The best Christmas present ever.

[Norm Faith Jr.]

Watching the "Christmas Story" all day and reading an earlier post about the size of the BB gun box Ralphie opens (compared to model kit boxes) and the pending excitement; reminded me of the best Christmas present I ever got. It was Christmas, 1962. It was one big box...way in the back of the tree. Sort of like in the  movie; all of the gifts had been opened except that one. My Dad asked about the "big one hiding behind the tree?" Up to this point I had received the usual things, socks, underwear, some board games, but not a thing that "my world" revolved around. Dad pointed and said "get it out and see who it's for." I had guessed it was something big for my mom and dad wanted it to make a big entry. As soon as I moved the big gift, I saw that it had a tag with my name on it, from Santa. I got it out in the open where I could work with it and began to tear it apart. When all was done; I had laying there in front of me, a Ringmaster kit, a Goldberg Shoestring kit, A Goldberg Viking Kit, 3 Jecto hand launch glider kits, 3 McCoy .35s in blister packs, control lines and handle, glue, propellers and glow plugs.
Unlike young Ralphie, I had just turned 15 years old. Oh! And my dad? His reaction was very similar to Ralphie's dad when I opened the "the best Christmas present ever."
Norm

[mike londke]

My Dad pulled the same trick on me when I was 14. After all the gifts were opened he said, "whats that behind the couch?" I pulled out a long thin box and opened it. It was a Sig Twister. My first flapped model, and my first large control line kit. I had built a lot of 1/2A stuff and was flying .35 sized planes but they were all hand me downs form dad and big brother. This would be my first build of a large plane by myself. Dad already had the workbench cleaned and I started to work that Christmas day. Dad would check in throughout the week as I worked in the basement, helping with the hinges and a little soldering. Dad gave be a beat up Fox for it. I managed to silk and dope it with pretty good results and it was in the air in about 2 weeks. I learned to fly inverted with that plane. I was one of the most memorable Christmas's for me ever. Wish I had a time machine........

[Jim Fruit]

Norm - Mike:

I had a similar experience in 1950. You Know, that just-right-sized box. Turned out to be a kit from my parents, the Berkley kit of a North American AJ-1 Savage. That started me in scale building, and I haven't stopped since. Many years have passed and both of my parents are gone. My flying abilities are not so great any more but I think I will try to do one more scale ship, that would be the AJ-1 Savage in honor of my parents.

I did also receive another just-right-sized box for Christmas when I was about 40. Turned out to be a hedge trimmer. Sigh!

Jim Fruit

[Mike Keville]

Ahh, yes...Berkeley's 27" AJ-1 Savage.  Always wanted to see one of those built-up.  Never had the skills to try it (still don't).  Hope you do it, Jim...and send photos when you do.

[wwwarbird]

 Great stories guys, thanks for sharing.

 I never got the flying model stuff I'd wished for at Christmas time, it was a money thing. It's probably a big reason why I focus on and love building the types of models that came from that late 60's and 70's era today, an attempt to fulfill many of those old wishes and dreams. This kind of stuff is memories from when it was all real. They are the kind of memories that I feel have stuck with us much more than today when a kid gets their new I-pad or whatever, then disappears.

[john e. holliday]

I guess as far as model plane stuff, it has to be when the folks left a note in  the tree to me.  Seems they ordered the then new kit of the Nobler.  It did not get there in time for Christmas.  Mother was upset and Dad kept saying it will get here.  It was some time in  January when it finally arrived.  Dad had me open it immediately.  Had it built and flying that spring.   Wonder why I can't build that fast now.  Don't think I ever thanked them enough for that kit.  A lot of money for them to put out.

[Larry Renger]

I still fondly recall getting my first "hot" engine, a Holland Hornet. Eventually lost on a marvelously performing Starduster.