What have I learned in 58 years of scale modeling
Like many of you, I started modeling as a little kit. In my country of origin, Argentina, kits (imported items at the time coming mainly from the US and Englad) were prohibitively expensive for all but the well-to-do, and my family didn’t have money to spend on luxuries. Still, maybe twice a year, birthday or xmas, I would get an Airfix of Matchbox kit (no money for paints or tools, though, just cement. I would use my granny’s scissors and my granddad's razor blades, to their dismay). After the usual hiatus -early youth and then growing a family- I got back in track as an adult.
So, what did I learn in all these years of stubbornly making scale models?
First and foremost, humility. Facing my own limitations with every single build, and seeing the wonderful work of so many exquisitely talented modelers.
I also learned about friendship across geographies and demographics. The generosity, camaraderie, witty humor, and vast knowledge of my fellow model builders.
I learned a lot about aviation history and about many airplane types, besides a bit about the hobby industry and its manufacturers, the different media available and how you really have to check your references before trusting the accuracy of your kit to most kit manufacturers.
I learned about tools and materials and how to dig something interesting from the Net.
I learned that in spite of trying to avoid politics, sometimes you have to speak up from whatever platform you may have, when a corrupt, inept, lying, cruel government and its corporate cronies try to trample on our rights and steal from us.
The one particular field I still have quite a lot to learn about is... building scale models 😉
(These images are from many years ago. The collection most likely doubled from then).
A modeling medium I love perhaps the most, is vacuum-formed kits. I have build dozens of them. And lately I was fortunate enough to acquire these two. I think a bit of nostalgia is involved in this taste, and they taught me a lot:
