35 years later...a dream come true

Man, I cannot believe just how true all these sentiments ring! I just recently returned to the model building hobby after about a 15 year hiatus, Reason for the return? Lets see, 2 teeth pulled, really good pain meds, internet access, a credit card and the link to ebay!   Don't regret it though. Even though I only build 1.72 aircraft of the '32 to '45 period now, I built several ships during the mid to late 60's. I still remember my first ship, the USS Pennsylvania, by Revell I think, built it in 1966 if I recall correctly. My Dad got it for me for my birthday that year, and I tried so very hard to get it perfect. It looked pretty darn good through a 10 year olds eyes. From adult eyes, maybe less so, but I didn't care, I had done it myself! I did airplanes back then too, and I still remember those wonderfull Revell models of the P-11c, the I-16, the little Tubby Brewster Buffalo (still one of my favorite airplanes of all time, even with its shortcomings). Mention of the Kearsarge brings back lots of memories also. My Dad and I built that one together. Well, maybe more him than me. Maybe it was more like that old shake and bake commercial "And I Helped!".

Jeez, now you guys have me wanting to go out and buy a ship or three to build!

Of course, now that I live in the South I'll have to build the Alabama instead.

I still love building the old revell and monogram kits.  Yeah they might not be 100% accurate, but you know, while building them, I am transported back to a nice place, can't beat that at all.

Ric

       I agree with the other fellow model builders. I built the H.M.S. Hood by Airfix in high school and absolutely fell in love with this model. I had it for years until I got married and the final fate of the Hood was not being sunk by the Bismarck, but by 3 kids with rocks going down a fast moving stream and never being seen again. Ah spring !!!   I haven`t been able to find this kit again until 32 years later when Airfix re-released it and in my neck of the woods, was able to get one. I was so excited I felt like I was a kid again. And for a plug for Airfix.......... this was one of the most beautiful models they ever made.

       I have a Kearsarge model under my house , in storage, waiting for the day I can restore it. I also loved this kit as it was so unique and my first 1/96 kit. I hear the new release is getting a bad rep but a model is what you make it.

Not exactly right for the Ships thread, but I'd like to see someone get the old dies for HAWK's Piper Apache and Cessna 310.  I loved those little twins and wish someone else would do more twin-engine civil aircraft.

Old "Matchbox" kits (with the multi-coloured sprues, colourful box art, and clear "window" in the boxes to see the parts) have the same nostalgia value for me, along with 1980s-issue Airfix kits (the ones with a photo of the built model on the box)!

On a different note, the Revell Kearsarge is actually a very accurate + good kit, though it represents the ship in its post-Civil War configuration. (It's the Alabama which is the inaccurate one, as it's basically a heavily modified Kearsarge kit with a new hull + rig) Like the 1/96 Cutty Sark and Constitution it's an extremely good kit and must have seemed mind-blowingly impressive by 1960s standards! The only real problems with it now are the ubiquitous mould lines and sink marks.
The Kearsarge is a kit I've wanted for a while, being a fan of both large-scale ships and the 19th-century "steam/ironclad" era. Its RRP of about £50-60 is a bit high for me but I recently managed to get one on eBay for about £35 including shipping. It's fairly high on my priority of future builds but I need to clear some workbench space first!

michel.vrtg wrote:

This must be a part of the magic of our hobby, to unveil the child in us. Michel

I know exactly how you feel Michel. I built models all through my childhood in the 60's and early 70's and have many fond memories. I've been back into the hobby now for the last 3 years after a 25+ year hiatus from the hobby. I like to build the new release kits, but still have a fondness in my heart for the kits I built as a child. I can remember almost every one right on down to the box art. I also remember which family member gave which kit to me, most of whom are not with us anymore. eBay has enabled me to once again find those kits of my childhood. I'm not interested in any re-release of a kit I had mind you, I wanted the original 1960's/1970's release. I'm happy to say that I have been able to find most of them. Whenever I need a spirtual lift, I'll go to my model stash and inspect them. In looking over the thick, brittle, flash filled plastic trees, the instructions that actually named the parts during assembly and the offers to get the Apollo spacecraft modual for 10cents, I am immediatly transported back to my youth, putting a smile on my face. With all of the new state of the art kits out there to build, will I ever build one of these relics from the 60's and 70's ? Maybe one or two, but the majority of them will remain unbuilt. They are far to valuable just as they are. Therapy.

Ted

Michel

I know exactly how you feel.I'd been trying to get the Kearsarge also for years but way to expensive

on Ebay.But last winter one of the guys at our model club brought one in that his dad had bought years ago and said I know you like to build boats would you like this kit.I almost fell off my chair.In my head I was doing that little kid dance of joy.

Rod

Oh,...But, of course!! Open the box & let the little kid come out