Post by daddyrabbit1954 on Apr 18, 2024 8:47:48 GMT -5
Model kits produced outside the USA these days tend to be of superior tooling and quality (in my opinion) than kits of old made in the USA, for obvious reasons. Primarily because the investment in the tooling and manufacturing capability was made there and not here. The business incentives were ripe for sending that capability off-shore. Not only that, the Asian market and other markets outside the USA place a greater demand, give higher profits than the domestic market. Let's face it, the number of young modelers in the USA is nowhere near what it once was. With all the opportunities my grandchildren have to build models from my mountain of unbuilt kits, they have neither the patience nor desire to build scale models. There are too many other (electronic/virtual) things to capture their attention.
A couple of things I miss most about the days when kits were made right here in the USA are, 1. the availability of ease of acquiring spare parts if needed, and 2. the 1 on 1 contact we had with fellow modelers through regular club meetings. Even though I live in a very large town, I would need to drive 30 miles to another town to attend a club meeting nowadays. We are a dying breed; we scale model enthusiasts in the USA. Every time I attend an IPMS or other event in Florida, I am reminded of that fact. Wheelchairs, oxygen bottles, widows selling off their husband's collections at the vendor's tables, etc. It's sad to say, but true.
A couple of things I miss most about the days when kits were made right here in the USA are, 1. the availability of ease of acquiring spare parts if needed, and 2. the 1 on 1 contact we had with fellow modelers through regular club meetings. Even though I live in a very large town, I would need to drive 30 miles to another town to attend a club meeting nowadays. We are a dying breed; we scale model enthusiasts in the USA. Every time I attend an IPMS or other event in Florida, I am reminded of that fact. Wheelchairs, oxygen bottles, widows selling off their husband's collections at the vendor's tables, etc. It's sad to say, but true.
It's an interweb thing.....