Ed Kinney’s Models

I’m sure that the names and faces of IPMS Fame Cities have changed a lot since I left Canton 16-years ago. I was an active member of the club in the late 1990’s through 2009 when I moved to Florida. My story is very typical; I grew up in the 70’s building models, drifted away in my teenage years, and came back to it as an adult after the military and college. Jim Bates was the club president at the time, but if the club truly “belonged” to anyone, it was Ed. He was the consistent and underlying force that drove Fame Cities.

Ed was very welcoming and took me under his wing, pun intended. I spent a lot of time at his house and he was extremely generous with his hospitality and in sharing his knowledge. These were the early days of the internet, before the real explosion of modeling knowledge and techniques on platforms like YouTube. One could only learn so much from the magazines and books. Being able to sit side by side with an experienced builder was an invaluable advantage. Ed became my mentor, and basically gave me an accelerated master course in aircraft modeling and how to win contests. I went from nothing to bringing home wins at regionals and nationals in a very short time. Not that those things really matter.

What mattered was the camaraderie and friendship. Ed was smart, witty, and just a great guy to be around. His wife was an absolute sweetheart who always made me feel welcome in their home.

Ed, probably more than anyone else, is responsible for my continuing interest in the hobby. There’s a club in my area, and I went to a meeting or two, but it didn’t have the vibe and the energy I had come to expect after spending a decade in Fame Cities. They didn’t have an Ed.

I build in isolation now and my interests have taken a hard turn towards dinosaurs and 3D printing, but I do have a massive stash of aircraft kits (around 500) that I intend to live long enough to build. I’m a digital hoarder (in recovery) and while I was cleaning out a hard drive, I came across a large amount of photos of Ed’s models that either he, or I, took. I reached out to John Shimek to see if he wanted me to post them, and here they are.

For those of you who knew Ed, you’ll recognize most of these. I hope they bring back good memories. For those who never met him, I hope they give you a glimpse into his talents and interests. I’m happy to see that the club has dedicated itself to his memory and I hope the photos help to solidify his legacy and inspire new modelers.

Cheers,

Bill Weckel
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

www.BillWeckel.com