After two days, I pushed a Märklin railroad, which I got sometime for Christmas, over the carpet so no rails for me - but drive wide and think narrow! It then continued later with the good 1:25 `models of Tamiya and the 1:24` models of Bandai. For these models, I have already built the first terrain on a wooden plate and made the rc-capable.
I came as a conscript to the Bundeswehr - first as a "hunter" and then to the tank grenadiers with the armored infantry vehicle "Marder" in Hamburg Neugraben. I could have become an officer - but I did not want to study, which was mandatory from 01/07/1975. In my opinion, officers should not study the same, but first prove themselves in the troupe as an instructor and who they are suitable, they are allowed to study! During my 12 years I have had enough "idiots". I was soon a commander of a "Marder" and then a platoon leader. By a fortunate circumstance I came in 1980 to the armored troop with the Leopard 1 A1, first in Braunschweig (with some weeks on the new Leopard 2 A2 - what a tank!!) and then in Hildesheim - so close to home. The time in Hildesheim on the Leopard 1 was great - once a year it went to Castle Martin or to Shiloh in Canada for the tank shooting and every year there were two- to three-week autumn exercises in open ground, when the farmers had reaped the fields. This is what today's computer tankers can only dream of! It was just the time of the "cold war" – when all the soldiers were still recognizable by reasonably clear uniforms and did not need to hide their faces in public under a mask!
It continued with the 1 / 15`er Bandai models and it came the first / 16`s Tamiya models with the clutch gearbox. Of course, the golden time came with the first Tamiya Tiger I (FO).
At the moment I only build German tank models and try to create the complete Tiger series - mainly from Tamiya models, partly with Benedini-Sound. But there are also two IMAI elephants - one of them as Ferdinand. Both are powered by robotic motors (116 rpm and 12 volts).
A challenge is the new Trumpeter models in scale 1/16, which I sprung later with spring steel and by the installation of small and strong robot motors (2, 5 cm diameter, 5.5 cm long with a high torque at 12 volts and 195 rpm) rc-enabled. They have a very good sgs-electronic and of course Benedini sound in the engine compartment and all ride with Impact metal chains. The entire interior is installed when I have more time - after my retirement.
I myself love the "English breakfast" and once had the luck and the opportunity by the acquaintance of the Sergant major of the English tank museum in Castle Martin in 1983 with some comrades there to get a special tour. On this trip, I spotted a bobtail poster in Bristol and fell in love with this breed of dog. After my military service - starting with a degree - I had Bobtails for 27 years - what a blessing and a joy! But unfortunately everything has its time and is over - as well as the active membership in a men's choir for more than 25 years. The young men (and women) do not like to sing actively here in Germany and unfortunately the choir disbanded a few years ago.
For some years I have a small practice area in the garden - here is a small test drive with my "Ferdinand" =
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiIPrNITIXs on the site.
I hope to be able to finish building my models for some time and am available for questions and spare parts requirements from my warehouse. There really is not a day when a tank does not move at home or when I do not play something Iron Front - Liberation 1944 or "T34 vs Tiger" (mmp7) on the computer - unless I am with my girlfriend on the way in Europe - especially in the mountains of South Tyrol.
Since my girlfriend would like to go to Cornwall, I will have the opportunity to hear "The Land of Hope and Glory" not only every year at the "Last Night of the Proms", but also to see it again.
So Long from the KT...
