Proper Model Making - a rant against the decline of good model shops

Well I'm proud to say that I was really into model making when i was 14 (im 17 now) which was hard because where i live there isnt any easy or cheap modeling supplies so yeah that really eat into my allowance. But now im into chain mail which also eats incredibly into my wallet.

Lindy, I think a few reasons why model-making has declined haven't much to do with "lazy kids" and simply that the hobby is facing tough competition for the (rather scarce these days) entertainment time available to young people. People usually take the path of least resistance when it comes to entertainment, and overworked college students/high schoolers are no exception. Netflix just takes an internet connection, but model-making takes a steep learning curve (something young people already have to deal with in classrooms), a considerable investment in resources (getting the right type of paint, necessary equipment-not everyone has access to a good brush-and above all else a good quality kit) and above all else an area with a good amount of work-space and solitude. That last part is something alot of young people lack-and I also don't think great model-kit builders realize just how much training and skill has to go into the hobby just to make something that isn't cringe worthy. Plus, the old support networks for model-building (like clubs) aren't there anymore, so it's just easier to plug into From the Depths or something of that nature and just build something on that, rather than investing into a new hobby that takes several years of learning to get good at (at least).

Back in the day I used to play fantasy wargames, I glued and painted a ton of little guys, built some terrain and all that good stuff. I'm pretty sure I'll get back into it some day.

I very much agree. Back in the day building models led me to learn how to build and fix things. And shop class and such. But I guess we've faded in these days.

I'm 16 and I have made airfix for years and still do.

I spent many hours building model kits of all sorts, mostly WWII aircraft (as that was my main interest). Airfix kits with the incredible artwork on the boxes depicting the plane inside in flight and frequently in fight (now utterly sanitised and sacrificed on the alter of political correctness) and Matchbox 2 colour model kits (supposedly no need to paint, but got painted anyway). I ended up with dozens of models taking up so much space. Just loved it.

Model making is still quite popular, some model shops seem to survive mostly from consumables sales like paint and glue, and they still sell out of new release kits Model manufacturing is in a new golden age, with amazing new technology, kit design and subject matter. New kits are released all the time, of varying degrees of complexity and innovation. Collectors are a big market, but younger folks are being drawn in with new exciting glue-less kits. Nothing beats going to an actual model shop, if you are into model making though. Thanks for posting this Lindy.

Speaking of good models, I have been looking for a reasonably detailed Star Trek USS-Excelsior kit. Anyone know of any other than the basic kit floating around?

You seem to visit Finland a lot :)

Newcastle. Wish I was aware of your channel when I was passing through on our eurotrip. Cheers from Canada.

One of my greatest joys as a child was going to a new town in the UK, or in Europe on holiday, and finding their model shops. Just all the different manufacturers and ranges, Airfix, Revell, Matchbox, Tamiya... great times!

I full-heatedly agree. Kids are losing interest in building things with their hands, and it's a damned shame that it's happening.