I built my first model (airplane) in about the third grade, maybe earlier, if 'helping' Dad build a Revell Highway Pioneer Model T Ford counts! I mixed Duco cement and aircraft parts until the late 'fifties, when I realized they were more accessible to me, 1:1 scale, and switched to AMT 3 in 1 kits (and the rest) and never looked back. Now in retirement, I'm hoping to restore my collection and make a few builds -- before it's too late! I have about 45 kits; built, re-built, and unbuilt from the late-fifties/early sixties, leaning heavily on "Kustoms" and old-school street racers. I do 1:1 restorations, and paint; I use mostly PPG products on my kits, and having worked in a PPG retail store, have a lot! I don't buy much new stuff (some resin bods, etc.) and love to create out of my large stash. Salvaging a 'collection' that was stored when I got drafted in 1969 and severely mis-handled is a challenge; broken kits galore -- but loads of nostalgia!
Young modelers; enjoy your good vision, sensitive fingers, and steady nerves while you still possess them -- it's harder when you're 73 y.o. and what doesn't hurt doesn't work!! Like a Cub Scout, I do my best! Have a lot of misc. 1/25 car stuff to trade or sell. I am learning resin casting to make missing parts and upgrade my old kits, and going to attempt some dioramas. I might even try 'weathering' a kit or two, though inevitably my personal impression is that it is usually over-done, and silly. Good to be here -- at my age, it's good to be anywhere! Sure happened fast!
