Gents,
The first kit I ever built was February 1968, of the Aurora "German Wolfpack U-Boat". I was 8 years old, and didn't know anything of U-boats or WWII or anything. Later I found out that U-505 was launched on May 25, 1941, and that I was born exactly 18 years later to the day. It's accurate to say that this model really set me onto a lifepath of reading, history, and eventually to a Master of Arts in musicology.
And now, 53 years later, once last time here is the Aurora U-505, and an end. Built OOB, spraypainted with Krylon Matte Charcoal Gray grill paint, drybrushed with ArmyPainter grays and blues and a smidgen of matte white. Rigging is a high-e guitar string.
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I expect this to be my final build. Weakening eyesight and increasing hand tremors make the precision needed for a good outcome damn near impossible. I can still drive and wash and feed and dress myself, so it's not life-altering, but trying to hold finicky little parts like periscope housings and capstans and antennae with a tweezers is frustrating. And detail painting of the deck hatches and bollards? Hah! I see the exacting builds on this Forum, the incredible level of nuanced detail involved, and say "Okay Davy boy. Enough. You're embarrasing yourself." I realized that a year ago with performing music in church and in concerts. Been a great run, but I have to recognize that the sand in the hourglass empties for us all.
