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Actually, David...we just don't care. I will not spend hardly anytime on references or research because, to me, its boring. Period. If I can't Google something and find an answer in 30 seconds, it isn't worth my time and interferes with the fun of building and painting. Of course I know people who research things to the extreme and they seem to enjoy it so cool but for me, no thanks to research. And to me more inclusive as a group, we need to include both Dave

Al ( and all) I've been screaming this for the longest. But who am I? ;) Frequenting forums other than this one, You read time after time how these "kids" (I'm also a graying 58) bring their Gundam or Star wars starship to a local meeting only to be scoffed at. And what do they do? They go home and never come back. While Regionals and Nationals have a good mix of other than military kits from the young'uns, IMO the local level is where the problem is. The oldsters that sit there and discuss the 50th Bf-109 on the table to death and scoff at an A-Wing are the problem. Whether one thinks it's stupid or not, they need to give it a fair shake, even if one has to act. There is a resurgence of some of the young. As Robin mentioned there are physical models that go with the Tank online game. For those that remember the old Dungeons and Dragons or Ral Partha, there is a new miniatures war game based on WW2, where a big part of it that has tanks and planes that must be put together and painted. Then there are the sci-fi and fantasy minis and regular sized kits that is very popular out there. I'm not even included the "garage kits", which are probably the majority of the figures seen in that category. Some are even repainted the pre painted models. The next logical step is picking up a kit to be built and painted. So they are out there. To rehash - local clubs, take a look at what image you portraying. If a kid comes in with Gundam, a Mech or Ma.K; even if you're pretending, treat that Ma.K as if it was a Panther or Sherman... Ok rant mode over. ;)

Yes, I am fairly knowledgeable on modern US armor, having spent nearly thirty years of my life on various military vehicles. I often get bogged down trying to replicate details or idiosyncrasies of the actual vehicle I crewed. Building something not my lane helps me get through ruts. I don't care much about accuracy when I am building an X-wing or an F-15 for that matter. I don't care if someone builds an M1A2 in USMC markings, or if they paint it pink. I don't think someone needs to know the history of the craft they are building. If it interests them enough to build it, they might just become interested enough in learning about it. Or maybe not.