When did you start Modeling?

Mine was an 1/72 A-1 Skyraider from Airfix. Actually it was me and two of my friends built it in the early 70's. Each of us could not afford to buy one alone so we combine our allowance together. I built the fuselage, the other two built the wing and weapon.

The first one that was built by me alone ws the Airfix 1/72 Boulton Paul Defiant. No paint was used.

The first serious one(involving painting, puttying and sanding) was the Tamiya 1/100 F-4E Phantom.

Almost 12 years ago, thinking about retirement within the next 15 years or so, I had to find a hobby with suits me. Because I worked as an Aircraft engineer for 30 years, and the last 5 years as a Maintenance Controller I liked building aircraft models.
At that time I did found an Article in Finescale Modeler from late Les Sund about making metal polished models. And from that time on I became involved in aircraft model building.

Two years ago. my 1st kit was an Airfix/Smithsonian Harrier which i´ve nicknamed "Cow" because incorrect paint gave it a black-and-white camo scheme.

My first kit was a 6" long Space Shuttle. All white, no paint, my dad had to put the decals on for me! I was 7 yrs. old, I'm 28 now and I think I've learned a little since then. Now I scratchbuild, enter model contests and win $! (Albeit tiny amounts) but the pride is all I care about!

I started in the 50's with the old box scale Aurora kits. I dont remember which one was fist but I did the Me-109, P-40, Zero, Spitfire, the Vertol (remember that one?) and everything else I could get on my allowance. Sometimes you had to save for two or three weeks to get the one you wanted. We all thought that all fighters in the world had the same dimensions, cuz the models did. I also did some of the Pyro replica guns and still have them, as well as the old Aurora? model of the Arizona which I plan to repair(40 years stored in my folks cellar did it in a bit (still all the parts are there, so I guess I can do the rebuild).

Funny how the years pile up. It seems like yesterday when no one ever thught of detailing anything now we research everything. Guess we find it relaxing. (I do)