I believe that model building is more popular than we might think

[Art Anderson]

So here's an interesting couple of questions; " Given the chance, do kids still like to build things with their hands? And, " Do kids like cars? If the answer to those questions are yes, (and I think they will be) then it's game on and it's just a matter of exposure. But somebody has to be willing to take the plunge.

The following state isn't going to make that happen:

" They can do both. So could we... but our kit manufacturers heads are stuck in the 1960s.

IMO, your last statement couldn't be farther from the truth, period!

[Speedfreak]

But what culture is more heavily into electronics and gadgetry than the Japanese? Yet they also have a love of building models, and model building is very popular there.

They can do both. So could we... but our kit manufacturers heads are stuck in the 1960s.

Art, that last statement was made by Harry, I just didn't quote him.

[Speedfreak]

Not sure where it will lead, but my wife recently taught a summer camp class at the YMCA that was titled "Build It" and over the course of 5 days these 3rd-5th graders built several things, including a Revell Space Shuttle and '34 Ford street rod. She said they were having fun with the models and kids in other classes looked on with envy. The inspiration for the class came to her from going to a couple of shows with me and seeing some younger kids displaying models and her understanding that kids need to do more than rely on electronic entertainment devices.

I think there might be a kid or two from those classes that continues on to build models. My wife was certain to mention the weekly ad from Hobby Lobby where they could save 40% and also the local Hobbytown USA where the owner said he would give them a discount if they mentioned "YMCA" but only on models, not R/C!

I don't think there is any magic formula to get today's kids into the hobby; they're either into cars or they aren't. I had friends who didn't really have the patience to build back in the '70s and weren't really car guys.

Hey Mike great post, I think your wife may have hit on the magic formula, hands on exposure to modeling. And the fact that, " kids need to do more than rely on electronic entertainment devices. Maybe some entity associated with the modeling hobby needs to further this kind of participation/venture, sounds cool to me.

[MustangGuy23]

I'm 20 and have been building off and on for about 8 years. I've only really completed about 6 models, 5 of which are in painted glue bombs. More recently I've began taking it seriously. I don't know anyone else personally around here that models. I'm sure there are people though. My local Michael's and HL have a decent selection but don't seem to bring many visitors to the model aisle. My local HTUSA is about 95% R/C. Last time I was there all of their styrene bins were just sitting there empty. One of my LHS's is pretty train oriented and the prices on their model stuff is too high for me to afford. My other LHS has a decent selection of modeling stuff, but is geared toward R/C as well. I try and support them when I can. Most of my friends don't even know I model. It seems like everyone thinks it's a childish hobby, even though it's quite the opposite.

[W-409]

For some people it is... Sometimes I'm standing in the aisle looking at a Amt/Revell kit (which is the same kit from the 90s, which is the same kit from the 80s, same kit from the 70s, and the same kit from the 60s, mind you) that's priced at $17 and has iffy molding and iffy details and then I look at a Tamiya/Aoshima/other-Japanese-kit-maker that has better molding and details but is priced at $30-$50 range on a good day. Most people would get the cheap one, which is the same kit from the 60s, probably the same molds too haha, and realize, oh man, this sucks, there's flash, moldlines and injector marks everywhere, I'm not getting this brand again. And that is the basic reason why the Japanese kit makers are doing better then the American companies, they keep their molds up to date, and although they usually don't have engine details, they crush the American companies in the interior, body, tires and chassis detail. The only reason the American companies are still around is because they are basically the only ones who really make the classic muscle cars, the hot rods and the customs, the Japanese companies don't, they make the new exotic cars and also the older exotic and tuner cars.

It seems like most kids who are into cars now-a-days around me are interested in the latest Lambo, Maserati, Benz, or Bugatti, which it seems the model manufacturers aren't making, because the licensing and copyright are very expensive and the companies don't know if they can make their money back if they do make the kit. But I'm pretty sure either Tamiya, Meng or some other Japanese model makers are working to kit one of these cars soon.

I don't think that the cost is a problem, either. A regular good kit (Not a Snap Kit) costs about $30 (Here in Finland) and to get started with the hobby you don't need all of the tools that many of us do. I'd say a bunch of paints and brushes, sandpaper, a file, hobby knive, tweezers and a spray paint for the body and that kind of "basic equipment" is all you need for the first builds. Just to get started. Overall, those won't cost that much, at least if compared to what a game console and a game for it would cost. I think those are very expensive. I've never bought a single game console or a game, probably because I play them very, very rarely and that way I think I prefer buying a model kit that I can turn out into something I'd like to see in 1:1 scale. (Anyway I do have a game console and a few games, I've got them as Christmas presents).

It's true that some of the kits have lots of flash and other stuff to be cleaned up. That's not a good thing for a first time modeler that might not exactly know how these should be built. Of course if his/her parents have been building models when they were younger, then I see this is not a problem as the parents can tell the kid that he/she should get rid of that junk. But I wouldn't say that Japanese kit manufacturers are better than Americans. It depends on what things people appreciate, personally for me I think it's interesting that the kit has a good body, engine and interior and separate axles etc on the chassis. On Japanese kits, the body is usually really good, but there might be no engine and no chassis detail. Sometimes even the interior is simplified, but most times that is okay.

It's true that many people nowadays are interested in those Super Cars. I don't know if there are kits of them, but I think someone should make them to get more people interested in this hobby. I know more folks that are interested in American Cars, though, but luckily there are many kits of them available!

The idea of making a model of a car that exists in some video games is a really good idea in my opinion. Probably the video game people would buy them and get interested in this great hobby.

[Dr. Cranky]

Building model cars may not be dead, but it'll never be as popular as it once was. Never. Not with all of the things today that kids are into... facebook, twitter, etc... the internet in general... video games... back in the "golden age" of model cars, none of that stuff existed. There simply wasn't that much other stuff to attract kids, so more of them built models back then. Heck, even something as simple as watching TV is way more diverse now... we used to have 4-5 channels... today we have hundreds!

As far as building model cars as a hobby, the numbers have been dropping steadily since the '60s... yeah, there will always be certain people who build model cars, but never again in the numbers there used to be. It's a different world now, and today's kids have a lot more varied interests. No way will any one particular pastime dominate kids today like model building did in the '60s.

You have good point, Harry, and at one time they had other things that they can participate in where they would be sort of making a healthy contribution to their lives and the people around them. I think at the end of the day most of these new generations will find out that the basics of human interaction still require the same ordeal: human interaction in the flesh. Real face-to-face conversation will never be replaced by texting, skyping, etc . . .

[LaughingIndian]

In the 60s we had contemporary cars as national dragster champions and racing at Daytona with nothing but contemporary two-doors. We were sending rockets to the moon. And as young guys we could realistically dream of one day owning or piloting these machines. We shared that with our fathers and friends and a lot of us built models of them to get a little closer to the real thing.

Our modern view of those subjects we modelled has changed. I think that's the big difference ...

[Dr. Cranky]

For every professional video (they start as kids and end up in their early 20s), there are millions of others who just consume the stuff. They don't really make anything. There's no visual end-product at the end of it. At least with models, you end up with a shelf full of kits you've built.

[clovis]

Wow...thank you for the replies! This has become an interesting thread!

When I was a kid, back in the 70's and 80's, I fell in love with building models, especially WWII airplanes. When I look back now, I realize the reason that I loved to build those planes gave me a new dimension to my love of war birds. In those days, the absolute best a kid could do was looking at black and white pictures in a book from the library, and an amazing thrill was to see a 8 second clip, in black and white too, of a WWII airplane on TV, possibly shown on a news clip.

In today's world, kids have that extra dimension to whatever they are interested in. Whether it is cars, anime, war...there are 82,000 videos on YouTube. And honestly, IIUC, don't most of the video games allow the player to create whatever subject they want?

I have a nephew that is now 10, and I kid you not, is a single track mind that is addicted to video games. I recently tried to get him to build a model with me:

Me: Hey, let's build a model together. We'll build whatever you want.

Him: No thanks.

Me: You don't want to build a model?

Him: No.

Me: How about building a car. I'll get you a car model, and just the two of us will work on it. How about a Ferrari? I've got a kit right now.

Him: Why would I want to do that?????? I can make any car I want on the ____________ game.

See what I mean??? I have a theory that video games have fulfilled that extra dimension that we used to seek out in the interests that we have.

[Tom Geiger]

Kids do work with their hands today, it's not all electronics. Lego has taken on a huge popularity, and it will be even bigger due to the new Lego movie. We can call this a FAD, and there will be an end to the phenomina. The Lego company has found a way to take their 50 year old product and make it relevant and exciting to kids today. And it is a world wide phenomina, not just a US thing. The model companies need to study their business, and see how they can apply.

When I was looking into the numbers of opening a hobby shop, I came across a small toy store in a suburban shopping center, much like the size and location I'd want for my hobby shop. I went in to look, wondering if they had hobby items like model kits. They didn't but they had this huge Lego presence, and the same for a few other toys that are big now. I had noticed my local Walmart also has a full toy aisle of Lego. The owner of this store was very open and when I asked how he survived, he told me he was doing very well. That he was savvy enough to stock, or get to order, the very hard to find Lego sets and such. I feared for this nice guy and his store since the supermarket next door to him had vacated, so there went his anchor store. He did admit that sales were off a bit since then, that was last fall. The supermarket space is still empty, but there was a big sign in the toy store window... they are opening a second location in the next town! So they must be doing well!

Edited July 13, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[mikemodeler]

To add to your comment Jeff, your nephew can get instant gratification (McDonalds Mentality) with his video game whereas building a model may take him several hours over several days, and then all he has is a static display.

I would like to think the Revell/Gearz contest pushed a few people into the model aisles and maybe brought some back to the hobby while exposing the hobby to some new customers.

As has been mentioned here in other posts, models once were everywhere and today there are just a few places to find them. Revell does have their "Make and Take" program and it is nice to see many NNL type events including this into their shows as hopefully it can encourage some new blood into the hobby, although I would bet most of the kids taking part in these already have an interest in model building. The effort Ford took with their 2015 Mustang unveiling along with Revell having the basic kits there to build most likely had parents and kids alike excited about the car.

[DynoMight]

To add to your comment Jeff, your nephew can get instant gratification (McDonalds Mentality) with his video game whereas building a model may take him several hours over several days, and then all he has is a static display.

I would like to think the Revell/Gearz contest pushed a few people into the model aisles and maybe brought some back to the hobby while exposing the hobby to some new customers.

As has been mentioned here in other posts, models once were everywhere and today there are just a few places to find them. Revell does have their "Make and Take" program and it is nice to see many NNL type events including this into their shows as hopefully it can encourage some new blood into the hobby, although I would bet most of the kids taking part in these already have an interest in model building. The effort Ford took with their 2015 Mustang unveiling along with Revell having the basic kits there to build most likely had parents and kids alike excited about the car.

You know I forgot about the Revell/Gearz thing, they need to have another one of those... Maybe a Revell/U.S. Top Gear? Build one of the cars featured in said episode, somehow get them to see it and possibly win a trip to the show/money prize? I don't know, just a idea... Or maybe something where at the next Hotrod Power Tour they have a competition of building the best '32 Ford or some other iconic car, that could work, lots of kids go with their parents to that..

[Tom Geiger]

Revell does have their "Make and Take" program and it is nice to see many NNL type events including this into their shows as hopefully it can encourage some new blood into the hobby, although I would bet most of the kids taking part in these already have an interest in model building.

For the most part, the kids you see at model car shows are the children of model car collectors / builders. They've already had the full dose of model car stiluli. They have access to unlimited tools, kits, after market and mentoring from their dad. Some will build a little for the son/father experience (as I had the same with my daughter/father experience), and a few will take the hobby on as enthusiastic as we have. Others will show no interest what so ever. I know a lot of modelers whose sons never built. I know one prominent guy who has twin sons who were into sports and baseball cards. They never even were into 1:1 cars like their dad.

Make And Takes are great events, but are best done at non-modeling events to bring in new interest, those who may not even be aware that model kits exist. I like Revell's program at full size car shows. They know the participants are already into cars, a prerequisite to wanting to build models of cars. Hobby shop events are also good, since now the attendees know where to get more models. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (and other like programs, church groups etc) are good because there are merit badges that can be earned. I did a snap kit build with the Girl Scouts once. These girls are now 30 and still talk about the time we did that together.

I cannot say the number of Make and Take participants that move on to actually taking up the hobby. It's got to be very small, but worthwhile to find those who will join in.

[Dr. Cranky]

Kids do work with their hands today, it's not all electronics. Lego has taken on a huge popularity, and it will be even bigger due to the new Lego movie. We can call this a FAD, and there will be an end to the phenomina. The Lego company has found a way to take their 50 year old product and make it relevant and exciting to kids today. And it is a world wide phenomina, not just a US thing. The model companies need to study their business, and see how they can apply.

When I was looking into the numbers of opening a hobby shop, I came across a small toy store in a suburban shopping center, much like the size and location I'd want for my hobby shop. I went in to look, wondering if they had hobby items like model kits. They didn't but they had this huge Lego presence, and the same for a few other toys that are big now. I had noticed my local Walmart also has a full toy aisle of Lego. The owner of this store was very open and when I asked how he survived, he told me he was doing very well. That he was savvy enough to stock, or get to order, the very hard to find Lego sets and such. I feared for this nice guy and his store since the supermarket next door to him had vacated, so there went his anchor store. He did admit that sales were off a bit since then, that was last fall. The supermarket space is still empty, but there was a big sign in the toy store window... they are opening a second location in the next town! So they must be doing well!

Tom, I like your post. The problem with LEGO is that the imagination is already packaged for the child so that all he/she has to do is put the Mickey Mouse Kingdom together and put Darth Vader marrying Minnie Mouse up on the turret balcony. LOL. When a kid builds a kit, sure, it comes with all the parts, but the kid picks color, assembles, ends up with a unique model that is at least 50% his/hers. As that same kid grows up and learns to scratch-build and paint and kit-bash, the model takes the imagination to whole new place. Nothing against LEGO, mind you, but it's like getting a kid a coloring book. It's better to get the kid a blank sketch-book and some coloring pencils/markers, etc . . .

[Tom Geiger]

Hey Virgil, thanks for replying. I agree and disagree. True, Lego mega sets are specific builds, but so are box stock models. Most instruction sets include a painting guide, so it's not much different for those who wish to do something compliant, and without deviating from the plan.

But in the Lego world, there are huge competitions for people, many are adults, who create their own major projects using Lego. That does parallel what we do with model cars and dioramas. I'm sure that there are Lego folks who are building that castle and decide they want to make some changes.

My point in the post is that there is enough of a demand for the high end lego, and that parents are dishing out hundreds of dollars for them, to keep a small hobby like toy store flourishing, even when Walmart has an entire aisle of the common stuff at deep discount. The analagy is that there isn't much difference between Lego and model cars. Both 50 year old products, but somehow Lego management has turned this product into a huge sensation all over again. As far as the model companies, there is a lesson to be learned here. Not sure exactly how it would be applied, but it shows that a toy product that old can be revived, and dispells the theory that youth will not work with their hands.

So the Lego thing dispells two major roadblock theories. A. Kids don't work with their hands, and B. Nobody will spend the money needed to enjoy our hobby.

And just what would the model companies be able to do? It would no doubt be far from product we, as a group of consumers, would want to buy. But so what? We're the aging dinos content with what the product is today, where the model companies need to create a whole new market for the consumers that follow us.

Edited July 13, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[Greg Myers]

Legos are HIP

[Harry P.]

My son never really got into model cars. He built 3-4 of them, maybe just to please me... but he dropped it. He loved Legos, however. I can't tell you how much I spent on Legos over the years, but he built all kinds of stiff with them,

[mikemodeler]

My son never really got into model cars. He built 3-4 of them, maybe just to please me... but he dropped it. He loved Legos, however. I can't tell you how much I spent on Legos over the years, but he built all kinds of stiff with them,

Mine too Harry!

Probably one of the reasons kid love Legos is that they can take them apart easily and build something new, try that with one of your Poocher kits!

Imagine if Revell or Round2 had a store or destination for us like Lego Land ???

[DiscoRover007]

I'm 20 and have been building off and on for about 8 years. I've only really completed about 6 models, 5 of which are in painted glue bombs. More recently I've began taking it seriously. I don't know anyone else personally around here that models. I'm sure there are people though. My local Michael's and HL have a decent selection but don't seem to bring many visitors to the model aisle. My local HTUSA is about 95% R/C. Last time I was there all of their styrene bins were just sitting there empty. One of my LHS's is pretty train oriented and the prices on their model stuff is too high for me to afford. My other LHS has a decent selection of modeling stuff, but is geared toward R/C as well. I try and support them when I can. Most of my friends don't even know I model. It seems like everyone thinks it's a childish hobby, even though it's quite the opposite.

Im some what in the same boat. Almost none of my friends know I build. But if there were to find out and give me hell for it I'd tell them to piss off. I consider myself fairly advanced skill wise now and the patience, time, effort and intellectual thought that goes into detailed models is absolutely mature and interesting. I simply consider it another form of art work or painting. It's better than smoking weed or watching tv all day.

[clovis]

I played with Legos as a kid too. I actually had a knock-off brand called Loc-blocks, or something like that.

I thought the building blocks thing was cool, but when I graduated into models, I'm not sure I ever touched those blocks again.

So, what gives?

I know numerous older teens that love Lego's. In my day, you would have been laughed out of the community for ever being caught even talking about Legos at the age of 16. Other kids would have made fun of you so bad that you would have begged to get into the witness protection program.

[slusher]

Our friends son is into Legos big time. He is 12 and has a shelf full of built Legos.

[Harry P.]

When my son was young, he loved Legos. And so did I! I probably had as much fun building stuff with him as he had! Legos are a fantastic toy... they are practically indestructible, they can be used over and over again in thousands of ways... and there's no limit to what you can build. If you can imagine it, you can build it.

And no glue or paint required!

[cobraman]

No Lego's when I was a youngin' but my sisters and I had were building bricks ( NOT BLOCKS ). We had two large sets that came in large heavy cardboard containers. One set was small size red bricks and the other larger white bricks. These kits came with doors and windows you could put wherever you wanted. You could build and design some pretty cool and realistic scale homes. Had hours and hours of fun with those things. Off topic I guess but since we were talking about Lego's.

[Tom Geiger]

Imagine if Revell or Round2 had a store or destination for us like Lego Land ???

We do! It's the International Model Car Builders Museum... and we go there when we go to GSL every two years!

[Harry P.]

No Lego's when I was a youngin' but my sisters and I had were building bricks ( NOT BLOCKS ). We had two large sets that came in large heavy cardboard containers. One set was small size red bricks and the other larger white bricks. These kits came with doors and windows you could put wherever you wanted. You could build and design some pretty cool and realistic scale homes. Had hours and hours of fun with those things. Off topic I guess but since we were talking about Lego's.

I had those, too. They were called "American Plastic Bricks" and were made by a company in Chicago called Elgo, and later by Halsam.

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