Greetings from Northeast Arkansas USA

[ArkansasChuck]

Hello everyone!

My name is Chuck and I’ve been reading the forum off an on for about 4 years now and decided it was time to enlist! I very much enjoy reading the posts and seeing all the talented work here.

I’m 41 and have the most amazing family and career. My kids are wonderful and intelligent and fun and are loving tabletop gaming with their Dad! I work full time for a Non Profit who helps the homeless. And I’m just starting Seminary school to become a Pastor. My calling is to work “boots on the ground” helping the homeless.

When I was young the Memphis Belle was only 45 minutes away on display in Memphis TN and I visited many times with my father. Now that I’m a Dad, I have instilled the same Love for WW1 and WW2 aircraft into my kids. There’s a special place in my heart for the British and American WW2 planes. The Memphis Belle and the Mustangs are probably my two favorite planes, but I love them all so it’s impossible to pick just one!

Recently I purchased both starter sets for WW1 and WW2 Wings of Glory. And I’ve just started collecting the pre-painted 1/144 size range of planes. (I have no skill to paint and no time to paint so I buy the painted planes!) So I stick to pre-painted!

Any advice you all could offer on the best pre-painted brands is greatly appreciated! I’ve not had the best luck finding affordable pre-painted WW2 1/144 planes in the US.

There are a couple of things I’m looking to add to my collection as well. Such as damage smoke & flames for the planes, and I’m assuming those are made out of cotton? And those amazing circular propellers look fantastic on the aircraft I really like the look of those!

Anyway, thank you so much for allowing me to join. I look forward
to getting to know everyone and hopefully find some folks near me in the US to play! I’m hoping there are other Northeast Arkansas or West Tennessee players I can connect with! Thanks again!

Respectfully,

-Chuck

[Rebel]

Welcome to the 'Drome' Chuck where answers to most questions can be found.
This greeting comes from West Yorkshire in the good old UK so fly safe and always watch your six!

[Teaticket]

Welcome to the Aerodrome Chuck. I only use the 1/200 WW2 planes and haven't looked for any 1/144 so don't know about them. I'm sure someone here with the knowledge will chime in.

[Nightbomber]

Welcome from Poland, Chuck! I love your story!

[Stumptonian]

Welcome from Portlandia.
It’s good to see you emerge from the shadows.

I don’t think I ever did the ‘Report for Duty’ post.
I think it was a little over a year after signing up that I started posting.
Now they can’t shut me up.

[matt56]

Glad you've finally 'succumbed', Chuck - the Forum is a wonderful place to come for all kinds of support of this game/hobby.

If 1/144 is your interest for WW2 as well as WW1, there is a thread under the WWII section that focuses on 1/144 scale gaming - the models in the Basic Set for WW2 are 1/200, as are all the WW2 models Ares makes for the game, but there is a group of folks who prefer their WW2 in 1/144 scale...

All the best,
Matt

[BwanaJoe]

Greetings from sunny, breezy Florida. Great work your doing there, keep it up!

[zenlizard]

(welcoming head bobs) from the lizard.

A rally good place for 1/144th scale for SGF is right here on the aerodrome-check the Hobby Room threads for the occasional mention of pre-painted stuff (or things that migh add to your game that arent' pre-painted, but are quite easy to deal with for someone who doesn't have a lot of time) ; and even more likely, the Sale/Trade/Wanted Classifieds threads. And then,of course, there is the Aerodrome Store itself for not only models, but accessories like plastic clip-on flame & smoke markers.

[BBSuds]

Welcome to the Aerodrome, Chuck. ENJOY!!!

[Naharaht]

Welcome to the Aerodrome, Chuck, from here near Norwich in the United Kingdom.

[Baxter]

Welcome Chuck, and thank you for posting your story. Great to hear from someone with a calling and heart for mission.

[milcoll73]

welcome to the drome Chuck!!! glad you finally took the plunge and visited the recruiters and joined up. no doubt important war work kept you away from the front lol. my best advise as far as minis is get everyone that you can get your grubby paws on!!!

[Flying Officer Kyte]

On behalf of the rest of the pilots based here in Dear old Blighty welcome to the Drome to you and your family Chuck.
Rob.

[Setarius]

Welcome to the Aerodrome Chuck from the W. KY. Aerodrome in Paducah.
I have travelled NE Arkansas quite a bit and once watched a flight of B52s landing.
As far as smoke and flames go I use red and black pipe cleaners cut in short lengths of about 2 inches and bent on one end to hook over the wings, you can make them longer if you wish more smoke or flame. I do know some people use cotton or the Litko plastic accessories.
Watch eBay and you might get lucky and find a deal once in a while, I know there are several sets of WWI planes for sale for $169 For the complete series, which is about normal price. Aerodrome Accessory Store here is a good place for some planes and accessories. Another outlet is Miniature Market out of St. Louis carries most Wings gear.
Keith runs the AA store on this site and carries hanger trays for storage.
I use Game Plus bags to carry my stuff and store them in the original boxes
Attachment 240607
In this configuration I can carry 50 planes per bag. It has a pouch on the back where I carry my boxed set with rules, damage tokens, and necessities, and a small pouch on both ends for odds and ends.

[Tokhuah]

Welcome from Alameda, CA!

[Flying Helmut]

Welcome to the 'Drome, Chuck, from Middlesex across the Pond!

[ArkansasChuck]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It’s wonderful here! So much amazing information and great ideas. I look forward to meeting some of you. Hopefully I’ll make it over across the pond for a weekend of gaming sometime.

[Flying Officer Kyte]

Good to have you here Chuck. Maybe one time you will be able to emulate some of your fellow countrymen and visit our International weekend at Doncaster in the Fall.
Rob.