U.S. Soldier Starts Tikrit Chapter of Hobby Club

Defend America News ^ | Spc. William Jones

[SandRat]

Dozens of donated plastic models are available for deployed service members to assemble in their free time. U.S. Army photo

U.S. Soldier Starts Tikrit Chapter of Hobby Club

The Tikrit chapter of the International Plastic Models Society has fifty members and that number is growing.

By U.S. Army Spc. William Jones
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq, March 2, 2006 — Some U.S. soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division are passing the time during their deployment by doing something they enjoyed doing as kids – building plastic models.

“It is something that totally immerses you in to the activity. This is a great escape from being in Iraq and from what we are doing.”

U.S. Army Maj. Wellington “Duke” Samouce

The Tikrit chapter of the International Plastic Models Society, the brainchild of U.S. Army Maj. Wellington “Duke” Samouce, 101st Airborne Division Aviation, has fifty members and that number is growing.

U.S. Army Maj. Wellington "Duke" Samouce, 101st Airborne Division Aviation, organized the Tikrit, Iraq chapter of the International Plastic Models Society. U.S. Army photo

Samouce is a longtime model manufacturer himself.

“It is something that totally immerses you in to the activity. This is a great escape from being in Iraq and from what we are doing,” said Samouce.

The club meets once a week at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center on Continuing Operating Base Speicher in northern Iraq. Servicemembers can come in and choose from dozens of donated models. Supplies are available as well as space to put them together.

Model cars are the most popular kits available with jets and tanks bringing up the rear, according to Samouce. He says that surprises him a little.

“Most people are drawn to the muscle cars from the sixties and seventies,” said Samouce.

Soldiers and airmen stationed in northern Iraq have many choices on how to spend their free time. Model making is now one of those choices.

[SandRat]

Something else to send to the Troops to help make their tours a little more comfortable and help take their minds off the days activities.

[manwiththehands]

They better be careful. Model making is punishable by beheading in Muslim countries ... after month-long rioting and demands for "death to Israel".

[oldleft]

"Worst deployment ever!"

(But very cool.)

[PzLdr]

When I was a teenager [about45 years ago], it was hot rods and 50s cars. I remember building a '57 Chevy. Did 30 coats of paint, metallic and candy apple gold. Custom seats, decals, the whole nine yards. Still have some models in the basement to do.

[ExcursionGuy84]

Model making is punishable by beheading in Muslim countries...

So what does this say for Feamle Muslim models in western country's?

[billorites]

It's nice to have a hobby.

[ExcursionGuy84]

I'll pray for you...

[ExcursionGuy84]

I'll pray for you...

[ConservativeMan55]

lol

[darkwing104]

Glad I could help them out. I build models also, mostly airplanes.

[darkwing104]

Check this out!

[tet68]

I've got the McCoy .35 Redhead engine that powered the
P-40 we built and flew over the beaches of Chu Lai in 1966.
My buds from NYC had never done that kind of stuff so we sent off to a well known model house and got everything we
needed.

Still got it, plan to leave it at the Wall someday.
We were, after all, men yet still boys.

[Mr. Silverback]

Awesome!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT