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average age of modelers

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  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 7:35 AM

Toshi ;

 No Way ! thanks to you , I now have a t-shirt full of ejected coffee ! Five years , C'mon now Toshi  , Yer pullin our chain !     T.B.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 3:10 AM

Fermis,

Yes the 1980s was the last decade when models could be found all over the place.  Some of the smallest, dirtiest, mom and pop stores had great kits, usually cheaper than the hobby shops.  This one place I used to frequent was a liquor store that also sold porno on comic book racks!  Ah the 1980s.  The times, they are a-changin'.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Monday, May 28, 2018 6:30 PM

I hear ya, G!

I grew up in the 80's (born in 75)...all my friends built at least some models. I have no idea if any of them stuck with it, or returned later. Growing up on Army bases..ya lose track of everyone!

The day I turned 10 was the greatest day! I got my ID card and I could go to the PX and buy models...all by my lonesome!!!

If I was a kid these days, or even 10-15 years ago, I highly doubt that I would have ever gotten into building models. They just haven't had the same presence as they did in the 80's. Seemed like every store had em. Every Walmart/Kmart/toy store...I've even bought em at a local pharmacy and even a gas station/convenience store(years ago).

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, May 26, 2018 4:24 PM

Fermis, it would appear so.  I think this age bracket, of which I am one, was the last generation that modeled on a casual basis.  Most all of my peers built at least one or two kits as a natural part of growing up.  It was just something we did, nothing more, nothing less.

Then interests shifted to other things like video games, and models began to cater to the "serious" hobbyists.  If you look at the proliferation of better kits in the 1990s, it would seem the industry recognized this shift and adapted to it.  But this rising tide did not float all boats.  A 750 part DML panzer kit is not appealing to someone just entering the hobby.  And that old trope about rising prices did not help.

A friend in his late 40s wanted to try armor so I gave him a 1/35 DML Tger II.  I thought it was reasonably straightforward to build, but it really killed his enthusiasm.  I think I should have given him a classic Tamiya kit with rubber band tracks.  Indie links are not for beginners.

On the other hand, another friend in his 30s wanted to try 1/72 aircraft, and got better results. He had previously only built Gundam kits, but got into those pre-painted mini kit planes that come in blind boxes.  So he came over with a 1/72 Tamiya Bf-109E and asked for advice.  He had some problems, I did my best to guide him through, and in the end he had a rather good looking model - with inkspot mottling to boot!

I think the lesson here is to match the model when mentoring a prospective modeler, so as to maximize their enjoyment and succsess. That way, the next time this thread subject resurfaces, the median age won't be 60-70.  We are all graying along.  Pass on what you know to the younger generations to ensure the future of the hobby.

... and try a Gundam kit if you never did.  The scale guys sneer at them, but they are a lot of fun to build!  You need help in choosing a kit?  Just ask!

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Saturday, May 26, 2018 2:45 PM

40-50.

10-20 off/on. (just shy of 10 years building "seriously").

There was a thread, several years ago...asking the same thing. But...it was your specific age. If I remember right, I believe the average was in the upper 40's, roughly 10 years older than I was at the time. Curious to know if the "average" has moved up into the 50's yet???

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: The NYC.
Posted by Ish47guy on Saturday, May 26, 2018 7:29 AM
40-50 20-30
  • Member since
    January 2017
Posted by damouav on Thursday, May 24, 2018 4:03 PM

40 - 50 (Age group)

5 -10 (Approximate years modeling)

My memory isnt as good as it used to be...

In Progress
1/48 Tamiya P47-D Bubbletop
1/48 Hobby Boss TBF-1C Avenger (on hold)
Pending
1/48 Roden S.E.5a
1/48 Airfix Walrus
  • Member since
    February 2018
  • From: New Kent VA, USA
Posted by JJFlyer on Thursday, May 24, 2018 12:23 PM

Toshi

Fifty years old

Five years of Modeling

 

WOW, 

Spit out my coffee when I read that, you sir are a master.

current projects:

1/48 Revell bf109 g10

1/144 Revell Apollo Saturn V 

on deck:

unknown scale Revell sr-71 blackbird

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, May 24, 2018 9:34 AM

Toshi

Fifthty years old

Five years of Modeling

 

You have been modeling for only 5 years !!?? Your work is outstanding like you been doing it for decades.Bow Down

  • Member since
    June 2016
  • From: Upstate South Carolina
Posted by Murphy's Law on Thursday, May 24, 2018 9:12 AM
30-40 Age 20-30 Modeling
  • Member since
    March 2013
  • From: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Posted by over47 on Thursday, May 24, 2018 7:09 AM

Hi there.

65 years old and modelling for 50+

On the bench;

Converting a 74 gun Heller kit into HMS Sutherland; 1/200

Converting Bomb Ketch into HMS Harvey; 1/200

Cleaning up an Aifix lot of 54mm figures, for converting.

  • Member since
    February 2018
Posted by RinnyR on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 7:26 PM

40 to 50

Been modeling 1-2 years

  • Member since
    March 2017
Posted by Justsomerandommodeller on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 3:05 PM
20-30 5-10
  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Hampshire, England, UK
Posted by Tubosteve on Saturday, May 19, 2018 8:26 PM

50 - 60

0-5

Stay safe........Steve

Currently on the bench: On the bench: Airfix 1:24 Spitfire Mk IXc (17001) as Silver Spitfire G-IRTY, Revell 1:48 Bristol Beaufighter TF.X (03943)

Finished 2024: Tamiya 1:24 Ford Mustang GT4 (24354)

  • Member since
    April 2018
  • From: Australia
Posted by Panzer Joe on Saturday, May 19, 2018 4:25 PM

 

15-20     0-5 years modeling.   (I must be almost the youngest person here :) )

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by TheMongoose on Saturday, May 19, 2018 10:54 AM
50-60 age 15-20 exp Started when i was 8 and built models up through college. Then it was a break for partying and subsequently building our family. 2 of the 4 kids have built models. Even though they don’t have my passion for it now they’ve had the experience and maybe like me they’ll pick it up later and even share it with their family!

In the pattern: Scale Shipyard's 1/48 Balao Class Sub! leaning out the list...NOT! Ha, added to it again - Viper MkVii, 1/32 THUD & F-15J plus a weekend madness build!

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Streetsboro, Ohio
Posted by Toshi on Saturday, May 19, 2018 10:35 AM

Fifthty years old

Five years of Modeling

On The Bench: Revell 1/48 B-25 Mitchell

 

Married to the most caring, loving, understanding, and beautiful wife in the world.  Mrs. Toshi

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Saturday, May 19, 2018 10:22 AM

50-60 years old

50-60 years building

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Friday, May 18, 2018 11:01 PM

50-60

40-45

  • Member since
    May 2017
  • From: ohio I want to leave
Posted by armor 2.0 on Thursday, May 17, 2018 2:30 PM

50 60

05

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Forest Hill, Maryland
Posted by cwalker3 on Thursday, May 17, 2018 3:45 AM

castelnuovo

LOL, that is why joint replacement is invented. May I recomend my hospital? Its like all inclusive minus the booz Smile

 
No booze but the best drugs!Stick out tongue
 
Anyway, 60-70 y.o. (damn, that hurts)
Building 10-15 (this go 'round)

Cary

 


  • Member since
    December 2017
Posted by Zeon Zum Deikun on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 6:07 PM

20-30

5-10 building

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • From: Eleva, Wisconsin
Posted by Greatmaker on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 4:14 PM

50-60

5-10

 

  • Member since
    August 2015
  • From: the redlands Fl
Posted by crown r n7 on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 3:40 PM

55-65

54 years.

 

 

 Nick.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Northeast Washington State
Posted by ExtremeTeam on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 9:33 AM

40 - 50 = Age

20 - 25 = Years modeling.

Havent finished anything in twenty years but I really hope I will get a couple things done this year.

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: West of the rock and east of the hard place!
Posted by murph on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 7:19 AM

50 - 60 - age

30 - 40 - building

 

I started building when I was eight.  Took a hiatus in high school and my early to mid 20's.  The Boss got me back into it.  One day we were in a toy store looking for a gift for one of our nephews.  The store had model airplanes and I mentioned to her that I used to build when I was younger.  She got me two kits for Christmas that year and I've been building ever since.

 

Retired and living the dream!

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 5:49 AM

Age: 40-50

Building: 20-30

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Vancouver, the "wet coast"
Posted by castelnuovo on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 2:57 PM

Tanker - Builder

Ah !

   Age is nothing to be afraid of .It's all the #$@& that comes with it ! An Uncle will visit and never leave . His name  is Arthritis !

 

 

LOL, that is why joint replacement is invented. May I recomend my hospital? Its like all inclusive minus the booz Smile

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 2:35 PM

40-50 yrs old

30-40 yrs building

And now at almost 50, its still just as fun to build like a 10 year old sometimes.

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