Scale modelling (my brief history)

I have been interested in making scale models ever since I was 8. I started my hobby by constructing miniature Tamiya race cars (a.k.a. racers). However, the race cars never lasted long since they were styrene injection kits and would often crack or break upon impact at high speed. The circuitry that kept the miniature 3 Volt DC motor running would also often get busted pretty badly and often require regular maintenance. At approximately $10 USD a pop, it was rather hard for a 8 year old to afford. I did manage to make some small earnings with commissions from other kids around the block for making kits for them, but it just wasn't sufficient.

I soon found interest in conventional Gundam models. I started by collecting the miniature Gundam snap-fit styrene injection kits by 'Bandai' which were a lot more affordable as compared to the Tamiya racers. Back in that time, they only cost about $5 USD each. I remembered owning about 10 mini-models back then. Rather unfortunately, none of them survived to my adulthood (T_T). I also made a couple of standard Gundam snap-fit styrene scale models during my childhood. They were mainly 1:144 scale styrene injection kits. However, like my miniature kits, none of them survived to date.

I also used to own a 1:100 scale L.E.D. Mirage (from the Five Star Stories series) manufactured by WAVE Corp. I won the model in a logo designing competition organised by a magazine that I used to follow during my teens. I had absolutely no idea about the series at that time. Being only 15 and inexperienced in model kits which require painting, I terribly underestimated the difficulty level of the kit. As a result, I made a terrible mess out of the kit and got it terribly "mutilated". My interest in scale modelling soon came to an abrupt halt in my late teens as I was severely lacking in funds and space to fuel my hobby...


(-_-)...zzZ