The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

I travel into London a couple of days each week, using the train from Milton Keynes into Euston. Irrespective of where in London I am going, I always get the same train in the morning and over the last ten years or so I have got to know some of my fellow commuters well, and there are a small group of us that sit together whenever we are all travelling. The train we catch starts from MK, and so we are sure of a seat of our choosing, and a good natter before drifting off to sleep to while away the time.

Last week, one of the regulars asked me what I drank; 'why?' said I. 'I may need a favour' was his reply; 'it's just that my boy has been given some kits for Christmas, and I need someone to make them for him'.

Rather than just building them... maybe offer to 'come over' a couple of times and help/encourage the kid (and the dad) to get into the hobby themselves.

Worked with my grandaughter - she had to do WW1 project when the 100yrs anniversary came around - She knew I was interested in the World Wars so she asked my advice and she ended up researching Manfred Von Richthofen and building the Airfix Albatros in his colours (with my help)
3 yrs later, she's built about 12 assorted cars and planes just out of her own interest.

Hmmmm. Does kind of defeat the purpose, doesn't it?

David

I offered the 'guiding hand' approach, but there didn't seem to be much interest. I've not meet the son so l have no idea if he has any interest in building the kits himself.
I just found it interesting.......

Maybe the kid's like my son, not able to put down a playstation/xbox remote long enough to eat with two hands as it appears to cause physical pain.
Been trying to teach my boy modelling for a long time but he reckons hand skills are not applicable any more.

FAAMAN wrote:Maybe the kid's like my son, not able to put down a playstation/xbox remote long enough to eat with two hands as it appears to cause physical pain.
Been trying to teach my boy modelling for a long time but he reckons hand skills are not applicable any more.

The answer to that is a hammer/axe/chainsaw through the gaming console. It's something I wish I'd done years ago with my son. He used to brilliant at maths and physics; now he collects trolleys at a supermarket.

FAAMAN wrote:Been trying to teach my boy modelling for a long time but he reckons hand skills are not applicable any more.

Reminds me of that scene in the 80'd retro diner in Back to the Future II, Marty shows the two little kids how to play 'crackshot' IIRC. They say 'You have to use your hands!?!, that's like baby games'

I teach 4th graders (I know - I'm a glutton for punishment ) and I fully understand the influence that electronic devices have on the young. Getting them to read, write, and draw is very hard to nearly impossible. Still, I'm old-fashioned and whenever I can, I try to infuse some good, old-fashioned hands-on creative work into my lessons. About 3/4 of my kids now like to color and are happy when I give them time to do so. That's a start in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. Now if I could only get them to enjoy reading.

pmmaker

A. we don't know the age of the boy
B. the boy might be young and might need help from a grup and the father has never built a model

The parent might be wary of introducing an unknown person to their son. Try offering to meet up at a neutral territory, like a McDonalds and tell them to bring two or three small models with them.

The son is seven, and as such l would suggest is the perfect age for a first kit. one of the kits I know to be The Airfix Spitfire starter kit. The father may or may not have built a kit before, I don't know but he holds a senior position in a financial company and can string a sentence together.
I just found it strange that he wouldn't even try......

And for the record, I'm not going into a McDonalds for any reason!

iggie wrote:The son is seven, and as such l would suggest is the perfect age for a first kit. one of the kits I know to be The Airfix Spitfire starter kit. The father may or may not have built a kit before, I don't know but he holds a senior position in a financial company and can string a sentence together.
I just found it strange that he wouldn't even try......

And for the record, I'm not going into a McDonalds for any reason!

Burger King???

Wimpy's?

David

dwomby wrote:Wimpy's?

David

Are there any left?

iggie wrote:

dwomby wrote:Wimpy's?

David

Are there any left?

Sorry, I thought he was talking about me!

iggie wrote:And for the record, I'm not going into a McDonalds for any reason!

I'm with you there