Greg Builds Because...

Growing up in the 1960s, I built Airfix kits because almost all young boys did - Frog came a close second, Revell a distant third, a bit later there was Matchbox. I enjoyed making things: building bricks, Meccano, Betta Builda (I think it was called) and Lego. But nothing matched the allure of polystyrene, tubed cement and paint plus the connections with history, stories, TV and movies. And of all the influences that led me to take the hobby more seriously, none has made more impression than discovering the original Airfix magazine. Growing up in a small village in rural East Anglia (UK) I can't recall how I managed this (was it advertised in Airfix catalogues?). It revealed the ideas of authentic paint colours and alternative decals and - most amazing - kit detailing and converting. Again, all spurred on by history and research.

I haven't built constantly since childhood. There have been periods when the usual distractions got in the way. But in the course of a fairly peripatetic life, the basic enthusiasm has never left me. Even when I wasn't building, it was always a real pleasure to find a model shop in some foreign city where I could walk through the door and instantly feel that old excitement, the potential for pleasure and delight that such inevitably crowded places seem to invoke.

What was your first build?

"I can't remember one specific model. I do remember my father building bombers like the Halifax and B-17 (unpainted) for me and then my having a go at smaller bagged kits like the Bf109G and WWI planes such as the Albatross and Bristol Fighter. Influences back then, in the 1960s, were old war movies, boys' comics and, of course, Biggles.

Apart from the kits, the small scale figure sets played a large part in my childhood. I think the US Cavalry may have been the first - prompted by TV Westerns - the Wagon Train, French Foreign Legion, Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham sets all followed. Altogether, I recall how the kits and figures, the books, TV and movies all came together to spark my imagination and prompt an enthusiasm for history and literature which has never left me. Just as building the kits gave me an interest in handicrafts and the therapautic satisfaction of making things for myself.

Also, it's interesting how as a kid I spent pocket money on planes, figures and vehicles - I even had an older cousin in the Royal Navy who used to buy me one of the 1/600 scale ships every time he came back from a voyage - and this eclecticism has stayed with me too."

What was your favourite build?

"Well, certainly one of the most memorable would be the 1/24 Bf109E which came out, I believe, about the same year I should have been spending more time revising for my 'O' Levels. Only other large scale kits I had made before that were the old Revell 1/32 Iroquois and Huey Cobra choppers. Detail and complexity of the 109 kit were a revelation and delight." 

Your most challenging build?

"Obviously this has changed with age and development. Way back when, finishing those biplane wings and individual struts on the Bristol Fighter was a real trial. More recently, completing the old Halifax (whose moulds must be almost as old as me) to a reasonable standard was certainly difficult yet immensely satisfying with thoughts of my father building the same kit for me all those years ago constantly egging me on."

Do you have a future build in mind?

"I would like to have a go at the 1/24 aircraft that I have missed like the Spitfire and Hurricane especially. Sheer nostalgia might prompt me to try re-issues of the 1/600 Ark Royal or even a larger ship like The Beagle or Wasa - especially now I've learned how to paint more convincing wood finishes."

Share the love

Over the course of the next few weeks we will see a diverse range of stories, some focussing on highs and others on lows- with struggles and triumphs of all kinds in between. If you read about Greg's journey and someone in your life comes to mind as having a similar story (or you think they might just benefit from a touch of the Airfix TLC!), we hope you'll share this with them. The positive impact modelling can have on a life is limitless but we need your help to ensure that our reach extends just as far. 

Can you relate?

Like with all stories we have themes of light and dark, good times and the occasional bad. Although each of our articles ends with a light at the end of the tunnel we also know that it doesn't always feel like that. Many of you are reading the series just to further your love of modelling, but if you find yourself mirrored in any of our stories and feel like you need to reach out to someone, you can find a list of NHS endorsed resources here.