Members Name: Dave Calhoun

Tell us a little bit about yourself: age, occupation, where you live, family (nothing too personal but a general idea).

I am 46, and work as a Purchaser for Finlay Printing in Bloomfield CT. I live in Enfield CT. I am divorced with a 9 year old son Danny who is also a budding modeler. I have a great girlfriend Dina who supports my hobbies in any way possible.

Modeling Interest: (Planes, Cars, Ships, Figures, etc.)

World War 1 aircraft and armor, Vietnam war aircraft and armor, figures from these time periods and almost any Chevrolet automobile.

How long have you been interested in modeling? How did you start?

I began building as a young kid with my fathers help in the early 1970's doing aircraft, the old Hawk, Revell and Airfix were favorites. In the mid 70's I began building the Monogram 1/48 scale aircraft and probably built every one through the 1980's. While in high school I began building Tamiya armor. In the early 1990's I started doing World War 1 aircraft right about the time that Eduard first released some WW1 kits and have been at it ever since.

How long a member of Wings and Wheels?

I joined Wings and Wheels in the early 1990's when they met in the Base hanger at Westover.

Who in the hobby world has influenced you and why?

Personal influences include Mike Supple, who first taught me how to take older World War 1 kits and super detail them to meet the detail of modern kits, and also Tom Darcey, who not only is a great WW1 modeler but also a prolific historian and author.

What is your favorite historical period and why?

World War 1, my Grandfather served in the 26th Yankee Division in France, 1918; as well as many local heroes that served in the Lafayette Escadrille such as Raoul Lufbery (Wallingford CT) and Ted Parsons (Holyoke MA). One day I have plans to build a whole line up of aircraft flown by the Lafayette Escadrille.

Favorite Book:

Recently I finished reading Flyboys by James Bradley, a great story of the cruelty of war but how enemies can forgive each other while still remembering the past.

Favorite Movie:

The original STAR WARS; Fast Times at Ridgemont High; From Dusk Till Dawn; Boondock Saints; The Blue Max

What is your next project?

Too many in the works right now that need to be finished, including Albatros D.III OEF; 1955 Chevy Drag racer; 1969 El Camino SS 396; 1987 El Camino GNX; TBM1-C Avenger; SPAD XIII; 1967 Camaro Indy Pace car... the never ending list keeps growing.

What do you enjoy most and least about modeling and why?

The best part to me is superdetailing an engine or interior, making it look like the actual machine I see in photos. The worst part for me is working for months on a model to have bad results in the final assembly, either losing a finished assembly, ruining a nice paint job with bad clear coat, and have in the past spilled super glue on the roof of an almost completed car model.

Besides (possibly!) what you model, do you collect anything? If so, what, for how long, and how did you get started?

I used to collect military uniforms and equipment but sold the collection when I moved out of my old house, had no place to store it and needed the money. Now along with my models, I collect reference books and parts to restore my 1/1 scale 1987 El Camino SS.

Is there something in modeling you have always wanted to do but never tried?

A large diorama, if I had the room I would probably do a World War 1 Aerodrome in 1/48 scale.

What type of paints, brushes or other modeling equipment do you use and why?

Usually Model Master enamels, but on occasion I have used the Mister Kit acrylic World War 1 colors. I use a Badger airbrush.

What other outside interests do you have (music, food, auto racing, sailing, etc)?

Seeing my friend's band Diamondback, one of the best rock bands in the CT-MA area with two killer guitar players. I also enjoy grilling on the gas grill, I learned how to make killer smoked ribs and chicken wings this summer. Car shows and local museums are also a great summer passtime.

Parting Modeling tip:

Go by the photo, you can never have enough reference material to build an accurate model. If no photos are available then no one can fault your work! No one will ever be able to tell you that you painted your World War 1 model the wrong color since the only photos taken then are all black and white!