IPMS-SJ Modeler #1

 

Our first Modeler is Cory Hiltz who has come a very long ways in a very short while. A self-processed lover of Braille-Scale (i.e. 1/72 scale and smaller), he takes joy in taking these itty bitty kits and turning them into masterpieces as the pictures can attest to. Cory has a diverse range of taste ranging from dinosaurs, WW2 and Modern Russian aircraft, Gundams, Star Wars, small scale autos, D&D and Wargaming, modern fighter aircraft and the list goes on. As of late, his builds have won or placed high in several Club Competitions as well as a recent Eduard Facebook Competition where he came second.

Cory really enjoys working with scratch building materials and photoetch especially in the cockpits of his planes turning them into ultra-realistic renderings. He uses artist oil paints for all his weathering work regardless the model genre and has perfected it – so much so he gives demonstrations of his technique to other Club members. Lately he has started to develop his diorama skills and is always looking for new ways to improve. An acquisition of a 3D printer has really opened the doors for the work Cory is doing as of late with the ability to print items that he otherwise couldn’t source aftermarket. We are quite pleased of Cory’s participation with the IPMS-SJ and look forward to his continued development.

 

Cory writes:

My interest in models started when I was young. My uncle used to have a display case of his model kits, and I would just stare in awe at his AH-64, and Delta Dart kits. He had a “Bits box,” where I would play with his unfinished, or scrapped models. I just always remember loving that box, and the red, black, and white CF-188 he never finished.

Uncle Jamie would build me my first kit, a Sea Harrier, in desert pink. I can still recall the feel of the matt finish and I flew it around the house, breaking off ordinance and landing gear. Someday I should repay him for how I treated that kit.

I got my first kits shortly after that. A couple of Snaptites of an F-4, and B-25 in 1/72nd scale. Painted with a limited selection of Testors enamels, and an even more limited supply of thinner, they would have made Jackson Pollock proud. My first glue together kit came the next Christmas, Revells Huey Hog. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to tear into the box. Nor could I wait to let any of the Testors tube glue dry. Frustration got the better of me on that kit.

Flash forward to March, where I got another couple of kits. Lessons were learned, and patience was gained in my ripe old age of 13 or 14. The first plane I finished would become one of my favorite aircraft of all time, I just didn’t know it yet. It was the Hobby Craft CF-100 Canuck. Sure, the tail was crooked, and it was painted silver directly on the grey plastic with a Testors brush, but the decals were actually put on it, and they were almost straight!

Unlike most, I didn't lose my love of models in high school or college, in fact I built more in those years than before. The only reason for breaks was study, or moving from one province to another. My biggest gap was an eight year gap from when I moved to Newfoundland a second time, but couldn’t get my supplies on the planes.

The itch was always there, growing. I then started to paint D&D mini’s to help, but it’s just not the same. Then in 2017, I said shag it, and got a couple of Bandai Kits, and told Dad to ship up my airbrush and meager supplies. In late October I ordered my first (of many) aircraft kits.

The next day while reading the paper, I happened upon an article about building a Typhoon for a veteran, (sorry, I don’t remember the details) and more importantly to me, a model show that weekend! What luck. I do remember that show, buying kits that I still haven't finished (mostly because they’re 48th scale, yuck), and winning a draw prize seconds after saying “I never win anything.”

The next Tuesday I was at the meeting, thanks to Shawn Duquet’s insistence. After seeing the quality of the other club members, especially the other newcomer Dave Kendell, and his fantastic Spitfire and C.205, I knew I had to step up my game.

 

The rest is kind of history. Since joining I have been asked to do two weathering seminars, participated in competitions, even winning a few somehow. I have also earned the annoyance of various club members in assembling and painting small details without magnifying glasses. I would have never pushed myself so far without the knowledge, experience, and support of IPMS St. John’s club members, so thank you all. It’s your fault I don’t have any money.