Fortunately I survived after mom did find out and she calmed down - years later.   But for a while there, I was walking on egg shells.   But as i grew older I took over as my uncles company =  "Powder Monkey" ( That's the Guy That Does The Blasting! ), which was just one part of my duties.    So I was also one of the dump truck drivers - which also meant I pulled dump trailers and also ran the pits = skid loaders, dozers and other equipment.    Generally, I was capable of doing most anything they needed done.    And later I got into "Over-the-road = 18 wheelers and ran all 48 States, plus Canada.    But in my spare time, I modeled  plastic car & trucks & trailer- kits, usually from AMT or Monogram.    So anything mechanical, I naturally wanted to know all about or Operate, whether it was the real thing or just a miniature version - didn't matter.   I was Interested, but was forced into early retirement after a truck wreck in Feb. of 1980.     I'd broken my back in three places, thanks to a "Wrong-way Driver." that was never caught and I was forced off the road on I- 55, right under the overpass at Lincoln IL.    After that, I spent over a year "In & Out" of hospitals ( in therapy ), while trying to re-learn to "Walk & Chew Gum", as they say = AT THE SAME TIME!"

    From that point, I modeled - full time and got into r/c airplanes, but quickly grew bored with planes.    The high expense of rc fuel, plus the crashes & repair costs, being mainly why I quit rc airplanes.    But mainly it was because =  "You can do just so-many "Loop The Loops" before your bored and = I WAS! .... To the point, I was even doing Knife-edges - down Corn Rows, playing chicken or "Follow The Leader" with friends.    Our biggest fun, was playing r/c combat, with some rather expensive rc model airplanes.    But I always wanted to do stuff = Nobody Else Did, or only a few had tried.    Then one day as I glanced through a friends old issues of model boat magazines, I realized = "Nobody's Building R/C - TOWBOATS!".... Well, hardly anyone, back then.    So from that point, things lead into years of study and research on towboats, their designs, shipyards and their steamboat history.    And because this was so - unusual a subject for modelers, "I was asked to write articles covering "Real Towboats & My Replica's" for model magazines, one was "U. S. Boat & Ship Modeler".    You may recall my work and if  you still have back issues - in your collection, check the last few issues = "Fall 1992" to the last Addition.    Cause Joe E. Brown whose been my buddy - for many years, also helped write many of those articles too.    And we took turns covering Small & Large" Towboats and had a very large reader response.

    Since then, I've been asked to write for other magazines, but declined, while still very honored - they keep asking.    And like my friend "John L. Fryant", Joe E. Brown & I, were all somewhat pioneer's - in this field.   We chose to give our full attention to model towboats and barges and then I created - this website.    Building it, has helped provide others with full details, photos & drawings that show how I create a model.    So this site, is an "On-Line Library Book" = SO TO SPEAK.    "Literally a written modeling book that continues to help others, along with hobby companies to design new kits and develop them.    All this naturally helps widen our choices in kits and parts, and some think = I'm kinda nuts for doing this all - FOR FREE! ..... But I learned all that I know, by listening & following examples of others that gave their info = Freely.    "So why should - I Charge You?"    And to be honest, "I simply couldn't do this, without the support of my -"ISP" = KTIS. NET and You.    KTIS helps me to run & maintain this site, and your continued visits, emails and support, proves its all been Worth-it.   

 So Thank You for all your support.......Old River Bill