Hawxboss’ thread on finescale refinishing got me wondering about the future of modeling. like most industries the trends are usually driven by the consumers. What direction do you see us driving modeling. there are micro motors availiable that could drive F-14 sweep wings LED lights that would fit easily inside a model .Railroad modelers have computer cards to immulate sounds and lights in trains. what would you like to see in the future.
THis is a great question, brookss.
Mixing facts with opinions, the current market has seen most local hobby shops go out of business, replaced by large national chains or web-based stores, most likely because of lower prices, but certainly influenced by wide variety.
Most of the post-30 crowd onthis forum (not all) built a model or two as a youngster…a memory which they fondly recall, and as an adult have found a new type of “fun” in modelling. Nevertheless, we progressed from children to adults and saw our tastes, skills and ability to purchase increase with age.
Relatively speaking, less children these days build models. Today’s children (and I have two of my own) are part of the “sensory overload” era where if it doesn’t buzz, whirl, light up or hook up to a computer or TV it isn’t cool. If you are not constantly glued to your seat with special effects, action or entertainment, it is “boring”. Thus, modelling is a thried option on a rainy days when your friends aren’t home.
To see modeling flourish, there either needs to be a way to get children interested in models, or to draw in adults who have never built a model as a child. My guess is the latter is feasable. Just a few ideas that come to mind are offering “popular” subjects (these change over time, like fashion) that grab the attention of the adult and make them recall a find childhood memory. I’m not limiting this to airplanes, but maybe plastic/resin figures of a childhood favorite rock band, TV show sports figure, etc.
As for me, I am building a 1/72 Mig-23s with my 8 year old son. He personally selected the aircraft, and we split the cost "a whopping $6). We attack it every now and then, when the urge hits. I am sure when I let him airbrush for the first time, he will like it. Hopefuly some day, he will recall building a certain model with me (next may be a Star Wars craft), and decide some day to go all out and be crazy like his father.
In my opinion, bottom line is to draw out a find memory from the past and offer it as a plastic/resin subject. I do not think it is so much about gimmicks (as you stated in the rain example) as it is memories, becuase models are generally displayed as “static”.
Just my two cents, but great question to post on this forum. I look forward to reading other comments.
A completely retooled 1/48 B-17 Flying Fortress made by either Hasegawa or Tamiya. Heck, I’d even take one from Trumpeter.
Other than that, more advanced kits, ala Eduard Fw 190A-8, that include all the goodies–p-e, resin, masks, thin decals, etc.–from all kit manufacturers.
Simple, accurate kits may be a good way to draw young modelers into the hobby. We have become a society that has migrated towards any means of instant gratification available as well as one that many times professes that ‘image is everything’. Initial interest must be generated in order to keep a steady-as-possible influx of new modelers into this hobby. As someone who has been modeling for quite some time, new and improved kits are not necessary to keep me here…I’m already hooked.
Hopefully a Tamiya 1/48 P-38 with the same level of detail as their P-47’s, THAT would be sweet[;)]