Hello to all
Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2015 9:08 pm
After many months of reading this forum I have decided to join and contribute from time to time. Like many other members forum I have just re-started my modeling hobby again after many (many) years of absence and how things have changed!
Back then Airfix and Revell were the premium brands and Tamiya made poor quality tanks, there were probably others but our local newsagent/sports/toy store (they diversified a lot back then) didn't have them. Now Tamiya is one of the premium brands Airfix is trying to regain status and Revell... well it's Revell, somethings don't change that much.
Even the method of gluing things together has changed, I remember using tubes of Airfix glue where you had to snip off the little aluminium tip while trying to keep the opening as small as possible for two reasons a) so when you squeezed the tube you didn't cover the model in glue and turn it into a CSI fingerprint bonanza, and b) so you could put a pin in it so it didn't dry out too quickly. Now there are thin, thick(er), PVA, super glue (the stuff they use to advertise to fix your shoe soles!) in many forms and more! I use to think that frosted clear parts were how it was supposed to go together, how wrong I was.
Panting models has improved a great deal too, Airfix paint doesn't exist anymore (well at least not as Airfix) which is a good thing, those glass screw cap bottles were a pain to mix, but Humbrol is still around (which is Airfix by proxy) although I have found Tamiya and Mr hobby are quite good to use as well as many others. I'm not sure airbrushes have gotten better, I couldn't afford them back then, but they have gotten more plentiful and affordable (well I have a job now). You have to remember painting a model was an option not a necessary part of it's construction, remember many of us kids couldn't afford all the bits and pieces back then after all pocket money only went so far.
There has even been a learning curve in terms and acronyms too, I mean I thought panel lines was something on a girdle (womens underwear if that term is too old for you), weathering, shading and so on however I think I've absorbed them now and have even used some of these techniques in my projects with varying degrees of success (I'm still learning [again!]).
I also want to thank many of you for sharing your experiences here so that others like myself whom are coming to terms with the 'new age' of modeling.
Back then Airfix and Revell were the premium brands and Tamiya made poor quality tanks, there were probably others but our local newsagent/sports/toy store (they diversified a lot back then) didn't have them. Now Tamiya is one of the premium brands Airfix is trying to regain status and Revell... well it's Revell, somethings don't change that much.
Even the method of gluing things together has changed, I remember using tubes of Airfix glue where you had to snip off the little aluminium tip while trying to keep the opening as small as possible for two reasons a) so when you squeezed the tube you didn't cover the model in glue and turn it into a CSI fingerprint bonanza, and b) so you could put a pin in it so it didn't dry out too quickly. Now there are thin, thick(er), PVA, super glue (the stuff they use to advertise to fix your shoe soles!) in many forms and more! I use to think that frosted clear parts were how it was supposed to go together, how wrong I was.
Panting models has improved a great deal too, Airfix paint doesn't exist anymore (well at least not as Airfix) which is a good thing, those glass screw cap bottles were a pain to mix, but Humbrol is still around (which is Airfix by proxy) although I have found Tamiya and Mr hobby are quite good to use as well as many others. I'm not sure airbrushes have gotten better, I couldn't afford them back then, but they have gotten more plentiful and affordable (well I have a job now). You have to remember painting a model was an option not a necessary part of it's construction, remember many of us kids couldn't afford all the bits and pieces back then after all pocket money only went so far.
There has even been a learning curve in terms and acronyms too, I mean I thought panel lines was something on a girdle (womens underwear if that term is too old for you), weathering, shading and so on however I think I've absorbed them now and have even used some of these techniques in my projects with varying degrees of success (I'm still learning [again!]).
I also want to thank many of you for sharing your experiences here so that others like myself whom are coming to terms with the 'new age' of modeling.
mate 
I remember these little "over gluing" escapades usually occurred when the glue dried in the tip (forgot to put the pin in) and a little extra squeeze to get it out, while holding it over the relevant bit, caused a biblical flood onto the model... ah memories 