#ModelMonday – On the front line of the hobby with Frontline Model Kits & Hobbies

September 19, 2022September 18, 2022 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

My local plastic model hobby shop closed in February 2017 and there simply is no replacement in the area. So this past weekend RockyMountainNavy T and myself were trekking from Northern Virginia to Blacksburg for Virginia Tech Parents Weekend and decided to track down a rumor that there was a hobby shop in Staunton, VA.

We were very happy to find Frontline Model Kits & Hobbies. The young owner is Christian, who started coming into the shop at 10 years old and now has taken over for Jack. Both were in the shop and both were very kind. We were so excited to find this slice of heaven that we forgot to take pictures!

My verdict? Sure, you might be able to find some kits at better prices online, but there is something unmatchable about walking aisles and randomly picking up boxes. Thumbnails online don’t do justice to many of these kits.

RMN T found himself a Soviet tank destroyer, and I added a sci-fi kit I have been coveting for a while.

I encourage you to visit Christian online or if in Staunton to drop on by…you won’t be disapointed.

Oh yeah, I got another “plastic model this week too…

*“You expect me to talk?” “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to BUILD.”*

Feature image courtesy Christian Vames

#ModelMonday – Missile Truck Proliferation

April 25, 2022April 20, 2022 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ 2 Comments

North Korea is celebrating another anniversary of some event that means something important to them but for the free world means we get to see a military parade with lots of missiles and other lethal toys for Kim Jong Un.

Well you know what, Rocket Man? I have missile trucks too.

Mine carries two missiles and is a smaller three-axle vehicle. It gets the job done. It came from China, like so many of yours might have too.

The difference is mine are environmentally friendly, not destructive of it.

*Robotime Military Hobby Wood Puzzle – Harbor Freight – $1.49*

Seriously, this was a fun build. I took it into the office and spent part of lunchtime building it. All the wood pieces punched out cleanly with little-to-no sanding required. I assembled mine without glue except for one part which was weak. Finished model is a bit over 5″ long. Sits on my office desk and is a great conversation starter.

Feature image courtesy Business Insider

#Model Monday – Bandai #StarWars Star Destroyer

February 25, 2019February 20, 2019 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

Both RockyMountainNavy Boys are into building plastic models. Recently, we were in out FLGS and found Bandai’s “mini” Star Destroyer. So small it fits in the palm of your hand.

Perfect build for a snow day, which we had and which Youngest RMN took advantage of to build his model.

This Star Destroyer kit was a very easy build and simple to paint. The fit and detail of the model is extraordinary given the price point ($8). Most importantly, building models like this make both the RMN Boys proud of their work.

As part of the snow day, Youngest RMN Boy shoveled a neighbors drive way and earned a few extra dollars. I think I know what that money might be used for….

Feature image modellingnews.com

#ModelMonday – Un’ers Missile

January 14, 2019January 11, 2019 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

Looks like the North Korean dictator will now get a new toy…of his toys. The new HobbyBoss catalog shows. 1/35 scale KN-15 Pukguksong-2 missile Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL). Interesting….

#ModelMonday – Tanks Camouflaged

March 20, 2017March 19, 2017 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ 1 Comment

Little I got Tanks: Panther vs Sherman (Gale Force 9) for Christmas. For his birthday, Brother T got him the Tiger I expansion. In a wonderful show of brotherly love, T not only gave him the model, but then built it and painted it up!

Little I is very excited as his collection is getting much more personalized. T also has shown a natural ability to paint miniatures. I have several old Mongoose Publishing Starship Troopers Miniatures Game sets that I know I won’t get around too…maybe it’s time to turn them over to T and see what he can do!

#ModelMonday -The Me-262 (Pegasus Hobbies)

February 13, 2017February 13, 2017 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

Another weekend another model for Little RMN. This time it’s a Pegasus Hobbies 1/48-scale German Me-262 jet fighter from World War II. I really like the Pegasus Hobbies models; these are snap-tite and go together really well. They come molded in a base color making the paint job one step easier. This Me-262 will soon be joining others World War II fighters in the “dogfight corner” of his bedroom ceiling.

#ModelMonday – The Red Baron returns!

January 16, 2017January 15, 2017 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

My friendly local model shop, Piper Hobby, had an awesome sale last summer with many kits available for great prices. Amongst the many boxes were several old Revell kits, including a 1/28 scale Fokker Dr. I Richof triplane. At the time, Little I was really into the miniatures game Wings of Glory and all-things WWI aviation so we picked it up and later gave it to him as a present. This past weekend, with poor weather outside, Little I built it.

Both he and I are pleased at how it came out. Little I was worried that the triple wings would be difficult to assemble but the pieces went together easily enough. The kit is not the most detailed but it ended up looking nice enough. Next up, the companion 1/28 scale SPAD XIII.

#ModelingMonday – Working Off Some Backlog

February 22, 2016February 21, 2016 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

This weekend was great on Saturday but rainy on Sunday. Little I has been agitating for new models, but RockyMountainNavy Mom declared “No more!” until some of the backlog on the shelf is taken care of. So with the rain stopping the boys from running around outdoors….

Little I started out with his favorite manufacturer, Pegasus Hobbies, and their E-Z Snap V-2 Rocket. At 1/48 scale this is the same size as his WWII fighters. Like the earlier models, this one is easy to assemble, snaps together tightly, and looks great even without its paint job (yet to come).

Seeing that the first model was quick-and-easy, Little I then went to work on a second model, and pulled down Revell’s 1/700 scale RMS Titanic. Again, this proved to be an easy kit to build (though some of the small parts were challenging even to his smaller fingers).This is a full hull model with very nice fine detail. Technically listed as Skill Level 3, I think this is only because of the fine painting and smaller parts and decals. Of the two kits built today, RMN Mom liked this one the best!

jacksonp47drbt — Courtesy modeling madness.com

While his brother was working on his two models, T built up an old kit of mine that I had passed down to him. The old Monogram P-47D Razorback in 1/48 scale assembled neatly and looks awesome with its rocket launchers. This one will look great once the final paint job and decals are applied.

While both boys were working, I also pulled out one of my kits. I had picked up an old Academy Minecraft Saab AJ-37 Viggen in 1/144 scale from the clearance table for a mere $2.95 at Piper Hobby a while back. While the Minecraft models lack detail, they do make fine desk ornaments for the office at home or at work.

All in all, a very successful weekend of boys working around the table. Spent a lot of time answering Little I’s questions on the history of the ships and airplanes. A wonderful learning and family bonding experience.

Model Monday – Pegasus Hobbies ME-262

June 7, 2015 ~ RockyMountainNavy ~ Leave a comment

Little Rockymountainnavy is into building model kits these days and really has a love for World War II aviation. We have been collecting the Pegasus Hobbies 1/48th scale series and the latest one he has built is the Messerschmitt Me-262. This is a wonderful E-Z Snap series kit molded in dark green. Assembly was super easy and the parts fit the well with few gaps. This model even has a metal counterweight to place in the nose that will balance the aircraft on the tricycle landing gear. We will be painting and applying decals in the coming week.

The model did inspire Little RMN to dig into my library and pull out several books on the Me-262 and World War II jet aircraft. This has led to another spate of Lego creations and further exploration into German jet plans (ala Luft ’46). Once again, a model has inspired greater learning by Little RMN. After all, isn’t that what a good hobby does for you? (Image Courtesy modellingmadness.com)