Keith Eleftheriou: Model Making

Over the years I have had a few jobs, a few hobbies, and interests, and some of these have become 'specialty' subjects, skills and services I do casually for friends and the odd out of the blue request.

Models
One thing I have done from an early age (and every young lad has done so) is kit set modelling. I remember my very first kit set was (I think) an Airfix model of a North American A5 Vigilante jet fighter. It probably wasn't well done, but I was proud of it. While it didn't become a 'passion' as such, I dabbled in some models here and there while at school, and machines of war, especially planes at this point were my favourite.
When I was posted to my first ship, HMNZS Waikato (F55) an officer on board had just been given his own cabin on promotion to Sub-Lieutenant and one time I was up there for a chat I noticed he was building a sailing ship. This, out of nowhere piqued my interest in doing more models, and ships.
When I left the Navy, however, was when I attempted my first model. I was unemployed and finding sitting at home uninspiring, and I went out and paid $130 for a Tamiya 1/350th model of KM Bismarck - this is the ship that I read as much as I could on as a kid, and was my inspiration behind wanting to be in the Navy.
It took me 3 days to build it, and I still have it! It wouldn't win any prizes, but it became a talking point for those who came round to my place, and still does.
This had me hooked and so I bought more, and not just ships, but other war weapons, especially WWII. I was going out with a girl whose younger brother (who has Williams Syndrome) had an obsession with planes, and he knew everything about them, and had books and books and DVDs and DVDs on them. So I started building them for him.
Ships were still my thing, and I built more; USS Missouri, USS Indianapolis, IJN Yamato, HMS King George V, and the USS Enterprise - all Tamiya 1/350 and I intend to build the whole range (6 Battleships plus USS Enterprise). The aircraft carrier met a bad fate - through moves and cleaning, it suffered too much damage and had to be 'scrapped".
To date I reckon I must have built close to 300 models - a lot have been damaged and discarded over the years, and I donated the vast majority of my planes to the Waitakere RSA, and then of course for Justin...but I have made some on 'commission' - to order - and I enjoy doing this, the pleasure when people see them and talk and ask about them (as I research the history of the subject). I have done them for clubs, RSAs, companies, and individuals. I don't get into modifying them to suit, but have done it a couple of times to see how easy it is. I am currently looking for a 35-36 Ford Coupe to replicate my father-in-law's Hot Rod. If anyone wants one done, let me know and if the kit is available I will do it.

Here are some of those I have done - please excuse the photo quality, I'm no picture taker!

McDonnell Douglas A4E Skyhawk - Airfix 1/72

Lockheed Martin F117A Nighthawk - 1/32

McDonnell Douglas F-18A Hornet 1/32

Mig 29 Fulcrum 1/32

McDonnell Douglas F4G Phantom - 1/32

M1 Abrams - 1/32

Honda NSR500

Boeing B-29 Super Fortress "Enola Gay" - 1/72

Blohm & Voss 141 - Airfix 1/72

Heinkel He111 - Airfix 1/72

Avro Lancaster "Dam Busters" - Airfix 1/72

Grumman F6f Hellcat - Airfix 1/72

North American P-51 Mustang - Airfix 1/72

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - Airfix 1/72

Caproni Vizzola F.6 - Airfix 1/72

Focke-Wulf Fw190A "Adolf Galland" - Airfix 1/72

Westland Sea King HAR3A - Airfix 1/72

Mil Ni-24 Hind D - 1/72

I like the Airfix kits as they are very cheap and well detailed for their price, however the fit isn't always there, and in some cases I have had to request parts to be sent from the UK as they have been missing from sealed boxes. Nevertheless, a good model for any level of skill and a very large range.