Kids today...

[Dave Ambrose]

On 4/21/2019 at 11:20 AM, misterNNL said:

Want to see kids building models ? Mention the word Gundam and watch their interest level change. These are a Huge model kit business and though we my not speak their language they are as interested in these as we are in car modeling. Different generation , different set of interests.

That’s my experience too. There is a big SoCal Gundam contest, and the vast majority of participants, all 230 of them, are under 40. 

My kids grew up with modeling, and we took them along for pretty much everything else we did, including shooting. They have different interests, and that’s just fine. 

I remember my grandparents telling me how “kids today” were just no good. I had different interests, but I like to pretend I turned out all right. 

[styromaniac]

On 4/21/2019 at 2:20 PM, misterNNL said:

Want to see kids building models ? Mention the word Gundam and watch their interest level change. These are a Huge model kit business and though we my not speak their language they are as interested in these as we are in car modeling. Different generation , different set of interests.

I'll have to agree. I attend the IPMS Model show in Richmond Va every February. It is a very well attended gathering with first rate modeling on hand....armor, aviation, ships, automotive, figures....almost too much to take in during one day, yet there are concerns about an aging attendence group. Speculation was that participation would be waning with the old baby boomers  unable to continue...but this winter there was a boom in younger modelers...and their category? GUNDAM! An energetic group with 200 entries...they had to add tables.  

[misterNNL]

not to get too far afield here,but for changing tastes we need to look no farther than the full size versions of the vehicles we choose to build models of. Attend a real car show few decades ago and you might see the big classics like Packard,etc. That generation is dying off and then came a proliferation of tri-five Chevys. A lot those have been replaced now with muscle cars and tuners(those seem to travel in little herds). You may not agree with me totally but think about it for a minute and you can see the trend for yourself. Like it or not our standards and preferences are not necessarily those of another generation. We can accept it or move out of the way. Again this is just my opinion.

[stitchdup]

35 minutes ago, misterNNL said:

not to get too far afield here,but for changing tastes we need to look no farther than the full size versions of the vehicles we choose to build models of. Attend a real car show few decades ago and you might see the big classics like Packard,etc. That generation is dying off and then came a proliferation of tri-five Chevys. A lot those have been replaced now with muscle cars and tuners(those seem to travel in little herds). You may not agree with me totally but think about it for a minute and you can see the trend for yourself. Like it or not our standards and preferences are not necessarily those of another generation. We can accept it or move out of the way. Again this is just my opinion.

Some of that is down to the younger generation being priced out of the older cars. How many younger people can afford to drop 20k on a project car that needs a lot more money spent on it just to be drivable, when they can pick up a running/driving civic for 5k and have an on the road project just like the guys did with their customs and rods in 50s and 60s.

They will probably put just as much time, effort  and cash into them in the long run but for the majority of them they need to be able to drive to work on monday morning.

 

On the modelling side a lot of the warhammer/citadel type builders are now moving towards the more kit like figures and the products they have for them are great for weathering out type of builds. I know I've been stocking up on their paints

[Dragline]

Look at the Warhammer community. Not only are the models ridiculously expensive but they do get the added bonus of using them in battle. 

A two fer if you like.

[misterNNL]

As further proof of the Gundam trend Buckeye Scale Auto club will add a Gundam class to their 2020 Buckeye Classic model show. There will be two classes divided by sizes,large and small. This should be interesting.

Edited April 26, 2019 by misterNNL
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