Hi Everyone: I am new to the Fine Scale Community , but not to modeling. I have been modeling off and on for over 40 years, I guess. Inasmuchas modeling has imporoved infinitely in the quality of products and the avialability of subjects, I am seriously concerned about the future because, it seems to me the the hobby is getting out of reach to the yournger generations.
I was about 10 years old when I was introduced to modeling by my next door neighbor, who was about 15 years old himself.
Back then you could save your allowance and buy a good Revell model for $3.50 to 5.00, buy a tube of glue, and a set of Testors enamels; and spend an entire rainy day with friends building your kit. Of course, sometimes you didn't wait for the paint to dry before gluing it together ... and we didn't sand seams or have airbrushes for that perfect finish. But, the next day you had a model to play with !
I probably built every Monogram WWII naval aircraft three or four times after busting a landing gear on the backyard picnic table that we used as a aircraft carrier.
My point is that today, kits are running $25.00 and up to $100.00. In order to come close to the standards of skill and quality displayed on the pages of Fine Scale Modeler, you have to spend several hundreds of dollars for equipment ... airbrushes, compressors, paint (a bottle costs as much today as a model kit did when I started this hobby). With the competition being video games and television; which costs little in comparison to modeling; how do we attract younger modelers?
I think that in order for the young, potential modelers to be attracted to the hobby, manufacturers need to provide inexpensive, quality , introductory kits and tools (paints and adhesives) for kids to have fun with. The modeling skills to produce that perfect display can wait until the later years.
Modeling is now economically out-of-reach for most of the kids today who may be intersted int the hobby.
Maybe Fine Scale Modeler can devote a column to intorductory kits for the future generation?