AutoModeler Staff

Jim Starkweather, PUBLISHER, MANAGING EDITORS
Jim is the founder and sole software developer for the KitMaker Network. He created Armorama back in 2001 as a hobby to learn more about how to build large community Web sites. As someone who had built models, Jim was hoping that creating a fun and interactive site covering scale modeling might even get him back into the hobby (and it has). He lives in Dublin, New Hampshire with his wife, daughter, and three dogs.


Rowan Baylis, SENIOR EDITOR, ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Rowan has been modelling for about 40 years While happy building anything, his interests lie primarily in 1/48 scale aircraft - especially Golden Age and WW2 era . Almost 20 years ago he marketed his own range of resin accessories, Blueprint Models, but gave it up when he realised he was losing sight of why he begun modelling in the first place; for the fun of it. As well as editing Aeroscale, Rowan now acts as an informal advisor to a number of manufacturers including Dragon Models but, probably as a result of this background, he hasn't lost his weakness for short-run kits - relishing the challenge they represent, as well as the exciting subjects they offer.


Andy Brazier, SENIOR EDITOR, ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Started modelling as a young boy with his Dad. Once he reached his teens, modelling took a back seat to going down the pub, and then starting a family. Got back into modelling and now models just about anything from figures, armour, Sci-Fi and aircraft depending on what mood he is in. Finding the Kitmaker Network has kept the interest well and truly alive.


Damian Rigby, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Born 1967. Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemistry and Aquatic Biology, currently working as Technical Sales for water treatment for heating and cooling systems and process water. 6 children, Jessica, Lola, Joshua, Liam, Darcy and Evie. Other hobbies are guitars, fishing and woodwork. Built model trucks with my father as a boy, got interested in aircraft in my early teens, then didn't do much (apart from stash enhancement) for about 20 years.


Joel Willstein, ASSOCIATE EDITOR, ASSOCIATE EDITORS
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Tat Baqui, NEWS WRITER, NEWS DESK
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KitMaker Staff

Fred Rick Boucher, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Fred's degree is in fine art with post-grad in commercial art/graphic design. After illustrating a couple of book covers and winning a logo competition he was bitten by the flying bug and became a professional pilot, earning an Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Although he no longer flies for a living, he is still employed in aviation. Fred has dabbled in most parts of the hobby over the years, including model railroading. He has stepped into 1:1 scale railroading, briefly firing a small steam locomotive through Doe River Gorge on the restored East Tennessee and Western North Carolina RR, then taking the throttle of a 1908 Baldwin 4-6-0 steam loco on the Nevada Northern Ry. While he craves building models, his current situation mainly limits him to reviewing and sharing his experience. Fred is a private person who is involved in his church and actively supports several missionaries around the world.


Dave O'Meara, CONSIGLIERE
Dave’s interests run the entire spectrum of model making. Professing to be an “expert in nothing”, Dave has built just about everything from old carve your own balsa blocks, to plank on frame over the past half century. Dave firmly believes that “Experience is a great factor in overcoming problems, and simple is usually the best solution, striving for improvement, and understanding limitations is the key to enjoying this hobby”.


Mal Mayfield, CONSIGLIERE
I have been modelling seriously for about 25 years. I served in the British Army a "Sapper", a member of the Royal Engineers, and served for 24 years as a Combat Engineer. My callsign, "Holdfast", is a reflection of my Army service. My current job is, possibly, a modellers dream. I am the senior loco builder for the world renouned Roundhouse Engineering, building 16mm gas fired, steam powered, radio controlled garden locomotives. My modelling really began when I needed models for aircraft and AFV recognition training, while serving, these were of modern subjects. As I began to get the bug I realised that my real passion is for WWII aircraft. I normally build in 1/48 but, recently, I have begun to get the urge to build in larger scales and I have just started building in 1/32. Joining the Kitmaker group has enhanced my modelling experience no end, especially as I am now the proud president of the unique IPMS-UK Kitmaker Branch. Through the Kitmaker Branch I have been able to meet, in person, many of the modellers that I have chatted to on the forums. many of these have joined the branch. I have now started a little enterprise producing custom paint masks for modellers "Miracle Paint Masks".