For the Suffolk Scale Model Club and Long Island Scale Model Society members, building plastic models isn’t just a hobby, its a way of preserving the past. Specializing in building just about anything in plastic that has to do with the military, these members have turned a hobby into a mission, to support local military museums to bring to life scenes of past wars, but also to support the troops serving overseas.

For these hobbyists who have sons and daughters serving, are veterans themselves and/or who just love the art, not only bring to life these plastic models, but their knowledge of the history is what will get you interested. For someone like myself who built models back when I was a kid because that was the fun thing to do, today I learned that it is still a fun thing to do at a much older age. Building a plastic model isn’t just about slapping plastic pieces together with some not so easy to work with cement glue, but its another way to find peace in life.

For me, building my first plastic model many many years after my last, was an experience that many I’m sure overlook. At my age I could have used my time to do what others my age would do, but instead I took some time to open up a box and put together a P-51 Tuskegee Mustang. What it did for me was take my mind off of everything, as the model had my complete attention. I was so focused deeply in what I was doing, that what started at6 in the afternoon, didn’t end until 10:30pm.

Building this plastic P-51 Mustang gave me a new perspective when it comes to a hobby. It may not bring in cash, it may take time away from doing something else that may need to be done (chores), but in the end it gives us a moment in our busy lives to just simply forget it all. If interested be sure to get in touch with a local hobby organization near you to get involved, and meet people with common interests. It’s a great way to network. For Long Islanders interested, get in touch with the great members of the Suffolk Scale Model Club  and Long Island Scale Model Society.

Be sure to check out this great article “War Stories: Vietnam Experiences Retold in Plastic, Dirt, and Paint” by Varick Chittenden