Many of us have fond memories of the kits we built as kids 20, 30, 40 years ago. Now the question: What kit do you remember building as a kid that you would like to build again as an adult?
For me, I think it’s a futuristic-looking custom van called “Vantasy.” I believe AMT put it out. I built it in the summer of 1976 or thereabouts and customized the interior with blue carpet taken from a remnant from when the school classroom floor was carpeted. This meant that in 1/24 scale, the carpet pile was a full scale foot deep! On the other hand, I did a great job on the scratchbuilt overhead CB radio (CB radios were big in those days). I painted it Testor’s dark red from the little square bottle–that was all Testor’s had back then! I sure would like to build that kit again–with carpet that’s to scale this time!
(While on the subject of custom vans, those were popular in the '70’s, with custom interiors and wild paint jobs–they were called “art carts.” I used to draw my own designs but I never modeled one. Perhaps if I see a 1977 Chevy van kit, I’ll model one of my designs–I still remember what it looked like!)
A related question: As a kid, you probably spent hours gazing longingly at the kits on the hobby shop shelf. I’m sure there are kits that you wanted to build but for whatever reason, you never bought them and you never built them. As an adult, what kit would you build now that you wanted to build when you were a kid but never had the chance? (That is, if you can even still FIND the kit you remember!)
I remember when I was 13 or 14, there were two wild custom motorcycle kits (both Revell) that I wanted to build. Both were super-radical choppers with the LONNGG front forks (remember those?). One was called “Midnight Rider,” the other was this real cool-looking three-wheeler (trike) called “Evil Iron.” I used to look at those kits at the hobby shop and dream of someday building them, but I never had the chance. Today, I would love the chance to build them. Especially “Evil Iron!” If I ever find that model at a kit show or contest vendor, it’s going to come home with me and my hurricane-hunters and tornado-chasers will just have to wait while I build that great-looking three-wheeled motorcycle!
H.M.S. Victory … as a child, my mother took me to see her home town of Portsmouth, England. During that memorable trip, we went aboard the Victory in it’s dry dock. Soon after getting home I found a model kit of this beauty and built it with all the zeal of a true 7 year old. Paint…what paint, glue…absolutely everywhere. I have no idea who manufactured this kit at that time but I have looked longingly a couple of times at other models of the Victory. One of these days I may just tackle her again.
I’d like a second go round at the Revell/Crown 1/144 B-52 Stratofortress. It was my second kit ever, and while not up to todays standards, a fun kit of a smooth nosed 52, I hate all those blisters the current 52s have.
One I never tried though would jump at the opportunity is Matchbox’s 1/32 Sea Venom. I drooled over that kit when I was a kid, but never got my hands on it.
Your post just reminded me of one - Monogram’s “Rommel’s Rod”. I guess the molds were broken and it cannot be reissued. They go for big bucks on ebay.
Well, at least I got the “Beer Wagon” reissue! LOL!!!
I am a figure modeler. The first figure kits I built were the old monogram/merite series. Over the last year or so I’ve managed to get ahold of every kit (mostly on Ebay). If I ever get the time I want to build them all and but them in a display case.
I’ve also gotten into the habit of checking out the plastic kits on that web site . It’s a lot of fun just checking out all of the old box art- it brings back tons of memories(I always do a search for “Aurora”).
Yes, I have very fond memories of building with my dad the old “Big T” in 1/8th scale by Monogram … I remember my folks taking me to the old “Springfield Toy Box” toy shop in downtown Springfield, IL, USA and helping me purchase that big old box of plastic joy … that would have been in the early '60’s.
My dad and I built that really cool street rod, I don’t recall painting any of it … and dad made sure that I didn’t use too much glue … I also remember not wanting to scrape the plating off where we needed to glue the parts … but, dad prevailed and among other tips about building models … I learned that there was a right way and a wrong way to build a model … all good lessons that I often recall even to this day. So, as I remember, the big red street rod turned out looking pretty good, I also remember being very proud of what I had built … with dad’s help of course. I am truly sad that the old car didn’t survive my youth. [:(]
I have found a few complete or near complete kits of that old Mongram kit on eBay over the years … but they are getting $300 plus for these original kits … too much for me … perhaps someday they will re-issue it. [:p]
In the area of kits I wanted and just never bought and built … I had designs on some of the old MPC funny car kits. I seem to remember a '66 Dodge Charger funny car kit that I wanted in the worst way … just never managed to buy it and build it …maybe one day I will “bite the bullet” and pay collector prices for that kit and some of the other “dream kits” of my youth and who knows … maybe even for the “Big T” kit … ah nostalgia … that bitter-sweet feeling we all love … thanks for the trip down memory lane. [:D]
The first models I built were Airfix/MPC 1/72 P-51B, Dauntless, Bf-109E, and a Stuka. I got them at Target in 1982 for $1.99 each except for the Stuka, which was $2.99. I’ve managed through eBay to get them in again in their boxes and I look at them with pride on my shelf.
Coolest part is that last year when I got into 1/48 scale. I rebuilt these four in the markings of the MPC kits using the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits of today. They are the centerpiece of my collection. Really one of the only good memories of my youth.
Bernie the K.
I have somewhat fond memories of the very old Revell ‘fit the box’ kits that I built as a kid… I know they were quite awful but I did build a lot of them in my time, and the model show (well, the toy shop) I bought them from had a vast quantity of them. Aircraft and ships were my staple then… I remember going there on a weekly basis with my dad, chosing my next model. I’d spend hours just looking at the box-art… trying to decide what model to go for next… I also built a great number of kits in the 1/48 ESCI range and had a whale of a time with them, particularly with the IAI Kfir C2, with its big yellow/black triangle decals. And the F-16, in Belgian markings, before it actualy made it to the Belgian Air Force, with a ‘Viet-Nam’ kind of color scheme. Wow, those were the good old days!
I have to agree with others here that have mentioned the Monogram 1/32 scale Rommel’s Rod. That was such a different kit but was so much fun to build. I got it for Christmas 1975 from my older brother, who also bought my younger brother The Boothill Express. Wish I could find one today…[8)]
Remember those old Heller kits in the black boxes? I bought a lot of them back in the 70’s as they were in my price range. I thought they were the stuff! LOL Seriously though I would like to find a mint early Aurora Catalina FF, my first kit.
my favorite kits were the johan 68 ply police car
and the amt 70 ford 70 chevy police fire cars
you know with all the post 911 stuff and the fact that we treat fire and police with more respect than ever you would think that amt would bring back those models, they have so many others
My dad says he’s got a big ‘box’ of all of my kits from when I was a kid. Problem is we’re not really sure where it is. My parents moved several years ago and alot of boxes are still in storage. Unfortunately, they’re not easy to get at. Maybe someday this summer…
