Getting a late start in Texas

[SDC]

I have read through many posts where some of you have returned to the hobby a bit later in life, many of you much older than me, so I am very optimistic about my recent restart which began late in 2022.

I had completed exactly one plastic model kit in my life until recently.  It was a Monogram Lamborghini Countach LP500S, which I built 30+ years ago, and it was a typical preteen hack job.  I can clearly recall a stringy mess of glue and fingerprints, an awful brushed paint job, and a bunch of leftover small parts that I didn’t feel like messing with in the bottom of the box when I called it complete.  I am sure a few of you can relate.  I plan to eventually buy it again and do it right the second time.

Anyway, fast forward to 2022 where I found myself aimlessly wandering the aisles of Hobby Lobby while my wife looked for something she needed on the other side of the store.  To my surprise I found myself standing in front of a 1:25 Revell Jeep Wrangler (TJ) which I also had sitting in my driveway as a 1:1. I decided then and there I was going to buy it.  No glue, no paint, no prep supplies, nothing else, just the kit.  I don’t even know at that point if I was even planning to build it; I just wanted it. So I bought it. 

It was all downhill from there.  My stash started growing, I was suddenly watching modeling how to videos and browsing forums for tips and tricks instead of reading novels before bed, etc.  

My area of interest is mainly 1:25 scale auto, though I also enjoy 1:64 scale customs as well.

I guess I have come to realize that my 40's has brought a much different mindset to model building than I had as a 12 year old kid, and I am very excited about my restart.  I can't get back the 30 years I've missed, but I figure I can do my best to make up for it during the ones I have left.

Thanks in advance for all of the tips, tricks, and info I will certainly pick up from this forum moving forward.  Hopefully I'll eventually be able to give back in some meaningful way as well.

Shawn

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum, Shawn. Reading your post, I have bad news... you're hooked. Too late to turn back now, better to just accept it. Your support group is standing by. Enjoy the forum. Cheers.

[Pierre Rivard]

Welcome Shawn. Just like you I got a late start (early sixties) and never looked back. This forum is a great way to exchange and learn from each other. I hope we'll soon see some of your work.

[Street Rod]

Welcome aboard, Shawn! Looking forward to seeing your work!

[slusher]

Welcome aboard the forum, shawm!

[PappyD340]

Welcome to the forum Shawn!

[SpikeSchumacher]

Welcome Shawn!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Welcome Shawn. All here ready to offer tips, tricks, comments and encouragement. Hope you will enjoy being a member of this forum. Looking forward to your builds.

[Zippi]

Welcome back to the hobby and to the forum Shawn.

[happy grumpy]

Welcome back Shawn, what you will find different now is that we have an almost unlimited access to all sort of resources thanks to forum like this and internet. Wish I had this in the 70's.

[Chris 422]

Welcome friend. Better late than never!