RF,
It's a sad thing, isn't it? When I was a kid in the '70's I loved plastic models (Never got over that!) But back then, I could walk around the corner and get Monogram kits for under $2 bucks. I would save my allowance to build my squadron, I must have built all the 1/48 kits they had available, ans every kid I knew had at least a small interest in modeling. Flash forward to 2013, and the kits I loved are still available, especially on e-bay, but they're way above the means of any kid, and a lot of us non-well-to-do grown ups. What really makes me mad is when I see the efforts of some companies to attract kids into modeling - expensive, small, pre-painted, snap together junk, that wouldn't keep any kid busy for more than a half hour. There is no emphasis on creativity with one's hands or brain with this junk. I really am thankful that I found this community - Fascinating, smart and affordable!