Thanks for your thoughts and kind words gentlemen. The model tank fraternity has been an interesting one to get to know. All manner of personalities and careers are represented here. I will be fascinated to see if I change when I retire or rather my interests change, I've been doing this for so long it's difficult to imagine doing anything else. Thing is I know I'm far from the best at it; new techniques come into the hobby; new people, new companies but I pretty much stay with what I know.

My dad was an electronics enthusiast and Amateur radioman( advanced class); his hobby was his passion. I believe it kept him alive in retirement
for nearly 17 years after my mom died. I can't imagine how it hurt for him to lose mom but that radio shack was his escape and his workshop and all in it his salvation; he flourished in so many unexpected ways when he was alone; his strength in those dark times huge. I can hope that I could do as well with my model hobby and I haven't gone through anything as remotely difficult as he had.

I think it would be as some sort of an out of body experience to watch myself change so much as to not be involved in this hobby. I can't imagine my house looking like everyone else with nary a tank in sight. Scary thought, no?

I thought I might go back to school to study military history but really I've done the academic route; studied chemistry /mathematics and worked as a chemist for two years in Silly Valley before making the jump to IT permanently. Perhaps I'll take up Bocce ball or chess, Go? Bridge? Thai cooking?

Maybe I'll just continue making my tanks until I go to the tank shed in the sky.

And I agree 110% with others who've said once a hobby changes to business it isn't as fun; it was never my intent that it should do. And it hasn't and won't. I don't think I have it in me to be a real businessman.

Jerry