Who are we modelers?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
21

obiwan,

My demographics are similar to yours… minus the kid… That’s still in design mode. Can’t wait for that project initiation![:D]

I’m more of a seasonal modeler. Summertime is just too nice to ignore the outside. I keep to a theme for my modeling subjects though.

As for Hobby shops, I find I continually use them for acquisition of supplies more than anything else. Paints, glue, tools, etc. I usually acquire kits online. I would concentrate your product selection on the tools and resources required for someone to build a model. Just seems to be more cash flows associated with such items. I know I will pay a premium if I can get an urgently needed bottle of paint by running down to the store than having to wait for it to arrive by mail.

Also, think of your competition. It ain’t just other hobby stores and and craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It’s video games, and to some extent legos and stuff at the younger ranges. Might be constructive to think of promotions and marketing approaches to generate demand.

I could write a book, but I’ll refrain. That’s 2 cents from an MBA. I’d have to charge you for anything more. [;)][:D]

22

I am 37 and I Built alot of kits when I was younger.Then life took a hold and sent me in a dozen direction. The last 8 yrs I have been flying r/c stuff mainly ww2 . A funny thing happens to you when you have kids your wife likes to have you around the house instead of at the flying field all the time. So I cleared a space off in the shop and every night when everybody is asleep Im out there knocking the rust off my building skills.(There is alot of RUST). The thing I like is too look at a/c (ww2). There are so many different kinds and you can make it look the way you want to. I could sit here all day and just look at everybodys work of art on this forum, Its great. Now If I could just complet one of 4 or is it 5 kits that I have started.

Thad

23

Obiwan,

I’m 56 and have been modeling since age 7. I took a few years off for an all expense paid vacation on Uncle Sam, and followed that with four years of education. Marraige and kids slowed down the purchase of kits and accessories, but never stopped it.

You may want to write, or e-mail, model manufactutrers for information they have about the hobby, demographics, statistics, etc. The U S Census web site may also prove useful. It has a lot of demographic info broken down by State and Counties within the State, and I think it also gets into large city statistics.

Akuma,

Remind your mother that Amelia Earhart, Jackie Cochran (WASP organizer), Sally Ride (astronaught), and Jeanna Yeager (non-stop flight around the world with Burt Rutan), were ALL girls. One of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) record holders in the top motor cycle class is a girl named Angel Saviore. Believe me she is all girl. Shirly Muldowney is a top fuel dragster racer (NHRA) who started racing back in the 60’s.

So, ask your mom, “what girl things would she like you to do”? If you like building models, you go girl! rangerj

24

Obiwan,

I’m 56 and have been modeling since age 7. I took a few years off for an all expense paid vacation on Uncle Sam, and followed that with four years of education. Marraige and kids slowed down the purchase of kits and accessories, but never stopped it.

You may want to write, or e-mail, model manufactutrers for information they have about the hobby, demographics, statistics, etc. The U S Census web site may also prove useful. It has a lot of demographic info broken down by State and Counties within the State, and I think it also gets into large city statistics.

Akuma,

Remind your mother that Amelia Earhart, Jackie Cochran (WASP organizer), Sally Ride (astronaught), and Jeanna Yeager (non-stop flight around the world with Burt Rutan), were ALL girls. One of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) record holders in the top motor cycle class is a girl named Angel Saviore. Believe me she is all girl. Shirly Muldowney is a top fuel dragster racer (NHRA) who started racing back in the 60’s.

So, ask your mom, “what girl things would she like you to do”? If you like building models, you go girl! rangerj

PS The F-4U-5 kit is a Hasagawa kit repackaged (under license) by Revel /Monogram.

25

I’m not thirtysomething, just 30. [:)]. I’m male, married, and we’re working on kids. [;)]

I started building models in grade school – usually snap-tite cars. In middle school, I started glueing kits together. My first glue kit was the the Revell 1/570 USS North Carolina (BB-55) that my parents bought for me while on a visit to the battleship. Earlier than that, my mother and father helped build the Monogram Wright Flyer (meaning, of course, that they built it while I looked on).

I built a whole bunch of kits through middle school and high school, but I had a bunch of other activities too, so while I enjoyed the hobby, it wasn’t the only thing I did for fun. I started reading FSM in high school and started painting my models at about that time (late '80s).

I took a break from the hobby for a little over ten years for a number of reasons. During that time, I still received a whole bunch of kits and supplies as gifts. I kept buying FSM on and off during that time as well.

Two years ago I decided to really get back into the hobby. I’ve built two kits since then, but I’m very pleased with both. I’m a slow modeler because I still have a lot of activities so I only get two to three hours a week to work on the kits. Some weeks, however, I don’t work on them at all.

I also seem to be working on kits that really challenge my model building skills. I just finished a Monogram 1/72 F-4J that one reviewer stated was not for the beginning builder. Now I’m working on a Glencoe biplane bomber that is requireing a lot of clean-up of the parts.

Naturally, I mostly buy paints and modeling tools from my local hobby shops. I have enough of a kit stash (about twelve or so) that I won’t be buying another kit for a few years.

My main interests are 1/72 and 1/48 scale airplanes of all eras. I’m probably gradually working toward having a collection in 1/72, but I’ve got some nice 1/48 kits that I can’t wait to build. I find armor and ship models fascinating, and I’m sure I’ll build some of each in the future.

Regards,

26

Here’s the Duke Maddog Profile.

I’m 41, married 15 years, no kids. (My wife said I’d be lucky to have one, and I haven’t been lucky!) I work construction, and in the theater doing set construction, lighting setup, and assistant stage manager while pursuing an acting career in TV commercials as well. Who knows? If i become famous enough as a TV actor or in movies, I could give this hobby a big shot in the arm once people see the size of my collection! [:o)][:D]

I’ve been modeling for more than 34 years now,most of those years pretty seriously. I think I may have taken a two-year break there for awhile in my 20’s, but I still tried keeping up with developments in the hobby. All that serious building shows in the size of my collection of completed models which is approaching, if not already reached, 900 completed kits. (I have to recount to be sure)

I build for relaxation, and for attention from my fellow connoisseurs of plastic. I also enjoy building almost any genre, but my focus is on 1/72 scale Aircraft, 1/72 and 1/76 scale Armor, HO scale buildings, and ships between the scales of 1/500 and 1/700 scale (unless I see something I really want, like Calypso)

My collection breaks down into:

250 or so Aircraft,
300-some ships,
400, give or take Armor
5 buildings, two cars and two Sci-Fi kits

Only about 8 years ago did I actually develop a large stash of “waiting to build” kits on my shelf. I’m gradually making my way through them, but it’s shrinking!

Anyway, I’m rather unusual among modelers in that I’ll finish 5-7 kits at a time, so I’m known in my IPMS club as one of the most prolific modelers in the club; as well as the King of Small Scale Armor.

I hope this profile helps in some small way.

27

Like Pix, I became alcoholic in my twenties, and it took me away from modeling. Which I only started at age 22. Now at 48, sober, disabled, happily married with too much time on my hands, I am back into modeling as a relaxing, therapeutic hobby. If I wasn’t such a frustrated perfectionist, I might get more kits finished. Would be nice to retire doing something enjoyable, like owning a hobby shop eh?

28

Well here is me. 34 and my wife and I just had our 1 year wedding anniversary on June 21. We are trying to have kids…boy are we trying [;)]. I started building when I was 7 with some small 72 scale Jet that I put the wings on upside down with the drop tanks on top. I built til about 20 almost exclusivily ww2 48 and 32 scale birds. Work then took me to Alaska where there are lots of lhs’s but the prices where just too high. Came back down in the 90’s and floated all over chasing work and adventure, no building for this 15 year period. Now like I said I am married and need something to do to get me outta my wifes hair…if you asked her [:o)]. So I was driving one day in the lovely town of Garden Grove California and saw Brookhurst hobbies, cut 4 cars off, had the bird given to me repeatedly but went in and at that moment started modeling again, so one month back with 2 builds at the same time and learning it all over again.

-Jeff

29

Whoa ,such a warm and enthusiastic response.[:)]
I can’t thank you all enough for participating ,this is an amazing forum.

What can be said? Almost everywhere we look ,modelers
are around 30 something and almost all started young.
Like a lot of people I came in and out of the hobby over the years due
to finacial and time constraints.

My uncle used to build tons of airfix models and looked up to him
as I grew up.I used to sneek into his room and play with his Ju88,
Sunderland ,Focke Wulf and Black Widow ,to name a few.
At six I pestered my dad to get me one.Dad ,my uncle and I
went to the store and I picked out an Airfix 1/72 Focke Wulf.
Thats how it started for me.Now I’ve progressed from german armor, to
warbirds ,to US Navy modern fighter jets.

The store I plan to set up will be very service orientated.
There will be 2 airbrush and compressor set ups for anyone to use.
The whole idea will be to make the hobby easy and accessible to
the younger generation or anyone to start and learn.
As we all know an airbrush is an expensive and complicated thing.

Thanks again my friends.[:)]
here is a pic of me and my little one.[:)]

30

Your little one is a cutie bro, can ya get me a hat like that [;)][alien]

31

I’m 36, an industrial engineer, and I build planes and ships and anything else that fits my fancy. I’ve been married for 11 yrs, have 2 dogs + one that is just visiting, and a fish. I have been modeling since I was a carpet rat and also build and fly radio controlled aircraft.

Akuma, you blow the boys away with your style, keep up the good work and nice job on the Corsair.
Scott

32

Well i got into this hobby when i was 6 years old, someone gave me a little 1/72 Vampire (i guess) and i built it, i loved the way it would look and thats how i started, i am 23 years old, i am single but with a beautiful girlfriend (Jessica) i am a commercial pilot with 1000 Flt. Hours [^], i have flown some aircraft (Dc-8/71, Ys-11, Hs125, Na265, C500) but none vintage (would really love to fly the DC-3[:D]) build mostly WWII birds… and i dont know what else to say so i beter shut…

Regards Fellas!
[{(-_-)}]

Hector.

33

Cool! Is that the new 1/4 scale Tamiyagawa Human kit? [:D]

Just kidding. My wife wants one of those tiny human things too, so we’ll see what happens.

About setting up a shop, where are you located? A Hobbytown USA just opened up in my area and I’m pretty impressed with it. You could look into buying into a franchise like that. The other hobby shop in my area has an indoor racing track for R/C cars and hosts regular race nights.

Good luck with your endeavor.

Regards,

34

Hi im 18 single and am in training for Air Attack as a career (if not by private company [that side of the job is in the air thanks to the good ol’ American bureaucrats that run your government], than CDF). I’m also getting further involved with the CAF and a friends 1:1 P-51D. My mustang knowledge sure has grown since being around the real thing!

I grew up around airplanes. I live and breathe them everyday. so when i cant be around them everyday at the airport, then its home to the 1/48 version of them.

A lot of my time is spent at Mesa Falcon Field in Arizona (best place for flying and getting time in your log) but since i really live on the coast jsut north of San Diego, im a big time Navy guy so thats mostly what i model. (MODEL GODS GIVE US AN E-2C or P-3 [my future office!] in 1/48!!!), with an equal amount of American (only) WWII props.

Happy Modeling!

35

I’m 42, married with 2 children (ages 6 and 11). I started building kits when I was 8 or 9 years old because I though they would have been cool for toys (toy jets did not look as good as model kits based on the real thing). By my teens I started painting them and they become static displays of subjects I was interested in. Since I could not have my own starship Enterprise or a P-51 Mustang, Now it’s an extension of my interests in Sci-Fi, aviation and history.

I primarily build in the late evenings, after the faily has gone to bed. My goal is to finish something completely before this year is up! I have not completely finished a kit since my 11 year old was born. I part of 4 builds here and I intend to finish ALL of them!

36

obiwan that is a beautiful young lady. and i cant tell for sure but it looks like you may be just a little on the proud side. from one who wants ot open a shop to another. i wish you luck and good fortune in your endevour. remember like was stated above it is not the hobby or craft stores you will be competing against. that would be the death of a new shop to forget that. just a single question i want you to think about, what do you want to open a hobby shop for? this may sound like a simple question maybe even insulting to some, but if you cant answer that question then you dont have the right reasons. and yes there is a wrong answer. email me if you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to shout your praises. lord knows there are a number here who are like that for me.

joe

37

I’m 36, married,kids a little later hopefully! Built 2 snap-togethers when I was a kid. Got into it about a year ago. Four on the “in-Process” pile, 15-20 on the “to-build” pile, and another 15-20 on the “to get” pile. I tried a 1/72 corsair as my first glue model. Too small for my big hands. Working strictly on 1/48’s now. Garage roof is leaking so that will take up my time and funds as well as other house projects. My plan is to have and build all the planes that took part in Pearl Harbor and Midway on the Japanese and American sides. Waiting fot the SB2U Vindicator in 1/48 to come out from Acc. Min.(?). Don’t know where to find the Japanese flying boats though. Good luck on your hobby shop.

Steve Gorder

38

im 22 not married, and no kids yet. im a graphic artist but i find myself more creative building little planes. i started when i was around 10 with a little 48th monogram zero. just started to model seriously a year ago, mostly 48th scale planes and working on my first tank

39

YEAH! :slight_smile: Although I highly doubt you’ll ever see me flying or drag racing anything lol… (My dad used to drag race, though… I’ll just leave it to him )

And the Corsair is a Hasagawa kit? O.o I guess I can’t say I never built one now! LOL (Always wanted to build one… Funny that I had one all along… )

Anyhoo, since I’m taken, all “lusting after” is void :stuck_out_tongue:

(And thanks to anyone commenting on my site too :slight_smile: )

Only thing I really wanna do is enter a modeling comp and beat all the guys :smiley: That would be fun :slight_smile:

40

I’m another 30-something modeler (31), married with 3 future modelers [:D]. My occupation is a Truck Driver for Sysco Food Service. My favorite subject to model is modern military aircraft (both jets and helicopters), with an emphasis on the IDF/AF. Got a few armor kits in the stash as well. Been at it now for 25 years solid. I’ve been fortunate in that I stayed with it all that time (even through school). My first model was a snap-together 1/32nd scale Malibu police car. One of my latest is the Israeli F-16 in my sig pic.

Cheers,
Albert [:o)]