Hello everyone, love all types of modeling; ships, planes, trains, automobiles, and armor. For models, even though I may pick up and queue a varied selection of kits, I mostly concentrate on US Marine equipment of all eras. Along with the kits, I also work on a model train layout with my train crazy four year old son.
I started like most enthusiast at a young age, took a hiatus after high school when I joined the Marines, came back for a few years during my latter years in the Corps, took another break when first married and in college, and now back into the hobby at full force.
As a teenager, I was involved with sports, music, and other activities, but it was modeling that really sharpened my skills to succeed in life (and kept me out of trouble too). I have suffered from advanced modeler syndrome from an early age, so the subject research, planning, problem solving, patience, and fine motor skills really helped develop me. I honestly believe these attributes helped me in college when earning a degree in engineering.
One of my soapbox issues in life is introducing the hobby to the young. It breaks my heart that during my visits to the hobby shop, the
majority of the patrons are adults; very rare to find someone in their
teenage years or even a parent purchasing a model for their kids. I have three kids and do not force them to participate in any activity, but I believe in leading by example and it has rubbed off. Once one of my kids shows interest in what I am doing, it is off to the hobby shop to purchase an easy kit to work on together. I found finding the right subject piece makes the difference in keeping interest. My son could care less about military equipment, but at age four, can sit will me for hours while we work together on a model train or building. Nothing is better then the quality time spent modeling and watching your child develop the fine skills and use those skills in other parts of their life.
With a busy family and work, it is tricky to find quality modeling time, but I hope to frequent these forums more often; some of the information in these threads are gold. So hello everyone and happy modeling!