Hello all. At this evening I upload interview with Aleksandar Šekularac — man whos well known by his beatiful models of VVS planes

Hi, Aleks!
>>I am glad than you agreed to answer some my question. Your models was the one of factors these to bring me to USSR models mostly and I really enjoing you masterpieces

Thank you very much for your kind words. It makes me happy to be able to share my enthusiasm for the hobby with you.

>>You sometime ago tell that you build only planes — Did you ever try to change 'orientation' and build something else? AFV or figures, for example?

Yes I did. At a very young age I did build few tanks, couple of battleships and even one sailing ship. At the time they were serious efforts even if from today’s perspective they look quite naive. Then again when I was about 20 I tried building some more AFV models but the subjects didn’t capture my interest any more. Flying machines is what I love.

>>Did you remember you first kit?

Of course: Plasticart / VEB Tu-134 airliner. Got it as a present for my 7th birthday from my uncle. So he is to blame for all that came after…

>>What is the mostly interested build you ever made?

A simple question, yet tough to answer. I always try to focus at the current build and do as much research and preparation as I can. This process also develops a lot of passion for the project. But looking back, I would have to say that the ICM’s 1/72 TB-3 “Zveno” I built some 7 years ago is one of the most interesting and ambitious projects I finished to date.

>>… and what is planned for future?

Lot of fascinating ideas, but so little time to realize them! There are several projects that I actually started, for example: 1/48 Royal Yugoslav Blenheim Mark I (Classic Airframes), then a 1/72 Zeppelin Staaken (Roden) and one that is showing the most progress at the moment is a 1/48 Ka-50 helicopter (Italeri) with almost everything being modified and improved. There are also some secret projects that I’d like to keep under wraps until later…

>>You have a newborne daughter and one more bigger else. Me — too ;-) Could you gave some recommendations for all scalemodelers — parents of small children?

Indeed. Anastazija is two and a half years old and younger Julija is only 4 months now. Children have the ability to capture your heart and change the life like nothing else. The hobby suffers of course, but the plastic can wait for the years to come. My advice would be to enjoy and play with the children as much as possible. They grow and change incredibly fast and these moments of joy will never return. Taka a lot of pictures. Carpe Diem!

>>Let's some fantazing — If cost and accessibility of kits is no matter — what 3 models you wishes to build?


There’s another critical factor to consider: shelf space! Here are my top 3 on the wish list:

• Myasishyev M-50, 1/72 by Amodel
• Mil Mi-10K, 1/72 by Amodel
• Tu-95MS, 1/72 by Trumpeter (I actually have this kit, but before I build it I need to find a bigger display cabinet, as it will not fit in the one I have – to get a bigger cabinet I need a bigger room – to get a bigger room I need a bigger house — so the Bear stays on the wish list for now)

>>..And 3 else — never build?

I am not sure if I understand the question. Is it the kits that I have, but will not build?
Well, I have one old Airfix 1/72 Vulcan, which I got cheap, only because it has Blue Steel missile included. I will use the missile on the Victor bomber conversion (one day) and probably never build the Vulcan.

One very old 1/72 Hasegawa/Minicraft MiG-25 I got as a present but will probably never build.
And that’s it! For everything else in my stash I have a plan. I just hope to live long and preserve my eyesight and dexterity in my fingers…

>>Did you ever build models for customers? Or sell your own?

No, never, despite being asked several times. But I made them as presents on couple of occasions.
I spend a lot of time and effort on each modelling project. To make the models commercially I would need to change my approach completely and this would spoil the fun in the end. The hobby is a way to throw all the worries of life out of focus – a type of meditation. It is very personal for me. I sometimes joke that scale modeling is not meant to save time, or make money.

>>Did you ever been in Russia?

The answer is again no. My big wish is to visit Russia one day. Apart from the obvious tourist targets in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg I would also like to travel beyond the Urals and discover this vast country. Bring my camera and make many photographs. But for this, one needs a lot of time and resources, which I am sadly lacking at the moment.

>>At the next month our site would celebrate 5 year anniversary. What you could wish at ScaleModels.ru birthday — to site overall and all of modelers and visitors?

First of all, a very happy birthday! I wish you to continue developing what is already a well established modelling community and reference library. To all the fellow modelers I’d say to enjoy the hobby and find motivation wherever you can.

>>Glad to talk with you, and best wishes from Russia

The pleasure is mine. Many greetings from the Rhein valley!

Answering Aleks Šekularac, questions by Michael Neradkov

P.S. Russia version available at ScaleModels.ru