When did modeling become more than kid stuff to you?

[Jantrix]

That I guess is a short way of saying, when did you realize, that modeling was more than just a pastime keep the kids busy when the weather is lousy. When did you realize, "Whoa, grown-ups are building these! And just LOOK at 'em!" When did you realize this was art, and that you in turn, were an artist?

We've had some good "where, when, what age were ya" discussions recently so lets keep it going.

I always loved building models and continued it straight into my late teens, but it wasn't something I told other people about. I figured it was just kid stuff and felt a little self conscious about still doing at 19 years old. Until I found my first model magazine. I was amazed and felt sooooo vindicated. Seeing those photos made me want to step up my work.

As for the art part, it wasn't until I moved next door to and art major at the local university that I understood that. A talented and unique artist himself, he was really impressed with my work. I told him that it was just a hobby, no big deal. He said, "No dude, this is ART. It might start as a kit, but what you do to that plastic is no different than a sculptor molding clay on a wire shape." He used to bring his friends over my place to see my stuff. I gotta admit, I don't know if I've ever received such a compliment before or since.

[58 Impala]

Building models is kid stuff?

[slusher]

When l was 18 in 1983 l thought l had out grown model building, l was so wrong and gave all my builds away. l picked it back up in 1990 from just missing it but when l bought my first computer l discovered l was not alone and a whole new world of build was discovered...Slusher

[mopar01lee]

I never stoped building.. from the time I got my first model a 7. Till now at 34. I was never ashamed at what I did or do. I loved showing my friends what I built. I even did one in art class in jr high school out of clay an old model part. It sat in a glass case it the main hall for 3 to 4 yrs. An now my friends have me build them cars ...

[Jeff Johnston]

I was probably in my later teems when I started taking it seriously. I never stopped building but I slowed a lot in my early 20's, I got back into it in my mid 20's pretty heavy...then at about 27 (1991 ish) I really slowed to maybe 2 build a year until 2000 when I started again. Then I went to Classic Plastic Model Car show in Mass and saw all the great stuff, and found the message boards. The rest is history

[tabsscale1]

-Well I did build them when i was 17 but cars girls parties and work got in the way. Then in the90 's I was really hooked on NASCAR and I discovered NASCAR models in KMART one day and that is when i started building them during a race. Then when i discover Scale Auto and Car modeler mags . That is when i figured ut other adults were building models as well. I also discovered model car conets from these mags and started going to some local one and was blown away. I joined a local club and the rest is history. Haven't built a NASCAR model though in over 10 years and have a collection of over 200 of those that just set around . Going to start selling themas I will never get to build all of them as I have over 60 dale Earnhardt paint schemes to do and probably over 30 Junior ones to build.

[Ramfins59]

I originally built car models in the early 60's. I also built tanks & Jeeps & half tracks (without painting them) but I blew up & burnt pretty much all of them with lighter fluid and firecrackers. I started taking car modeling seriously when I rediscovered the hobby in 1991 and then joined the L.I.A.R.S. Club in NY in 1992. Until then I didn't realize that other grown men built car models too. Then came the discovery of the model magazines and contests and off I went.

[Lunajammer]

1988. Age 26. Octoberish. Every now and then I visited a mall hobby store and was drawn to the models. I always saw a sign for a model club meeting and after a year or so decided to check one out around the same time I decided to build a Monogram '57 Nomad. It was mostly young to middle aged men and I learned in a few meetings about things I never even knew existed, like Bare Metal Foil, masking products, mould seams, wiring, resin, paint polishing, etc. Like many here, it's when I got caught up in what appeared to be a growing modeling renaissance.

[Tonioseven]

I realized it about 17 years ago when my wife was pregnant with my first son. I went to a toy store (Johnny's Toys in Greenhills, Ohio) and happened to start at the rear of the store and work my way back up front; that was the plan until I saw the whole wall full of model cars and accessories that spread almost the width of the store! I don't remember much after that, only that I will eventually build them all!!

[Mike Kucaba]

When I went to a swap meet in Hillside,IL and saw almost all adults 1987-8. Picked up a few kits and some SAE mags.

[Erik Smith]

...When I found my first issue of SAE at, of all places (and to the best of my memory), a Supervalu grocery store in Campbell River, BC, Canada. I must have been around 14 or 15 and couldn't believe there really was a "world" of model builders out there. After a break (I built through college, then life got too busy, I guess), I picked the hobby back up and the Internet again affirmed the reality of the "adult-ness" of the hobby.

I have never been ashamed of the hobby, but it is difficult for some people to realize or acknowledge the skill, patience, and artistic ability required to build an attractive, well built model car.

[charlie8575]

Although my skills have taken a long time to even begin to catch up, I realized this was more, much more when I was in fourth or fifth grade, and I saw George Sellios' first rendition of the Franklin & South Manchester in Model Railroader, and when I saw that, I realized that it was more than breaking parts off the trees and slopping glue and paint on something.

I don't claim to be a great builder. But the inspiration I see in trains, cars, planes, and whatever else continues to drive me.

Charlie Larkin

[2002p51]

For me it was when Don Emmons started doing articles on models in Rod & Custom magazine in the very early sixties.

[Dr. Cranky]

I always took building models seriously, although when I was a kid I built to just get the thing done and play with it. When I returned to the hobby (I was already in my 30s) I realized it was all about the doing, the adventure of the process, etc . . . and then I really started having quite a bit of fun. Model kits are like puzzles to me. Since I don't know the first thing about mechanics and what an engine does, etc, it's all about making the thing look as good as it is humanly possible to disguise the fact that I don't know the first thing about cars. LOL.

[Foxer]

It was never a kid thing to me. I was always serious about reproducing something in scale that I liked. My first model was a three ship kit at 8 years old that my Father built with me. He did one ship while I did the others on my own. His job painting blew me away and I think I have always shrived to do as well as he did. I'm not sure I've reached that level, but then, the image of his ship is only in my mind.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Foxer

[rmvw guy]

I have always been into cars. I hated going away to the US Army when I got drafted at 19. When I was sent to South Korea I discovered a hobby shop on base. I started building cars and planes and received compliments from the guys. I thought of it as a subsitute for the real cars I would have at home and a few planes thrown in just for fun. One day a high ranking officer made a surprise visit and I had my models spread all over my bunk. I thought I was in big trouble. I received one of the highest compliments I've ever recieved in my life and from that moment I knew it was no longer kids stuff.

[Junkman]

I never considered it kid stuff. When I started in my early teens, it was exactly what made me feel soooo grown up.

[chepp]

...it was when I sold my first article to a model car magazine in 1969. I was sixteen when I shot photos and wrote an article about a fully-scenicked HO slot car layout that my buddies and I built. I sent it off to Car Model and didn't get any response from them until their check arrived in the mail about three months later. No magazine, just a check. So I rushed down to the magazine stand (remember those?) and bought several copies.

I had built plastic 1/24-1/25 cars since I was a kid and my parents were not pleased that I was still "playing" with toy cars as a teen. That led to my bright idea that I'd make it more acceptable if I could sell articles. My first one was a two-part article on building a mid-engined Javelin funny car with an intricate paint job that appeared in Model Car Science in 1970 or 1971 with the title Speed Freak. So, it became a "grown up" activity since I could make a little (unfortunately, with the emphasis on "little") money at it.

I went on to get a degree in photojournalism that convinced me that I had little skill and no interest in the news business. Instead, I've had a career since 1982 in the new products departments of die-cast toy car manufacturers.

When MCS stopped publishing, the editor told me: "Quick, learn how to build trains!" In addition to a different model car magazine from Argus he edited a model train magazine, too. So, I did articles for both through the '80s and a few model trains articles since then. That resulted in a second hobby that I still participate in: HO model railroading.

[Art Anderson]

I started building model cars (with a few side trips into Revell ships, HO Model railroading (in a very weak moment!) and a ton of 1/72nd scale aircraft, but cars have always been my main thrust. As a kid, I built like a kid, of course, but somewhere in my early 20's (back in the 60's, I started building replica's, as accurately as I knew how back then.

So, I suppose I figured out that this could be an adult hobby some 45yrs ago, and I've never looked back.

Art

[Harry P.]

I built models as a kid, then stopped in my teens and didn't really get back to it for many years (got sidetracked by the usual... girls, then a marriage, then three kids and working to support them. I had no time for hobbies!). Got back to it again in the 90s as an adult, once the kids were older and I actually had the time to have a hobby again. I've been at it ever since, but not steadily. I go for long periods where the urge just doesn't hit me, then I get the urge and suddenly I'm back to building... but I can easily go for many months at a time without touching a model at all.

[Mercman]

Going on 53 years now. Never really stopped. Just change subject matter now and then is all.

[zenrat]

I was thinking about this last night while putting an engine together.

I'm not sure when it happened but the indicator that i'd switched to "grown up building" was when I didn't automatically use the biggest engine, fattest tyres and the supercharger.

When I got back into the hobby about 7 years ago was when I found (via the internet) that other adults were doing it and when I discovered aftermarket parts and the difference it made having an income rather than just pocket money.

And it was when I first attended the IPMS Model Expo swap meet was when I realised that some of those adults were worse than children when it came to manners, patience and hygiene.

[Badluck 13]

  On 8/16/2012 at 2:02 AM, 58 Impala said:

Building models is kid stuff?

......my exact thought.......My dad was into trains so I always kinda looked at it as a hobby and I had a love for the automobile and my dad made it known it was a hobby to enjoy,hes 83 and still works with his layout!!!

Edited August 17, 2012 by Badluck 13

[Helix]

Hmm, started building model cars (if you could call it that !) when I was 15 until I joined the Army at 17

20 years service and not one single kit built, dear old mum packed all my model stuff away in the shed

Oh, not to mention, girls & cars in between

Got back into it 10 years ago after reading some SAE mags and this is where it became more than kids stuff, even got the box that mum packed away still!

[Guest Johnny]

Will soon hit 61 and I'm still like a kid when building a model.

So nothing has really changed!