The next generation of enthusiasts

My 10yr old son visited the local hobby shop and bought a Guillows kit

It is his first balsa kit and quite basic in that the only die stamped parts were the ribs and wing tips - everythiing else is from strips cut to length by him off the plan. I pointed him in the right direction but it is essentially his own work!

Yep - its a proud dad moment
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That's fantastic! Only one question: where's yours?

 

Steve,

He's done a fantastic job. My dad did the same thing for me at 6 or 7 years old

I spent so much money and built so many balsa gliders, U-control planes, and plastic model kits.....I could have most likely bought a real airplane by 16 years old. I still enjoying flying and aircraft to this day. Plan on one day building a wind tunnel to do some fun experiments with.

Dogdish

 

Very impressive. My Dad and I used to build stick models when I was that age.
One thing I have learned from watchiing my son develop his hockey skills, true perfection and ability in athletics and hand skills is acquired at a young age.
I could see your son being an engineer or surgeon in 15 years.

 

Cool! Brings back memories.

 

I applaud you for being a good Dad by helping your son to get started on learning many things here. The disciplines of building a flying model by himself have too many implications to state here. Individual confidence, understanding of basic aeronautics, manual dexterity, etc. It goes on and on but the most valuable is your support and direction and fatherhood / brotherhood by being at his side when he is learning a new challenge in his life. I didn't have that and my efforts to build models were based on what my 8 year old mind could process and I made one failure after another. But soon I was building Gillows and Megow kits that not only looked good but flew successfully. It would have been magic to have a dad or brother involved or at least interested in my efforts. As I grew older I joined the neighborhood model building club ( no longer a part of young life now) and learned a lot and built some wonderful gas powered free flights. Keep up your father-son relationship and support him in all that he explores for the rest of his life for it will produce untold benefits for you both.

 

Thanks all

He did his first test flights this morning before school - now he needs to make some trim adjustments - the journey continues

 

cool beans

 

very cool i had stuff like that when i was young. moved on to some rc planes for a brief period and then took a long hiatus. Now taking lessons to get my license!