Hi,

I’ve just come back to the hobby after a 18yr break (job, marrage, kids etc), I’m now 41 and was just wondering if I’ve left it to late to get back into the hobby as things have moved on so so much in those 18yrs!

The other question I have is, with the advances in etched brass, add-ons and super detailing etc do people still just make kits straight from the box with no or very limited additions? I like to do the best I can and would love to be as acurate as possible but my abilities (very rusty) and the amount of time I have available aren’t what they use to be.

A couple of deep questions but just wanted to get peoples feed back.

Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,

I got back into the hobby in my mid-30's after a delay for quite a few years myself, for many of the same reasons. I was amazed at how well most kits were engineereed compared to the "old days" and that sucked me right back in. I see the breadth and depth of the materials, kits, and aftermarket stuff as a true benefit to those wanting to get back in.

That leads me to you second question. Many people still built out of the box and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. The key the the majority of us is to have fun. Take your time, build to your abilities, and then start to stretch yourself when you're ready. My first kit back in was a Tamiya M1A1. The ease of that build, out of the box, hooked me in and it took some time before I dabbled in any AM stuff. First it was AM decals, then a little PE and resin. I still don't do massive amounts of AM as I a) don't want to frustrate myself, and b) don't have the time between work and family to dedicate the time needed and still finish a kit and have a feeling of accomplishment.

Hanging around this site was one of the best things I did. Lots of helpful people and tons of great tips posted in the forums and features.

Frank

Welcome to Armorama Mark

You are never too old to start again just look at Ronny Woods (OK bad example but you get the idea), I would suggest starting with a Tamiya kit and advancing from there.

Shooot! I'm 5 something and although I cant see some of the stuff it still makes me happy just like when my dad and me did this back in the Neolithic period

Hi Mark.
It appears from threads, over the last few years, most of the newcomers are guys who did this in their younger years .... took a break ... and now when settled down... rediscover the hobby. At 38, Im one of the younger IPMS members at my local club ... and have been building now for about 7 years .... lost interest in the pub life and settled down a bit, when I got married and our daughter was born.

Because of the improvements in moulding techniques in the last few years, out of the box building is getting more common again. A lot of kits are excellent and accurate as they are ... and the aftermarket is not as necessary as it once was. The focus is slowly changing to finishing and weathering techniques ... so the OOBs are perfect for this.
Try some of DMLs recent pzr IVs (F2/G or G kits), pzr III J or stug G, and they have indy tracks and some necessary etch included. Trumpeter´s KV range or AFV Clubs M5A1 would be other recommendations for fun builds, and accuracy is also high.

So welcome back to the hobby and welcome to Armorama!!

I still build out of the box ever now and then . Mostly when I'm in between projects , nice break to have . The guys are right , the kits that are coming out now you really don't need all that extra stuff in the lines of aftermarket . Some of that stuff will cost you more then what the kit did ! Darren is right , start with the tamiya kits , they are very well engineered and easy to put together ( not so many parts ) compared to Dragon kits . Start slow and work your way up . When you are comfortable with your skills you can move up to more challenging steps in model construction . The key is to have fun and enjoy . Have a look at others builds on the forums and be inspired , ask questions it's the best resource we have . Welcome to the KitMaker Network Mark .

Hi Mark,

I am a firm believer that you are never too old to pursue what you enjoy. Age is not a factor as far as I am concerned.

I for one build mostly straight out of the box. I don't really care too much for photo etch. I will add on detail pieces from accessory sets and things like that on occasion. Other than that I don't do much else to a stock kit.

I am not a bolt and rivet counter. I just enjoy building models.

Welcome back to the hobby and please feel free to ask any questions that you might have.

HARV

Gee Mark, if you are still breathing and on the top side of the dirt, sounds like a good time to be abusing styrene for all you are worth.

With all the advancements in kit making, starting with out of the box is okay to get your feet wet again. Lots of folks do and make some excellent things. Once you are back into it a while and if you decide that you want to go further into things, there is a whole world of aftermarket bits and pieces that you can get into. As has been pointed out, you can spend many times the amount of the original purchase price of a kit for them, but then that is up to you as to how far you want to take it.

A kit that interests you, some glue, liquid cement is a cut above the old tube glue, some paints, a brush and/or a rattle can of the stuff and a hobby knife to remove parts and some simple clean up tasks is about all you really need to do a decent job. As you go along you can invest more if you discover that you really want to. Start simple, ask questions on the forums if you get into a sticky spot and have fun, 'cause that is what it is all about. Good luck.

Mark,

Can one ever be too old?

You're actually probably better equipped now for modelling than you were 18 years ago. Having had a job, wife, kids, etc you're probably a lot more patient than you were when you last modelled - especially since having a wife.

Jokes aside, buy yourself a Tamiya kit (you'll probably see a few familiar kits - they haven't changed much), glue, paint and just go build it out the box, no bells and whistles, and have fun. If you have fun - then it's worth it! Afterall, it is only a hobby

Rudi

I forgot to add if its armour you are interested in and as an entry level to PE and AM products in general add some PE grills and turned Aluminium barrel, these add a lot to the finished look of your build without taxing your ability from the off.

Hello Mark, you are never too old for this hobby. Your eyes may get older and need assistance, your hands may get older and a little shakier, your memory may get older and.........now what was I
I going tosay? Oh yeah, but you are never too old. Everyone builds to the best of their ability. Whether it is out of the box or with a gazillion add-ons. You are the one you have to please, so don't worry and dive in the waters fine. Good luck and looking forward to seeing something from you in the near future.

Hi Mark,

As others here have said, you can never be too old to start gluing pastic In fact, I would venture to say that doing this (this hobby I mean) at an older age is far better. I mean, we (late 20s, 30s, 40s, etc, etc) are more into it than say, a 12 , 15, or 17 year-old would be (not that there aren't some kids really into modeling but my experience tells me otherwise). Plus, the way I see it, we can dedicate more resources to the hobby and the end result is usually a far better model than anything we could achieve back then. And, most importantly, we do it, I truly belive, with a bit more appreciation for what these machines, and the men and women who operated them, meant in terms of their role in history.

Anyway, welcome back! Oh, and if you want a starting model that would get you hooked for life and one which once completed will fill you up with pride, pick up one of Dragon's 1/35 88mm FLAK 36 or 37 guns and you won't regret it! Although these are artillery pieces and not "tanks" per say, they are just sooooo good looking and amazingly detailed!!!! (you can tell I like them).

Rob

Hi Mark,

I started back at 43 after about a 25 year break so, no mate, you're never too old. Just take it easy and enjoy yourself.

I got back into the hobby about 10 yrs ago. I'm 56 now ( ), and have enjoyed every plane, tank, vingette, ship, and diorama I've worked on. For me, there isn't a more relaxing, more enjoyable, or rewarding hobby in the world. Come on in...the water's fine. You'll be a grizzled vet like the rest of us in no time...meaning you'll learn something new every day...especially if you hang around THIS site.

Oh, and about 95% of what I build is straight from the box. Once you get your sea-legs back under you, I'm sure you'll want to fiddle a bit and add some things. I play around a little with A.M. stuff. But mainly, it's OOB for me, and with today's quality, you'll still be able to produce a top notch kit.

Cheers,
Mike

A good friend of mine is a retired MD and when his wife died recently he was looking for something to occupy his time. Well into his seventies, he now happily builds to his heart's content. His focus is on Canadian WWII subjects and quite truthfully, each model is better than the previous. Despite brush painting only, he has won his share of awards at local shows. If ever there was an example of it never being to late, he is it! (Don't get into an e-Bay bidding war with this guy)

Cheers,
Ron V

Mark,
I've just gone clickity -click---oops !that was my knees .......all you youngsters have lots of time so jump in the waters warm ----ahhhhh! ......grab a box---and get to it .
I know what it feels like having a break ---I did as well for all of --10 ........mmmm!..years .......months ...nah!!--it was days --felt like years
Never too old to cut and shut .....start simple and it will all come back ---like riding a bike .....mm!--?how does that go again ?---good building ..and post it here
aye
BARV
(GOSMG)

Listen Mark, considering Barv is still building even Methuselah could make a come back.

Hi Mark,
Too old??? To sum it up in 2 little words.... H*** NO!!! You can never be too old to play with glue and plastic...

Thanks everyone for your comments, advice and support, I really appriciate it.

Your all right, as long as you enjoy it there is no age limit to anything!

Thanks for the advice about getting back in the saddle and taking it slow, I think sometime with the high standard of work being produced these days (which is widely on show on the web and in magazines), it can be demoralizing and frustrating to new or returning modellers to get the results they want or they can picture in their minds.

I suspose as with anything, it is all down to practice and trying new techniques etc.

It’s nice to be amongst friends…

I think this site will be one of the main tools in my newly resurrected tool box!

Once again, thanks for your help and I hope to speak to you all soon when I ask for your comments on my first kit.

Mark

Cripes. You're just a snot-nosed kid.

Welcome back to the madness ... er, hobby.

Never too old! I know a gent back home who is pushing 70 and still building good stuff.

Find a kit that interests you and dive in. If you are not happy with the results, ask the gang here. We are a pretty friendly bunch with all levels of experience, and many theories on what makes modeling wonderful.

In many ways, these items make a ho-hum model of today the equivalent of a show winner of yester year. I do most of my building OOB (Out of box) and many of the models I now fancy are the ones you & I grew up on.


Welcome to the site, welcome back to the hobby!

Nothing like the smell of plastic cement to make you feel young again.

Never too old .Never too late.Welcome back,friend.Today's kits are slightly
different from 18 yrs ago. get a new kit,jump in &enjoy.That's what a hobby is all about.
Good luck MOUSE

I stopped for similar reasons but got back into it in a big way at 35. I'm 38 now, still have young children who expect me to entertain them and have suddenly contracted several types of rather severe arthritis.

But I still build what I can when I can.

I quite agree! I just started back again after a ~30 year break (I'll be 49 next month) and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Well, almost. That #%*@ HobbyBoss T34/85 ain't too much fun!

Bret