Our Story

I was born in Buffalo, NY in 1979, and my lifelong love of the hobby began with a single kit — a Monogram Snap‑Tite F‑14 Tomcat. That simple snap‑together jet lit a spark that never went out. From that moment on, scale modeling became my creative outlet, my escape, and eventually the foundation of a dream I didn’t even know I had yet.

As I grew older, my interests expanded into the rich history and engineering of World War I and World War II subjects. Tanks, aircraft, ships — the stories behind them fascinated me just as much as the builds themselves. Brands like Tamiya, Takom, Border, Hasegawa, and Fujimi became my constant companions as I dove deeper into the machines and moments that shaped the world.

But the best part of this journey has been sharing it with my kids. Introducing them to Gundam, anime model kits, and the joy of building has brought everything full circle. Watching them snap together their first Gunpla or proudly show off a finished kit reminds me of that same excitement I felt with my first Tomcat.

Our passion has turned into a family adventure. We travel to IPMS shows all over the Southeast, exploring incredible builds, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and celebrating the hobby together. Those trips — the long drives, the hotel breakfasts, the shared excitement — have become some of our favorite memories.

All of this led to the creation of Rising Sun Hobby & Games. It’s more than a business. It’s the next chapter in a lifelong love of modeling, a way to share the hobby with my kids, and a place where builders of all ages can find inspiration, community, and the brands that shaped my journey.

Whether you’re into WWI biplanes, WWII armor, or the latest Gundam release, I’m here to help you build something amazing.