Paul Eisenberg
Workbench
Strictly speaking, I'm not a plastic modeler. The first models I built, when I was 11, were wooden Strombecker ship kits. I soon started scratchbuilding my own ships, but stuck with wood. Mostly I use sugar pine for carving solid hulls and bass wood for plank-on-frame. But I've experimented with walnut and even used door skins on my largest project - a 1/200 Titanic (48" long). For the superstructure and details, I'll use just about anything that works: computer punch cards (getting hard to find!), plastic signs (like the "For Sale" signs you find at the hardware store; most are styrene and cheap), wire, and odd pieces from old kits. You can see from the photos of my workbench in the garage, I'm a packrat.
I probably use a few more power tools than most modelers: bandsaw, jigsaw and electric pad sander, but the trusty #11 blade is still the most frequently used. Otherwise, I don't use anything special, expect lots of bright light and jeweler's glasses for my old eyes. Those Strombecker kits were 1/1200. Most of my scratchbuilt projects have been 1/200. Now 1/100 is looking good!
For gluing I use white glue on the wood and CA on all the other stuff, although sometimes I even use CA on the wood. My paints aren't anything exotic. I use Krylon spray paint for most large areas. The details are all brush painted with a hodge-hodge of old Pactra and others. I have a Badger airbrush, but I've never used it.
Paul holding the aft superstructure for his IJN Nachi.
A typical project takes me one or two years. My main interest is the Imperial Japanese Navy. I've built the Akizuki, Nachi, Yubari, Nagato, Junyo, Kongo, I-58, and I-400. But, other subjects include the Balzano, Conte di Cavour, Pelicano, Dunkirque, Titanic, and Wapama steam schooner.
Recently I took a break from the military subjects and built a 1920's speedboat in 1/12 scale. Right now I'm finishing up a doll house for my grandaughter. My next ship may be in honor of my grandfather. He captained a 250 foot paddle wheeler on the Yangtse around 1910. This one hasn't been covered by a Maru or Gakken monograph, so if anyone has any information on one of these riverboats, please let me know!
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