MARU 5137

James Earl Jones 's voice.. he appeared in many movies. This awesome actor passed away this week. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce81rkg87w8o

KeyStone hobby shop... Good job I am slim... very narrow and claustrophobic... That's the elderly gentleman, in red with his warm hat , who owns and runs the shop..he's been doing this for 50 plus years he said in his perfect English. His name HASHIZUME TSUNEO San. He can get you whatever you need and will post the model kits ALLover the world. He said he was almost 90 years old and been involved in model aircrafts since a tiny tot. { www.keystone-models.com ). He lives next door to his shop with gazillion cats !! The photo of him outside is full of kits and boxes of decals etc.. Every night he puts it all away in the shop(which is absolutely crammed from ceiling to floor) and house and each morning he brings it out and places it outside. Local Japanese men flock to his shop to buy kits etc... one was there while I was there....

MY photos... chose the best of the bunch. From various JAPANESE Air bases.. I apologize if I start to bore you. Let ME know... and you MUST go to Japan... Couldn't resist the last picture !!!

We asked for all sorts of new large model kits, HIDENORI MOCHIZUKI San was diplomatic and smiled.... didn't let anything slip out of his sweet voice. There is also a small gift shop within the H.Q.. He gave ME a free TAMIYA linen cloth bag.

Nah... Tamiya H.Q was amazing with smiling personnel. I was shown around by HIDENORI MOCHIZUKI, Assistant General Manager, International Division. Tamiya are based I SHIZUOKA. He spoke very good English and was a warm and friendly host.l; allowing photos and videos to be taken. Unfortunately as there was a huge meeting (C9nstruction and all things models ) going on at the time of the visit, I didn't get to see their modelling gurus and kit models engineers etc... Hasegawa wouldn't even entertain us so I had a look in their compoundArwa as their top Boss arr8ved in a fancy black limousine type car and they would not let us into their H.Q.. much guarded secret! But I did see the warehouse was open and many staff workers hauling boxes of kits. { i have hikacked MY own thread....... } Japanese Koi fish in the Tamiya "pond" beside their main entrance.

Not the best but got these.

I'm good. Thank you PW. Travelled to Japan in February returning in March this year. Went to take photographs of Japanese Fighter jets and other interesting stuff. Like hobby shops and Tamiya H.Q.. Saw lots of colorful jets and airliners...

Hello PW. How goes it with you ?

I LOVE this Lockheed Constellation and knew of its history relating to the President of USA and being named "AIR FORCE ONE". Fascinating history and what a rotten(no pun intended) that it was left to rot and not preserved as a piece of great history. And now seeing the Video that Scott posted gladdens and warms the cockles of MY heart. rkranias's video is interesting to see as well. Thank you both. I built a 1/144 scale of this Gorgeousness of an Aircraft years ago... COLUMBINE is a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing and one heckuva Beauty. Thank you for this lovely thread.

Hello Chris, Just catching up.. I am sorry to hear your health issues and wish you all the very best. I'm sure you are in good hands with your medical team and praying for your good health and speedy recovery. Love, MARU 5137.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cm2ngqj836do luxury pioneering aircraft has celebrated its 75th anniversary. Laying the foundation for the development of Concorde, the Bristol Brabazon made its maiden flight from Filton Airfield on 4 September 1949. The ambitious project promised a new era of luxury passenger travel. MARU 5137.

Glad to hear you are doing well Scott. Keep well and obey the medics and SWMBO.

Hello Peter, Sorry to hear that you have been unwell. My Best wishes for a speedy recovery and good health. All the very best. MARU 5137.

Thanks Chris. Been very busy but I try getting on here. Hope you are well. MARU

https://uk.airfix.com/community/blog-and-news/workbench/big-spitfire-surprise Good article with pictures.

He wrote this book .An accomplished author too. https://www.scalemates.com/nl/books/lockheed-martin-f-16-adf-pierpaolo-maglio-francesco-majorana--140164

I am so sad to say that one of My friends ,Pierpaolo Maglio has passed away. He was only 55 years old. He was also a member of other Modelling forums. MY sincerest and deepest Condolences to his Wife Diana and his daughter , his family and friends. If you are on Facebook you will it see it eported there. If you recall he did the Artwork for the F-16 L'Ultima Diana. One of the most finest designs ever. When he did that , we were corresponding (and continued to do so ) and at the time told ME that his wife Diana was the inspiration behind that beautiful artwork. He was a Lawyer and an Artist and Outstanding person with talents. I will miss him dearly.He was an Amazing gentleman. Paolo, Rest In Peace. Blue Skies.

Carl, looks like you had a fantastic day and those photos are superb. Did you take any more of anything else whilst there? Martin will be ever so pleased I'm sure.

DocRob, Super duper photographs. NOICE. Did you take any more ? Hey why is there a red circle on the aircraft in your photos ? Am I missing something...? PanzerWomble, your photos are great too. Thank you Gentlemen for sharing them...

PanzerWomble, What a lovely collection of photographs. They are FANTASTIC... Excellent ! Thank you for posting them. Appreciate your sharing them.

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pete. Sorry I'm late to wish you a super happy day. hope you had a fantastic day.

Happy Birthday Martin. : You have reached a half century and may you have many more super Birthdays .. Enjoy your supercalafragilisticexpealidocious Birthday . HAPPY Day.

CONGRATULATIONS to your Lieutenant Colonel Daughter Jeff. What a fantastic achievement and hard work that she has put in. May she rise to the top and be the best ever. Her Grandfather's on both sides will be SO proud. And Jeff you did well bringing up a delightful patriotic daughter. MY love to you and Cathy. :

I am sad to hear this. May you Rest In Heavenly Peace Commander. Amen.

Just saw this Tim. Although I wasn't going to be able to come, I would have ordered one since it was you. Have a blast gentlemen at Madison 2024. MARU 5137.