Completed builds over the past few years

Dave Roof · May 10

Back in 2018, I received a message from a former Marine that was with VMAQ-3. He asked if I could build a model of an EA-6B so they could present it to the squadrons last CO during their Decom ceremony. He bought the kit, I built and delivered it. Well, there were Marines from Q-2 there that asked if I could do the same for them the following year. Got that done, and while at that one, got asked to do something for VMA-231. From there, the word just continued to spread. Most of the build requests over the last two years have come from MAG-31 and VMFA-533 at MCAS Beaufort. However, this has spilled over into other requests from other squadrons.

The Command AH-1Z for HMLA-167 was painted using my artwork, and the tri-color paint scheme currently worn by the Command Yankee from HMLA-269 is my design. I'm also in the process of designing a paint scheme for VMFA-224's first F-35B, as well as the personal challenge coins for the future CO's of VMFA's 214 and 231. Model builds for other squadrons are also being done, and I just started the first of two 1/32 Hornets for the CO's of VMFA(AW)-224 and VMFA-312.

They're not contest winners by any stretch of the means, but the Marines have loved them. This has also given me the opportunity to visit MCAS Beaufort often, and spend Friday evenings at the O' Club hanging out with fellow Marines. With the exception of the very first build, every other project has been done free of charge. Yeah, I've financed everything.....the kits, the bases, brass placards, stickers, gas, billeting have all been out of pocket.

During the last trip, when I delivered the MAG-31 plaque, I was informed by both the MAG CO and SgtMaj that I'll be contacted often for more projects. They also advised me that my name and contact info had been given to the Sgts Maj of both MAG-11 and MAG-12.

If you care to follow along in this journey, and do the book of faces, I have a page called Scale to the Corps where I document the builds and other projects.