By tradition, devout scaled-modelers will always have more books and unbuilt kits than actual completed projects. However, not kind of person who always buy the latest modeling gadgets - equipment - products, I prefer Low-Tech method of scrounging common household items for modeling parts when possible.
Uwe at Work : Yup, that's me Uwe the Asian-American homey slaving away countless hours reading military technology, battle history, veteran memoirs, foreign publications and socio-linguistic research to gleam unqiue story points in building a specific model - vignette - diorama.
Personal Library : Book and magazine collections on variety of military history, weapons technology, socio-political events, etc. About 1/3 of the publications are geared for historical, military and modeling references.
Models in Storage : Behind Door Number 1...storage for unbuilt kits.
Close-up of bottom inventory....
Close-up of top inventory....
Models in Production : Modelers just can't sit around and wait until the paint dries. From imagination or shear impulse... we always start a new project regardless whether the current one is completed.
Being completed : RSO FLAK tractor, 10-ton halftrack, Schwimwagen, SdKfz 251 rocket launcher, etc.
Being completed : Models galore, including H4 Hercules, F6F Hellcat, Skyraider, Heinkel He-177, USS Kitty Hawk, Panzer IV ausf F2, etc.
Models Completed : Projects completed and awaiting final sale, new owner delivery or display base preparation.
Photo shows : Star Trek TNG Locutus, M1 Abrams tank, German Hetzer tank destroyer, Stug III assault gun, Star Wars AT-AT, P-47 fighter plane, etc.
Painting Logistics : Simple paint booth, made by taping together two large cardboards, placed spare computer paper for painting surface, on top of a chair inside the garage.
Usually do my painting at night when the neighborhood is quiet and local traffic is low. A rotating fan is used inside the garage to ventilate the paint fumes.
Assembling Logistics: Rudimentary work bench, made up of a message tag board, covered with computer paper for painting, white ceramic tile for cutting surface. Usually work from the kitchen table with on-going projects and equipment sprung about.
Work in Progress : Never in the habit of waiting for paint or glue to dry, hence I usually work on multiple modeling projects at a time. Sagittarius in me required a timely construction methodology, yet Capricorn in me demands utmost artist endeavor in completing time-intensive historical research. Result of which some models may take years to complete. However, for paid clientele (ex. historical collectors, veteran groups, museums), all projects are completed on mutually agreed schedule.
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Hardcore modelers generally have large inventories (such as DRAGON's military miniatures). Kits usually go out of production. Hence, one will have to buy the kits now or purchase them at exorbitant prices later on.
Production web site runs off an Apple G4 Aqua OS-X fileserver (right). It may be old, but being a Mac, it was absolutely dependable.
Collection of acrylic and enamel paints in various base and military colors. Majority of brands are TAMIYA and POLLY-S for acrylics, TESTOR for enamels.
Large book collections can provide robust cross-referencing for modeling conceptions, historical settings and story-plot representation.
Working on multiple projects at a time, half-completed models stacked in assembly area awaiting my next attention or inspiration.
Close-up of half-completed models, some are very close to completion, while others are in mid-production sequence. For example, RAF P-51 only needs clear canopy installed, RAF Hurricane with weathering completed but needs decals placement, German Panzer IV tank needs final weathering done.
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