Who's to blame for this hobby?

[wheeledhorseman 574]

Where does this fascination for studying exploded schematics and locating where parts go come from and where indeed the enjoyment for taking things to bits, painting each of the parts, then putting it back together.

Well, I blame childhood experiences for all of this! The toys we had back then and the way we occupied our time would seem boring to the kids of today but I used to spend hours building up then tearing down mechanical things built with 'Meccano' (it was green and red in those days). Another great instructional hobby was making and painting Airfix (Revel) kits - planes, tanks, battleships etc etc.

So............

Before starting to reassemble the next stage of my D-200 resto I decided to set up the photo below as there were enough painted parts to do it.

I should really have got on with putting things back together but just couldn't resist spending time setting this up.

What do you think folks?

Andy

[Rooster 191]

ROFLMAO...Do you have to twist the parts back and forth to get them off the "tree"!

Yep, we built models, Legos were awesome! Lincoln logs, what was the one with all the steel pieces with holes in them and little bolts?

I really think there is a major part of my personality that is "Testors Induced"

NOt to mention My dad was a mechanic, when other toddlers had plastic tools and blocks, I had snap-n and briggs to play with, lol.

[AMC RULES 37,127]

Looks like a parts tree from one of those old styrene Revel kits.

Andy, you're not gonna put that back together with model glue are you? :scratchead:

[Steve B. 30]

Yup, I blame Lego and Mecanno. My father is a heavy equipment mechanic and some of my earliest memories are digging for the 1/2-9 wrench to pass him under the truck. According to him I could read a bolt chart before I could read Dr. Suess. So far, one of my offspring seems to have the bug. We're in the process of rebuilding a 5hp B&S to put in a "chopper" bicycle frame.

[meadowfield 2,570]

love it !

you've set a target for me to build a bigger parts tree.... :D

[specialwheelhorse 174]

OH MY ! I recall when pop was building Pepermint Stills in Michigan

I was just a little feller then then he graduated into hot rods and maintaining

school buses in Ohio and general Machinshop work. Then I was old enough to

understand how a line shaft worked. Then into more complcated things like zip

guns and such. I don't think he ever did figure out how a few sheet metal things

got dings in them. You know it is a miracle that we all made it this far and can be

thankful we have such sweet little machines to work on. Most of us learned the

hard way. Sometimes I think that was the best way. Oh Yes ! my father in law

was head mechanic at local Ford Merc dealership and to top that my mother in law

gave me my first Wheel Horse. The very best mother in law !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JIM in Texas

[bowtiebutler956 650]

Ah yes, the good old days, biulding models, playing with legos and lincoln logs. My dad owned his own shop when I was a kid, so I was raised with a love for machines. I just got to thinking, I don't think any of my boys have ever biult a model. I did get them legos and lincoln logs, but the two older ones would rather play they're game systems. No wonder there are so many lazy people today. Now my youngest is a chip off the old block, loves anything mechanical, and loves tractors.

Andy that is an awesome display, looks like the parts are ready to be popped out of the plastic. Love it!

Matt :flags-texas:

[Anglo Traction 761]

Where does this fascination for studying exploded schematics and locating where parts go come from and where indeed the enjoyment for taking things to bits, painting each of the parts, then putting it back together.

It's got to come from your childhood, whether it is from being inspired by your parents, curiosity to take things apart to see how they work or from the Toys that were available back then. My father was an infuence on me with what he had accomplished and the skills/tools he had. There was always a part of a Gearbox or Engine that he had in pieces to repair for someone.

The good thing was that what ever I was doing or making, he would only get involved if I asked for his help and then leave me to get on....A legacy of that is my character of finding answers and solutions for myself first and asking for help as last resort.

Yep!, I did all the Airfix Kits etc. I also started building Flying Models with and without I.C. Engines when I was 11 years old. I still love anything that is made in miniature.

Do we ever grow up or were we mature enough in our creational minds to be adults way before we should have been?.

Great concept for a photo Andy !. Can't see the Plastic Bag of Nuts n Bolts and the Decal Sheet though, I reckon you would need an awful lots of those little tins of Humbrol Paint to do that lot.

[Don1977 604]

I.ve built a few models, had a set of Lincoln Logs, thay had not invented Legos yet. I played some with Erector Sets I never had one. Built down hill riders when my wagon broke (had a 100 yard sloped drive). Became a bicycle mechanic as we only had old handme down bicycles. They had New Departure rear assembly could usually make one good one out of two.

You forgot the wheels, engine and transmission, are they still in the box. I hate it when I don't get all the parts. :ychain: