What kind of a modeler are you?

Well I am 50. I built models as a kid. My cousin who was quite a bit older than me got me started in the hobby. i was really impressed witn the neat stuff he had on his shelves and got hooked. I modelled until I discovered girls. (what a waste of time and money! lol) It took a heart attack and advice from my doctor to bring me back in the fold. I enjoy researching my projects, and do most of my modelling at work. I have a bench with all the bells and whistles made up and hidden in a corner of the plant. The boss dosen't mind because I am with maintenance, if everything is running, out of site out of mind. I am always bulding cabenets to hold my stuff, and have started to build a small paint booth. At first the guys thought I was nuts! but now I have visitors coming in and out for a cup of coffee and to see what is going on. And they are all experts on what I should do next. I shudder when the touchers come in. you know the ones. Big hands, motor sounds and gun reports abound as one of your tanks leave the shelf and head for the table. "lets play war". Well thats me, its nice to be back.

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm more glad than anything to find out that there are enough 'younger' modelers out there. It's the one thing any hobby really needs to stay alive and progress!

Well, many moons ago I was a "younger" modeler, too!
Started building when I was about 6 or 7, with Aurora monsters and Bandai 1/48 armor. Then came the Monogram and Revell aircraft, and the Monogram 1/32 armor series. Got into building vinyl and resin garage kits (mostly Japanese monsters), and then seriously got back into armor about 5 or 6 years ago.

Now I'm 40! Funny how that sneaks up on you![:0]

I'm 46 and some hobby shop owners treat ME like I'm just some visitor.. which I am. However, it doesn't hurt for them to talk to you rather than just sit behind the counter watching Days of our Lives and eating a sub. ON the other hand, if you're in the Milwaukee area, stop at Big Bear Hobbies. Robert (not Shermanfreak) is really a cool owner.
No, we can't blame video games for kids not being interested in models. I don't know what we can 'blame', but I think my choice of accurate, excellent kits is MUCH higher than it was when I was a kid. This is probably because ALL of the modelers are letting manufacturers know what they want. Maybe it's the perceived complexity of these kits that scares some folks away or the PRICE! Who knows.
All I can say to you younger people out there is have fun. Who cares if anybody else makes models when you do? I was the only one in my peer group who kept building after junior high (yes, I still had time for a girls), and was looked at as strange by my friends who stopped. It was just something more I did while working on my car, cruising, saving up for a Harley, working, dating, skiing, skateboarding, etc, etc, etc!

Ron

Funny you should say that. i have a particular store in my town where owner seems to be the same way. it maybe becausae he is primarily a railroad builder and my local Hobby Town USA seems to be more concerned with the "big money" RC racers and other expensive RC stuff. My only motivation has primarily been myself and the conventions hat i attend out of town. This forum is the only place i can really 'talk' to other modelers.

glenoakdrummer2005, I agree with you. There ARE young modellers, but not nearly enough. To be honest though, I don't know whether anyone else had this experience, but for me when I was first getting into it, I had a really hard time, as I had very little support. My parents were ok enough with it to encourage it, but never really partook in it. However, the biggest discouragements came from my hobby shop. This particular store (which I still frequent on occasion out of necessity) is one of the oldest in my city, but I found the owner to not be completely helpful to me. He never seemed to take a kid as a serious modeler. Albeit, i was not at the time, but he didn't help that. To him, I felt like just another couple bucks in his pocket.
We can say it's video games, or tv, or whatever. However, the fact is the indistry itself has to play an active part in trying to lure the younger market, to make it interesting for them.
Recently, at a hobby expo I attended, it was great to see one store giving snap-together models away to young kits, albeit they had to sit there with their parents and build them. It was great to see so many people getting their children into it. It's this kind of action that more manufacturers/retailers should follow, as ultimately it creates a stronger customer base for them.

Funny you should mention that about you wife used to think it "child's play". Mine did too unitl I started winning trophies! No money yet though. But she know knows that there are those who appreciate my work even though she could care less. I feel that now she just thinks it's better than me spending money on smoking, drinking, and going to clubs and most importantly "picking up chicks" to quote gnsnow.LOL

I'm 37 and I got into the fray when I was around 8 or so. Got really serious about it (bought an airbrush) when I was in college. There's nothing else that really compares to this hobby, but the younger generation here in the Philippines have a lot of hobby choices available to them. Most of the people who see me modeling tell me they don't have the patience for this craft. My wife once thought it was child's play. Now she looks at it as an "income-generating possibility". I look at it as a way to relax. And meet new friends who share a passion not many really understand.

But it IS an art form...

I'm 32, I built a ton of models as a young'n and I got pretty darn good at it, but I gave it up when I turned 17 and spent more time in my car picking up chicks than hanging out at the house. I got back into modeling about a year or so ago when I was looking for some hobby that didn't keep me away from my wife and kids too much, and didn't cost as much as my Jetskis (driving around picking up chicks is definitely out). I have accumulated enough kits and future project ideas to keep me interested for the duration (hopefully a long duration).

P.S. - I also went back to school and I'm in my last year, and I at one time owned an Atari 2600, and I even upgraded to the 5200, but my parents spent more time on it than I did.

Speaking of spreading the hobby, my new community service may be teaching younger kids how to build models!

Well, I'm not in my teens, but I am just 23, which also seems to be something of a rarity in the forum. I like making plastic models because it's a creative act with tangible results, which makes it more gratifying than writing, my other hobby. Also, it has something to do with history, my job, and it's always interesting and fun for me to play with history like that. I play video games as well, just ask shrikes, and do not share in the animosity for them. I must admit that video gams are a bit of a drain on creative energy though and in that sense they have been detrimental to my model-kit building.

WOW, okay guys, some of that hurt!!!! JUst because our generation grew up with video games, ouch!!! That was low, but hey, the truth is that there are young modelers in the world, but not enough of them!!! Trust me, I'm one of those few! At least the ones who are young, don't take it seriously, I know when I joind the forum, I was fresh to all modeling fields spare unpainted junker car models, my skills have multiplied and don't let my one star rating fool you, I can hang in there with the best of you guys! The truth is that this is an aging hobby, and I think it is our duty to get our peers(for the teens here) and our children/local kids(for the rest of you) involved! And YES, finnally some other frantic builder. If you read my last post in the armor section, you'll see my busy schedule. I rebuild and scratchbuild faster than most dream. With youth, comes creativity and speed. But trust, We are out here, we being the youth of this hobby! And we have alot of talent, so all of you "elders" should keep in mind, we may have some tips for you too!!!!!

QUOTE: [i] Yeah right, I am 14 and i didn,ty grow up wi video games, we put firecrackers in our models and throught themat stuff..

MOOO WA-HA-HA!! So did we! I don't think the Major or anybody else is saying video games aren't fun. Like I said, a lot of my students who are very bright do a LOT of video games and are very creative in my classes. I do think it does take up time that was once spent on modeling... not that getting rid of vid. games will bring a younger person into modeling!

I think all of us here are pretty much on the same page about model making... it's a lot of fun. Otherwise we wouldn't be on this page, right? I'd imagine the old guys used to blame TV for my generation's disinterest in something. Who knows.

Ron

I myself am just your basic modeler,I started back in 67 and have been doing it ever since that time.I don't think that the computer age has wiped this out, due to that I do travel this nation alot and see a renewed interest in modeling.Also since the time of man,he has allways built in one form or another,a working picture of his ideals.This is how modeling got started,someone whittling on a piece of wood or folding a piece of paper to form and object.This is all modeling,its just that we(the older generation)has not taken the time to teach or harvest the younger people into something special.This is to say that we have been so busy with ourselfeves that we tend to forget to teach others or bring a renewed comittment to what we know is good.I am gald and overjoyed
to see a next generation of watchmakers-modelers to start to hunger for this type of r/r.
So keep the sunny side up and the bears off your tail.Digger

Take care of yourself over there Ex18b! Cuz we modelers over here will need to pick your brain for detailed "first hand" knowledge!
i'll keep you in my prayers!

I started modeling when I was about 5 (35 years ago) with the old Snoopy and Red Barron snap kits and other "don't paint 'em" models I came to the "Dark Side" when I was ten and haven't looked back. I mostly model WW II armor and figures but lately (since 9/11) I have started doing more modern stuff mainly in tribute to the war on terror. I have had to put a short hold on my modeling to play in the big sand box but I will be home soon and have a lot of time to catch up.

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I'm more glad than anything to find out that there are enough 'younger' modelers out there. It's the one thing any hobby really needs to stay alive and progress!

Wahoo! I thought I was the only "youngster" . I am 15 and a freshman in high school living in Southern California. I've been modeling all my life. My earliest memories are sitting out in the garage with my dad watching him build a Monogram B-17 and B-29. I just recently got into armor, I especially like the brail scale. I don't have/play too many video games, between homework, models, and the SoCal weather, I don't have much time for them.

I'm 25 and started modeling when I was about 8. Did so right up until I left for college. Did a few while in college and am now back for good. I had computer games and video games growing up, but really enjoyed when my parents would buy my brother and I a model. We didn't paint them, just glued 'em together in one day, mostly cars. Since I came back about 2 1/2 yrs. ago I've done two ships and I'm working on my first armor piece. It's great to come home after a hard day at work and just relax at the modelling bench for an hour or so. My wife thinks I'm crazy, messing with all those small parts, but she understands that it's relaxing. I hope when I have kids that I can get them involved in the hobby, but that's a few years down the road.

dang u built that elephant out of wood???? we have these stupid soap sculptures in art, I have to enlarge my H2 10 times its size, could u give me a pointer??? or 2... or all? lol, I did forget to mention that I do have a life instead of just videogames and models! (Thank god) I like to play the guitar, listen to music, and hang out with my friends, I am more of a weights kinda guy and like to benchpress instead of run, I would like to do a body builder lifting weights some day as a large scale model. lol I honestly thought I was the only 15 or so year old on this forum. I AM NOT ALONE!!!!!!!!! you can really be considered a dork (parden the true meaning) in highschool if u do a hobby like this, but hey I know im not a dork/nerd so Im not gonna quit the hobby = )

Hey-O.

Im 27 years old with a wife and a new baby and suddenly found myself feeling like a kid again. While visiting a local hobby store for a microscope for my nephew I peroused the armour models. I instantly remembered my first model, a F-14 in 1:48 my grandpa had in his closet. I continued for 11 years until Work screwed everything up. Now Im enthused again. While my friends stare at a monitor or TV all day playing games, I paint.
Most the people I meet are CGI modelers and it depresses me.

I'm 47 and have been building models since I can remember. My first model was built with my dad; I was 5 and just had my tonsils removed. I still remember the model...it was a red race car (old Indy style car) that was molded in red...tires and all. My dad built models and free flight and control line planes...I still remember a white plastic tri motor plane he had that sat on the old B&W TV. I'm sure I picked up building my models and R/C stuff from his interest in them.

I build (and collect!) cars, planes, armor, ships...done some figures (Terminator, Alien, Predator2)...all model categories have something interesting about them!

I remember building the old Revell planes, and th old AMT cars- remember the "Little Red Wagon"? The old Revell Stuka (with the snake decal that went the length of the fuselage?) Aurora's "Dracula" or "Frankenstein"?

Nowadays I build mostly WWII stuff because I find the technology changes during that time in history to be fascinating...the technology leap from biplanes to jets, from S boats to the Type XXI submarines was incredible.

I have tried getting my son into models with some success...now we are working on a Mustang, since he is starting to "discover" cars... (he's 13) My daughter actually enjoyed building and painting the plastic bird kits that were out a few years ago...so she's done more models than he has.

Anyway, it's a great hobby to have. Also, my wife always knows where I am (upstairs with the plastic or in the garage with the R/C toys)! She puts up with all my stuff, and although she doesn't understand the passion about the toys, graciously humors me when I show off the latest and greatest "whatzit"!

I guess I just couldn't imagine not having something around to build or fuss over!

Thanks for posting a great question!


ooo! ooo! One last thing- this forum is one of the things that makes the internet so cool...instantly being able to reach out to fellow modelers, see their stuff, discuss pros and cons, etc.... faster than having to wait a month for the latest magazine coverage!

I built my first armor when I was 13. I stopped building when I was 21 and got back into modeling in 2003 when I was 35.
mark956

Some of my earliest memories concern modeling. I can't remember a time during my childhood when there wasn't half-solidified tubes of cement or dozens of little testors bottles covering every flat surface of my bedroom. After twenty years away, I unexpectedly came across a 1/72 tiger while in a hobby shop with my sons. Delighted that the paints and glues have become less toxic, I'm back in force with my sons in tow. I guess the charm for me is it's a creative outlet that momentarily slows down what is becoming a more and more hectic and chaotic world.

I'm about to be 28 in a couple of weeks and have grown up with the video games, still play alot of them too. I modeled mostly cars when I was a kid had to quit though for many years since I moved around alot and never had anywhere to put them. I got back into the hobby last July though while I was laid up the first time and was looking for something to keep my hands busy and happened to stumble across this site. All it took was to see some armor builds and I figured I could get into that more so than cars and planes and here I am now, can't get enough.
I think that there alot of the kids that would rather play games now that later in life once they get settled down more will go looking for something else to spend time with and may find that modeling is thier cup of tea. There are alot of games that have armor and such in them now and that may be something that could spark an interest later in life.

Hello fellow modelers: I 55 years old and have been doing models about 45 years I like some of you got out for a while. But got back in after the service to as a way to unwind from stress I suffer from ptsd It isthe best stress reliver I have ever found I teach akids modeling class with the LHS so I have lots fun with it. Well thats enough from me. Happy Modeling..........Stephen

QUOTE: Originally posted by MartianGundamModeler But I just like to find the balance between accuracy and fun.

That's the attitude to have. I need to learn that.

CTrill09
Lol, now that I think about it, it MUST have been that movie that got me into modelling in the first place. Haven't really given it much thought, it seems like so long ago. I remember watching that movie, and absolutely being mezmerized by it (I was a wee one back then). A couple of years thereafter I ran into a box with a picture of an 14 tomcat. I didn't even know what plastic kits were back then (from where I hail, they were not too common for a 5year old in communist rural Europe). SInce then, I was hooked. I can't seem to enjoy the movie as much anymore (maybe cuz they tried to pass that f-5 as a Mig) but I've managed to build every plane in that movie. Hehe, maybe they'll be the first I'll rebuild :)

I'm 17 and turning a year older in 3 months. Actually I was interested in mechanical stuff eversince, opening things that interests me, usually toys. Got punished a lot of times for it but it never measured up to my curiosity, so I got punished even more. I started getting into modeling when I was ten. I remember when my dad bought me a 1/48 seacobra and an apache for my birthday, I used to be a heli-freak back then. But I never finished both of them. After that I lost interest of modeling and got back to the mechanical stuff. Then as the years passed I was in and out of modeling. Until I discovered it again last year. I am currently out of school because of some problems but am planning to go back again this year. I am mostly building models OOB (since modification parts here are quite unavailable if not completely unavailable) with some modifications when needed courtesy of my inherited and trusty X-acto knife and some what-have-you. But I must admit to you guys and gals(or vice versa) that being too accurate sometimes just takes out the reason why we are modeling.

hi guys
I am a 47 year old who started modelling at about the age of 7 or 8 with matchbox and airfix kits and doing dioramas with the kid next door. Then came wife and kid and no time for building just at odd times i would buy a kit and stor it for another time.A few months ago I told my wife that I was going to get back into building again and she said ok good idea, so I have started to build some of my old stored kits and read this forum to get my rusty techniques back up to speed. I have noticed reading all the replys above that i am not alone in reterning to building after a long time off . and if we can do it there must be a lot more out there just itching to get into it again so no the hobby will keep going. Thanks for the insperation guys and keep up the good work.