#4458640 - 01/25/19 06:07 PM
Sad State of Modeling
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F4UDash4
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I built a lot of models as a kid, was even a member of the Revell model of the month club for a few years. There were several local hobby stores with good selections of models, racks of aircraft decals you could thumb through and pick out to customize your model. Lots of paints to choose from. Now there are only two stores within 10 miles of me that sell any models, one is a dedicated hobby store that mostly sells RC now and has just one small section of plastic display models and the other is "Hobby Lobby" with only one aisle dedicated to plastic display models, paints etc. Between those two stores I found ONE 1/32 scale WWII aircraft model in the past week. But it wasn't what I wanted so I ended up buying one off eBay (Revell 1/32 F4U-1D for $30, the really nice Tamiya which I would love to have is $150+). No one has any decals in stock, the ones I can find online are limited in selection and very expensive. Bottles of paint (I really need at least 7 colors) are $3-$4 each. It's sad that when I was a kid doing odd jobs to earn some money I could better afford the modeling hobby than I can now as a grown man with a full time job. Of course when i was a kid I wasn't buy groceries every week either. And all this started because my daughter in law wants me to build a couple of aircraft models for my soon to arrive grandsons nursery
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
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#4458642 - 01/25/19 06:14 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Nixer
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I looked at some online prices thinking about maybe a Diorama from my years in the Cav. Then thinking about airbrush, compressor (thinking also about really unique watercolor stuff I could do with an airbrush to justify some of it), paints, clamps, putty, diorama stuff...
Hookers and Blow are cheaper!
Just kidding, but price wise, not so much.
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#4458669 - 01/25/19 09:21 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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goon
Apex avoidance specialist
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Stone, UK
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Sheldon Cooper: "STRONGLY disagree..." It is lamentable that many local hobby shops have closed, but that's just symptomatic of the times . (I'm lucky to have a very good one 20 minutes drive away, but there used to be at least four 20 years ago.) But really good value kits are very readily available, either new or secondhand, from all manner of sources on the web. An introductory kit, glue and paints is peanuts compared to a month's hobby time. If you're bothered about cost, build it with the kit decals. Job done. The next kit you buy you've got the 'generic' colours (silver, black, grey, etc) so any more are just adding to your palette. (I've got paints in my tool box that are 30 years old and still usable.) Yes, you need some tools, but some nail scissors, a nail file and a craft knife will do almost everything you need to do. Not quickly, they'll do it, If you stick at it, buy some better tools over time. Yes, there are premium kits selling at premium prices, but you can buy ordinary (or even very poor!) kits at more reasonable prices. Then you get more hours per currency unit invested, and learn more skills / techniques along the way! 3D printing for scale modelling is very much in its infancy at the moment, but maturing rapidly.. It's currently only useful for mastering addons, and limited run (very expensive!) accessories. And then they are marred by poor 'resolution' and hard to work plastic. A fully printed kit of something as complex as an entire aeroplane is a long way off (but, I guess, inevitable). TL:DR I disagree! Gareth
Gareth UNDERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the front wing. OVERSTEER - is when you hit the wall with the back wing. HORSEPOWER - is how fast you hit the wall. TORQUE - is how far you can take the wall with you. Read my scale modelling blog at www.latibuliser.com or mfhmazda787.com
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#4458684 - 01/25/19 10:31 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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F4UDash4
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Mmmmmm... You disagree but then immediately state that your number of local hobby shops have gone from four to only one, confirming one of my major complaints. Yes I know I can buy models online, which is what I did. But I only did so because of the dearth of models available locally, going back to my #1 complaint. I just got back from my local (RC) hobby shop, they actually had paint at a pretty good price of $2.50 a bottle (good paint too, Tamiya). Nine bottles cost me $23, and yes I know they'll last longer than just one model. But while I was there I conducted a little experiment: I counted all the military models, aircraft/tanks/ships, the result was only 45. None of the aircraft were larger than 1/48 scale. Only 3-4 naval vessels, a handful of tanks/military figures and the rest were aircraft: from a couple of biplanes, maybe a dozen prop aircraft and a few jets. Less than 10 years ago this same shop would have had 40 WWII aircraft models alone. Ten years ago my local Walmart had a better selection of model aircraft than this hobby shop has now. And yes I know I can use the decals that came with the model, that's not the point: the point is that 30 years ago I would have had at least a dozen options available to me for a 1/32 Corsair alone, at my local hobby store. Now I can't find a dozen different 1/32 Corsair decal sets in the world online. And the few I do find are $15-$25 a set, for decals alone.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
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#4458704 - 01/26/19 12:38 AM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Rambler
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Houston, TX
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It's sad that when I was a kid doing odd jobs to earn some money I could better afford the modeling hobby than I can now as a grown man with a full time job. Of course when i was a kid I wasn't buy groceries every week either. And all this started because my daughter in law wants me to build a couple of aircraft models for my soon to arrive grandsons nursery Check out paper modelling. Very economical hobby with tons of high quality kits for free or at minimal cost available on the net in all scales, especially large ones. Example of paid: http://www.cadbest.com/store/en/ Examples of free: http://axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/http://uhu02.way-nifty.com/No need to buy an endless stream of expensive tools, paints and accessories. All you really need is a printer, 65lb cardstock, an Xacto, scissors, a straight edge and craft glue (Aleen's Tacky or Sobo). Super versatile scale wise as you can build as small as you want or as big. Here's a dude building a 1/24 Saturn V he up-scaled from the 1/48 kit that is available for free on this site: http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/...-enlarged-1-48-greelt-et-al-version.html And finally, an extremely diverse array of subjects to model, a lot of which will NEVER see the light of day in plastic. I ditched plastic and have never looked back.
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#4458835 - 01/26/19 11:30 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: ARUP]
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Joined: Sep 2001
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Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
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Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
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Alabaster, AL USA
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You have to remember when we were kids we didn't have airbrushes and fancy tools. I remember using a nail file and fingernail clippers as 'tools' but that was about it. Paint? I could barely afford the glue which I didn't sniff. I was a whole lot 'smarter' than that! These were built straight from the box 'au naturale' and were usually crooked! Agreed! In my case they didn't last very long before the inevitable firecracker/lighter fluid event would happen.
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events. More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.comFrom Laser: "The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
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#4458844 - 01/27/19 12:00 AM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: Dart]
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Nixer
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In my case they didn't last very long before the inevitable firecracker/lighter fluid event would happen.
I had a large pond in my backyard until I was around 12 yrs old. Many a flaming, exploding, and plastic ship went down in flames on golden pond.
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Look for me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or Tic Toc...or anywhere you may frequent, besides SimHq, on the Global Scam Net. Aka, the internet. I am not there, never have been or ever will be, but the fruitless search may be more gratifying then the "content" you might otherwise be exposed to.
"There's a sucker born every minute." Phineas Taylor Barnum
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#4458859 - 01/27/19 02:41 AM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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F4UDash4
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I took great care with most of the models I built as a kid, I only "blew up" those that turned out rough or otherwise got beat up through accidents etc.
A buddy of mine did however buy one of the motorized Lindberg "Blue Devil" destroyer models once that eventually we sunk via rifle fire on his grandfathers pond. Twice in fact, we dove in and retrieved it, patched up the holes and sunk it again!
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
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#4458906 - 01/27/19 03:31 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Arthonon
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To me, the real tragedy is kids not blowing up models with firecrackers anymore - it's just not something that kids would be allowed to do these days. I think it is the type of thing kids would do that shows that they are getting out and doing stuff, and becoming independent and growing up. Now they can't do anything without a parent hovering over them.
As far as the hobby stores, yes, it's a bummer that they're reduced in number, and while I can't speak for goon, I think what he may have meant is that all retail is changing and going online these days, so it's not a change specific to hobby stores (look at Sears, JC Penny's, etc.). R/C stuff probably needs a little more hands-on shopping, support and parts, and most likely has more money involved, so the retail places out there can make enough money from that to stay open, but plastic models just don't bring in the people.
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#4458938 - 01/27/19 06:04 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: Arthonon]
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F4UDash4
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To me, the real tragedy is kids not blowing up models with firecrackers anymore - it's just not something that kids would be allowed to do these days. . Some kids around me would, the ones that actually go outside and play rather than sit in front of a TV or computer all day. Most of the kids I know of have a problem of parental neglect rather than parental hovering. They let the TV/PC babysit them. It is true that retail as a whole is changing. Plastic models are just not in demand as much as they were 40 years ago. Kids that have an interest in aircraft, tanks, ships get their fill of them digitally rather than building models of them. I understand that, I would probably be the same if I were born 40 years later than I was. I can remember holding a model aircraft or ship and looking it over closely and imagining what it would be like to be near the real thing. Now I get a better understanding of that "being there" through PC sims, so why wouldn't modern kids do the same rather than taking time to build models. Of course some still do but when I was growing up in the 60's EVERY boy I knew built models, without exception. I just searched google maps for "hobby shops" within 75 miles of me. I found 9 such businesses. Five of these were Hobby Lobby franchises, which devote one short aisle of models and modeling accessories (paints etc.) out of a 50,000 sqft building. Of the remaining 4, 2 were RC shops and 2 were train shops with little or no plastic models. I also checked my local Walmart yesterday, they no longer sell any plastic models. Not even "Snap-Tite". That's another thing. A growing percentage of models that are sold in the few local outlets are of very simplified types, requiring no glue and no painting. Just take the parts out of the box and in 5 minutes have it all snapped together. Modern kids can't be bothered to spend hours painting and glueing I guess. Out of curiosity I also took a look around the area where goon lives, Stone UK according to his profile. A similar number of "hobby shops" in a 75 mile radius according to google, but I'm not familiar with them to judge what they sell. However some (eModels Limited and Affinity Models, both in Stoke on Trent) have me green with jealousy looking at some pictures of the stores, stacks upon stacks of plastic model kits! Maybe plastic model building is just still more popular in the UK than in the US.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
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#4458969 - 01/27/19 10:00 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Arthonon
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California
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I think Japan and the UK are definitely more into it than the US, and good points on the digital aspect. There used to be a good hobby store very close to me, but they closed down a few years ago. Now the only "real" hobby store I know of in the area is about 8-10 miles away. They do actually carry a good selection of models and paints. One view of just one aisle (their sci-fi and ship section):
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#4458974 - 01/28/19 12:00 AM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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F4UDash4
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I remember stores like that, but it's been a long time.
"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
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#4459037 - 01/28/19 04:58 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
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Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
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Alabaster, AL USA
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On "kids today" and destruction, it depends on the kid. Mine asked if we could go ahead and pre-install the firecrackers when building the obligatory Bismark model. (No DNA test required to know he's my son.)
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events. More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.comFrom Laser: "The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
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#4459169 - 01/29/19 04:07 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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ST0RM
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Ten Mile, Tn
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Modelers have done this all to themselves.
The average age of current builders is 45-55, mostly made up of married men, but with a fairly decent amount of singles mixed in. Insert the image of a lonely guy in his Mom's basement... Many builders use it as an escape from the doldrums of life, so taking the time to teach their sons or daughters is the furthest from their minds. So the hobby isnt being passed down beyond the make and take snap togethers at a club event. Building, filling, pa
And finally, they insist on the latest tech and detail to create the most realistic model on the table of some show. So the days of the 50 part count model with the 75% accuracy are over. They demand 100%, down to the rivet pattern on the burner cans. They sit around together in person or online and lament new kits as being "completely inaccurate" for the smallest details being incorrect or wrong. So companies have had to retool or just over engineer kits into so many pieces, its becoming unaffordable. Supplies as well. FS spec colors, powders, resin or photo etch. It all adds money to the hobby. And if you dont use that and share your creation, the elitists will scoff. So it turns people away.
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#4460476 - 02/08/19 03:50 PM
Re: Sad State of Modeling
[Re: F4UDash4]
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Alicatt
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Ice Cold in Alex or Eating in ...
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I've seen more model shops in Germany than here in Belgium, today I went to Dreamland our local toy/arts n crafts/hobby shop, they had some model kits in stock at Christmas but they were put on an upper storage rack where you would need assistance to get anything down, today however there were none to be seen at all. Back in Scotland we had a good model shop run by an ex WW2 Spitfire pilot, he mainly dealt in R/C models but also had railways and Tamiya kits - as long as it moved he would stock it. Sadly he passed away a good number of years ago and nobody took over the shop, our next nearest model shop was 117miles south in Inverness and it had gone the last time I was there. When I was a kid it was The Clyde Model Dockyard that I used to go to in the Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, again it is gone and the arcade is now full of jewellers. When I visited the Christmas market at Monschau in Germany a few weeks ago there was a great model shop in the craft hall, it is not a seasonal shop but a permanent store there, my wife had to drag me out of it as I was eyeing up the 1:250 scale battleships but at €500 - €600 each, well I can dream! We used to have a model shop in the next village here but it closed just over a year ago and is now a health food shop, there was a model shop in Hasselt about 35km south of here, but it's gone as well. There is a nice model shop in Aachen but it deals mainly in model trains, this is the nearest one I can think of just now but it is about 50 miles away.
Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil Sons of the hound come here and get flesh Clan Cameron
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