How old were you when you got into modelling?

I built a couple in my younger days, liked it but didnt have the patience. Built one when I got out of.......law trouble. But mom kicked me out and didnt have a place to build plus had other priorities. Then starting building for good last november once I pulled myself out of more crap, So 23 is when I really started building, after a few false starts of course

I started building Snap-Tite kits around 6 or 7. This was also the age when I started playing those "evil" video games. I grew up building kits and playing video games, so I was able to balance my interests in both.

I think if you offer kids several different things to do, and not limit them to "No Video Games, No TV, No Computer, No whatever..." they are more likely to get interested in new things. Of course if you actually take time and spend it with them participating in an activity like building models, playing catch, fishing, etc... they are more likely to enjoy it. Instead of, "Here's a model kit, so go build it, and do something creative, instead of wasting time with that X-Box Video Game thing."

Just my 2 cents worth...   

I still love building kits and playing video games. I just wish I had more time to do both!  

I was 10 when I started and continued 'til I was 14 when I started playing guitar in 1975.

Continued playing guitar for the next 32 years profesionaly through the '80s and mid '90s. Got a job in engineering in the mid '90s and got married. Now I have time to model again and play music at regional clubs. 

I popped outta my mom's womb with a Dremel in one hand and a tube of Testors in the other.

Although, I can't recall the particular plane I was working on in there.

On the other hand, I do however recall that the lighting in there was terrible.

 

As would the workbench I would assume

I'm 43 and and i started when i was about 8 our 9 and it was a tank. So your never to young  or to old to build models. P/s show a kid the hobby or a friend

I've been building models on and off for 50 years. I was 10 years old when I received my first model, for xmas: an X-3 Stiletto. I can't recall who made it. I do remember breaking off the needle on the nose.

Jim 

I was about 8 or 9 c 1961-62, when I started through a modelling club at school. A bit of everything except military. About 12 or 13 I was heavily into model warships - all balsa. Everything was scratch built in those days, right down to home made plans. I even managed to win an award at the local model club for  Ton Class minsweeper, which I still have although its in desperate need of a rebuild. I saved up for the Airfix 1/12th Bentley and that was basically my first serious attempt at a model car in about 1971 and racing/rally cars is all I've done since then. The 1/12th Tamiya Lotus 72 was the second in 1973 and now I have around 500 model cars, including the original Bentley and Lotus. Now I'm starting to change direction and have commenced with some 72nd and 350th scale warships and some aircraft in 48th scale. Unfortunately my son showed no interest but maybe the grandson will?

Well I'm 35 so it was mid-late 70's when I started.  My step-dad (at the time) had quite a collection of aircraft.  So I'd have to say he was the inspiration for the hobby.  I of course started out with snap-tight kits; I can't remember what the first one was.  I do remember that I had a couple of Star Wars vehicles, a Smokey and the Bandit Trans-Am (LOL).  I also remember the first time I was given a glue together kit.....what a mess that was.  Then I was finally allowed to use paint....yep another mess, yet through those messes I learned a lot!  I primarily stuck with cars through the years. (no pun intended with the messy glue comment).

Now I am about to start my first model in over 5 yrs.  I have attempted to introduce the hobby to my oldest son who is 10....not sure if he's taking much of an interest though....we'll see.  He received a couple of snap-together (Star Wars) vehicles for Christmas.  We sat together and did the first one, he wants to hang it in his room.  He asked last night if we could do the other one.....so maybe there's hope yet.  His biggetst "modeling" interest has been more with Lego "kits"  Not the same I know, but that could be a starting point for him..,

OBTW: This is my first post!  I better get over to the "introductions" forum and allow myself to introduce.....myself.

 

 

 

   

I'm 51 and I built my first model airplane before I started school.  An old Revell 1/72 F-101.  It was a mess of glue and mis-shapen plastic, but whadda ya want from a 5 yr old?  I built mostly model fighter planes for years, a few ships and cars, but as a 20 yr old newlywed I bought a Monogram Sherman Hedgehog kit and the color diorama building enclosure by Shep Paine lit a fire in me.  I gave it up reluctantly after I accumulated a few rugrats.  After all my kids grew up and left home, I took it up again after 25+ years.

I enjoy video games, even at my age- Call of Duty for pc is my favorite FPS- but it is no substitute for bulding armor models.  I've always been creative, drawing, writing and painting, and I see modelling as an extension of that.  Seems to me that if you are the creative type, you will seek some hands-on outlet for that.  Writing a novel takes about the same amount of time as building and finishing a model (did me, anyhow).  I thought this hobby had died out back in the 80's when all my local hobby shops closed up, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it had not only survived, but advanced exponenetially over the last 20 years.

Some young folk who enjoy creating with their hands will still, I believe, find their way to model-building.  They are infinitely better suited to handle PE tool clamps.  I have a new OptiVisor, but still need to master gene-splicing in order to grow that third hand that seems to be required to assemble those drechlich little demon-spawned brass torture devices . . . .

My dad was in the NAVY at Oakland naval air in the 50`s. Always around aircraft. Always loved them. Started building at about 6 or 7. Cant remember my first build, but i remember doing a 1/144 B52. Also some time later I built a big LONG JOHN rocket on a army truck launcher. Didnt start painting till about 12 or 13. From then on it was always 1/32 aircraft.ajlafleche, I remember doing the same sub!I think I was around 14, because I remember painting it. Got out of the hobby after joining the air force (yea, around aircraft! B52s to be exact) Then started again in the late 70`s. Then quit again.Life and money and room ,I think. Just started back again this year and remember how much I loved it!! Oh yea, I`m 58 now.Not ashamed of it ....HAPPY NEW YEAR

I was around 6 back in the mid sixty's. My dad would take my to a hobby shop around the corner from the Alamo. Of course that shop is long gone, but I still think of those times often. My brother and dad got me started in models. As for video games, I remember watching Pong for the first time at Sears. It was like magic.