Airfix - am I a failure as a father?
Discussion
The eldest of my children bought an Airfix Aston Martin DB5 "starter kit" last week, largely with my approval because I thought it would be a good father and son bonding experience to assemble it together.
In my youth I built lots of Airfix planes and only managed to remove the last of the glue from my fingers at about seventeen years of age. Most of them looked as they should have, albeit after a liberal coating of paint. I therefore felt confident that I could teach the little chap how to build a scale model, and he would be further convinced that I am his hero.
It didn't go well.
I managed only to locate and remove the front suspension components from the rectangular plastic frame. Could I assemble them? Could I hell. The instructions were no use at all. I couldn't work out whether the components were meant to be interference fit or glued. They didn't appear to fit together well enough for either.
After half an hour of trying I gave up and we tipped all the components into a freezer bag, which was put somewhere for a "rainy day". I took the precaution of inviting my wife to try assembling the kit, so that she too doesn't think me a dismal failure. Fortunately she too was defeated.
I cannot help feeling just a little bit sad. What should have been quality father and son time, with him being impressed with me as a father and teacher, ended in failure with him thinking I am an impatient bad-tempered and sweary idiot (I am, but I don't want him knowing that any earlier than necessary).
But I am not entirely sure that I was to blame. I don't think Airfix models of my youth were quite so badly fitting and with quite such poor instructions. I haven't looked at one in about forty years (and plan not to look at one again for as long as I live) but I am SURE they used to be better quality.
Did they?
In my youth I built lots of Airfix planes and only managed to remove the last of the glue from my fingers at about seventeen years of age. Most of them looked as they should have, albeit after a liberal coating of paint. I therefore felt confident that I could teach the little chap how to build a scale model, and he would be further convinced that I am his hero.
It didn't go well.
I managed only to locate and remove the front suspension components from the rectangular plastic frame. Could I assemble them? Could I hell. The instructions were no use at all. I couldn't work out whether the components were meant to be interference fit or glued. They didn't appear to fit together well enough for either.
After half an hour of trying I gave up and we tipped all the components into a freezer bag, which was put somewhere for a "rainy day". I took the precaution of inviting my wife to try assembling the kit, so that she too doesn't think me a dismal failure. Fortunately she too was defeated.
I cannot help feeling just a little bit sad. What should have been quality father and son time, with him being impressed with me as a father and teacher, ended in failure with him thinking I am an impatient bad-tempered and sweary idiot (I am, but I don't want him knowing that any earlier than necessary).
But I am not entirely sure that I was to blame. I don't think Airfix models of my youth were quite so badly fitting and with quite such poor instructions. I haven't looked at one in about forty years (and plan not to look at one again for as long as I live) but I am SURE they used to be better quality.
Did they?
jamieduff1981 said:
The moulds for that kit pre-date Noah's ark. The old moulds from that era were never great in terms of accuracy of the parts fit, and age has only worsened them.
Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
Jamie, thank you. It wasn't entirely my fault then.Try a more modern kit instead. Maybe a Tamiya one. Modern Airfix toolings are really rather good, but not being a car modeller I'm unaware of any recent new tool car kits.
Banana Boy said:
As an aside to the kit recommendations, have you considered taking some time to re-familiarise yourself with modelling before guiding your son? A few hours building some good quality basic kits yourself will not only give you confidence but will feed your son's confidence.
I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Quite honestly I would rather turn the scalpel on myself than start building models again. I only agreed to do this one to show him what it was all about. In a funny sort of way he has learned something useful.I rediscovered modelling a few years ago, it took a little bit of thought and practice over a couple of kits to regain what used to be pretty routine!
Edited by Banana Boy on Tuesday 19th April 21:15
dr_gn said:
I asked my colleague what was up with the Airfix Starter kits (new tool Gnats) he got for his nephews, and he said the fit of some fuselage parts didn't allow subsequent parts to be fitted properly. Apparenty he didn't get a reply to his complaint.
My lad still seems keen to finish the kit, despite its obvious problems.I am probably going to suggest we do the best job we can within a specified time and not get too upset if it isn't perfect.
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