discussion Choosing a kit from your childhood

[pjgtech]

A Hypothetical for you.....

What model kit would you like to build now, that you either built as a child, or wanted to build as a child?

For me it was the Airfix diorama sets, eg: D-Day, or the Jungle outpost diorama with the bamboo hut, or the Nortn African outpost set. Always loved the look of them, but never got around to building them, So maybe one day I'll treat myself to one, although I think they go for silly money nowadays....!

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

First kit I ever finished and painted, with help from my big brother, was the Airfix Fw.189. Been hankering to revisit that recently

Aand, as a nostalgia fest, I've just finished collecting all (but the Panzer III) the Matchbox tank kits, in whatever packaging was cheapest. I made such a hash of the Comet when I was 10, I really want to do a 'modern' work of it

 

[PaulTRose]

There's a few..... I once drew up a list of kits I can remember doing as a kid with a view to redoing them...... When I started pricing them up they were mostly unobtainable or I'd need a lottery win to buy them cos they are so collectable

Revell Pzl11 in 1/72
Tamiya Saladin in 1/35.....still got the one I built about 50 years ago

 

[kacitgirl]

orginal revell rx7 or mr2 from the 80s not sure if even till available or the volvo 760 glt same era

 

[pjgtech]

Always fancied doing the big Apolla Saturn V rocket too. I think there was a Vintage fire engine around the mid 70's too which I always liked the look of, maybe a Dennis of some sort? Hmmm, the more I think about this, the more I think I might have to treat myself this Xmas to a couple of "nostalga" kits, Lol!

 

[kacitgirl]

think has been re released not sure

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Revell Pzl11 in 1/72
Tamiya Saladin in 1/35.....still got the one I built about 50 years ago

Do you mean the Revell re-box of the Matchbox job? The one that has silly money prices on eBay? Still got two built in my wargames tray...

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Always fancied doing the big Apolla Saturn V rocket too. I think there was a Vintage fire engine around the mid 70's too which I always liked the look of, maybe a Dennis of some sort? Hmmm, the more I think about this, the more I think I might have to treat myself this Xmas to a coupld of "nostalga" kits, Lol!

The old Airfix 1/32 Dennis Fire Engine you mean? Not too pricey now

But Airfix might still 'Vintage Classics' it some time!

 

[LeytonO]

Airfix QE2, made a right mess of the lifeboats and never did paint it

 

[PaulTRose]

Do you mean the Revell re-box of the Matchbox job? The one that has silly money prices on eBay? Still got two built in my wargames tray...

Not the panzer...... The polish fighter

 

[peter.collins443]

The first kits I purchased were from Airfix from a small model shop in the back of an amusement arcade.

1) a small spitfire (didnt understand that you may to clean up the parts before glueing them together)
2) a lunar lander
3) HMS Intrepid i think it was 1:76 scale
4) a Sopwith camel..

Peter Collins

 

[Richard48]

I always liked the Matchbox kits when i was 9 in 1978.I got into the afv mini dioramas and made a few but im sure the tube glue fudged them all up.I seem to recall the LRDG set and the 17 pounder and morris truck.I think the first ever kit was an Airfix Hurricane with rockets i built aged 8 with my parents,I think they got it from Woolies in Harlow and my brother had a Draken.The box arts reeled me in at that age and when i saw the Airfix Wellington with one being chased by a German fighter that was on my birthday list.
Memories.
Richard

 

[Jim R]

Strangely enough I'm probably one of the few members on here who didn't build kits as a child. The first kit I built was in 2010, a Tamiya 1/35 jeep.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Had a soft spot for the Hasegawa SdkFz 7/2 AA gun in 1/72. Loved the crew figures on it because they were so much better than the Airfix stuff I had had up until then. Looks like it’s still in production….
One of my first was a big King Kong figure with a glow in the dark head that I made when I was about 8. Can’t remember who made the kit though.

 

[Geoffers]

The only one I have in mind is the Matchbox 1/32 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.22/24.

I was given one as a gift around when I had reached the age where I had started thinking that making models wasn’t the cool thing to do

That along with its relative complexity meant I started it half heartedly and never finished it.

I’ve looked for one since to try again but they have become more of a collectors item which bumps the price up and there are usually other kits I’d rather spend my money on.

Maybe one for the future

Geoff.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Not the panzer...... The polish fighter

View attachment 1294959

Ooh, even better!
The frameable boxtop series was really quite extraordinary in it's range of subjects!

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Strangely enough I'm probably one of the few members on here who didn't build kits as a child. The first kit I built was in 2010, a Tamiya 1/35 jeep.

What!? Starting as an adult!
Inconceivable!

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Had a soft spot for the Hasegawa SdkFz 7/2 AA gun in 1/72. Loved the crew figures on it because they were so much better than the Airfix stuff I had had up until then. Looks like it’s still in production….
One of my first was a big King Kong figure with a glow in the dark head that I made when I was about 8. Can’t remember who made the kit though.

Probably Auroras for a glow-in-the-dark job

 

[Tim Marlow]

Quite possibly. Later on I had Dracula as well…

 

[Thunderstick]

This classic from the early 60s. My first Messerschmitt 109. I don't remember painting anything. I liked the dark green and shiny black plastic parts. I'd love to do it again in proper paint scheme for an E model from the BOB. Most likely Adolf Gallands E model with Mickey Mouse figure on the fuselage below the canopy.