[WWI] Kids and kits

[J.R. Boye]

         I'm just back from a day away and reading this thread with interest.
         I was stopped by the mention of LEGO, because my son DID get into that- big-time. I agree that it is modeling, just a different form. I like models that are very representative, but the LEGO encourages the imagination more. Some LEGO models are fairly detailed, also (although not enough to really interest me. If fabric texture on wings bothers you, big dots will drive you nuts)
        Another factor mentioned is one I usually bring up - model building lets you be alone with your thoughts for awhile. Video gaming fills up your mind and shuts out thoughts, while model building invites you to think. This is a scary thing to lots of people these days.
          While building a model of Eugene Bullard's Nieuport, for example, I think about what it was like for him in the world of the French, being accepted by them and fighting in the skies along side them-opportunities the U.S. wouldn't give him at the time. And what was it like trying to draw a bead on a moving target with a monkey in the cockpit.......*#@&* that decal just broke into pieces!
        Anyway, I think any quiet activity with the hands encourages this to some degree, even Gundam and fantasy figures.

                                             J.R. Boye
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