A local man has a lifelong hobby that not only passes the time, but takes him across the province to compete.
Warren Kostick built his first model at the age of 12, and it has been a part of his life ever since.
Now 52-years-old, Kostick took his Caterpillar face shovel model to Vancouver香蕉视频直播檚 annual Auto Modelrama March 25, where it won best of show.
香蕉视频直播溝憬妒悠抵辈It was surprising, because the competition was quite good,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick.
香蕉视频直播�(The judges) see the amount of work that goes into Cat models,香蕉视频直播� he said, noting that the judges are comprised of participants.
With over 500 hours of work over two winters put into the face shovel, it香蕉视频直播檚 the largest and most complicated model he has built.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 know that I香蕉视频直播檒l ever do one that complex (again,)香蕉视频直播� he said.
The model was built from scratch on a 1/125th scale with over 600 nuts and bolts, 165 hydraulic pieces, and over 1360 individual parts, largely made up of styrene plastic, brass, and aluminum.
香蕉视频直播淢y models are built to be as functional as the real thing,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick, with some of his models utilizing working lights and audio to produce engine noises.
香蕉视频直播淭hese aren香蕉视频直播檛 models you can go buy off a shelf. I never take my builds for granted.香蕉视频直播�
But the Auto Modelrama was home to tough competition.
香蕉视频直播淭here was a fellow there with a large Lamborghini,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick. 香蕉视频直播淚 thought he was going to get best of show.香蕉视频直播�
Over the years, Kostick has taken his scratch built models to various different shows with his first in the late 90s, but since moving to Vernon from Kamloops in 2003, he has only competed in the Vancouver show, winning a total of five best of show awards over his past three visits.
Even though his area of competition has been restricted to Vancouver by the move, he and his wife are happy to have come to Vernon.
香蕉视频直播淐oming from Kamloops was a nice change,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淓verything is so lush and green, we really enjoy it here.香蕉视频直播�
And, in their new home in Vernon, Kostick was able to turn his basement into a showroom for his models, the perimeter full of plexiglass-covered cabinets showcasing Kostick香蕉视频直播檚 elaborate collection of over 200 models, comprised mostly of cars.
Kostick started building scratch models in the 90s, and it has become a multifaceted hobby for him.
香蕉视频直播淲hen you香蕉视频直播檙e scratch building a model, there are so many different aspects,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick, who spends between 300 and 500 hours on each scratch built model. 香蕉视频直播淵ou have to be a draftsman and an engineer.香蕉视频直播�
While building his first Caterpillar model, Kostick emailed another hobbyist in Europe to find parts, who suggested he submit articles to Truck Model World, a European model building magazine.
香蕉视频直播淣ow when I香蕉视频直播檓 doing models, I香蕉视频直播檓 thinking about the article and the pieces I need,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Despite the success he has seen, Kostick continues to build models simply because he loves it.
香蕉视频直播淚 like the challenge of designing and building these complex models,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick. 香蕉视频直播淎nd when they香蕉视频直播檙e finished I have and a real sense of satisfaction and accomplishment at creating a one of a kind model.
香蕉视频直播淚t helps to occupy my time because my mind is always going. I can香蕉视频直播檛 sit in front of the TV and watch sports for eight hours a day,香蕉视频直播� he laughs. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 more gratifying than getting a beer belly.香蕉视频直播�
To avoid becoming burnt out from the meticulous building, Kostick spends more time on his models during the winter while his work as a heavy equipment operator with LB Chapman Construction slows down.
香蕉视频直播�(That way) by the time winter rolls around, I香蕉视频直播檓 anxious to get back in there,香蕉视频直播� he said.
When he isn香蕉视频直播檛 working or building models, Kostick spends his time playing guitar and working on his muscle car, but model building will always remain part of his life.
香蕉视频直播淥nce I retire, I hope to spend even more time dedicated to it,香蕉视频直播� said Kostick.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a lifelong thing for me. I don香蕉视频直播檛 see it fading out anytime soon.香蕉视频直播�
