Average age of everyone and modeling's life lessons?

I'm 25, I wouldn't call what I did when I was 10 modeling so I'm basically just getting into the hobby. My friend has done it off and on for years and he got me "back" into it. As for my profession, I have my BA in government and I'm basically studying full time for the LSAT. I have awesomely supportive parents and I run job sites for my dad, he's a general contractor (I started when I was 13 and have worked my way through school and will work through law school too). I basically model at night to clear my mind and it's absolutely fantastic, very relaxing. Better than a zen garden too, I love planes so it's win/win.

No lawyer jokes please, I want to go into tax law. I too cannot stand trial lawyers

Hi I'm Richard. I'm 48. I think I'm a little late with this reply, just happened to bump into it.  I build all genres from dios, aircraft, AFV's wheeled and tracked and ships plus a little of Sci-Fi.

The usual scenario unfolds : Started in this hobby 40 years ago when I was eight yrs old. Back in those days we only had Airfix kits available only at the Armforces NAAFI and later at Robinsons and Cold Storage department stores. I stopped briefly during my teens and college days, you know "Girls" and "Disco" intervened. Took it up seriously after I started work.

I'm in Advertising. My busy schedules now only permit me to do sporadic building and with the available fantastic details, the builds take longer and production is slow. None the less I'm still enjoying the hobby.

Lives lesson: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. The hobby has been a good distressing regime for me and learning that true friends have respect for your hobby.

Cheers,

Richard

Thanks for the reply Hammer! 

I have noticed you hold back replies until you are ready or see the thread is worthy of comment, in a small way it has validated this thread. Also in a way I feel like a younger version of you without the military career.

Haven't decided on another tally as it was proven the average age is 40 years young, keep the replies flowing & I will decide on another tally or not soon.

Thanks people, I really enjoy reading everyone's life lessons learned at the hobby bench!

I was about your age when I got "serious" about building models, meaning that at age 14-15, I started going for the realistic look, and started building dioramas full-bore... Oddly enough, that's about the same time-frame that I learned of Shep Paine and his dioramas for Monogram..  The first one was the B-17. 

All during my "early" years (from about 13-30), I never quit building models...  There was a group of 4 of us, all about the same age, that built models together in my folk's basement.  Dad let me use his old workbench, a monsterous affair about 12 feet long with 6-inch wide shelves standing 3 feet high at the back of it.  Any given day during the summer, at least two of us were building something there, sharing paints and the spare parts bins... 

One summer, we built a diorama in the basement that was like 12 x 12 feet square and had complete (for us, anyway) Pacific airfield on it in 1/48th scale.   We were all fans of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" and formed our own "Squadron".  The background was that  we were a combination of "Black Sheep" and "The A-Team", lol... Mercenaries fighting for the US in the PTO during WW2...

I had about 6 AMT F4U Corsairs on it, along with a couple Monogram Dash Fours, and a Revell B-25 (our squadron Hack), tents for us, and control tower.  All the strutures were detailed on the inside, each one of us trying to out-do the other with creature comforts, lol...  Also had a couple Wildcats, Spitfires, and even a "captured" Zero and AMT Ju-88 (Dunno how we got that one) and a P-36 Mohawk (AMT again) ...

I never "gave up" modeling for girls or anything else until I was about 40, lol...  Even married, if a wife didn't like 'em, she went, not the hobby... (Actually, it's a lot more complicated than that, but you get the idea- Wimmens don't matter when it comes to my hobbies).

I clock in at the ripe old age of 15. Don't get much building done due to sports and school.

Lessons: Patience and an appreciation of better work than mine.

I'm 61, and have been back into modeling for about 10 years now.  Built cars, airplanes, and an occasional ship straight out of the box using tube glue and brush paints when I was 12-15, but gave it up for surfing, girls, and rock&roll (not necessarily in that order).  I have learned over the years that modeling can be an excellent addition to those three passtimes, but is still a poor substitute for either.      

Tom

Ah, model building as cheep therapy. I need to remember that if I need an excuse to get another model.....

Thanks

ok,, I think I get the jist with out reading all the pages..lol

45... been building since I can remember.. first kits I remember are,,a 3 pak of AMT ?? cars, built them with Seal-ALL.. I don't recomend that !!  lol

life lesson.... ummmm... dont let the Stash... get you down.. its fun..like a library...and find the time to build when you can,,, its like therapy.. but cheaper..

SuppressionFire, i'm so sorry to hear that!

Do I understand it correctly that your ex did it? Anyhow that happened to me some time ago...

Now regardless who does it - I think we all agree models are not toys. So destroying them in anger is something like burning books or destroying goods of art and culture, IMO. Anyhow that's how I felt when mine were f-d up - over some stupid argument.

I'm still not 100% sure what to think about it... As long we are alive looks like we still can build something, right? Keep it up, 'till next time

Pawel

You just reminded me of another "life lesson" regarding models... Now that we're in the digital age of photography, the lesson's title is: "TAKE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING YOU BUILD!"

I just flat couldn't afford to photograph all the models I've built over the last 40+ years ( I figure I've done around 2000 or so) using film...  The cost of the film and the processing would be astronomical with the number of pictures I take digitally..  Plus, back in the day, if you wanted to send your work into a magazines in color, you had to use slide film, which was a more expensive yet, and had to have an SLR camera... My old Kodak 110 just woudn't cut it... 

 I COULD take some pics with it though, but even 1/32 scale models were blurry as hell if I got withinh 6 inches... Plus, the off-set angle between the lens and the viewfinder would always mean that I "chopped off" either the cowl or tail...

I've built some dioramas that were, IMNSHO, pure works of art that I can never look at again, simply because they exist only in my mind's eye now...  I've got two that are in museums.. Ones you never heard of, but they're museums nonetheless, lol...  Plus a number of comission builds that are God knows where...

I miss them... *Sniff*...

However, the stuff I build for me, I usually tear down after a few months and "DRMO" about everything on the diorama without a lick of remorse now (except for my "Mauldins"), because I went digital... 

No matter how many times I calculate the average age it always ends up at 40 years old. Just a quick look at the last replies and I would say them alone average 40. Milairjunkie was the first reply and also had the average age pin pointed WAY back on the first page.

I do enjoy reading the comments and possibly I will calculate a new average starting after the last tally.

Thanks again for the replies & life lessons.

A recent trip back home had me realize how models can represent hours, days & weeks of time spent building only to be destroyed in seconds. A refection of respect for you & your possessions. In haste to leave home I had left all my completed models in the curio cabinet, some of which had won awards at the regional level. Two of the best builds were destroyed by the one I left. I was ok with this as the anger had to be unleashed somehow. Lesson & techniques learned on those models lives on  as I know each build is a bit better than the last.

R.I.P 'Spring Break Through, Hungary 1945' and the T-34 M1940 that did so well at the contests. Thanks FSM for posting the diorama in the recent online readers gallery. My first adult diorama represented more than a scene on a 6" x 6" tile, it was a chapter of my life from the fall of 06' to the spring of 07'

43, started building at age 5 or 6, my first was a (revell?) landing craft tender with a bunch of rocket launchers on it and big doors at the front. I got it at the supermarket, i looked up, and there it was...and I had to have it!

Well my parents knew nothing but a hard life growing up and as adults so they knew nothing of model building, but I figured out (most) of it by myself, floated pretty well in the but but had this odd thing about coming apart! hmm...wonder what would cause THAT?????? ( i learned that answer many years laterbtw).

 I lived in a tiny town that had a tiny department store that had a small shelf of models....and that was it, I was hooked for life.   My Genres have changed, I have exerienced just about all of them. I slowed down but didnt stop while in the military, and cracking plastic on a fresh kit at the end of a college semester was a fantastic stress releiver.

Well, I'm 19 and I started modelling with my dad around 8 years old (but broke all those kits playing with them). The first kit I built by myself was the Hobbycraft CF-105 when I was 15. 

Two life lessons;

it's worth going out to buy primer rather then airbrushing  2 and a 1/2 bottles of paint over 3 days (and counting) on a CH-149;

as a veterinary medicine student, I've discovered the joy of repurposing quality tweezers and disposable scalpel blades.

61 ... been modeling since the age of 7-9 (somewhere in there).

Life lesson's ... Patience, patience and patience.  Modeling got me through a lot of hard times.

15.

Making models has helped me to become very patient. And I do enjoy the occasional video game, but I am not playing them for hours like I know some other kids are.

26. Been doing it on and off since I was 10. Built an Apache with white glue and then an A-10 that was more tube glue than plastic. But always learning something new and getting better.

My life lesson, at all of 26 I guess, is take things slow and relax. After my first attempt at rescribing a model, its certainly a poignant one.

32, married, two year old running around

Same story as the multitudes before...airplanes as a pre-teen, and teen.  Got away for a while, and about six years ago, I started building cars (I was an autobody painter, what better way to refinish a car than with actual auto paint and clear), then one day, my brother stops by the apartment and sees the cars and tells me "I always loved those airplanes that you used to build"...curse him...now I am hooked on aircraft!

Lessons learned:  ALWAYS tell the spousal unit when she askswhen you got a latest model "I've had that one for a while..." sometimes it works, sometimes ......

also, build whenever you can, but try to make timeif time is hard to come by...an hour before bed may not be long enoughmost ofthe time, but some assembly is better than none...

47, single

Been modeling since age 6 or 7, took a break and did 1-1 scale movie props and costumes for about 10+ years and got back into regular models about 2 years ago.

Lessons learned, Jump in and just  do it, don't be afraid of trying new things and improvise, learn from others  and you can never do enough research.

E...

I'm 31. As a child I mostly build legos and later on a few models. I'm clumsy but I have lots of fun with the hobby. I'm single and the stash keeps growing I no longer let the girlfriend sneak into my modeling room, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Life lesson: modeling (and a few other activities) makes my life fun. I'm never bored when I'm at home and I'm exited about getting out of work and getting home everyday. When I'm old I don't want to remember that I used all my free time watching TV programs just to spend my time. 

57 and counting.Happy to have found my way back .stash is growing faster than the building. keeps me sane. R.J. 

simpilot34,

Yes some WIP's would be interesting, sounds like they would qualify for this GB as well.

Railfan 233,

You mentioned a plan for your life? I would like to read it, post on this thread or PM me. I think it will be very interesting and be a nice conclusion to the 'Life lessons' question posted at the beginning of this thread.

Railfan 233

SuppressionFire:

Woah! Been off line for a week and see there is catching up to do. Great stuff and looking forward to reading all the replies... Whats this about stick and tissue models? Interisting to say the least.. any WIP's?

 

Stick-and-tissue models? I work on the ones I have very speratically, so I can't post offitial WIP photos, but give me a few days, and I'll have a photo of a completed one up.

It's interesting, really, to build one, since you don't have a lot of detail, just bracing and pieces required for structural integrity.

Mabe I ought to get another one to work on. After all, they are only $7.00 for a cheeper, smaller kit

...and there are PLENTY of FREE downloadable and printable plans available on the net. Get some sheet balsa a balsa stripper and go for it. You can use any of the colored craft tissues for covering as well. I have a Beech Staggerwing I started a few years back. So far it has cost me about $5 AUD. Peanut scale (13 inch span).

SuppressionFire

Woah! Been off line for a week and see there is catching up to do. Great stuff and looking forward to reading all the replies... Whats this about stick and tissue models? Interisting to say the least.. any WIP's?

Stick-and-tissue models? I work on the ones I have very speratically, so I can't post offitial WIP photos, but give me a few days, and I'll have a photo of a completed one up.

It's interesting, really, to build one, since you don't have a lot of detail, just bracing and pieces required for structural integrity.

Mabe I ought to get another one to work on. After all, they are only $7.00 for a cheeper, smaller kit

I guess I'm in group 10 - 66 years old in 82 days (also the day I retire).  Been modeling more or less steadly since the summer of 1953.  Life lesson learned: Always remember Rule # 1 *.

*Rule number 1:  DooDoo happens!

(this is after all a family site!)

I guess i'm in group 1 at 37years...Life lessons well i expect people to do whats in their own best interests.....That philosophy came about after a bitter divorce which cost me multiples of thousands.....But my current wife is the one to grow old with...hopefully...

  Thanks. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees my view. Materialistic, demanding, and self-centred may be an understatement for some of the people at school.

I have always beleaved in not caring about what I drive, but what I arrive to. Infact, I'm saving up for a new Jalopy, eather a 49 Chevy 1 1/2 ton stakebed/flatbed truck or a 56 Chevy 3/4 ton wrecker. See them here under "Trucks":  http://dansgarage.net/ ) If I can find one, I may try to get a station-wagen (I know, it's hyphened, that's how I spell out some things)

I accually have my life almost completely planned out. If you want to see what I have in mind, let me know and I'll post it. I never cared much for being popular or in the "in" crowd.

 Funny thing accually, I'm trying to avoid popularity like I'm trying to avoid death (I have been sucessful for 16 years and counting, hoping to stay alive for a long time) yet, I appear to be the most popular person in school (everyone knows my name, yet I have never seen 98 % of them) I can't explain it. Mabe it's because I'm trying to avoid attention.

If my generation was growing up like I am, then we would have nothing to worry about.

I'm still trying to find a jalopy to avoid attention. Not to mention, if it is already beat-up, I won't have to worry about people crashing into it, on purpose or accidental 

SuppressionFire

Railfan 233 said:

Life lesson?  live a good life, get away from technology (only use it when necessary) have fun with my good friends (all 6 of them) run at the first sign of trouble, and use your hobbies to relax. And for pete's sake, don't drop the hobby-knife with a fresh blade on your foot!

That is some of the best advice yet!

If all kids in North America could follow this advice there would be a lot less problems with your generation. Sounds like you found girls your age are very materialistic, demanding and self centered. I found some remain this way for life!

Its not what you are driving in, the destination is more important. Better to have a few close friends than be popular with everyone in school, reality sets in for the 'in' crowd after graduation.

Sometime I wonder why I had to learn most lessons the hard way, was it destiny or simple as choosing the wrong path? The important thing is to learn from mistakes and not repeat them. It seems like you are on the correct path and are making good choices for yourself. Good job!

AMEN Brother!!! Didn't have my first gf till I was 22 so there is no rush. Always had good friends though!!

Railfan 233 said:

Life lesson?  live a good life, get away from technology (only use it when necessary) have fun with my good friends (all 6 of them) run at the first sign of trouble, and use your hobbies to relax. And for pete's sake, don't drop the hobby-knife with a fresh blade on your foot!

That is some of the best advice yet!

If all kids in North America could follow this advice there would be a lot less problems with your generation. Sounds like you found girls your age are very materialistic, demanding and self centered. I found some remain this way for life!

Its not what you are driving in, the destination is more important. Better to have a few close friends than be popular with everyone in school, reality sets in for the 'in' crowd after graduation.

Sometime I wonder why I had to learn most lessons the hard way, was it destiny or simple as choosing the wrong path? The important thing is to learn from mistakes and not repeat them. It seems like you are on the correct path and are making good choices for yourself. Good job!

Well, SuppressionFire, I'm a wild-card here. (assuming I'm not too late for the bandwagen)

I'm 16, and I don't want a girlfriend yet (if possible, avoid at all cost) It's not that I'm messed-up in the hed, it's the fact that all of the girls I see at school or around town are completely NUTS! (that explains why I'd rather have a jalopy with all rust, ripped upholstery, and cracked windowsover a brand-new car)

    I'm serious, they want everything there way (it sounds more like they are ordering from Burger King, insted of having a conversation) and they want to, or actively partake in very questionable (and a majority of the time illigal) activities. I don't know what's going on in the rest of the U.S.A., or the rest of the world, but I don't want a piece of what's happening in my downtown.

Life lesson?  live a good life, get away from technology (only use it when necissary) have fun with my good friends (all 6 of them) run at the first sign of trubble, and use your hobbies to relax. And for pete's sake, don't drop the hobby-knife with a fresh blade on your foot!