Thank you for bring this topic up. Years ago (back when we still had plenty of Newsgroups on a variety of topics) this topic came up and there were a number of modelers who thought that it was “wrong” to build a model of what they called “what if” hardware by say WWII Germans. I forget all of the reasons that some of them gave for why this was “wrong,” even when it was pointed out to them that most of the modelers building these so called “what if” models were just building hardware that had reached the blueprint/prototype stage.
Those that built them pointed out that building a model of hardware that made not only the planning but blueprint /prototype stage was not building a “what if” model. And that in doing so it’s no different then building a model of any of the hardware that say the WWII Germans were using such as tanks, planes, rockets/missiles, etc.
And that it is VERY different from building a so called “what if” model. I would say that looking at a model of a piece of hardware that was used on the battlefield and “evolving” it isn’t “wrong” as I am sure that there are plenty of engineers out there who have looked at what was used on the battlefield by everyone and “improved” upon it and that as with a lot of U.S. tech there is a LOT of it of WWII German tech that is still being used somewhere in the world, and/or evolving and being improved upon.
So what is the general opinion here regarding the building of “non-mainstream” models?
I agree with you. The only criteria that should apply to whatever model(s) one decides to build is whether or not it appeals to the model maker in whatever way.
The bottom line is that if a person doesn’t like a particular “what if” model that someone has built then like posts made to a mailing list they can “delete” or ignore it. They don’t have the “right” to tell someone what they can or cannot build.
Even though it was a dark period in world history WWII is OF historical interest to a great many people and there is no reason why anyone should be “afraid” or “ashamed” to build a model of any piece of hardware that strikes their fancy.
As the old saying goes, “Those who forget the past, are doomed to repeat it.”
I have often built stuff that I knew of no known prototype and afterwards found the same thing or very similar actually did exist. When it comes right down to it Theres a prototype for everything!
For me it is the uniqueness of a subject. Now I’m not saying anything bad for either side, to each their own, but if you like a subject, whether it be and actual piece of equipment, one on paper only, someones idea, or what ever, if you like it, build it and have fun. If you don’t like it…don’t build it! Build what makes you happy. I mean, if you don’t like blueprint ideas being built, do you not build any Sci-Fi stuff? I don’t think there is a real X-wing fighter or a real Bat-Wing out there, but I love putting Sci-Fi stuff together. Bottom line, if you like it build it…if you don’t, well…then don’t.
There is a Misc. forum where you see some of the stranger stuff.
I used to say I model anything that moves. Then, I saw an ad in a catalog of reading accessories (bookmarks, bookstands, and stuff) that had a model kit for the Gutenberg printing press! A nice little wooden kit. After building that, I admit stuff does not have to be a vehicle for me to model it
