...The Author...

A Subject of Mortars in Miniature.com

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	I've been interested in the military and in the hobby of scale modeling for as long as I can remember. Born into and raised by a military family, I was able to get first hand knowledge of the military as a child. The United States Army taught me at a very young age, how to drive and also how to handle small arms. It was there at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts that I got my first AFV ride in an M-48 Patton Main Battle Tank, and my first flight in an OH-13 Helicopter. I was hooked! Needless to say, I spent every minute that I could on post, hanging out with my dad and his staff. I could go out and get dirty climbing all over everything, then I could go to my father's office and take a nap, however there always seemed to be something moving around out in the field, so I'd be off and running towards the sounds, hoping to be able to jump on board.
	I started my own military career in 1972, after having drawn the number 48 in the draft lottery of the previous year. Instead of waiting for the letter from the President to arrive, I decided to enlist. It was something that I have never regretted.
	Over the next 20 years, I had accumulated almost 12 'point' years towards a retirement, but due to the Reductions in Force (RIF) in the early 1990s, I ended my career in 1992 as a Staff Sergeant with the title of Assistant S-3 Air NCO, but my area of expertise was, and always will be, Light Weapons Infantry.
	Over those roughly 12 years, I got to see a lot of places, met many friends, got to qualify and familiarize with all kinds of weapons, flew in various aircraft types and 'traveled' in many kinds of military vehicles.  Serving in the Army was for me, the most rewarding time of my life. There were a few bad times, but I only seem to remember the good times and the good people that I served with. Those times, the people and the Camaraderie I will never forget.

 

I've been scale model building seriously for about 25 years now. Having entered my first competition (and taking my first award) at the 1983 IPMS Region 1 Convention in Albany NY. From that point on, I built to compete and had placed fairly well at local, regional and national competitions, having accumulated over 100 trophies, plaques, ribbons and medals during the competitive years. I currently have about 70 models built (43 mortars!) and under glass, and I probably have twice that many waiting to be built. My primary area of interest lies in 1/35 scale Military Vehicles, but I have also dabbled  in other scales as well as some off-the-wall Sci-Fi rockets, just to have some fun and to take a break from all the correctness and accuracies of Military Modeling. Over the past couple of years, I have ceased participating, however, I do continue to promote and support the hobby where and when I can on an individual basis. I still build my models as if every one would be entered into a competition, but I am now only building strictly for the enjoyment of the hobby, to satisfy myself and to pass on the historical and working aspects of each subject here as best I can.

I have been fortunate to have had a couple of photos published in a few modeling magazines. Starting with the November 1995 issue of Fine Scale Modeler, the July 1999 issue of Boresight, and the July-August 1999 issue of Military Modeling. In the latter two issues, the photo having been taken by Steve Zaloga at the 1999 AMPS National Convention, Maryland USA. I have also been mentioned by name in two IPMS journals covering the 1996 and 1997 National Conventions.