Hodakamax
Patrick! It's just me being me. I'm humbled by your support. What fun it has been freeing the models from my office where you have to drag people in to see them. Finally they are free for a small period of time to hopefully demonstrate model building, History (a big one) and hopefully setting goals for others while having fun. I'm trying in my mind to pin down what model building is all about. To me, problem solving is one of the draws. When we apply ourselves it can be rewarding and improve self esteem, all good for young people. Us old people can also set goals with a model and fill otherwise down time with a challenging project. Sharing the experience has always been the problem and exposure is limited. This display has been fullfilling, I guess is the word, to show why we do this. Works of art at least to us, always a test of our skills, disappointments when we don't meet our expectations but always a learning experience. Thanks for your following and support! ![Geeked]()
A good experience is happening!
Max
Max, glad you encountered only the minor damage while transporting the display, could have really gone South with more damage. Nice of folks to tell you they enjoyed seeing your work.
I've thought about your remarks, (above,) and what modeling means to you. You hit the points right on. For me, it's mostly about the satisfaction of doing something creative with my hands. I also enjoy problem solving along the way, such as ill fitting bits, warps, sink marks, etc.
For the past nearly 20 years neighborhood kids are drawn to my garage shop, by the noise of the compressor and sounds of airbrushing the models. In summer the garage door is always open, the kid's and sometimes their dad's will stop by to see what's going on, maybe have a question about something. I'm fortunate to have gotten many young ones started, several are now young adults and still at the hobby, often stopping by to say hi.
Some comments from parents about what was of value in getting them started, is doing something challenging, learning to do something complicated, following instructions, and mostly patience. They just see the build project through. More than a few parents have said the kids spend much less time on video games and texting, also do better in school.
The local hobby shop displays their models, which makes them even more proud of the work they accomplished. The hobby shop knows some of them will be customers for the long haul, another good feature.
In Winter I build scale balsa stick and tissue free flight models, the kids enjoy that as well. During the cold and wet months we build several, then either fly them at the local armory, or wait for summer and fly in a large open field.
Maybe next year you could do another, smaller display, and the library could invite a few other modelers to join in. It looks like the effort you made was really well received and appreciated by the community, who knows where this could all lead. Anyway, you did something really outstanding for your neighbor citizens, I wish I lived closer, I'd take you out for a burger and a brew. Mrs. Max too, she helped a whole bunch.
Thanks, Max.