Butch O'Hare Chapter, IPMS-USA 
Butch O'Hare Chapter, IPMS-USA
When did you first take a liking
to scale models?
Probably when I was about six years old; my parents didn’t have much money
and I used to build models as well as I could, just from basic raw materials.
My dad was a model builder and he built some nice models and I tried to
do it. He showed me how to do things, how to carve a piece of balsa wood
to look like an airplane. It was crude, really crude.
What was your first modeling experience? Can you think of that first
item that you carved out or glued together?
I’m pretty sure it was a, I was trying to make a model of a Hellcat,
probably today I would say it was maybe 1/48th scale, but it was bad! Hellcats
shouldn’t have square corners!
Were your parents supportive of your modeling interests?
My dad was yes. My mother didn’t have any interest in it.
Did you have any brothers or sisters, or other family members involved
in your modeling?
No, I have a younger sister, but she’s twelve years younger than me. It
didn’t occur to her. My grandfather came over from Norway, and during
the Depression, with his artwork he managed to maintain a family, which
I think is remarkable back in the Depression days. He lived to be 35 years
old. He was the Illinois state speed skating champion, a terrific athlete.
How did you acquire your building skills?
I took three years of metal shop, a couple years of wood shop, and I
learned how to operate a milling machine and a lathe which I have. That’s
helped me a lot. I learned how to weld. I have done some silver soldering—it’s
almost similar to welding. I use that on my models. I work with stainless
steel. If try to drill a hole in stainless steel with a regular drill bit,
you’ll burn the drill bit. You won’t make a dent in the stainless steel.
I enjoy the challenge.
I was in the Army for six years. I was in an armored unit, tanks, and
I really did not develop any liking to build model tanks. I was kind of
resistant all this time ‘til I built my tank destroyer. I thought, wow,
something that wrecks tanks.
You have interests in model railroading. Would you say that your interests
in modeling started with trains, or was it painting or sketching?
I had a serious hobby interests in model trains where I actually started
working with cheaper versions of Lionel trains and trying to build layouts
and such. It’s never left really.
What was the cost of a model kit back then?
I can remember buying my first plastic kit. It was a Revell 1/72nd scale
P-39. It must’ve been under a dollar, because I don’t think I ever had
more than a dollar.
Can you describe any specific feelings that you had while building?
My whole hobby activity is the challenge, especially in scratch building
when you don’t know how you’re going to make some part. I just love the
challenge of the build, the technical problems. When I finish a model, I
usually just put it away. When I finish the model, I’ll look at it for a
few days and then I cover it up and put it in one of my cabinets. That’s
probably the last I’ll see of it maybe for a year.
With the type of builders you are, someone might think that you have
hundreds of models stored away. How many models do you have stored?
I think I’ve got maybe a half dozen. I have train cars and train engines
and that’s about it. I built a boat once and didn’t like it, a rigged
schooner. I said, “this is crazy!”
Would it be fair to say that you consider yourself an artist?
I enjoy it. I’ve been published and I’ve sold paintings, so I guess I’d
have to consider myself somewhat of an artist. I’ve done a lot of work
for the IPMS.
(Some of Keith’s work includes numerous line drawings, pencil drawings,
aircraft schematics as well as paintings.)
You mentioned that you build for yourself and for clients, and that
you enjoy overcoming technical difficulties. Do you experience anxiety while
working on a project?
No, I think with time and a little effort I may have to make several attempts
at making something, but I enjoy it. I’ve thrown a lot of parts away.
When did you start building commissioned project for other people, such
as the 1950’s Indy race cars you scratch built?
Probably about twelve to fifteen years ago, a friend of mine was building
commissioned cars for an Indy car owner and he was getting bogged down
with details on the cars. He was getting old. His hands weren’t working
too well. He asked if I would take over. He told me how much money was
involved, so I took over, in fact finishing the car that he was working
on and when on to make some pretty good money. If you consider that twelve
to fifteen thousand dollars for a car—of course I would work a year on it
to do it and that was a lot of hours. I almost think I could get a job at
McDonald’s and break even.
Would it be fair to say that you put 100 hours into the car?
A hundred?! More like a thousand. You saw that airplane I had, the one
done for the EAA. I kept track of the hours on that and it was 1200 hours.
Would you say that your clients are particularly picky or hard to please?
No, I’ve never had any trouble. In fact I sold one car to a couple from
the North Shore who bought the car as a piece of art. They didn’t care
what it was. They didn’t care who the driver was. They just wanted it for
the artwork, because of the colors and something it represented to them.
It was red and white. I’m pretty sure it was a Ted Horn. I made four of
those cars.
What build would you say you enjoyed the most?
Probably the one that I have now, the Ted Horn car. That started out as
a commissioned build and the fellow who’d commissioned it passed away,
so I decided to continue and keep it. That’s probably the best model I’ve
ever built, probably the best model I ever will build. So, it’s going to
remain in the family.
Which one would you say you enjoyed the least?
How about Bluebird bus? It’s not that complicated to build. It’s going
to be upfront in the museum train layout, so it has to be good.
(For this project Keith received materials that were particularly challenging
to build at museum quality.)
A lot of us in the club have seen you bring scratch built 1/32nd scale
WWI aircraft to the club meeting. How long does it take you on average
to complete one?
From scratch I probably give myself a half year to build it in casual,
spare time. Some of the new kits I can probably knock out in a couple weeks.
What are your favorite paints, glue and thinner to use? Are there particular
brands?
I use Tamiya acrylics, and I used to use Badger acrylic. For brush painting
now I use Citadel paints. They are just incredible. They only sell them
at the Game Stop stores where the guys are making miniature battles and
things. It’s fantastic and I love it.
In your experience, which are the best kits to build straight out of
the box?
The Wingnuts kits. I think that’s pretty much recognized by most of the
guys that are building models. Guys that could never build a World War
1 model before are finding that these are easy to make and everything
fits. The instruction manual is a book. It’s great.
What subjects would you enjoy seeing from kit manufacturers and in what
scale?
Boy, I don’t know what they haven’t put on the market yet. I mean, this
is the best it’s ever been. You can get great 1/72nd scale kits from all
the way up the line. I have no problems at all.
Are there any particular improvements you’d like to see the kit manufacturers
commit to, maybe photo etch?
I’m not a big fan of photo etch. I’ve found that it’s actually difficult
to use. They’ll have you make a little box to go on an instrument panel,
and the box is a sixteenth of an inch thick, an eighth of an inch on each
side—just cut a piece of plastic to that size. It’s quicker and faster,
easier to do. I find myself that I almost have to solder all the photo etch
together. It’s hard to glue.
I found a good super glue. It’s called the original super glue with rubber
in it. It’s flexible super glue. The dispenser it comes in is great. You
can actually get a little tiny drop out of it, and it’s never clogged on
me. The applicator is made of rubber I think. You can flex it. It’s strong.
I really like it. It’s called the Original Super Glue with Rubber. You
get it at the hardware store.
Is there such a thing as a hobbyist owning too many kits?
Yes, I’ve known collectors. I knew someone who had a room full of collected
kits, from the floor to the ceiling, all four walls and then he was putting
racks in the middle. I think he had a standing order with Japan Hobby.
Whatever they came up with in 1/32nd scale they would send him at least
one. But he didn’t build a lot of models.
Are you ever strongly influenced to buy a kit based solely on the box
art?
No, I don’t care if it comes in a plain brown box. I make my decision
by reading a lot of kit reviews on the Internet. The reviews explain any
problems a kit might have.
You have been head judge in many model contests. What areas in contest
models need the most improvement?
Paint. I’ve seen nicely constructed straight models with orange peel all
over the paint, and a lot of it seems to be that they’re applying a dull
coat and they must be standing three feet away from the model when they
spray it. That’s the biggest area that needs improvement.
The new models go together quite well. They practically align themselves.
One thing that’s missed frequently is looking straight down on an airplane.
I’ve seen tails and wings that were twisted in relation to the fuselage.
By the way, I judged out at the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas,
these are radio controlled scale models. This was a contest for money.
The winner would get $3000. You had to be a previous winner in your category,
RC scale anywhere in the world. We had people from all over the world there,
and this was a contest in which I was chosen as one of the three judges.
It was a big deal. Circus Circus casino promoted this. At the end of the
contest the winner was decided and the contestants gave the judges trophies.
Do you have any suggestions on how to interest today’s youth more in
building models?
I think that Make and Takes are the best. I used to buy easy kits for
my grandson. We sat and built them. He really got into it. You can’t expect
them to walk into a hobby shop on their own and pick out a model and try
to build it. You almost have to hold their hand.
How would you say modeling has improved you as a person?
It gives me an outlet to really think creatively. I enjoy the challenges.
I enjoy the company of other model builders talking the same language.
I like it. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t.
Are there any builds that you would like to do that you haven’t already
done?
The British Army desert jeep. The most common color they were painted was
pink. The desert in north Africa has a pink to it.
In addition to serving in the Army, Keith has done many other interesting
things. In the early 70’s he built and raced a Kellison kit car. He also
raced for 10 years in the midgets outlaw series at WillowBowl, Arcola and
Galesburg speedways. He’s a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association
(EAA) and was awarded first place in their static scale competition in
1979.