I was embarrassed to admit I had this hobby 

You know, I had a lot of things like this, now I'm older it seems so absurd. I was always into modelling and throughout school I was kind of off/on with it. I was always aware that it wasn't so popular with others and wasn't seen as "cool". Thing is though, the right people will only see it as a part of you something to be celebrated. Any sort of abuse or mockery of anything like that just drove me to be unusual in more ways. I applied it to music, clothing, the books I read, the films I watched, the people I spoke to, I just totally gave up on caring what others think. And it won me a lot of friends, interesting people who also go against the norms. The older you get you realise everyone is like that. I have friends who you'd take for a typical bloke, just into football etc, but he absolutely loves bird watching. My other friend who you'd think from first glance is just into cars collects Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Point is, at school you think there's norms you have to stick to, and you're the only one stands out, but it's all an act, its all fake, people aren't all one dimensional like that.

Craftsmanship is a noble pursuit. It doesn’t matter what size it is. Being able to turn nothing into something is always cool.

I'd love to see you back. Lots of people are here to support you!

Scale modelling sounds better than miniature wargaming mate. I’m 49 now and I still don’t tell anyone that I paint thousands of soldiers and play with them every Wednesday night.

I hope you are okay Owen, even if you did take a break from the hobby im sure we would all like to know

im literally having this problem right now. except i have started telling people and have actually gotten compliments so in my opinion TELL YOUR HOBBIES EVERYONE!

I would like to say something inspirational but I can't think of anything

Dam, it’s been a while, three whole years to be exact, I don’t think anyone expected this to be ur last video, and I think many miss you

Owen it takes a lot of courage and bravery to openly film yourself and talk so candidly. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Half of the world doesn't understand the passions of the other half.

I just bought my first model, and as a female I first kind of felt weird about it but this video made me realise i can instead be proud of making a model. Thank you for this honest video!

Growing up in the 70's and 80's, scale modeling was well accepted and most of my friends built a model of some sort. Never considered it to be something to be ashamed of.

Where'd you go? Always had great and informative tutorials. Would love to have you back again

I’m 47 and one of the worst things I did was get rid of my Lego collection, which I’d built up since I was child, including my Technics, in a moment of utter madness approx 10yrs ago. I’ve now started buying and making those vintage Lego kits again. Whilst not on the scale of skill you have in your hobby, it’s still relaxing. Enjoy! 👍

I, like I’m sure all others, we miss you buddy. Hope all is well and that you can post again soon. Godspeed

I started making Airfix Models when I was about 11or 12. For ages I just made the kits and never painted them. They were then suspended from my bedroom ceiling. As I grew older and discovered girls lm ashamed to say they ended up being burnt in the back garden. I really enjoyed making them and this began a lifelong love of aircraft. About five years ago I started making models again and have really enjoyed it in my retirement. My wife cannot understand my love of model making, but as I explain to her is like doing a puzzle or creating a work of art. It’s really relaxing and if you make a good job of it can be really rewarding. Tanks are easier and I use my airbrush for painting them. I mostly make 1/72 aircraft as they take up less space. I paint these with brushes and find your videos on the subject very helpful. The most frustrating thing about the hobby is that things never ever turn out as you expect them to be. The cockpits are the hardest, and I find it very hard to get them just right. I think your tips are very useful and keep up the good work. Best wishes Grandad David 73. ,

Wow! I’m 63 and retired, but I always struggled with social anxiety when I was younger. At my age, I no longer care about people not accepting me or understanding me, but my wife still has to help me (repeatedly) to overcome my natural introversion. I pushed myself through a long, long career that seemed like it would never end--in spite of it being quite rewarding--and now I'm considering scale modeling as an end-of-life hobby, which is how I stumbled across your channel. I deeply admire what you've done with the channel, and what you're doing for others in videos like this one. Thank you for your kindness and honesty; if there is anything that can restore faith in humanity in today's stupid world, it's people like you.

You get to an age when you don't care what people think. I've been told I come across as confident but it all comes down to not caring what people think and also being able to identify your faults and work on them. I like scale modeling. Its relaxing and I'm proud of the results. I subscribed and watch your videos for tips and tricks to help me build. You've helped me become more patient and create better models. Thanks for the vid

Hey Owen, what's up? It's been long since you've not uploaded anything Just to tell you your videos and content are great, I've been missing new vids. Greetings from Chile

This is such a reliable video I really feel for him because I know that feeling, people used ask me why I so addicted to planes and when my friends would come into my bedroom and see the selves of planes and tanks I felt a bit embarrassed. But Luckily for me my cousin shares the same hobby so is great to have someone the same age that shares the same interest.

hey quick kits pllllsssss come back ive learned so many things because of you now plss come back

Just remember, at 20, people worry about what other people think of them. At 40, people don't care what other people think of them. At 60 people realize, other people aren't thinking about them. I'm 67.

Hey man! I have been wondering where have you been. I miss your videos. I whould really love to see new videos. Actually you got me into building scale models. Thank you for reading my comment.

For people who's curious he's still alive, he updated a post on Instagram yesterday. But still, that doesn't mean he's coming back to youtube anytime

you should be proud, if someone asks me what my hobby is, i say "scale modelling" and im proud of that. if you ask any other teens my age, what their hobby is, they will probably say sport, video games or nothing. having a hobby that is unique compared to other hobbies is a good thing because it means you're even more interesting than you already are.

Your Cromwell video was very helpful. Hope to see you return soon, when you are ready.

Good for you. Every time I have to show a maintenance person into my back room to get access to the utilities I cringe. But, you'd be surprised how many are actually impressed or admit to the hobby, past or present. Anxiety is not just for the young. I'm 60 this year.

A parable for everyone...all closets are suffocating...all liberation is exhilarating. People laughed at me because I was different...but I learned to laugh at them because they were all the same!

Everytime when people ask me why I build models I'm just saying it's like drawing. But only in 3D

when people ask me about my hobbies during class or in the yard and i respond with scale models they usually say "oh whats that" or "thats not really a hobbie" model making is so underappreciated in todays society

Hey Owen, it’s been a year now and we can’t wait to see your latest content. I’m interested to see you build a 1/48 scale model. It would be awesome!

Hi Owen, I hope all is well with you. It would be great to see more building videos by you. Your very talented and a great educator. Thank you

Thank you owen, you are the youtuber who sparked my obsession with this hobby. without you i wouldnt have started in the first place ❤

Thanks for this. Many kids feel this way during high school and it takes courage and support to overcome ridiculous criticism from the “cool kids”. I’m 56 and have a 12 year old son and 10 year daughter and this video helped me explain that they have the right to define what is cool for themselves.

We mis u bro, i hope you're still building kits

I’m here to say that you are the only person That made me get into the modelling, your content is great and really detailed and that’s what I liked about it,

I’ve just found this channel and I’m starting to work on one of my first models, a Revell Corsair F4U-4. I’m glad I’ve found this as it has helped my so much, so thank you for the great tips and tricks

Why haven't you uploaded for ages

I've felt very much like you but with classics cars, and being someone who is young who likes something generally associated with the older generation, and therefore uncool used to give me social anxiety's. Turning up to car meets in my 1970's Spitfire to have people of my own generation mock me for what I liked did get me down a number of times. But like you I started a RU-vid channel, it took a few years before I gained the confidence to go on camera, and now I've meet so many like minded people of all ages and done some much more than I thought I'd ever do, it's really got me out of my shell. Keep making them awesome model kits Owen!!! I do love watching your videos. When the weathers not good in the winter and I can't play with classic cars, building model kits is what I do too 👍

The treatment for my social anxiety was actually when I discovered your channel which introduced me to scale modeling

This is a great film and should be part of PSHE lessons in schools. Everyone should respect each other’s ideas and beliefs.

Please come back And when u do can you do a bomber pls

Hey Owen! There are people who are adults, and still collecting toys. I happen to be one of them,lol. However, I have been building plastic model kits for most of my life, and I love the hobby. I'm never ashamed of the hobbies I have, you shouldn't ever be either. Personally, I think most people don't have the ability to build what we build, and then the painting and all. It takes patience, and the love of machines, and history, to do what we do! Great videos by the way! Cheers from America!

Coming back after a couple of years to watch since I am building a 1/72 Sherman Firefly right now. Hopefully we get to see you again soon!!! There must be hundreds if not thousands of people who are here ready to watch if you ever return!

Hey this was really cool to hear, I have a lot of social anxiety and some trauma from people I had to deal with in school. This was really encouraging to me, so thanks for making this video!

Do anyone know why he didnt upload for over a year????

Great video. Model building is an excellent hobby. It combines history, engineering, and art. Boys and men especially are naturally drawn to this hobby and it should be encouraged.

Thank you Owen for this video you have just helped me cope with people at school bullying me because of having this hobby

And just like that, he was never seen again. 😢

Owen don’t ever be mate I went back into models at the age of 55 i am now 59 best thing I have ever done you keep it up teach the the youngsters hats off to you son keep it up 👍 👊

Owen, I've watched and enjoyed your channel since before you were off to college - this video, in particular, is special, and mirrors my high school ~> college experience - thank you!

It's been a year and hasn't uploaded during the time so hopefully you upload again soon.

Hey Owen! We miss you're videos, Re you coming back?

I love this. It was very touching, and what you had to say was very interesting. I started scale modelling when I was 9, and I was also nervous about telling people, and I coped by introducing my closest friends to the hobby, and surrounding myself with people who build scale models, and then they started introducing their friends to the hobby, so now there are 20-30 people in my grade who build scale models, and I couldn't be happier, as I now have good friends who all share this hobby with me, and as a bonus, we know just what to get eachother for birthdays.

Great video! Thanks for sharing. From an old guy who has rediscovered the hobby of his youth. Your tips and tricks have been very helpful!

This was a really nice, different, but very welcome video. As a young modelist and classic car enthusiast, I am so glad to hear messages like this. No one should be oppressed for their passions (your description of the cool kids behaviour reminded me of the Italian Blackshirsts for some reason) and I encourage everyone to come up with their own interpretations of cool. Everything is cool if someone, even just one person, has a passion for it and believes it! Great video and message, Thank You!

I always despised art until I picked up scale modeling somewhat seriously a few months back. I used to do it as a kid, but would rarely paint them and would just have dogfights with them (but hey, I fulfilled those childhood dreams and fly for a living now, just another reason not to be ashamed of your likes and hobbies). I don't have artistic creativity in the traditional sense, but I enjoy working with my hands and creative problem solving. By trying to replicate something as exactingly as possible, it takes the pressure off of trying to be "creative" and "expressing yourself" and allows me to really focus on what I'm doing. It gives me an outlet for my creativity that is artistic in nature, but doesn't feel like art class (which I always dreaded in school since my brain is that of a mechanic more than a musician). Every model is a new opportunity to be creative in how I solve a problem, such as experimenting with new weathering techniques, or figuring out how to capture a detail from a photograph that isn't in the instructions. It just tickles the detail oriented perfectionist part of my brain! I don't model as much as many, since I'm also outdoorsy and travel 16 days a month for work, but during the winter, rainy days, or the 10 weeks of Covid quarantine, it's something that I feel is actually a constructive use of my free time.

Hey Owen when are you uploading again? Your contents great so keep at it!

Hi Owen are you OK? Because you haven't uploaded in a year so I hope you are OK and keep on uploading 🙂

I was 9 when I started modeling in the uk. I was pretty good at it and began to build my confidence on myself to do more. When Covid had hit, me and my family went to the Ethiopia (where my mother was born). We packed my models and most of them where damaged. I then discovered your channel and saw how good your models were. I tried to follow your tips and tricks but there was no way for me to get the supplies, paint or anything. My mother then bought a new house and everything was packed again. As my models where falling apart. I decided to give up on modeling. Thank you Owen for all the modeling video.

He’s still alive, as of January 23 2022 he uploaded something on Instagram 3 days ago

how are you? haven't seen any new videos. i hope you're ok

Hey Owen. Have always loved the vids. Miss you posting

Wonderful video Owen. I’ve suffered from some social anxiety myself and your advice will be very helpful. Without your channel I wouldn’t have gotten into scale models, thanks for the years of great content! 😁

I been scale modelling for about 2 years after I left college never looked back its just shows people can be creative and skill.

When I was a kid in the 1950s, I began to build plastic models of antique cars when I was about 5 years old. My dad used to buy them for me for 25 cents. The town was small so there were no hobby shops within 7 miles from my home, but I was fortunate in that a liquor store also sold plastic models, glue and paint. Kind of a strange pairing - booze and plastic kits - but it helped me a lot. I used to spend all of the money I made from my part time job on plastic kits and flying model planes. Those were some of the best years of my life and I'm sure that the skills that I developed in building those models enabled me to get a good job with IBM and to achieve a lot of other things in life. Building models, whether plastic, wood, or any other base material is something that can benefit anyone in their life.

This community needs you back

Hope you are doing well

I’ve had several things like this in my life from hobbies, book series I liked, being into video games, my music taste. People often like to judge what they don’t understand, but Owen is right once you find friends and a community that support you no matter what it makes everything so fun. Make sure to surround yourself with people who love you for you and don’t put you down because of your passions.

Hi Owen. Just wanted to say, I love the channel and have now become a proud patreon! 😃 I can totally relate to where you are coming from as my earliest experience at school was exactly the same. Being the odd one out when everyone else played football and sat at home on their Megadrives (yep, remember them?!) and I was the only one who built scale models, and consequently got called 'weirdo', 'nerd' or 'geek' because of it. Nowadays I couldn't be more proud of the models I build, as its more than just my hobby, its my therapy and is still one of the few things in life that gives me the most pleasure and satisfaction of everything I do, and is a great way of relieving stress and I love it just as much now as I did all those years ago when I built my very first model, and of course there's all the fantastic friends and people I've met along the way who enjoy it just as much as I do, so take it from me mate, don't ever be ashamed of what you do, especially if it makes you happy! You're a fantastic guy and a talented modeller and hope to catch up with you one day soon on the show circuit! Take care my friend and keep that head high! 👍🏻

I'd love to see you back again

Hi Owen, I hope you have enjoyed building your model kits, and that it has helped you to make lots of friends-at the same time I hope that you have had some success at dealing with your social anxiety. All the best

Brilliant stuff Owen. Absolutely lovely.

Good job! Scale modelling is a mix of engineering and yoga. Not for everyone. I am 50+ and still love this hobby. I got the "virus" when I was 6. Still got it and I think if you get it you are "stuck" with it forever. I love your posts also. Keep doing you love.

Hi Owen! Wow, I really liked this post, and it shows that you are a caring young man. I was an avid scale modeller when I was a boy, and I had similar peer experiences that you share here, but like yourself, I did not let it stop me from pursuing my hobby. However, I gave the hobby up when I was around 16yo, when I found that girls were more interesting company, and as I got older my interest in the hobby just faded away. I am 69 years old now and have recently returned to modelling after all that time, and I am really enjoying it. Just as when I was a teenager, I get a bit of ribbing from my mates about it, but I have shown them some of my finished armour models and they have nothing but praise for the skill and patience that goes into each model. The point is, do what you love doing, and don’t worry about what other people think. It is you that you have to please. Love your channel Owen, so keep up the good work. Cheers from Australia!

I'm 34 your videos had me lean towards buying everything to get back into model building and painting... I know you don't make content anymore but over 2 years later you still convinced me to start buying kits and making an effort again. Stay blessed!

Thank you, Owen, for this part of your life and for every video you made for us. Everyone has to be proud of him/her, his/her life, his/her hobbies etc. and be respected by others. At college, I was a very good student so I was "cool" for homeworks and I had a lot of friends waiting for that. But at the week-end, for shopping or parties with friends, I was too special and "not cool" : my "friends" said "You need time to paint your wonderful models and figures. You're not interessed in parties." And stupid things like these. So I was never invited. A souvenir : One guy of my classroom, also a modeler, called me Airfix. I called him Italeri (He was Belgo-Italian) and he went to show his models at every exposition my father organised. That's a great and funny souvenir. Go on in your hobbies. Go on modelling, modellers. Thanks for reading. Take care of you all. A lot of virtual kisses from Belgium. ;-) Anicée :-D

You haven’t made a video for ages plz make another

I'm 34 and married and I work in an office involved with real estate. I am never ashamed of my friends or co-workers about my hobby, in fact I bring in some of my completed projects to show off to the office. I get so many complements from everyone in the office! They're always amazed at the level of detail I out in my kits. The majority of my projects I bring into the office are Star Wars kits, so one can't get much nerdy than that. I did complete a commission build of an A-10 warthog for a co-worker and brought it in to show off. Several people walked over, one of whom is a Marine vet who lit right up looking at my model! Be proud of who you are and what you are passionate about! My wife supports my hobby 100% and my friends have bought me model kits to build. Never let anyone tell you different or put you down for what you love doing. You keep building and thank you so much for this video! Dan from Michigan!

I hope you return as I enjoyed your videos. They helped with the tips, and inspired with the results.

Where did Owen go???

I never cared enough about what other people think.

I too fell in love with the Lancaster I got the dambuster. Started the build when I got it was but off by all the small parts. It was laying in my closet colecting dust and finished it during caratine now bussy with the 80 years battle of britain kit

Great video Owen and I had the same experience, but for me it was more around college time, in Highschool I didn't really care who knew about my WW2 interest or Scalemodel interest, but after High school I lost interest because I wanted to join in on other groups that had more interest in cars. I even had a Car related RU-vid channel, which didn't work out at all. After I accepted the fact that I found Military technology more interesting, my RU-vid channel started having a following.

This is so nice and it reminds me of what i was like, im in high school and have quite a big insta page and no one in my school know i have it except my best friend.

Great video this really motivated me to tell people about that I build a scale model thanks A lot

In retrospect, modeling gave me the basics to go on and become a machinist. It taught me to read blueprints and think ahead about the next step. I never really thought about it until you posted your video. Thank you for the insight.

Hey man I just found your channel. I just wanted to let you know your videos have been of great help! I hope you start doing videos again. This hobby is growing more and more!!!

Well done Owen. Don't forget you're amongst friends. ❤️ Please get back to making videos if you have the time, there's so little content of your calibre out there. Best wishes!

I wish Owen is healthy and alive that's all.

love your videos please make another soon

Thanks Owen for being so open. I had very similar experiences. Around the age of 14 I was encouraged to give up on scale models and "grow up". It wasn't until I was in my mid thirties I dared to make another one. Now in my mid-forties I can honestly say that making models has kept me alive through some very dark periods of my life. This hobby gives me purpose and there is something in our evolution, our instinct, that encourages us to build things. It's an incredibly healthy and therapeutic hobby full of fun, history and fantasy!

Please post more I miss your content so much🥺

hey owen i really like your videos, why did you stop posting

I love this story. I reactivated this hobby for me before two months and i am 41 years old. I started this hobby before the Internet was born and i stoped it because of unknowing how to use the right techniques of building and painting my kits. And now then the Internet is doing what it does and People like you are share your techniques and make this great tutorials how to handle things, i reactivated this hobby for me and i enjoy it more than ever before. So people like you inspired me to came back to this hobby and i wan't to thank you so much for this. I always told people and my childs they have to found out what they wan't to do in life and this have to do them fun but i forgot what my heart was bumping for. You have remember me, and another time thank you, thank you thank you. Greetings from Germany. 👍

Hello Owen. First of all, thank you for your videos, I've learned a lot from watching them.So, I was born in 1972 and only started building model kits about six years ago, a dear friend gave me a Hobbyboss 1/72 Bf-109 Trop. So now I build 1/72 WW2 aircraft and a tank from time to time (no airbrush). But let me tell you, before this wonderful hobby. I was a impatient person, got angry and threw things against the wall, and model building really helped me to change, it helped me through my divorce, witch was very hard for me... It's the best thing that has happened, I absolutely love it. People can be very mean, but most of the time they try to humiliate others to stand out and hide their own frustrations. By the way, about your Lancaster, I'm in Portugal, but I visited my brother a couple of years ago , he lives in Market Harborough - Leicestershire, and went for a tour in the RAF Museum, and I bought the same kit. I'm waiting for you to start or if you already have, I would like to see it. Best regards and may happiness allays smile on you. Stay safe.

People should never Bully you out of your hobby it is yours and own it

Lovely to see this more candid side to you, Owen. ♡ Look at you now! P.S. Nothing's cool about being a basic-ass bully.

Thank you so much for sharing, I really loved this video. Keep up the good work

Your videos are great! I’ve always dabbled in warhammer and Airfix at a low level and have picked up Airfix again recently after getting a starter set as an ironic gift for Christmas one year. Turned out to be one of the best ‘cheap’ presents I’ve ever had! With the rise in awareness of mental health and other popular mindfulness techniques such as grown up colouring books, puzzles etc. modelling is just another great way to slow down, get creative and work towards accomplishing a small goal. It’s incredibly satisfying. Keep up the videos! I especially like those aimed at beginners/ low level hobbyists like myself who want to make the most out of quick kits or simple models with good techniques but don’t necessarily have all the gear and paints.

modelkits are all time high. pls make more kits for us :) . Maybe forgot about the Bismark.