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All about the Duke! Mark Deliduka


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Hello all. I am the Duke and I'm addicted to plastic models (Hi Duke!)

 

My real name is Mark Deliduka. I am currently self employed as a handyman carpenter/home repair specialist in partnership with another guy from my church. I live in Southern California with my wife of 19 years, no kids. Our 19th anniversary was this past July 14th. Before I started working on my own, I was a restaurant manager for several different chains for about 15 years. I finally got tired of the politics and other unmentionable issues and started out on my own.

 

 

My mother was the one who got me started in building models. She used to build models when she was a kid. We were living in Newport News Virginia. One day when I was six and annoying the bejesus out of her, she gave me a battleship and two aircraft carriers she had built as a child to play with. Of course I broke them and went and demanded (as only a six-year-old can do!) that she fix them. She told me to fix them myself and so I got some Elmer's and spent hours fixing these models. She was so worried at how quiet I was that she came looking for me. She also realized that this was something that would hold my interest more than anything else so she always encouraged me all my childhood.

 

That's what got me started.

 

What really hooked me was when a new kid moved in down the street from us. We were living in Florida by this time. He had over a hundred models and they were painted! He taught me how to paint, and how to build better models. He was also the one that opened my eyes to the beauty of a collection that is all in one consistent scale. That is why I only build 1/72 scale aircraft and armor (and structures). If I could have built all my ships in one scale that would have been nice too, but as it is, the model companies didn't want to cooperate. I did try to keep some measure of consistency where I could. We even wargamed our collections too, developing our own rule sets. I guess that is how I manged to teach myself how to build so fast. I needed to have some more models for the next wargame! :smiley17:

 

Decades later, I have over 450 models finished and I am living in California where I meet my wife. She likes all my models, until she finds out I'm still building. Later when I make some money building models, she stops bugging me about them. During the next 10 years I build about 400 models more.

 

Then I get a job in a Hobby Store. I'm 38 years old before I even know there are clubs out there for model builders! I had some of my work on display at the hobby shop. One guy who's a member of Orange County IPMS sees it and tells me about the club and suggests I come to a meeting. After a couple months, I finally make it to a meeting. I got a special award on my third night for bringing the most models in one night: 54! After thew first one though, I wanted to sign up right away, but my wife didn't want to put out for membership if I was not going to be going enough times to justify it. I attended a year's worth of meetings as a guest before she finally let me sign up in IPMS Orange County.

 

In IPMS, I've only held one office: Orange County IPMS Contest Director in 2007.

 

As of now in the year 2009, I have successfully completed over 1100 models which I still have in my hobby room. They number about 650+ armor models in 1/72 scale, 360+ aircraft in 1/72 scale, about 50+ helicopters in 1/72 scale, and ships in a range of scales. Most are in 1/700 scale, but some vary from 1/285 (Calypso) to 1/720 scale. I also have two Sci-Fi models built, (and Eagle One transporter and a Babylon 5 space station) as well as four cars and 12 buildings, two bunkers and a Secret Stronghold. All buildings and bunkers and such are in HO or 1/72 scale. Someday, I'll put some of those buildings and such on a base. In addition to all that, I have another 11 models under construction on my work bench. Over the years I've lost a few: 19 to irreparable breakage from moving (my old man was Air Force) and seven to theft. I've built and given away two models, and built four others for commission work.

 

If anyone ever wishes to see my entire collection, my door is always open. (except when the A/C is on! :smiley22::smiley18::smiley17: ) I've already rendered all but a few speechless here on the Forums with my link to my Webshots page showing my entire Braille Scale Army in photos broken down by countries.

 

 

And that is the Duke's story. My apologies for rambling on like this. I didn't mean to bore anyone.

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Impressive Duke. For us mere mortals, please show us some photos of your Hobby Room. I am curious to see how you can have 1100+ finished models!! I have enough problems storing my unbuilt kits.

 

Good decision to stick with one scale. :D

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Impressive Duke. For us mere mortals, please show us some photos of your Hobby Room. I am curious to see how you can have 1100+ finished models!! I have enough problems storing my unbuilt kits.

 

Good decision to stick with one scale. :D

 

Thanks Clare, on both counts. As for pics of my hobby room, here is the most recent ones I took about four or five years ago. They are on my Photobucket account:

 

My Hobby Room

 

These were the best I pould do, and as you can see, I didn't get to dust too many of them before I took these pics. Also, since these were taken I've completed about 250+ models between then and now.

 

I guess it's time to get some more pics.

 

Thanks again!

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Impressive Duke, to say the least! I'd only need one other thing if I was to come close to the 1000+ kits built that you have....a THIRD wife! I'm already threatening to build a 4th display case for the @150 I have built now and she ain't happy about it! :smiley22: Cheers!

 

GIL :smiley16:

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Thanks Gil. When my wife and I were looking for a new place to live, she wanted a two bedroom place. One bedroom for us, and one for my Hobby so that she could close the door and never see it again. That's how I managed to get my own hobby room.

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Mark, I'll have to come back to finish reading all of this, but I've really enjoyed reading your numerous posts and topics. I wish I had the time and energy to build at the rate you do. And I promise I'll never call you Dukeinator.

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Thanks Jack and Kieth.

 

Jack, I got 11 more projects working with 8 nearing completion in another day or so. They're coming sir!

 

Kieth, thank you for the compliment. Don't worry, I've been called worse! :D :o I do hope you enjoy the rambling story.

 

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Mark,

 

It really is a great story! I may take you up on the tour next time I'm in SoCal visiting family.

 

Best Regards and Model ON!

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Thanks for the info Mark!

I think you have more kits actually finished, that most folks I know!

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Thanks Tim. I have run into the same thing as well. I even get alot of questions about when I'm going into the Guinness Book of Records. I always have to say I'm too far behind the guy with 1700+ finished aircraft for that!.

 

Thanks for the post!

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