First of all TB, let me say I always enjoy your musings. This one however is particularly interesting because its not as simple as it sounds.

When I was a kid it was the Airfix poly bag kits, 1/72 - 1/76. Simple, straight forward. Build them in an hour or two, wait for the glue to dry, (sometimes), and play with them. Paint??? What was that? They were pocket money kits, simple and basic. But how much fun were they? So much fun, so many happy times, never thinking I would become a serious modeler. Monogram, Revell, Aurora, Frog. Wow, have kids ever had it so good?

Now kit makers strive for serious authenticity even in small scale stuff and sadly they are not pocket money models anymore. On the one hand this must be applauded, but on the other its a little sad. I wonder if kids these days get the same sense of fun and adventure, because it wasn't just the kits. It was the Rat Patrol and Combat and comics like the Haunted Tank and the Brit war comics like Commando and such. As children then our parents, or grandparents had been through two world wars. Issues were much clearer cut and life was a whole lot less complicated.

Model kits were a lot less complicated and so were kids interests. No computers or mobile phones. The kits were definately clunky by todays standards, but by crikey, I sure miss 'em.

Dodgy

 

When I was a kid it was the Airfix poly bag kits, 1/72 - 1/76. Simple, straight forward. Build them in an hour or two, wait for the glue to dry, (sometimes), and play with them. Paint??? What was that? They were pocket money kits, simple and basic. But how much fun were they? So much fun, so many happy times, never thinking I would become a serious modeler. Monogram, Revell, Aurora, Frog. Wow, have kids ever had it so good?

Now kit makers strive for serious authenticity even in small scale stuff and sadly they are not pocket money models anymore. On the one hand this must be applauded, but on the other its a little sad. I wonder if kids these days get the same sense of fun and adventure, because it wasn't just the kits. It was the Rat Patrol and Combat and comics like the Haunted Tank and the Brit war comics like Commando and such. As children then our parents, or grandparents had been through two world wars. Issues were much clearer cut and life was a whole lot less complicated.

Model kits were a lot less complicated and so were kids interests. No computers or mobile phones. The kits were definately clunky by todays standards, but by crikey, I sure miss 'em.

 

There was just a post on several of the facebook grous I am in that tear down the "nostalgia" of the old kits, and push the older, 1/48th Tamiya single engine WWII fighters as first kits.  

I am torn on the subject, as the cost (moreso than the nostalgia) of those old revell kits is what would bring the younger element into the modeling fold.  I understand some of those old Tamiya kits arent super expensive, but I would much rather spend half as much for an oldere revell or airfix kit for my little guy to build than something of the Tamiya nature....

Dodgy

When I was a kid it was the Airfix poly bag kits, 1/72 - 1/76. Simple, straight forward. Build them in an hour or two, wait for the glue to dry, (sometimes), and play with them. Paint??? What was that? They were pocket money kits, simple and basic. But how much fun were they? So much fun, so many happy times, never thinking I would become a serious modeler.

I'm with you, Dodgy - I remember those Airfix poly-bag kits very fondly and I think that's why we're still modellers.  Partly because we wanted to build better models then (and some of us stuck with it in order to do so), and partly because of the nostalgia we have now, looking back on those happier, simpler, times, even if - like me - we didn't quite stick with it

New kits aimed at that market - simple starter kits with paint & glue included so anyone can build a model, just to try it, are what will help to secure the future of our hobby.  They're great gifts to give to kids (and sometimes adults) as an alternative to something expensive that needs batteries and makes bleeping noises.  If, as a boy, I'd been presented with a complex, clearly expensive, high-quality kit with a couple of hundred parts and a whole book of instructions, it would have put me right off, probably for good.  But my Dad saying "here, let's build a Spitfire", with a simple 20-or-30-piece kit that we could make in an hour or so - well, that was different.

Airfix still make such starter kits, as do Revell, and there are probably others out there, too - long may they continue to recruit tomorrow's builders!

Good subject for a thread, TB.

 In my early days (50's) while growing up as a single child....         

...........these were my friends.

 Hawk, Novo (ex/Frog), Aurora, Monogram, Renwal, Lindberg, Revell and matchbox. And I've probably missed a few.

I only recall revelle and monogram as a kid.  Today kids have simple offering in subjects they care about.  Gundam, sci-fi etc., not exclusively of course.  And I think there are entry level aircraft that aren't too expensive.   Not sure about simple armor.   Car models can be found for reasonable prices and are great starter kits.  

Frankly, I think the argument that 'kids don't model today because kits are too expensive' is a bunch of baloney. That Airfix series 1 single engine WW2 kit that was a $1 in the early 70s would be around $7 now, accounting for just inflation. Other factors such as increases in labor and environmental laws would have to be factored in as well. Yet today, an Airfix WW2 single engine series 1 is around $8-$10 MSRP. And with a little looking around, can frequently be had for $6-$7.

I think the nostalgia glasses are distorting people's perception greatly on this. While the price in raw terms has undoubtedly increased, the relative amount money required to make the purchase in its era has stayed fairly similar. And while sure, there are a lot of much more expensive kits out there today, they are frequently vastly better in quality than a corresponding kit would have been 50 years ago. Kids are managing to acquire $60 video games all the time somehow these days; they could get a $60 Tamiya armor kit as well. They're just choosing not to. 

Hutch6390

New kits aimed at that market - simple starter kits with paint & glue included so anyone can build a model, just to try it, are what will help to secure the future of our hobby.  They're great gifts to give to kids (and sometimes adults) as an alternative to something expensive that needs batteries and makes bleeping noises.  If, as a boy, I'd been presented with a complex, clearly expensive, high-quality kit with a couple of hundred parts and a whole book of instructions, it would have put me right off, probably for good.  But my Dad saying "here, let's build a Spitfire", with a simple 20-or-30-piece kit that we could make in an hour or so - well, that was different. Airfix still make such starter kits, as do Revell, and there are probably others out there, too - long may they continue to recruit tomorrow's builders!

I completely agree Hutch. The starter kits are definately a great idea. I recently purchased the Airfix P40 starter kit as a project for my 10 year old grandaughter and I. The choice of model was hers and she loved it because of the shark mouth artwork. Will she go on to be a modeler? Who knows, but in the meantime we are having fun and spending quality time together.

MJames70

I think the nostalgia glasses are distorting people's perception greatly on this. While the price in raw terms has undoubtedly increased, the relative amount money required to make the purchase in its era has stayed fairly similar. And while sure, there are a lot of much more expensive kits out there today, they are frequently vastly better in quality than a corresponding kit would have been 50 years ago. Kids are managing to acquire $60 video games all the time somehow these days; they could get a $60 Tamiya armor kit as well. They're just choosing not to. 

You make some good points. Prices are relative and many kids do seem to have acess to funds unheard of in my time. Nostalgia can distort things also. But as I look back at my childhood compared with that of my grandchildren, my time was so much less complicated. I enjoy those trips down memory lane to the days of comics, black and white TV, the old poly bag kits and no PC. But I don't live there, I just like to visit now and then. Today I am amazed at what is available for the modeler, old, or young. The references, the after market products, the painting systems and forums like this. But. I'm very grateful to those old kit companies and associated influences that led me to where I am today and hopefully the starter kits produced by Airfix and Revell, that Hutch referred to, will do the same for the billy lids of today. (Sorry- billy lids - kids).

A few of the Monogram Vietnam era "Brown Water Navy" boats were reissued in the mid 1990s. I was stationed in Redstone Arsenal when I bought them, along with a Revell Redstone rocket kit.

The RAG boat was also reissued with a Huey helicopter in a Rambo combo kit pack.

I agree that as a younger modeler, Mongram was the better company for starter model kits. Revell kits were more involved and had flimsier sprue trees. When you opened the box, half the parts were off the trees and you were lucky if everything was there. Aurora was the same way, but Monogram had way better sprue trees and often simpler, more robust construction, less flash, etc.

If I was a teenager and saw the exact same subject in a Revell box and a Monogram box, I knew to grab the Monogram box (space shuttle, F-16 jump to mind).

Revell made very complicated stock automobile kits. Even requiring the builder to add chrome trim themselves, opening doors and hood, etc. Monogram stock automobile kits usually had an interior tub, fixed doors and an opening hood.

I don't think it was until I was a lieutenant in Germany that I started delving into Revell kits because they were also released by Revell Germany.

Monogram kits were (and still are) perfect starter kits back in the 70s and 80s'. Easy and not too complicated to follow and you can build a nice kit in the end. Oh the glory days of my youth building those Monogram cars and aircraft kits. I still love them now.

Ay Mate!

 By crikey! You know I still have some of those old bagged kits? They are even today, Fun to Build! I will latch on to these from time to time at, are you ready? Train Shows!

Does anyone here remeber the revell model club back in the 70's:  they would send you a small bag kit every month I loved it I would wait at the mailbox every month for my next kit

Cafguy

Does anyone here remeber the revell model club back in the 70's:  they would send you a small bag kit every month I loved it I would wait at the mailbox every month for my next kit

I actually still have one; the F-111 swing wing fighter (really just a bomber). That kit was a nightmare to build with all the moving parts and the cockpit capsule that wouldn't stay in place. It had parts for a USAF and USN version which was just a different nose cone and shorter wingtips.

My kits came in a brown cardboard box with the artwork pasted onto the outside of the box.

That is so cool: I buillt and detroyed all of mine lol.  They sent me a viking ship model one month,  that became my favorite model ever.  got me into this hobby, for some reason that was the first FUN model I ever built. wish i could find one and build it agian !!

Do I remember;

   Oh ,you betchya! The Postman would laugh as he handed my Grandma the box. "Well , here's another month he won't get in your hair" Was usually what he said. The best ones I remember were the Multi-Piece model cars. I figured out how the things went together and was very, very careful with my glue. I would apply a dot and rub it down the joining surface with a Q tip. Then put it together.

     PACTRA!(NO brush marks) Paint would then be applied. I think it was those that taught me how to Dry-Brush the chrome trim that was of course, molded on . Then of course the Bigger simple A.M.T. Curbside,  Body,Windows, Interior tub and Screw on Bottoms cars .Oh! and the Hammer the Wheels on the Axle. I always would mess up a wheel cover or two( That was before soft tires and individual wheel covers.)

      Aurora's F-111, That was my first modern jet large scale beast. The cockpit capsule kept falling out if you bumped it! Monogram Cars. Now I loved their Classic Cars. But for Starter models, Their 1/24 scale model cars were the best. Well Molded. Simple and great finishes on the colored plastic. Buff them up when done and " Bob's Yer Uncle"!

I did'nt want to hijack your post and change the subject sorry in advance for that.  I always have recommended the tamiya jeep willy 20 dollar kit for people that want to get started in te hobby.  Its a flawless kit that we all enjoy building

Cafguy

I did'nt want to hijack your post and change the subject sorry in advance for that.  I always have recommended the tamiya jeep willy 20 dollar kit for people that want to get started in te hobby.  Its a flawless kit that we all enjoy building

 

I'll second that if you mean the newer one. It's a great little gem of a kit. I haven't built the older one so I can't say anything about it.

Gamera

I'll second that if you mean the newer one. It's a great little gem of a kit. I haven't built the older one so I can't say anything about it.

 

I recall doing the 1/35 or so, Monogram jeep, and halftrack and tons of other stuff.  We barely painted them.  We did the jeeps like the Rat Patrol stuff.  This back in the 1960's sometime.  We were in our early teens.  I suppose we not real small kids.  I even made up a guy with a "Bush hat" using card and putty and I put on a bunch of Jerry cans left from other destroyed Monogram kits.  This was years before any kits from Tamiya.  They were just toys to be played with.  My friend and I built "forts" and air fields and other things in yards and basements.  We had fun.  Much later, years, some us left, a few kept them going by painting and other weird stuff.  I never built snap together kits way back then.  They did not exist.  Every thing was buildable and so, to me, is.  Modelling and tube stryrene kits....there you are.

yes I do mean the latest kits