Hello Ty I am 14 years your junior and admit when I read the title Topic and the first post from you...I thought..."This old Phart is not paying attention"
But I persevered and read down a bit and see what you mean
That said I am extremely grateful for the forums and internet resources we have
I love my Nostalgia engines BUT ever more appreciate the info I learned about the OS FP 20 BBTU and good use of more modern engines or control systems...especially the ease of use of light materials...and wide range of glues...dopes....paints...coverings
I had no way in 1959~1972 to build with other than the crappy kit wood. Or no way to know about better (or worse) fuel tanks, locations, fuels, wheels, propellers, of handles
Today finding the proper grain and density selection of wood is fairly easy. (I guess) this was a secret of the Real Modelers) back in the day
Not that the parts are better designed, but I find the accuracy of a good laser cutter for short or long kits far superior to what I grew up with
That, and I always learn stuff I never considered before on these forums... In 1960ish I thought the kit I bought was the exact same winning model...Mathis, Wooten, Scarinzi...etc was using ..... suprise... not so!