Fred Bachofner (ModelFan)
About 55 years ago I was grabbed by model making. At that time, you could buy the Airfix bags with models with matching Humbrol pots of paint at General stores in the toy department. My first model was an Airfix Messerschmitt Me-109 Bf. My father allowed me to buy some jars of Humbrol paint. I have no idea what colours I bought based on the drawing on the bag.
This was the beginning of my modelling activities, which became more meaningful with the establishment of IPMS Netherlands in 1971. Aviation was my main interest at that time and of course you also started spotting. This brought me to many countries and eventually as a freelance defence journalist for The Shepard Press Ltd. (Defence Helicopter World, Helicopter World and Commuter World), Janes (Janes International Defence Review) in England and in the Netherlands for Thijs Postma (aviation and aviation World). I have been editor- in-chief of the IPMS Netherlands for over 7 years. Of course, with building models on the side. The freelance work involved quite a bit of traveling and flying and with regard to that flying not always on a commercial basis. The responsibility for my family (flying with and with air forces was almost always uninsured) led me to quit. I shifted my interest to the computer world, realizing that that was where the modelling hobby would end up.
In the end, blood is thicker than water and I started to pick up the modelling hobby again. From the only available jars of Humbrol enamel now to acrylic paints and the just as many new brands. New techniques, after-market products and of course the incredibly beautiful models made possible by constantly improving techniques.
I build to build and learn and improve myself. I will never build winning competition models. That's not my intention. You have to have fun modelling yourself and then it's fine. I'm never satisfied, but I certainly have fun, and I enjoy learning and improving just as much.
I am married to my darling wife for 43 years and my two boys and daughter until now blessed me with 3 grandchildren. Hobby is modelling inclusive railroad modelling. To invite more people to modelling I operate my website https://modelfan.eu/ here in The Netherlands. Would be great if you would visit me and like the Facebook page for more reviews and articles and all the modelling news you need.
