TJNavyAG Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 Hello everyone! My name is TJ, and I am an Aerographer's Mate in the US Navy, meaning I am a "weather guesser". I have been modeling on and off since I was a kid, but haven't taken it seriously until recently. I have a bachelor's in history and mostly study Cold War History, Strategic Air Command, and military history in general. I am trying to see if I can take a collateral as my command's historian, and I have volunteered at multiple museums including the USS Edson. I mostly model US Navy aircraft and ships but may try to work towards doing tanks and such. I do my modeling in my barracks room, so I actually have to set up every time and then pack it all up at the end of the night so my room is inspection ready daily. Anyone have any tips on organization/temporary storage that can make this easier? As I said, I just recently got back into modeling and I have been slowly expanding my collection and tools, and learning along the way. I'm going to attach my latest projects, including an 1/72 MH-53E and a 1:350 Arleigh Burke, dressed up as the USS Nitze. These were my first times using photo etch and painting, believe it or not. I also kit bashed the CIWS onto the USS Nitze from another kit, having to do some cutting for the superstructure and CIWS. Sorry they aren't great. I am currently working on a 1/48 MH-53E, then I will likely work on my 1/72 Eduard Limited Edition E-2C Hawkeye, as I see them fly every day here. Happy to be here and I'm excited to meet some awesome folks!
ghodges Posted February 4 Report Posted February 4 (edited) Welcome TJ! That's some very impressive work from having to "work from a box" and pack everything away after each session! Decades ago when I was renting rooms to live in I had my dad make a small rolling cabinet that (back then) held everything for my hobby so I too could keep it all stowed away and also easily move it with me when the time came. As you can see it had "racks" on either side to hold paint and other bottled items, 4 drawers, and a bin in the top for the larger items like my compressor and airbrush. I'm not sure if such an item would be practical or even allowed in your situation; but it was my solution to a "compact" traveling hobby supply before I could set up any permanent room (or part of one) to model in. Regardless, glad you're here! Make yourself at home and be sure to post those pics of your builds down in the genre topic areas where everyone will be looking for modeling pics. Let us know how we can help you have more FUN with model building! Gil Edited February 4 by ghodges 1
Circuitrider Posted February 6 Report Posted February 6 Hey TJ! Welcome! We are glad to have you. You asked about storage...what are your barracks room space limitations? In other words, where do you stow your stuff?
TJNavyAG Posted February 12 Author Report Posted February 12 On 2/6/2026 at 3:30 PM, Circuitrider said: Hey TJ! Welcome! We are glad to have you. You asked about storage...what are your barracks room space limitations? In other words, where do you stow your stuff? It's stowed in the closet, on a shelf. My main desk is used for my computer mostly and I use my (nonexistent) roommate's desk to build on, however I cannot keep my stuff there when I'm not in the room as it's not my side. I use a small ammo can to store the flammables like paints, thinners, and cements.
Circuitrider Posted February 12 Report Posted February 12 49 minutes ago, TJNavyAG said: It's stowed in the closet, on a shelf. My main desk is used for my computer mostly and I use my (nonexistent) roommate's desk to build on, however I cannot keep my stuff there when I'm not in the room as it's not my side. I use a small ammo can to store the flammables like paints, thinners, and cements. Thanks TJ. To the collective hivemind who may stumble upon this post (I may cross-post this dependent upon reaction), let's put our heads together and see if we can come up with some creative ways to help this young man practically, and within regs, stow his model building gear!! Submit what ideas you have and let TJ tell us if it'll work.
TJNavyAG Posted March 2 Author Report Posted March 2 Here’s what I’ve come up with. Possibly gonna make a separate post with everything I have here listed/in links so people can do it themselves.
Ron Bell Posted March 3 Report Posted March 3 Wow. That is so far and above what I had back in 70 in WW II barracks in Monterey, CA. We had two bunks in a cubicle with a small desk in-between and each of us had one of those lockers like you had in high school. Still, I managed to get a few models done, but none of them survived transit to my next base, nor should they have. Good on you for keeping on.
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