The Future of Modeling hobby?

Browsing the aisles of the three LHS's that are closest to me - the higher end kits dominate the stock of aircraft. One carries about 90% hasegawa kits.

I'm guessing that there probably aren't many kids that will ENTER the modelling world by forking out $15 - 20 for a kit of a small 1/72 A/C - only to find that they need to spend at least another $10 for an eight bottle starter paint kit and $2 for glue, etc...

My tip to the LHS is... carry a mix of high and low end kits - give them something to start on. When I started, I could get a 1/72 A/C on my weekly allowance.

I wonder whether the hobby is more popular in places where the low end kits are more available ?

to keep it going, give the kits to your grand kids. With my father's help, i build my first models and now I am a fanatic

hattals.

I agree that the Hobby is expanding, at the same time it has also grown up along with the modellers and their demands.

When I started modelling a few decades ago it was mostly kids and teens that used to build plastic models, look at the average modeller now.

Many Companies like Bandai, Tomy, Takara, etc are actually toy-makers and with their items break the borders between kits and toys, which leaves the kit-makers to concentrate on the more serious modellers. Atleast that's the way i see the scene over here in japan.

Many companies that did produce a few decent but easy to build kits disappeared (aka Aurora) as I think they did not adjust to changes in the market quickly enough and are now being revived by companies like Polar Lights as lots of older modellers want them for nostalgic value..

MadModelFactory, you make a valid point, they are available, but not like when I was a kid. You have to search them (snaptite kits) out. When I was younger the local Kmart had a full aisle of kits to chose from. Now you might be lucky to find some model cars in the WalMart or KMart. The hobby is expanding, and that is a good thing, that was the point I was trying to make

Actually both Gundam and Zoid kits been around for about 20yrs.

The early Gundam kits were not snap-together as they are now, but proper plastic models.

Many Companies do make entry level Models, Revell and Monograms Snap-tite kit come to mind and so on.

My 2 cents. My concern was that the new kits being developed were to hard for kids. I wanted to know where the Bren Carrier type kits, you know simple but nice looking, new kits were. All the kits being introduced today are difficult to complete, at least to me. There did not seem to be any companies introducing simple kits to lure the youth. Well then I went to the hobby shop with my son (age 14) and was introduced to Gundams and Zoids! I guess, just as I am old fashioned in my choice of music, I am also behind the times in new type models. These kits are really cool! They have numerous skill levels and types. Well after being introducing to these Gundam/Zoid kits I feel that the hobby of building models is strong. Maybe not in the sense of building airplanes and tanks, building futuristic "sci-fi" type stuff. For those of you that have not yet built one, try building a Gundam or a Zoid, they are a very nice change of pace. Again just my 2 cents.

New stores are opening-but the Ma&Pa stores are dying. Hobby Towns are springing up selling kits at MSRP and pandering to RC cars and Nascar diecast (no offence). The one thing I never see at the LHS is: KIDS! Thank God for the Internet.

Actually something interesting happened in the Japanese Garage-kit scene.

It started out as a enthusiasts way to get kits of favorite anime characters and Mecha, from there it evolved into a few Companies producing kits for the mass-market and when the Anime spread overseas those kits were in demand too.

As a side-effect many of the kits were recast and pirated too, now licences are tougher to get hold off and a few of the main-players have disappeared.

These days if you want to get hold of good kits and similar you will have to go again to the enthusiasts shows and buy there as many of the companies that made kits either stopped or slowed down a lot in releasing kits.

Also many of the sculptors from the bigger companies have moved on into similar jobs like sculpting capsule toys and so on.

It all comes full-circle and sometimes it does so every few years, depending how the desires and wishes of the buyers change.

To start with, it seems to me that a lot of people on this forum are returning to a hobby that was INTRODUCED to them at a young age. But let's face it, no matter how you look at it, a child has very little attention span left after hours of homework, and just plain learning. I admit kids watch too much TV, and play too many video games, and so on and so forth. But I did the same thing, and I also read a lot of books when I was a teen. Lets face it though, any hobby is a money market.....and kids don't have as much of an endless supply of $$$ as an adult does.

I think that all you CAN do is to introduce it to them, and when they go through the basics of life.....school, college, careers, marriage, etc., etc. and when their patience and attention span has matured, they may look back on that and not 'return' to the hobby persay, but 'embrace' it like all of us. Just remember there are always acceptions to the rule, such as 10 year old Erika in the FSM annual.

Manufacturers just need to keep making better and better kits......so far I think Tamiya, and Trumpeters(I haven't dug into any of the other companies as of yet) has come a long way from the Revell and Monogram kits I remember from my teens.

Oh, and just for the record......while waiting for the paint, glue, or decals to dry......while waiting for more posts to threads......and the History Channel has nothing good on......I'm on the Playstation!!!! LOL I guess some things never change!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by MadModelFactory The Hobby is going as strong as always, it simply is adjusting to the current level of demand. One thing that I see hurting the Hobby is the clampdown on licenses for Kits. At the moment it seems companies are reluctant to issue licences, which means fewer kits of new subjects being produced. IMHO, people should worry less about the perceived state of Hobby and rather support it by building and showing their finished kits off.

ModelRetailer had a very good article about how model car makers getting the pinch, now this just applied to cars but you could easily transfer the scope into almost all aspects of the hobby. It talked about some of the fee's associated with kit production...

I dont worry about the state of the hobby, as long as I have an interest I will find a way to fulfill my needs and desire to stay within the hobby.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman According to FSM, 500 new shops opened last year, I'd say that says the hobby is moving forward. I don't like the prepainted stuff either, but it's today's equivilant of snap-tight. Anything that gets younger modelers into the hobby is a good thing.

But how many hobby shops closed down?

Im not trying to be the bad guy here.....This hobby will make it through and will survive but an evolution is slowly mounting....where will it lead who knows.

The Hobby is going as strong as always, it simply is adjusting to the current level of demand.

Hence we see a lot of pre-painted clear-parts, painting masks included, plated parts, etc, etc.

The AM and garage-kit market will ALWAYS be there and will as in the past supply the same type of modeller.

All it means for me is that in some areas I get a bit of extra work like stripping all THOSE plated parts to get a better finish, etc.

I like many modellers out there don't like to build Kits box-stock or even use their suggested paintscheme.

One thing that I see hurting the Hobby is the clampdown on licenses for Kits. At the moment it seems companies are reluctant to issue licences, which means fewer kits of new subjects being produced.

IMHO, people should worry less about the perceived state of Hobby and rather support it by building and showing their finished kits off.

According to FSM, 500 new shops opened last year, I'd say that says the hobby is moving forward.

I don't like the prepainted stuff either, but it's today's equivilant of snap-tight. Anything that gets younger modelers into the hobby is a good thing.

Nice and bright if we just lead a bit more youngsters into temptation...lol

One thing about modeling is the expense can be controled. Most of my "expensive" stuff (airbrush, aftermarket parts, 50 different shades of 8 different colors, etc) doesn't have to be bought be everybody for the hobby to be enjoyed.

I enjoyed it as much when I was a kid as I do now and spent a WHOLE LOT LESS. You can't do much of that with the video games and such. 50 to 60 dollars a game, like it or not.

Personally I think the hobby will survive. When all the gloss of the "quick fix" wears off, we'll still be here. If my 19 YO son wasn't autistic, I know he would be into it in a major way. His idea of a good time is to "help" me. And when he can do something himself he's estatic.

Please dont take this the wrong way.....

But this has been debated over and over, not necesarily here, but in various forums, magazines, newsletters, club meetings.....etc. I know for the last 10yrs, actually I would bet it's safe to say alot longer.

Is it attractive enough for young people to start? Doubt it seriously....Certain types of young people yes. Most: NO. Im 26 my step-daughter is 11, I have her interested in models somewhat, will it last not much longer Im afraid. That's fine though Ive exposed her to something she didnt know about until she met me. Maybe if her interest doesnt continue she'll at least introduce her kids to it. Know what her favorite thing to do was? Watch TV, thats right. Play Video games also. Reason why I say was....is after her mom and I got serious and I felt comfortable(actually when we first moved in together)...I nipped that real quick. She's a smarter more active child because of it.

Kid's today...have a "microwave"(sorry for whoever posted that somewhere, Im going to borrow it!)mentality. They dont have the focus and ambition/drive that a lot of kids from previous decades had. Heck some of my own "peers" who are adults dont! They want things easy, and right away with as little effort or work required. Im not saying all but the vast majority are this way.

What can we do? What more can we do if we are already trying as parents/concerned adults? I cant force my kid to build a model, what would be the fun in that? I sure as heck am not gonna try and force someone else's kid to build one. I can try and encourage kids/teens to pick up hobbies other than button pounding(Video Games)and Channel surfing...

What can manufacturers do? Well, see here we have a slight problem. Anyone other than me notice the growing amount of "Pre Painted" "Pro Finished" "Metal Body" "Diecast" kits coming out.....That's the Manufacturers jumping on the "microwave" wagon for the next generation.....Personally I hate these models for more than one reason. Have I bought any? Sure you bet, mostly to check them out see what they were about and to move on. Heather and I threw(and I mean really quick) together a "Pro Finish" Terry Labonte Monte Carlo that had a diecast body in 20 minutes and that was with some parts modification and some painting(Acrylics)....She hated it, I hated it and we wont have another one. She might have hated it, but other kids love them...Why becuase they can have it "NOW" or in 20 minutes....

As far as the hobby being to exclusive and expensive. I think it is heading that way quickly! Most of the "New Modelers" I see are adults returning to thier Child hood hobby, or adults who are bored and want to give it a go. That's great, but its not really helping the hobby get passed on. The only thing we can hope for is the few kids who are introduced to modeling....will return if they choose to leave or will stick with it and pass it on.

Now what can a modeler do you ask? Well, Im sure there are several things. You could go to a local HS/MiddleSchool and volunteer to start an after school club or program. We actually had a few yrs back, Might have to talk to some folks and find out what happened with it. We could donate some un-built kits to a local scouting organization. My wife is a GS leader, Im registered as a Co-Leader...and are troop of 20 girls from 10-17 have all done at least 1 model in the last 4 yrs. Some have done more, others didnt care for it but found out they like painting.....There are lots of things that could be done, and many of them could be done.

I really dont want to sound like MR. DOOM and GLOOM here thats not accomplishing anything either, Im just trying to answer the questions presented to me based upon my own eyes/experience.

So what can we do???

BTW, even though Im sure this horse has been beaten to death....some things we think are discussed enough or laid to rest need to be revived from time to time. Good Topic