A Tale of Two Models...

[Barney]

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

How many of you remember the first kit you ever bought and put together on your own? It was 55 years ago. My father and I had put together a couple of kits, a B-47 and a B-36 if memory serves me. Just before my birthday my dad suggested that I buy a kit and put it together, all by myself!

We drove 3 miles or so to the hamlet of Central College, Oh. There was a tiny general store there that had been around for years. They had a small collection of Hawk and Aurora models and I bought a Nieuport 17C1.

Do you remember the feel of opening that first kit? Tearing off the wrapping and gazing on in the contents? In your mind it was a perfect replica of a famous fighter. The decals were spot on (even when they were totally fake) and it was molded in the proper color! (Except the Aurora kits, a magenta Bf-109? I think not!)

Sometime ago, I bought a Hawk Ni 17C1. When I received it, I looked at it for a hour. Was this the kit that had held me captive for 50 years? Was this where all the memories and emotions began? This pitiful kit in white plastic? 22 parts and some really bad decals? Yes, it was.

The child may be buried deep, but he is still there. This is the kit that captured the imagination that has led to a lifetime passion. WWI & WWII aircraft. Hundreds of books, models, bottles of paint and the idea for a Master’s Thesis (I kid you not)

So here it is… the first kit… my skills are better, but I am not going to employ anything more than I had when I was young and full of hope: Glue, brush and rattle can paint, and a file. I am going to enjoy this….

The fit is terrible. There is flash in the engine and big honking voids where 100 lbs of putty could be used. But, did I have putty? No… we just stuck ’em together. Note: I am not using orange tube glue… but I am using Testors paint… just like back when We Liked Ike!


More to come...

 

[Dave The Chef]

It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known... Yeah whatever...get her done Barney!

 

[SA Dave]

Mine was an airfix Aircobra P39 I can remember my dad bringing back a magical box one day and we sat down and we build an airplane WOW I was hooked

First one I ever did on my own was an Matchbox German Puma 8x8 vehicle It had this funky little diorama base.
one I enjoyed most ever was another matchbox kit of an priest Howitzer MAN I wish I had that kit again my grandpa gave it for me for that Xmas.

Fun memories enjoy your build Barney

 

[Phil]

How many of you remember the first kit you ever bought and put together on your own?

Vaguely !!!! it was an Airfix or Revell in the plastic bag job, can't say what it was but can relate to your post!


:drinks Barney

 

[ausf]

Beautiful.

My first kit (and earliest memory) was demolition derby car for an Easter present and the house we were in puts it pre-1970 so I was 5.

My other modeling memories consist of Aurora Monster kits strapped to the sissy bar on my Schwinn as I raced home to build, then later on in years, picking through the piles and piles of Monogram kits lining the shelves at Kresges (sp?) or Woolworths, depending on where the Wednesday afternoon shopping trip was and how much allowance I had left. I built mostly WWII US Pacific AC in 1/48, but distinctly remember getting the B-17 and then the B-52 successive years for Xmas.

A few years ago I did what you're doing but with my favorite: Monogram's Rommel's Rod. In my memory the kit was this amazing half-track with a super detailed skeleton crew. What I found when I cracked the re-released box was a real clunker, even by the old standards.

 

[moon puppy]

I can remember a Porsche 911, or what ever model it would have been back in the day. But I really don't think it was the first. It was a Christmas present and I don't think I would have gotten it if I hadn't already been building. Think I had it done that night.

Man Barney, you got me thinking, they say you remember your first love...hell I can't...hell getting old.

The only place we had was the Hobby and Garden Center on main street. The old guys who ran the place never aged. Saw one of them the other day and he looks the same. Funny how that happens.

I seem to remember a Thunderchief. :hmmm

Anyway, what Chef said..no the other part, Git'er done....:dude

 

[Paulw]

Mine was a Wildcat or maybe a Hellcat, I can't really remember but it was some time around 1963 and the plastic was dark sea blue. Dad seemed to understand my impatience to have it complete so I could fly my first sortie.
He promised it would be ready by the time I got up on Saturday morning before Sky King and Clutch Cargo. I guess Baron, my Sheppard, got to it before I could but then there were other paydays.

Now I have quite a few friend and people who I acquaint my self with that share my affliction. Now, if I get a kit I had back when I was a youngster,I still get impatient but it is for a different reason and hope beyond hope that nobody really notices my mistakes or at least won't tell me.

Happy Birthday, Barney...

 

[razordws]

Looking forward to this Barney.

My first recollection of buying a kit was my Mom taking me to the toy store when I was 7 or 8 on my birthday and giving me $20 to spend however I wanted. I'm pretty sure I bought 3 ship models. Couldn't tell you which ones they were but I remember trying to float them in a puddle after they were built.

I got the model building bug because one of my friends older brothers built models and he had a Bv 141 which really caught my attention. How could that thing actually fly???

Always nice to take a stroll down memory lane for those of us that still have memories.

 

[SA Dave]

Happy Birthday Barney

 

[moon puppy]

Happy Birthday Barney!

 

[Heavens Eagle]

A very Happy Birthday to you Barney! Go build a model and have some flights of fancy!

 

[Barney]

The tracking cat knocked the kit to the floor and one of the dogs chewed it. :frantic

So I bought a new kit... pictures tomorrow