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Millennials and Modeling

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  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by chango on Thursday, October 25, 2018 4:27 PM

I was a bit shocked when I visited my LHS the other day and found at least 1/2 of the kit section had been taken over by Gundam/anime stuff. The guy at the store told me he sells more of 'em than every other kit genre combined by a wide margain... come to find out that stuff was basically keeping his business alive.

 

I know it's not a bunch of grey-hairs buying that stuff, so yeah, millenials build models. They just don't seem to frequent forums. 

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, October 25, 2018 9:37 PM

My son has gotten into Gundams and other anime based models. Ill bet there are forums out there for that genre that are populated by their builders/fans. 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by seastallion53 on Friday, October 26, 2018 12:23 AM

Where i live in norcal,any hobby shop has been taken over by the rc hobby industry.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Friday, October 26, 2018 2:08 AM

I’m a Gen-Xer through and through, and my interest in modeling came from my dad.  Even though he didn’t build models, he pasted them together when I was too small to do it myself.  He lived through WW II, but couldn’t serve due to a high school football injury.  Maybe that’s why he was so interested in studying it so much.  My two uncles did serve as infantry in Italy, but they never wanted to be reminded of the experience, much less tell stories about it.

So as it was my dad shared his interest in stuff like WW II naval warfare and ship design.  He always took the time to explain stuff, like the hows and whys.  I gravitated to airplanes because they zoomed around in the air and had dogfights.  I grew up during Vietnam, and night after night watched helos and jets blasting stuff on TV.  Bombs were mostly dumb back then, so planes had the “Christmas tree” look, slinging dozens of Mk-82s and such.  So that’s why I was an airplane guy.

But the Millennials have different experiences.  Their parents might have served in the various gulf wars, so their interest most likely leans to the modern stuff.  And yeah there are video games, the Internet, and hipster joints all vying for their interest.

And then there is the 18.5 meter tall mobile suit standing in the room.

I was an early fan of Gundam, buying my first such kit in 1983.  I had no idea who or what Gundam was, but the bad guys looked so cool!  And then the anime boom hit the US and I gleefully rode the wave of merchandise coming from Japan.

By the time the TV shows aired on cable here, I was already a serious fan.  But I think most people got their first look at Gundam on Cartoon Network, so naturally they liked the stuff from those shows.  I must admit I was surprised that Gundam took off in popularity in the US because the franchise had a somewhat rocky start.  Nevertheless, it seems to have gotten its second wind, and like it or not, it’s here to stay.

But not all hope is lost.  I have a good friend that is a millennial, and while he started out as a Gundam fan, he is now getting into WW II planes and armor because he knows little about them and finds them interesting(!).

The cadre of old modeler farts I hang out with encourage him, tell him interesting factoids about what he is building, help him with information regarding details and paint schemes, and of course shower him with appropriate kits from multiple stashes.  AND we don’t ride him about accuracy.  We tell him it’s his model and his decision on how to go about finishing it.  But he tries his best to get it right and enjoys doing so.

So super long story short, I think it is up to the older generations to introduce the youngsters to save the hobby.  This has always been the case.  I noticed a lot of my peers are not really into doing that.  They are too occupied counting rivets on their own projects. Maybe it is WE who are different, not the young ‘uns?  “To understand the problem, look not at the dying trees in the forest, but rather the soil and water which nutures them.”

And now must I my Yoda hat remove, and to your regularly scheduled program return you.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    June 2018
Posted by TankerEasy on Friday, October 26, 2018 11:19 AM

 

Per the internets, millennials start in 1984, making me part of that group (born in 88').  I was modeling as a kid because my dad did, and in turn i got into it.  I will admit I just got back into it earlier this year, but none the less I love it.  I can see reading through some of the replies that there’s a big misconception of those of us classified as "millennials"..  Keep in mind folks, its baby boomers and gen x'ers that created millennials due to poor parenting... so some of you might wanna take a long hard look at your own generation for the crap shoot we’ve ended up with, and remember were not all bad Whistling WinkCool

 

*not trying to offend anyone, but when my age group gets targeted like it does on the regular, i feel it’s necessary to defend it, the generations created this monster lol**

 

Millennial modeler

Air Force vet (2006-2012)

Recently completed: 1/48 Tamiya V1

On the bench: Hasegawa 1/8 Clerget 9B rotary engine, 1/35 scale Trumpeter SA-2 Guideline missle

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Milaca, Minnesota
Posted by falconmod on Friday, October 26, 2018 11:25 AM

TankerEasy

 

Per the internets, millennials start in 1984, making me part of that group (born in 88').  I was modeling as a kid because my dad did, and in turn i got into it.  I will admit I just got back into it earlier this year, but none the less I love it.  I can see reading through some of the replies that there’s a big misconception of those of us classified as "millennials"..  Keep in mind folks, its baby boomers and gen x'ers that created millennials due to poor parenting... so some of you might wanna take a long hard look at your own generation for the crap shoot we’ve ended up with, and remember were not all bad Whistling WinkCool

 

*not trying to offend anyone, but when my age group gets targeted like it does on the regular, i feel it’s necessary to defend it, the generations created this monster lol**

Valid statement and Yes I think we BB  are guilty as charged!

 

On the Bench: 1/72 Ki-67, 1/48 T-38

1/144 AC-130, 1/72 AV-8A Harrier

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, October 26, 2018 11:48 AM

Well as some people have pointed out above growing up a Gen-Xer the Boomers kept calling us lazy, shiftless, cynical, and more interested in playing video games than getting ahead. The same thing older people keep throwing at the Millenials... 

I think every generation makes the same accusations at the young guys and gals. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Milaca, Minnesota
Posted by falconmod on Friday, October 26, 2018 12:08 PM

Yes it's kinda humbling when we become our parents isn't it!

On the Bench: 1/72 Ki-67, 1/48 T-38

1/144 AC-130, 1/72 AV-8A Harrier

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, October 26, 2018 1:43 PM

falconmod

Yes it's kinda humbling when we become our parents isn't it!

 

Wink

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Jimd0586 on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 2:10 PM

This is a good question. I was born in 1986, so technically I am a millennial... I think Hmm

 

For me, modelling started because of my fascination with military history. I am a gung-ho american patriot at heart, though I kick myself for never taking the leap and going through OCS and serving after college. That aside, it's my interest in flying and WWII history that got me into it.

With so many distractions between TV, video games, and social media, it will be a hard sell. I think kits like the P-51D snap kit would help, make the building process as easy as possible (no glue, etc). That's step one. Step two is somehow make it cool... package it. Maybe pair a new video game with a model, have some kind of competition to get those kids playing video games to pair it with a built model somehow... I don't know, make it a tool in the game or have a contest for best built models get money off in game purchases... no clue.

Ultimately, my generation likes instant gratification. Even our movies are all action and no story anymore. I don't think we are a dumb or boring generation, just the product of continual marketing that has cut to the chase more and more over the years to the point that we now all expect immediate results/gratification/etc/

 

- Jim

  • Member since
    May 2016
Posted by B-36Andy on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 7:12 PM

I think I lean toward the Noahs ark generation. My dad was a 30s flyer and WWII dive bomber pilot. I grew up at Carswell AFB and Dallas NAS.

My little grand daughter was born in 2014 and I have no idea what her gerneration is called. This kid loves airplanes and is building little wooden children's kits with me. She has pobably 50 metal planes of various sizes and each is special. Her favorite is a beat up old Lindberg Cutlass that she takes to be every night.

I think she will be a model builder!

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Boston
Posted by Wilbur Wright on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 2:20 PM

As far as age demographics I believe the hobby is much healthier in Europe and Japan. This is how MIG, AK,  Takom, Meng can make their margins.

I'm 58, and I don't know a single millenial that models outside of the occasional kid that goes to MIT.

You have 3 years olds that have iPads, that have to make a "date" to play.  It's a differnet world.

You want to talk about a hobby in trouble, try stamp collecting.  I'm considered one of the babies at 58.  No one is coming to replenish when the old guard die off.  Most of my friends in that hobby are well into their 80's, if not 90's.

  • Member since
    June 2018
Posted by TankerEasy on Monday, November 26, 2018 12:20 PM

From what I see, and this is from bumming around some of the groups on Facebook, it appears that the hobby is making a comeback in the United States.  I'm seeing more and more individuals in their early to mid 30's getting back into it.  Don’t lose faith!  us youngens appreciate the patience required to get through some of these kits Cool

Millennial modeler

Air Force vet (2006-2012)

Recently completed: 1/48 Tamiya V1

On the bench: Hasegawa 1/8 Clerget 9B rotary engine, 1/35 scale Trumpeter SA-2 Guideline missle

 

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by PGBolt on Monday, November 26, 2018 12:37 PM

As some other respondents have commented, I believe that the current cost of plastic modeling keeps away millenials, among others. In the case of millenials, there is heavy competition for their bucks: E-Cigs, live shows, IoT, latest iPhone, "vintage" clothing that was made last week in China, bad tattoos, pricey everything-free food, etc. I think the closest thing to modeling that attracts millenials on a wide scale is drones, which used to be called RC helicopters. Wink

At 53, I find myself gagging on the price of new kits. A run-of-the-mill AMT 1/25 car kit typically retails for $30 at the carft store usual suspects. At the risk of going all Abe Simpson, modeling was much more accessible (cost-wise) "back in my day".

The availability and convenience of online shopping has certainly cut into the LHS population. In my area (RDU) there are a few really good independent LHSs, but even those are generally focused on RC and/or gaming. I suspect that the margins on those are higher than plastic kits. The LHS issue is a whole other issue for discussion.

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by bluenote on Monday, November 26, 2018 2:02 PM

PGBolt

As some other respondents have commented, I believe that the current cost of plastic modeling keeps away millenials, among others. In the case of millenials, there is heavy competition for their bucks: E-Cigs, live shows, IoT, latest iPhone, "vintage" clothing that was made last week in China, bad tattoos, pricey everything-free food, etc. I think the closest thing to modeling that attracts millenials on a wide scale is drones, which used to be called RC helicopters. Wink

At 53, I find myself gagging on the price of new kits. A run-of-the-mill AMT 1/25 car kit typically retails for $30 at the carft store usual suspects. At the risk of going all Abe Simpson, modeling was much more accessible (cost-wise) "back in my day".

The availability and convenience of online shopping has certainly cut into the LHS population. In my area (RDU) there are a few really good independent LHSs, but even those are generally focused on RC and/or gaming. I suspect that the margins on those are higher than plastic kits. The LHS issue is a whole other issue for discussion.

 

 
I agree with you regarding the many different entertainment options available to millennials, but I don't believe that price is part of the problem.  I'm 43, and I remember the average AMT/Ertl/MPC car kit as being around $10 in the mid-late eighties.  With inflation, a car kit costing around $30 seems about right.  Paint is about $4.  
 
If you consider that the average new video game is about $60-$70, then a $30 car kit doesn't seem to be unreasonable, considering the hours it would take to build a car kit.
 
I really think the main problem is that kits are simply nowhere to be found.  They are not in most major toy stores.  They are not in the local convenience store (when I was a kid most of my local convenience stores had a modest selection of kits with the basic testor's paint display).  The major department stores (Walmart, Target, etc) do not carry them.  Local hobby shops are few and far between.  My local mall used to have a "Hobby Hut" and us kids were in there all the time.  I suppose in the US there is Hobby Lobby though.
 
I really think if models were more readily available then they may be more popular with younger people.  
 
 
  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by PGBolt on Monday, November 26, 2018 2:15 PM

bluenote

I agree with you regarding the many different entertainment options available to millennials, but I don't believe that price is part of the problem.  I'm 43, and I remember the average AMT/Ertl/MPC car kit as being around $10 in the mid-late eighties.  With inflation, a car kit costing around $30 seems about right.  Paint is about $4.  

Yeah, maybe I'm off about the price thing. Still, there are a lot of other things, presumably mor trendy, competing for their trust fund money.
 
 
bluenote
I really think if models were more readily available then they may be more popular with younger people.  
Demand drives supply, generally speaking.
 
I do remember in my yout', that all kinds of stores had hobby sections, including JCPenney, Monkey Ward, TG&Y, Western Auto, even some pharmacies.
  • Member since
    June 2018
Posted by TankerEasy on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 8:11 AM

A buddy of mine one day saw me browsing a hobby site, without skipping a beat he says "plastic models are still a thing?".. He quite literally thought they just stopped making them years ago and that’s why he hadn’t seen any in a long time. It doesn’t help my area has zero LHS and were left with Hobby Lobby's crap selection

Millennial modeler

Air Force vet (2006-2012)

Recently completed: 1/48 Tamiya V1

On the bench: Hasegawa 1/8 Clerget 9B rotary engine, 1/35 scale Trumpeter SA-2 Guideline missle

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2016
  • From: Ice coated north 40 saskatchewan
Posted by German Armour on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:20 AM
Hi, yes. In my area we have no hobby shops, except for one that is 3 1/2 hrs away. The price is a major factor in my purchase decisions. Dragon kits are too expensive and I am 18, so the older Tamiya shake & bake kits are my usual buys. Also at Regina in Saskatchewan where the hobby shop is located there are a Gundam club and a model club but too far for me to go for meetings. If model companies where to create reasonable kits under $40 like older tamiya then there would maybe be more interest. Bandai must be really smart to do what there doing. :)

 Never give up, never quit, never stop modelling.Idea

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:41 AM

Wilbur Wright

As far as age demographics I believe the hobby is much healthier in Europe and Japan. This is how MIG, AK,  Takom, Meng can make their margins.

I'm 58, and I don't know a single millenial that models outside of the occasional kid that goes to MIT.

You have 3 years olds that have iPads, that have to make a "date" to play.  It's a differnet world.

You want to talk about a hobby in trouble, try stamp collecting.  I'm considered one of the babies at 58.  No one is coming to replenish when the old guard die off.  Most of my friends in that hobby are well into their 80's, if not 90's.

 

It does seem very healthy over here judging by the numbers who attend the shows. And from what i have seen, the ages range from 20's all the way up. Even in the model club i belong to where we get between 10 and 20 attending each meeting, there are a couple of guys in their early 30's. I think the hobby is safe for a few years to come, my copncern would be in 20 to 30 years, will there be enough people still doing it to make it viable.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    October 2018
Posted by Codeman on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:50 AM

laskdjn

I was born in 1982.  That puts me at about either the trail end of Gen X or the beginning edge of Millenials, depending on how you look at it.  I really don't consider myself a Millenial, though, because I actually don't mind hard work, and can deal without immediate gratification... 

However, unlike Clemens, one of my co-workers also builds, though.  But him and I are the only ones I know.

 

 

Same here. I was born in ’83. I get upset when people try to pool me in with the millennials. I love hard work, but my job is really stressful. I grew up modeling and got out of it in my late teens only to return now for the relaxaction that it brings. I love focusing on the small details and taking my time to make something awesome out of a Bunch of plastic pieces. Here in Portland we have a few LHSs but they are expensive. If the younger people dont understand the importance of shopping small and local then it will only be reserved for the online world

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 10:51 AM

German Armour
Hi, yes. In my area we have no hobby shops, except for one that is 3 1/2 hrs away. The price is a major factor in my purchase decisions. Dragon kits are too expensive and I am 18, so the older Tamiya shake & bake kits are my usual buys. Also at Regina in Saskatchewan where the hobby shop is located there are a Gundam club and a model club but too far for me to go for meetings. If model companies where to create reasonable kits under $40 like older tamiya then there would maybe be more interest. Bandai must be really smart to do what there doing. :)
 

Well, back in the late '80s - early '90s when I was in high school and college and working a series of krappy jobs I had to scrimp and save to pick up Tamiya and Dragon kits too. It hasn't changed all that much. Wink

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 11:04 AM

I hear all the time how high prices are today compared years ago. How gas, homes, cars were so much less etc. I was only making $3 an hour in the late 70's so it's all realitive.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by PFJN on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:38 PM

Hi,

This thread has gotten me thinking.  I seem to recal that when I was in high school (or there abouts (1977-1981) I think I could buy a 1/48 scale Revell or Monogram plane for about $5.25 at my local hobby store.  The only reason that I recall that was that I used to categorize models as whether they were $3-3.50 models or whether they were the $5.25 ones.

Anyway, if I did the math right, $5.25 inflated to today's money assuming about 3.5% increase per year would equal about $ 18.75 to 21.50 or so.

Looking at eBay I see several 1/48 scale Revell SBD Dauntless modles going for about $18.90 to about $22.00, so that seems not unreasonable to me Smile.

PF

1st Group BuildSP

  • Member since
    June 2018
Posted by TankerEasy on Thursday, November 29, 2018 6:27 AM

Bish

 

 
Wilbur Wright

As far as age demographics I believe the hobby is much healthier in Europe and Japan. This is how MIG, AK,  Takom, Meng can make their margins.

I'm 58, and I don't know a single millenial that models outside of the occasional kid that goes to MIT.

You have 3 years olds that have iPads, that have to make a "date" to play.  It's a differnet world.

You want to talk about a hobby in trouble, try stamp collecting.  I'm considered one of the babies at 58.  No one is coming to replenish when the old guard die off.  Most of my friends in that hobby are well into their 80's, if not 90's.

 

 

 

It does seem very healthy over here judging by the numbers who attend the shows. And from what i have seen, the ages range from 20's all the way up. Even in the model club i belong to where we get between 10 and 20 attending each meeting, there are a couple of guys in their early 30's. I think the hobby is safe for a few years to come, my copncern would be in 20 to 30 years, will there be enough people still doing it to make it viable.

 

 

It does appear the in the UK and Europe theres alot more people still enjoying the hobby.  Its certainly died way down in the U.S., BUT i do feel its coming back around and more people are getting back into it.  My step is almost 5, and he seems really inetrested in what im doing when im at the bench, so hopefully when he gets a bit older i can get him into building with me, but who knows.....Huh?

Millennial modeler

Air Force vet (2006-2012)

Recently completed: 1/48 Tamiya V1

On the bench: Hasegawa 1/8 Clerget 9B rotary engine, 1/35 scale Trumpeter SA-2 Guideline missle

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Thursday, November 29, 2018 6:36 AM

TankerEasy

 

 
Bish

 

 
Wilbur Wright

As far as age demographics I believe the hobby is much healthier in Europe and Japan. This is how MIG, AK,  Takom, Meng can make their margins.

I'm 58, and I don't know a single millenial that models outside of the occasional kid that goes to MIT.

You have 3 years olds that have iPads, that have to make a "date" to play.  It's a differnet world.

You want to talk about a hobby in trouble, try stamp collecting.  I'm considered one of the babies at 58.  No one is coming to replenish when the old guard die off.  Most of my friends in that hobby are well into their 80's, if not 90's.

 

 

 

It does seem very healthy over here judging by the numbers who attend the shows. And from what i have seen, the ages range from 20's all the way up. Even in the model club i belong to where we get between 10 and 20 attending each meeting, there are a couple of guys in their early 30's. I think the hobby is safe for a few years to come, my copncern would be in 20 to 30 years, will there be enough people still doing it to make it viable.

 

 

 

 

It does appear the in the UK and Europe theres alot more people still enjoying the hobby.  Its certainly died way down in the U.S., BUT i do feel its coming back around and more people are getting back into it.  My step is almost 5, and he seems really inetrested in what im doing when im at the bench, so hopefully when he gets a bit older i can get him into building with me, but who knows.....Huh?

 

I only joined a club and started going to shows in 2014, so i can't really say if the hobby slowed down over here. I am not one of those who built in my teens then stopped for 20 or 30 years, i have been modelling almost none stop since i was 9. I notice a lot of new members here are coming back into it after a long break, but i have not noticed that so much in the UK. A lot of the people i know seem to be similar to me. So that may well explain the growth of it in the US. But lets home we can bring more youngsters into it.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    September 2018
Posted by Darkhorse on Sunday, December 2, 2018 11:47 AM

I’m in the coin collecting industry, and the hobby has had similar concerns about getting younger people participating. I think coin collecting has some greater challenges due to the fact that the business tends to revolve around the highest value rarities. It’s definitely a hobby dominated by, let’s face it, the older white male of means. A millennial is going to have a tough time justifying the cost of a nice rare coin worth a couple of thousand dollars, let alone a more higher end rarity worth tens of thousands of dollars... and just forget about the ultra rarities worth millions.

 More attention needs to be paid to the low end of the hobby if it is to grow, and I see that low end millennial collector is very active on social media, particularly Instagram. I’ve urged my bosses to capitalize on it.

 I’ve seen similar social media activity, if not more active activity, when it comes to modeling. There’s lots of popular modeling accounts on Instagram, and some great YouTube channels by younger people giving tutorials, and I think that’s great. I’m not sure what the best approach is to grow the hobby from this “seed” but there’s definitely something enthusiastic there.

There’s also modeling and coin forums on Reddit that are very active, but that place scares me and I avoid it.

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 11:38 AM
Just my two cents
I was born in 1988 so that makes me a millennial. I got into the hobby thanks to my father and it’s been my preferred hobby mostly since I was nine years old. Gundam kits seem to be pretty popular with my generation since a lot of us grew up watching the show in the mid 90’s. My girlfriend is big into building the models and they are really popular with the 23 to 30 crowd it seems right now. My nearest LHS has a hard time keeping the models in stock and it’s the main seller.
 
I think another problem is there are just so many different things competing for everyone’s attention right now. Between video games, streaming services, social media, work and family it seems life is more chaotic then even twenty years ago.
 
As for me I’m trying to get back into the hobby after being out of it for four years due to personal stuff. It’s nice to actually sit down to something else other then look at a screen. I’m not worried about the hobby dying it’s going to survive.
  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Green Bay, WI
Posted by redraider56 on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 12:26 PM

GreySnake
 
I think another problem is there are just so many different things competing for everyone’s attention right now. Between video games, streaming services, social media, work and family it seems life is more chaotic then even twenty years ago.
  

 

My thoughts in a nutshell.  Looking at all the technological advances in the last 30 years in terms of computers, video games, smart phones, etc, I think unless you had friends or parents or something that were modeling, your probably weren't exposed much to it.  At least not as much as someone say 30-40 years ago was. 

 

For me, if it weren't for a Christmas gift from my uncle one years (1/48 Revell Memphis Belle) O'm not sure Iwould've gotten into this hobby.  But since building that with my Dad when I was 7 or 8, it sunk it's teeth into me.  I'm in the same boat as some other people.  I'm 28 and its been several years since I've done anything model related.  It's been almost 6 years since I graduated college and starting out life took priority but I feel like I've finally gotten the time to get back into it.  My thought is there's probably more people out there that put it on hold for awhile but just havn't gotten the opportunity to start it up again.

-Matt

On The Bench: 1/48 HK B-17G "Man-O-War II"

On Deck: 1/48 Tamiya P-38H, 1/48 Revell PV-1

 

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2018
Posted by Overcast451 on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 10:23 AM

redraider56

 

 
GreySnake
 
I think another problem is there are just so many different things competing for everyone’s attention right now. Between video games, streaming services, social media, work and family it seems life is more chaotic then even twenty years ago.
  

 

 

 

My thoughts in a nutshell.  Looking at all the technological advances in the last 30 years in terms of computers, video games, smart phones, etc, I think unless you had friends or parents or something that were modeling, your probably weren't exposed much to it.  At least not as much as someone say 30-40 years ago was. 

 

For me, if it weren't for a Christmas gift from my uncle one years (1/48 Revell Memphis Belle) O'm not sure Iwould've gotten into this hobby.  But since building that with my Dad when I was 7 or 8, it sunk it's teeth into me.  I'm in the same boat as some other people.  I'm 28 and its been several years since I've done anything model related.  It's been almost 6 years since I graduated college and starting out life took priority but I feel like I've finally gotten the time to get back into it.  My thought is there's probably more people out there that put it on hold for awhile but just havn't gotten the opportunity to start it up again.

 

 

Yep, that's probably right. I'm just about to turn 47 - and I've just gotten back into it. Heck, I wasn't even aware that 'IPMS' existed. Yesterday I looked into it shortly but wasn't sure I wanted to pay a membership fee. Although from what I'm reading - it sounds like it might be worth looking into. 

But over the weekend both of my 'millenial' kids stopped to see what I was doing and positively commented on it. 

When I went to a hobby store with a co-worker (Who's maybe GenY, I supppose) - there seemed like an age mix there. Most of the older guys were mulling around near me in the plastic ship/plane/car model areas, but man of the younger ones were over by the fantasy miniatures (what my co-worker does) and the RC area. A lot of RC stuff is similar in many ways to our hobby.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 4:33 PM
I have 2 kids in their 20's. One of them build Gundam and paints miniatures, so people are still interested. And yeah, they are into computers and video games also. But I don't see how that translates into 'lazy' or no patience. I happen to be in software development for the past 32+ years, and let me tell you that building a website, or coding, or digital photo manipulation, or video game level building - all of those takes skills and patience. A lot of patience.
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