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...The Author...

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A Subject of Mortars in Miniature.com

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The Author - 1961 - 8 years oldI'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. image: dogtags
The Author - 1972 - Notice no Forward-Assist Button on the M16. 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.
The Author - 1973

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.

The Author - 1990 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. The only way to fly... My M998 and C-141B
 
  1st United States Army 56th Field Artillery Brigade (2nd Bn 4th Infantry attached) 7th United States Army 187th Infantry Brigade 5th United States Army  
         
Quick, Reliable and Accurate... The Pershing "Pocket Rocket" Achievement Medal       "US" Insignia on Infantry Blue background disk
  Good Conduct  
NCO Professional Development National Defense Service Army Reserve Achievement
Army Reserve Overseas Service Army Overseas Service Army Service Infantry Crossed Rifles Insignia on Infantry Blue background disk
     
Staff Sergeant - E6 Service Strips - Each Strip = 3 Years Completed Service Leadership Tab

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.

The Bunker.... 
This is where I do all of my model building. Fairly neat and tidy, only because at the time that I took these photos, I was in-between projects. "The Bunker" is quite comfortable year round...warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and moisture free.

Foul Ground - You are welcome but enter the Bunker at your own risk! :-)

   

Bunker-Left

Bunker-Center

Bunker-Right

Bunker-Rear

Display Cases

         
All of my built models reside in custom made (by me) display cases in my 'other' room. Keeping your models under glass, protected from dust etc, will preserve your hobby for many, many years to come. I've got a couple of models in there that I had built in the early 1980's that still look almost new. The display cases are constructed out of pine board and measure 48 inches Wide x 45 inches High x 12-1/2 inches Deep. Stained with a natural colored stain with multiple coats of Polyurethane. The glass shelving is 45 inches Long x 10 inches Wide. The backing is a knot free grade of 1/2 inch thick plywood sheet, primed and then painted with a Latex paint. Almost time to build another one... 

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.

Finescale

Boresight

Military Modelling

November 1995

July 1999

July - August 1999

Canon leger de 25 antichar SA-L mle. 1934

BRDM-1/AT-3 'Sagger'

Canon leger de 25 antichar SA-L mle. 1934

BRDM-1 with AT-3 'Sagger' ATGM

Photo: Phillip Moss

Photo: Steven Zaloga


The Author

Today, I am a Mechanical CAD Designer by profession and I live with my wife, my best friend of 29+ years in Marlborough Massachusetts. I am a recent (2007) graduate of Clark University's Digital Multimedia and Web Design program and I am hoping to be more involved with the Graphic, Print and/or Web Design side of being creative in the future.

December 2007 - Sint Maarten

Looking a little nervous off of Grand Cayman Island.

My Portfolio

Fresh from the free Tequila sampling...

Sint Maarten 12/07 - 25 HP and heading for rough open water! YEEEHAW!

I'm known as "Nine Lives" and "Snorkle Man" in the Caribbean. :-)

 

- My wife and I like to travel to the Caribbean whenever we can -


E-Mail the Sarge...

E-Mail the Sarge!

M113A2

Jul 2004
Reminiscing on Ft. Devens
M113A2

M1A1 Abrams

Apr 2004
Got to do a little 'off-roading'.
M1A1 Abrams

USS Savage DE-386

 

 

 

Thank You Diane!


E-Mail the Sarge!

The Author
Comments, suggestions?

   ...I am also an amateur cyclist.

   

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Kevin Robert Keefe, Copyright © 2001 - 2008.
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