build videos. Mainly Star Wars but I did branch to other sci-fi and film related builds.

I had sort of decided I wanted build models. However, there was one caveat, or more. Yes, I had the time to start this hobby but I didn't have the space or the disposable income. Nevertheless, I really wanted to do it, the little kid came on in me. But I wasn't stupid. I looked into what tools were needed, and I know there are many websites/blogs/videos that say you only need a handful of things to start the hobby but the further down the modelling rabbit hole I went, the longer the shopping list grew. When watching videos, everytime a tool was used, I'd add it to my amazon shopping list, everytime a material used, add it to the list, find a new model kit, add it to the list. The dream went on the back burner.

Fast forward to the end of 2024. I spent the last few years studying to better myself in my career. Done. Moved house with extra space. Done. Have a some of disposable income. Done. So what do I do now? Plucked up the courage to tell the missus I want to start building models. . . . To be fair, she wasn't against it. No models kits stacked floor to ceiling she said. Ok, so I packed them nicely in boxes instead!

I went balls deep in acquiring the kits, tools and materials I believe I needed. I did alot of shopping around to try and get the best deals available. I got the basics; cutters/nippers, hobby knife, glue, sanding sticks etc. Then I got a few things that aren't really essential but if you have in mind what I have, they're a must have. These included a mini rotary tool and a soldering iron. The shopping list is on going, I buy a few things as and when needed.

So there it is. How I, a bloke in his late 30s, got into scale modelling. I'm hoping to update here as I go on this journey. Hope you can enjoy it with me.

Zee