We all had to start somewhere. So what was your very first model and how did it turn out? Did you build models when you were a kid? Share your stories and your memories of that very first model. Have fun with this (and be honest [;)])!! [:D]
I think it’s only fair I share my own story, so here goes. [:)]
I remember my first model I “built” was of the USS New Jersey. I laugh whenever I think about it. [:)]
I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I think I was no more than eight years old at the time. My father bought the kit and some paints, but let me put it together by myself. I think he did this to keep me occupied and away from the plastic kits for the train layout we had. [:)]
Putting it together wasn’t a problem - aside from the large amounts of glue everywhere. [;)] However, what makes me laugh was the paint scheme. I recall I only had a few basic bottles of paint to work with; black, red, blue, yellow, green and a few others. The bottom part of the hull was red, the upper portion was blue (I guess that was supposed to be the half above the waterline). The deck was bright yellow!! [:p] At some point I recall a bit of bright orange made it on there somewhere also.
As silly as it may have looked, I do recall being proud of that ship.
My first model was something from star wars, i don’t remember what.
I believe it was a skill level 1 At-St walker.
About 2 months ago, I was in the local Hobby Lobby getting a poster frame and saw a Tamiya NSR500 kit. Happened to be the Valentino Rossi version. I had no idea they made kits this cool! [:D]
Never had built a model in my life and I proceeded to tear the thing to shreds.I would be ashamed for anyone to see the finished product but I had a good time messing with it.
I don’t regret the crappy looking models I’ve turned out so far. I just regret not getting involved in such a great hobby years ago…[:)]
Be Honest, Huh? OK – let’s start with the fact that I am 47 (soon to be 48) so that will explain the following, as some of our younger memebers may not remember things like this.
My first model was a B-59 kit that was entirely made of wood (except for four pieces of wire used to help strengthen the landing gear and hold on the propellers. Many parts needed to be cut out of stock pieces of wood, glued together and sanded into shape, then painted.
I was about 8 years old at the time (around 1962). While I’m sure the kit didn’t look very professional when it was done, I remember clearly the fun I had doing it, and for me that’s what it’s all about.
TimK
My very first model was a Me 109 in 1:72 from Airfix in the early 70’s. I think,
I was eight years old. Now I’m 37 and still modeling all the time. I’m living in Germany. My favourits are aircraft 1:48, and military 1:35.
[8D]My very first model was an Airfix Spitfire, back in the early days of Airfix[:D] My First when coming back to the hobby a million years later was a SAS Pink Panther Land Rover.[:)]
Mal
1/72 Airfix F4–Dad helped me build it
My first model was Revell’s Space Shuttle. It came in the markings for any of the 5 shuttles including the gone Challenger. I built that one when I was around the age of eight. (actually I’m 22)
I remember it only required two colors: a red one for the drop tank and a glossy black for the shuttle and the booster rockets. For the black one, I used a broad marker my dad had in his office; and for the red one, I used one of my mom’s red nail enamel…LOL!
It also had a base which I didn’t even paint. Soon, the model was literally destroyed by the maid…
Cheers,
Ricardo Rueda
First ever kit: Dragon 1/144 F-14A Tomcat of VF-84 Jolly Rogers. Really messed up with that kit. Given to me by my dad. I thought the decals were stickers and I tried peeling them off from the paper backing. I used superglue to glue the pieces - including the canopy! I removed the parts from the sprue tree by twisting it. It’s still here, as a source of spare parts for other 1/144 F-14 kits.
My first model was a Hasewaga F-14 Tomcat in 1/144, I don´t remember the date of building, but sure was a 10 years of age. Not Painting, not putty…my first kit was a excellent…i a very fun builded.
My first model was a 1/48 F4U Corsair. I was 9 and limited on patience so I slapped it together as quickly as I could. Seeing the plane come together was exciting and being so young I rushed the entire plane. After it was built I took it for its first flight off the barn roof. It didn’t fly so good. But I sure did have fun!
My first model, the USS New Jersey, didn’t last long either. It ended up in the swimming pool. Ships belong in water don’t they. [:)]
Tough to remember back 50 years but that’s when I started building models. My best guess is that the model was a Strombecker Douglas 558. I used to model cars then and give to girl friends.
Whoa, we’re talking ancient personal history, aren’t we? My first model was a racing car (Lotus or Lola, I can’t exactly recall) that was at least partly a snap-together kit made by Aurora. I was only 5 or 6, and had to ask my mother to help. I can still remember whining at the kitchen table with all the pieces, and good ol’ mom putting the car together.
No, I no longer ask mom (or the Mrs.) to help me with trying tasks like canopy masking and poor-fitting fuselage halves.
Lets see…
the first kit I can remember was a 1/48 scale Zero, (think it was Monogram). It was a beautiful kit with a natural metal finish with lots of rivets and working landing gear. I was only 8, (this would have been about '66) so my Dad helped me build it. Man, that thing took as much punishment as a die cast toy. The first ship that I built was that sub from “Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea” , if that counts as a ship. Never really built armor back then but I had a whole army of ROCO Minitanks. Now I split my time between 1/72 scale armor and aircraft.
My first kit was a dragster station wagon type thing. I can’t remember who made it or the scale. All I know was I was really little, like 5 or 6. My dad helped me a lot to put it together. We didn’t paint it but I got to put the decals on.
I remember putting the whole sheet of STP, Goodyear and Edelbrock stickers in the bowl of water and watching them all come off the sheet. Then sticking them all over. Some here, some there, some on the roof. It was a blast! [:)]
Happy Modeling,
Pat
Thank you all for sharing your stories. I think it’s safe to say that we had some pretty good memories of our first models (regardless of how long ago it may have been [;)] ). Couldn’t have been too bad seeing that you’re all still active in the hobby. [:)]
i rember my first model clearly it was a tamiya 1/35 Hunting Tiger it looked pretty good when it was all togeather but being young and not dairing at all, i was afraid to paint it. It must have sat in my grandfathers baseme for a month before i built up the courage to paint it. My grandfather and father helped me describing what it would have looked like during the war he was the one that inspired me to get into model building my grandfather and I still talk about doing it and he is 84 years old boy does he churn out a good lookin model…as for the paint job well…lets not get into that.
My first model was a 1/72 gazell helicopter from Heller: