| There is a silent epidemic going on and hardly anyone | | | | kits fairly quickly and with fuel demand low the costs |
| realizes it is happening. Model trucks are slowly | | | | involved were almost negligible. |
| disappearing from popularity and the only people to | | | | This sort of model became very popular with the |
| realize it are the modelers who build them. With the | | | | public for many different reasons. One of these was |
| rise of oil prices has come a rise in production costs | | | | due to the low manufacturing costs being passed on |
| for polystyrene models. It is not normally realized that | | | | to the public in the form of cost savings. These model |
| petroleum is tied into plastics manufacturing. Gas prices | | | | trucks also tended to be assembled very easily and |
| shooting out the roof has moved the worry of topics | | | | model builders could modify them to a great degree as |
| such as this off of most people's radar. The models | | | | well. Clubs began to spring up all over the world and |
| seem to be slowly disappearing from the shelves and | | | | many of the different countries saw people begin to |
| are not being replaced. It seems that it may be a quiet | | | | reach out to others and form international clubs as well. |
| death that will only mourned by certain individuals. | | | | These clubs allowed the model builders to share their |
| What was it that started this downfall? When they | | | | love of the hobby. Petroleum, however, soon began to |
| first came into production in the twenties models were | | | | rise. |
| very bulky metal things and also did usually did not | | | | Fuel prices have been rising over time, it is true. |
| include many moving parts. These were produced | | | | However the cost of the petroleum has still been slow |
| mainly for the banks as a means of drawing new | | | | to out pass the cheap production costs. Since gas |
| business but they soon became highly sought after. | | | | prices have now hit an all time high all around the world |
| During the second world war metal was in short | | | | it seems that the end of affordable models is soon to |
| supply so there were many model makers that had to | | | | be seen. As some of the more rare kits have hit all |
| turn to using wood for making customer models. | | | | time highs there are some model makers that have |
| These were still highly collectible but they rarely lasted | | | | started producing resin models in order to keep the kit |
| any amount of time. They were not near as tough as | | | | costs much more affordable. It is true that resin is |
| the die cast models that they were replacing. There | | | | much more affordable than polystyrene and it is very |
| was however one major advantage that they offered. | | | | durable as well, there can be issues in the |
| They could be easily assembled at home. This is also | | | | manufacturing as well. |
| the time period in which polystyrene models first hit the | | | | When resin is cooling off after coming out of its mold it |
| scene. | | | | can occasionally set up air bubbles. These air bubbles |
| After being discovered in 1839 polystyrene did not truly | | | | will then need to be filled when they pop up. While it is |
| enjoy a rise from obscurity until the 1930's when it first | | | | true that resin can last well it does still tend to be more |
| began to be used in commercial applications. Made | | | | fragile than polystyrene. You can also find flash built up |
| from an artificial liquid hydrocarbon, styrene, | | | | on pieces that may have to be removed before the |
| polystyrene is totally based around the use of | | | | model can be assembled. It is also harder to ensure |
| petroleum. Polystyrene is especially important because | | | | that the parts turn out of even thickness. As long as |
| of its ability to stay solid at room temperature. It can | | | | the cost is high then there will be a demand for these |
| flow very easily once it hits its melting point but it also | | | | cheaper built models. Now though with the end in sight |
| quickly cools and hardens. This is what made | | | | for affordable plastics where will model truck building |
| polystyrene such a perfect match for the model | | | | fall in? Will it make a come back with another material |
| building industry. Makers could produce many cheap | | | | being used or will it just pass on slowly? |