machia Loc: NJ

I literally built almost everything from airplanes to ships to rockets , even the Aurora and Monogram kits . The most challenging of all was the Revell Visible V-8 engine . Hundreds of parts ! Ever build that baby ?

dodgerm37 Loc: N.E. Ohio

Some great memories. Monogram, Revell, Aurora, Airifix, AMT, Johan, Currently working on a Glencoe Models kit of an M-274 Mule.

Jazztrader

I specifically remember the smell and buzz of the Testor's cement.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

No glue??? what am I going to sniff???

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Yeah, Airfix... I did build a couple of Revell ones I guess, but Airfix were the bread-and-butter back home... I built many of their planes, tanks, and even a copy of the Bismark which was pretty big. That one must have been a Christmas present, since I remember it was several pounds even back then.

My brother was into it in an even bigger way, and still builds them today, as a retiree. He builds to a higher standard than I ever did, though, and researches his material thoroughly. As an example, he built about 30 of a particular Spitfire kit, and has them all done up in the colours and registration letters as they were flown by a particular pilot on a particular date... My eyes began to glaze over before we got to the end of the line, but I have to admit that he *had* done a good job on them.

JerseyT

$20 today was about $2.50 in 1960.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

True enough. Gas was about 30 cents per gallon, and a new Volkswagen was about $1600 as I recall.

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Thanks for the link Jerry. I could spend hours on that site, Also a lot of money.
Don

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

Jerry we should start a thread about models we have built and still have. These two are the only ones I have.
How about everyone else? Might be fun.

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clansman Loc: wendover,england

Yes, Airfix did take up a lot of my pocket money. First I did was an RE 8, WW1 : only recently I met a chap who casually pointed to one of the props in his house, from the same type of plane! It does take you back. Built pretty much all of the WW1 and WW2 ones, as the jets seemed to have less bits, though the Lockheed Starfighter or similar (not the widowmaker I'm sure) had superb decals , Revell I think, and was a high point in colour compared to the Wellington and Lancaster. Certainly the cement and dope for balsa gliders must have built up in my hobby room , probably to a level today that would have caused real Health and Safety excitement, but in those days it was quite normal. I also remember reading Revell's claim that their Nautilus was modelled from official blueprints, so it was no surprise to read that if the Russians wanted nuclear sub details, there they were! Last one I did , when a student, was the Great Michael, i think, the first sailing ship I ever did, flagship of the 17 or 18th century naval fleet. rigging was a lot worse than the RE8 too! many good memories, thanks a lot.

Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

I love this topic it's near and dear to my heart I have built a lot of armored track vehicles. Today the big players are Tamiya and Dragon models. There are some really awesome kits out there

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

I Jerry. I, too, used to build all sorts of models when younger. From Balsa wood airplane models, Estes Rockets, to plastic car, ships, tanks, submarines, etc. Even now when I go to auctions, if they have models, I am always buying them if I can get them cheap enough. I figure when I retire they will keep me busy if I don't sell them on eBay. LOL Got lots of things to keep me busy whenever that day comes. Cheers.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

Marilyn and I owned a large toy store in Santa Barbara. We had a huge section just for models ranging from plastics to radio controlled planes and boats. My favorite were the wooden ship models. Great memories.

Rick

kerry12 Loc: Harrisburg, Pa.

When I was a kid, I built alot of models also. I don't remember paying more than $1.25 to $2.00 for them. And they were not snap together.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Back in 1958 I could get a great car model, '58 Chev, Model A with three different builds, T buckets etc, for $2.00 each. A Hershey bar at the time was $.05, adjusting for inflation even at 10x that's a $.55 chocolate bar and a $20.00 model. In 1958 you could buy a new Cadillac for $ 4000.00, you do the math.