The way to fix the root cause of all our country's ills....

[Enemy Ace]

Having read quite a few threads on Wix that have basically turned into moan-fests about how the younger generation of Americans (And Brits and Aussies) have no mechanical skills, patience, fortitude, stick-to-itiveness, chest hair etc etc etc. I have come up with a daring and ingenious plan to turn around not only our country but the entirety of western civilization.

Of course such planning and mental horsepower on my part doesn't come cheap so please send several tens of thousands of Euros to my bank account. (Sorry I'm not taking U.S. Dollars at the moment).

In order to learn planning, build patience, develop manual dexterity and learn that to construct something worthwhile Tab A must be attached to Slot B, resulting in a (hang on kids, technical term coming up here) Subassembly, Craftmanship and useful product being produced, We must do the following without delay:

Make the Kids start building Model Kits again.
It worked for me, It may have worked for you, and when was the last time you gave the youngster in your life something like that instead of another time wasting video game?
Who knows, it might just get the little wet sprocket interested in working on the full size planes once they've built a few dozen Airfix or Monogram airplane kits.
Just my thought for the day.

[ZRX61]

Make the Kids start building Model Kits again.

My daughter asked for an erector set for christmas in '08

She turned 12 last sept & just told me that her & her mom are building some models of Lockheed aircraft that her mom (snr software eng at Skunkworks) has worked on in the past... There aren't any models of the stuff she currently works on..

[jet1]

I thought you were going to say we should write the bill of responsibilities to go with the bill of rights....oh and make CRIME ILLEGAL of course...

[N3Njeff]

I built alot of models when i was little. I even still have some of them!! During the winter months, I think about picking it back up but I really dont have a place to put them when i am done. I really enjoy 1/48 and larger. I already have a couple of mine on display at the local military museum.

[Cubs]

I thought you were going to say we should write the bill of responsibilities to go with the bill of rights....oh and make CRIME ILLEGAL of course...

Sounds great to me.I thought I was the only one with the idea of a Bill of Responsibilites.

Model building is a great start... later on maybe an old car (pre-computer era) to tinker with...
It's up to us to encourage the younger generation.

[67Cougar]

Nice thought, but it's hard for a kid to afford a decent plastic model kit these days (100.00 plus for a 1/48th kit???)

[N3Njeff]

Nice thought, but it's hard for a kid to afford a decent plastic model kit these days (100.00 plus for a 1/48th kit???)

Naw, monogram now Revell still makes them and still affordable.

[Cubs]

At a local hobby shop.1/144 scale C-130. $35.00. Thats too much $$$ for that size.
But, it can be done. I saw some decent AMT car models recently, $17.95, 1/24th scale.
It is expensive. And most of all, in my opinion, model building is contrary to the cheap/available
venues of instant gratification. (video games, etc.) We all know the story. Sometimes...
ebay has some deals on models.

[Mike Bates]

You can still get the Monogram/Revell kits at decent prices. If you don't have a hobby shop try a Hobby Lobby (craft store) and check online for their 40% off coupon. Also Michaels (craft store) they have either 40% or 50% coupons from time to time. Both have model sections with kits, paints and glue. Hobby Lobby has a better selection than Michaels.

Both my kids ( boy & girl ) have a few kits but it's not their fav thing to do so unless I sit down with them they don't mess with them. Got my girl a Frankenstein kit and my boy a 1/35 M2A2 Bradley for Christmas. He thought that was pretty cool since his name is Bradley.

Mike

[Rhino-9-3]

I agree too, my dad and grandpa got me started with models several years ago and I've been hooked ever since. Now I'm working on the real thing (CH2A's Lancaster). It would be nice to see more people my age and younger getting into this. BTW models aren't that expensive, it depends on the size though. 1:48 fighters are pretty cheap, but if you're getting into larger planes it starts to get expensive.

[Django]

I've got all of my models (cars, trucks and airplanes) and a good selection of my Dad's models from his childhood as well. I loved building them. I competed with them in 4-H and took 2 of them to State Fair, a B-29 and a B-25. I built an exact model of my Dad's Kenworth but that didn't go on to State because the head judge was a CAF member and it was pretty well known that only the airplanes went on to the State Fair. I am really looking forward to building models with my son when he gets old enough. My first model that my Dad bought was a Revell F-4 when I was 5. Way too complicated for me at the time. Ok, now I'm excited to get one for my son.

[Second Air Force]

I see the point that many or most models are getting too expensive for youngsters. I'm old enough to remember AMT model cars for a dollar or less at the department store in my hometown. As has been said, though, there are still Revell and other kits that are affordable and get the youngsters started building. In addition, one of the street rod organizations and some IPMS chapters run "Make and Take" programs at their shows. The kiddos get a chance to build a kit with the help of older builders and have a neat model to take home later.

I firmly believe in modeling as a great way to grow up. I started with the help of an older cousin who gave me a 1/72 Revell B-24 and helped me assemble it. He let me do the painting and decaling however I wanted. It was a great experiece that I remember over forty years later. In fact, here is one of the vertical fins of that first model.

It and the B-25 from my long lost Hornet kit are kept in a place of honor in my model room. I still think back fondly on how that model and mentoring helped shape my future. And yes, I did think you had to use ALL of the decals!

Scott

[wendovertom]

This is timely - my kids and I - mostly my Kids - finished a 1/72 Mustang C and a P-39 Aircobra kit between Christmas day and yesterday. They loved it and really got into the whole thing. Hopefully it will spark the same interest in reading the instructions carefully and thinking ahead that it did for me. BTW - these were Revell kits that were under $20 a piece and perfect for kids to learn with. Now, the Trumpeter Bearcat I got is a bit beyond them and maybe will be a stretch for me.

Tom P.

[RickH]

Ryan and I have two closets full of kits. We have gone from building to collecting ! It's inevitable, you can buy them faster than you can build them. Some of the aircraft that I built when he was a baby are still hanging from the ceiling. He's 26 now ! If we both started building today we'd be at it for years and we'd have to add another wing on to the estate !

[the330thbg]

...I firmly believe in modeling as a great way to grow up. I started with the help of an older cousin who gave me a 1/72 Revell B-24 and helped me assemble it.
It and the B-25 from my long lost Hornet kit are kept in a place of honor in my model room. I still think back fondly on how that model and mentoring helped shape my future. And yes, I did think you had to use ALL of the decals!

Scott

ahhhh.., that KIT., I remember well!!!!!