SPA Modeler

A great interview and some superb builds! Nicely done!

Scale Plastic Aircraft Modeler member interview

Tom aka BlackSheep214

My name is Tom or simply BS214 for short. It's easier than typing out BlackSheep as a whole name. There is one thing nobody knows about me in SPAM forums. I am hard-of-hearing - 85% in both ears and wear a hearing aid since I was a child. I have gone through some intensive training learning to read lips and speech in my early school years growing up. I had trouble pronouncing the S, Ch, and Z sounds. In the end, I've learned to listen with my brain, not listen to hear.

1. First model kit?

Wow... only one stuck out in my memory when I was 5 or 6 was a 1/24 scale Police car kit - a dragster I think but not the Cop Out by Monogram. I asked my dad to help me put it together. Funny thing because I started pulling and breaking off parts of the sprues. Poor dad couldn't figure out what goes where. Never knew what happened to it after that. Eventually, my first I put together was the old Mongram 1/32 Snap Tite dragster kits. I had the Vega, Mustang II, etc.... just about all of them from the series.

2. Preferred scale?

Aircraft - 1/48 scale. I have done 1/72 scale kits as well.

3. Preferred subject or subjects?

My first love has always been hot rods, street/muscle cars and trucks and I still love them. Now, I'm more into aircrafts from WW2 to the present, and an armor kit or two. I'll do any kit that piques my interest.

4. Favorite model built to date?

Although the kit isn't finished yet - Tamiya 1/48 P-47 Thunderbolt "Bubbletop" Fit is trouble-free. I need to get back at it soon.

5. Hardest model built to date?

I haven't encountered one yet except for the Dragon Sherman kit. Those track links can be time consuming. Never got around to finishing it. I just love a challenge. Bring it on!!!

6. Holy Grail kit?

Tamiya 1/48 Fairey Swordfish
Tamiya 1/48 IlyushinIL-2 Shturmovik

The ultimate Holy Grail kit: Upcoming and future Wingnuts Wings 1/32 Lancaster bomber kit - if and when I have the money to afford one.

7. Favorite kit maker?

Hobby Boss, Kinetic, Tamiya, Airfix, Eduard to name a few. I really don't have a clear cut favorite.

8. Favorite glue or glues?

Testors tube glue, Tamiya Liquid glue (green bottle) and recently a favorite of mine Plastic Magic 10 second liquid glue by Deluxe Materials. I love this stuff!

Favorite CA glue for PE: VMS Flexy 5K CA.... by a mile.

9. Favorite paint?

I wish PollyScale was still around but I managed to acquire a few for my stash at my LHS long before he closed his doors for good. I have a wide range of brands from Testors Model Master (enamel & acrylic), Mission Model, Aeromaster, Tamiya, Gunze, as well as a few Humbrol enamels. I've been eyeing on a few AK Interactive Real Colors bottles to purchase in the near future.

10. What started you as a modeler?

I guess after the first disaster of a kit as I mentioned already, my grandfather steered me in the right direction to start out with a simple snap kit. He provided the necessary snippers and simple tools to start off and taught me how to use them. I gradually moved up glue kits and paint. I owe him a heartfelt thank you for teaching me the basics like how to use a rattle can, what thinner to use and other useful stuff for my model building needs. He's never done model kits in his life but he repaired and sold all types of clocks in his adult years, even after his retirement from Griffiss AFB. I guess he found something in me to boost my confidence despite my hard-of-hearing handicap as a child.

Awesome! Tom, you as impressive as a human being as you are a model builder!

It’s amazing what we learn about one another in these interviews. We think we know someone for years, and yet we don’t. Great interview, Tom and Bruce.

Great interview Tom.
I built the 1/48 Swordfish
I agree about Flexy 5K, excelent! and Polyscale, I wish.

Great interview Tom!

The Fairey Swordfish is a very cool aircraft! The history of it to is very cool!

I'm with Carlos on this one. I mean how long have we been building models around one another on the forums Tom? 6-7 years I'd say? And here we are still learning stuff about our fellow modelers in the communities here and abroad. Well put together and very captivating interview. Great job Tom and Bruce!!

Again a great and so interesting interview!

- Kari

Thank you, guys. And thank you, Bruce for doing these interview segments. I hope one day to meet some of you if any travel plans takes me there. Who knows, if I ever get to Europe, I’d love to meet up with some of our SPAM members from across the pond. England, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, etc..

I do know my sister & I have seriously talked about doing the Band of Brothers tour after we both retire from our jobs.

Another great interview, this was a great idea Bruce had. Thanks to both of you.