This is a proposed GB for a trip down memory lane and, as the working title suggests, to confess our first experience in scale modeling. The goal is to acquire the first model you ever built, be it a far cry from anything your discriminating taste and skills may allow to grace the work bench today, and apply the acquired skills to the kit that lured you into the hobby. There in lays a personal challenge to most, only apply today’s skills (save one exception) – no aftermarket resin, photo etch or any other modern assistance that was unheard of when we peeled away the cellophane or tipped the box top of our first model. Scratch building parts is perfectly fine as it shows off the skills gained since before we even knew what an airbrush was. The one exception would be decals, primarily because if they are original they would be about useless anyway, and many of the reissued kits come pre-painted, so a hunt for after market decals, preferably mimicking the originals but not necessary, would be our one external “pre-fab” accessory beyond the box.
I believe this will be a quick build for most as I imagine many of our first kits were snap models. For some our first kit may be financially beyond good sense or purely no longer obtainable, in that instance do your best to find one of the first kits you built, again back when your finished kits impressed no one except at best your parents.
This is a feeler for a GB I propose to begin in late December to allow time for some kit-hunting and last about six months, ending before summer and the onslaught of “must be perfectly detailed” projects – work bench, honey-do or otherwise.
Rules:
Air, armor, auto, trains, ships, sci-fi or figures all wanted – the fact we all started with some form of a model is all that matters
Acquire the first kit you ever built, original or reissue
Apply the masterful skills you’ve gained since that first kit
No after market resin
No after market photo etch
Scratch build details as desired
After market decals allowed
Post a photo of the kit pre-build
Explain when, where, why or how you got into the hobby with your kit
Post photos as you progress
As you build, look at the project at hand to appreciate how far your tastes and skills have progressed with glimpses at the modern kits sharing space on the bench
Set aside OCD and enjoy the build and what got you started in the hobby
Start late-December
End early June
If there is enough interest I’ll collect the names and fire up the GB in late December.