Warbird Information Exchange

I sponsor a model-building club at the middle school where I teach and today was the day that I brought in the models for the kids to pick from...it costs $10 and they get a model plus I have all the paint, brushes, and glue that they need to complete their model.

It was fun watching their excitement, going through the kits and trying to decide what they wanted to build. I bought a few cars but most of the kits were 1:48 WWII planes...a Spit, a couple of P-51's, a P-61, an F4U-4, a P-38, an F6F, a Bf-109, and a Zero. I also bought a couple of F/A-18's (one in Blue Angels livery), a Sepecat Jaguar (by request), a V-2 rocket, an X-15, the Spirit of St. Louis, a Ford Tri-motor, and a P6E Hawk. One kid requested and got a Panzer tank.

A little something for everybody, hopefully. Today they opened their boxes and we talked about painting and prepping their models. They won't see glue for a few weeks because I want them to take their time and not rush. Some of them are making their first model; others have done a few before.

Sounds great, love that you are getting the kids involved in the hobby.

It's challenging to get them to understand the value in delayed gratification...they are ready to build and paint it all in one day!

I used to try to get them to try to use authentic paint schemes for their airplanes but some of them insisted on painting it the way they wanted to...I had a girl last year who picked a P-40 though and she was going to paint it purple and then I found her a picture online of Sue Parrish's pink P-40. Her plane ended up pink as well. I counted that as a small victory.

I show them pictures of planes so they can see different ways to make them appear authentic but pretty much leave it up to them to paint it the way that makes them happy. I want them to have a good experience with building a model since it is the first time for many of them.

I still battle with that urge myself sometimes

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Jeff

Gee, that's my objective, rather than failing to finish them in a decade.

Cool idea. Personally, I'd give 'em their heads, though, as they'll get better if the bug bites.

I also reckon the 'Hobbyboss' kits are great for kid starters as they are very few well engineered pieces - completion's easy. Unlike, say some of the worst 1960s Airfix kits still out there that have certainly put many off for life.

You go, man!

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com