how did u start modeling

My dad had a B-29 and mom had a DO-X. I wanted to play with them so bad when I was little. Finally Christmas 63 I got my own kit to build. An Aurora MiG-15, more like a D model Sabre on steroids. Molded in shiny green styrene.

I saw some pictures of models in a no longer printed magazine Military modeler. I was hooked. The second time I got hooked. I was searching the internet and came across e-bay and got hooked again.
mark956

I got started modeling when my mother introduced me into it. I had built about 40 1/72 scale planes and 11 1/600 scale warships in two years, (from age 7 to 9) when a kid named Emmanuel moved in down the street from me. He was my age, and had almost twice the models I did! He also built strictly 1/72 scale and 1/600 scale, and, his models were painted! He taught me how to paint the models and rig the ships, and then when D&D came out, we made a bunch of rules and hit/damage tables similar to D&D, and we wargamed: my collection against his. He usually won, mostly because his collection was bigger. But everytime I got money, I always went out to see what I could get to best him, while he did the same. We had a mini Arms race going, and we'd build together at his house, and then Wargame on weekends.

I got into 1/72 scale Armor when a year and a half after Emmanuel moved in, another kid named Jason moved in. He had a collection of models almost as big as ours combined! I think he'd gotten some from his dad or something. One of the reasons his collection was bigger was because he had about 15 1/72 scale tanks and about 2-300 1/72 scale troops. When he Wargamed with us, he would defeat us because he had an Army, and we didn't. That's when I started building an Army to beat him, and helicopters to counter his tanks and move my troops behind his!

That's how I really got hooked on modeling, during those heady Arms race days with Emmanuel and Jason! Ah, those were the days!

Now, 890+ kits later,I build now because I love to build and I love to share my work with appreciative friends. Still, waaaaay back in the back of my mind, I'm kinda hoping another Jason comes along that wants to 'fight' his collection against mine, so I can kick his butt!! :-)

My dad built kits (still have one of a ship he built 40-something years ago), my older brother built them, then I started from watching my brother. I can't even remember how old I was...10? 12?. On and off again builder, trying to get 'on' again. :)

My mother got me into a model of the month club when I was 7. Every month a new model would come by mail. I remember the excitement every month to see what the model would be. Very good memories.

my uncle bought me a tiger kit. took me 2 to 3 hours to build and less than an hour to destroy. bought my first kit (large scale ford mustang) a few years later and then a/c at about the age of eighteen.

joe

My father used to build wooden ships, was never allowed to touch but showed interest.

So he got me a F1 Car Kit(heller methinks) and we sat and assembled it together, after that a WW II Aircraft carrier and the rest is a long list of models.
Oh, that was 31yrs ago.

Both mom and pop got me started. Mom was actually the better builder, dad not having much patience for building models! Bless his heart, he made plenty of 'em though, until I started doing 'em myself around the age of 6 or 7.
Mom was great at painting the eyes on the Aurora dinosaur and monster kits!

btw, just to add something to the mix. yesterday took my two boys 11 and 13 and went to the walmart (only place that sells kits right now). told them they could pick what they wanted. both chose a/c, youngest chose a f-15c and the oldest a p-47d. could barely contain my happiness to know that they had the chance to choos other things and chose the plastic. my eldest daughter (14) was upset that she was not included in the event. she will choose next payday. youngest daughter is 5 and shows no interest as of yet. i guess i have promoted the hobby to my next generation. i could not be prouder of my kids.

joe

me - it was my 12th bday, and I recieved a package in the post containing Revells 1/720 new-refit USS New Jersey. I had done one or two random models prior to this, but checkin out the ship blew me out of the water. It was from my Uncle (who is now ex-Army) but use to build these plastic models - now he builds wooden boats. My Grand-dad got me into building model boats but they were little wooden things & another Uncle builds big yachts - and believe it or not, both their sons build too. So u could say that building models (esp ships) kinda runs in the family.

Don't remember how I got the "bug", but the first kit I remember was Aurora's Messerschmitt ME-109. It cost me 69 cents, was molded in kinda candy apple red and must of had all of 12-13 parts. (This was in 1954 or so) I probably used half a tube of glue putting it together. Didn't know what decals were, so I cut 'em out and glued them on !! At least in the 50 years or so since then, I've learned how to apply decals.... sorta !!

Saw older kids building models. Started to like military equipment and history so I had to have scale models of them.