Pappy
Living the Dream
Grampa Don. I used single razor blades building my models. I still have the scar where I almost cut the tip of my finger off. Being a kid can sometimes be dangerous. :sentimental:
Anyone remember these shops?
- Thread starter Pappy
- Start date
Grampa Don
Yep, that's me
- Location
- Orange county, Calif.
NancyNGA -- The Mustang is a replica of the real one I bought new in '66 when I got out of the Navy. It broke my heart to trade it in, but we were expecting our second son and it wasn't really a great family car.
Pappy -- I suspect my folks thought the Xacto set would be safer than the razor blades I had been using. They didn't count on my ineptitude. I did learn not to pull the blade toward myself when carving a block of balsa.
Don
Pappy -- I suspect my folks thought the Xacto set would be safer than the razor blades I had been using. They didn't count on my ineptitude. I did learn not to pull the blade toward myself when carving a block of balsa.
Don
Pappy
Living the Dream
I can still remember the first jet model I built. The F-86 Sabre jet with swept wing. Early fifties. Mostly balsa.
Grampa Don
Yep, that's me
- Location
- Orange county, Calif.
Those early kits were pretty simple, just a few blocks and sheets of balsa and an instruction sheet. If you were lucky, there might be a couple plastic parts, like wheels. The Guillows stick and tissue kits are still being made.
I never mastered the art of making a plane that flew well. And, they didn't survive a hard bounce worth a darn. The big guys and adults would fly their U-control planes on the Jr. High field, and I'd go over and watch. Some of them were amazing. I built one gas powered plane. It didn't even make one circle before doing a loop and self destructing.
Real hobby shops are disappearing fast. I'm on a modeling forum, and I frequently see posts that so-and-so shop is closing. The internet is killing them, and kids don't seem to make stuff much anymore. It's mostly old guys like me who keep them going. Prices may be a factor. A Comet kit once cost 25 cents, and a tube of glue a dime. You'd pay about $30 for a similar Guillows kit now.
Craft stores seem to be doing well, and some of them sell a few plastic kits. But the selection is pretty poor. And, if you are looking for advice or help, forget it.
Don
I never mastered the art of making a plane that flew well. And, they didn't survive a hard bounce worth a darn. The big guys and adults would fly their U-control planes on the Jr. High field, and I'd go over and watch. Some of them were amazing. I built one gas powered plane. It didn't even make one circle before doing a loop and self destructing.
Real hobby shops are disappearing fast. I'm on a modeling forum, and I frequently see posts that so-and-so shop is closing. The internet is killing them, and kids don't seem to make stuff much anymore. It's mostly old guys like me who keep them going. Prices may be a factor. A Comet kit once cost 25 cents, and a tube of glue a dime. You'd pay about $30 for a similar Guillows kit now.
Craft stores seem to be doing well, and some of them sell a few plastic kits. But the selection is pretty poor. And, if you are looking for advice or help, forget it.
Don
Falcon
DV8
- Location
- So. California
A good friend of mine currently owns a HUGE hobby shop in town. Model kits, trains (every gauge),, planes, ships etc. and now
is carrying drones (with cameras). I can't think of one thing that one wants that he doesn't have. I love to watch the trains run
around in his front store window.
is carrying drones (with cameras). I can't think of one thing that one wants that he doesn't have. I love to watch the trains run
around in his front store window.
SifuPhil
R.I.P. With Us In Spirit Only
- Location
- Pennsylvania, USA
I had a bit of a shock the other day. For some reason I Googled "HO Scale Craftsman Kits", thinking I would see the usual $50 sets.
Boy, was I wrong.
This is part of a shipyard diorama that retails for $320 (if it's still in stock ... seems these types of kits sell out quickly).
Boy, was I wrong.
This is part of a shipyard diorama that retails for $320 (if it's still in stock ... seems these types of kits sell out quickly).