Has anyone ever kept a certain model project a secret? Maybe you had a brilliant idea for a subject that you didn’t want anybody else to steal and create and beat you in showing it off at a contest or someplace else? Or maybe you have a special building technique that you only want to keep to yourself?
I’m kinda this way. I’ve got tons of ideas for model subjects (Mostly “What If’s”), but most of the time I keep them to myself. That way, I feel I have better chances of building something different and unique that nobody has ever seen or heard of before, and showing it at a contest and maybe winning an award.
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For enjoyment, and club meetings, themed build-offs, Yes and Yes.
For contests? I’m afraid you are stuck with the Bf109 and FW190 and Tiger and… creativity doesn’t give any bonus points in most of the competitions that I’m familiar with, regardless of the category it’s about…build quiality, then your competition, and then reference (note as distinct from accuracy, references is required, accuracy is totally…subjective given the judge). How it works is like…the judges need to know about something before they can award points - the point structure works like the more they know the subject you are doing, they more favourable your entry is, because it’s ‘easy to judge’. And…truth be told a judge is not going to read your 20 page reference manual, they’ll look for faults first (because it’s an unfamiliar subject) then only when that fails, belately flick through the reference to award you some points.
Some of the more creative ideas I’ve seen include, a plated dish of ‘egg (planes)’ with bacon, a choice of ‘straight boiled’ (OOB) and ‘scrambled’ (ie eg planes with parts mix matched). And no, it did not place, because there are perhaps no points awarded for creativity.
Only when I’ve been making a model for my fiance’ to present to her for a gift. I once kept the entire building of a Castle Neuschwanstein model a total secret and surprised her with it on Christmas.
I guess I would have to say no, I don’t enter contests much anymore. I don’t belong to a modeling club or such. I’ll share an idea with the limited friends who also build. My ideas also end up changing half a dozen times by the time I actually get into a specific build.
Doog, that looks awesome. What are the specs on that baby? how big, made of, etc. Would enjoy seeing some more pics if available…
I have plenty of Diorama projects, but i would say i keep them a secret, i just don’t share them as who would want to know about a project i might get round to doing in a few years, if ever.
I would never keep a modelling technique to myself, as what would be the point. I have learnt plenty of others and am happy to share. This isn’t about my models being better than yours. Its about haveing fun and shareing what we learn.
I do have a couple of ideas for GB’s that i am keeping to myself, simply because if someone else did it now, i wouldn’t be in a position to join it.
BaBill–thank you; glad you like it! FSM bought the article for publication, and I keep waiting for them to run it? Here’s a link to my build on it: I hope you enjoy it!
I’m not sure of the actual scale–1:200 or maybe 400?
However, I think I may start keeping paint and markings to myself until they come together. Planning to try it out with my upcoming Airfix Bf 109E-3 - will see how it goes.
I have no need to keep them secret. There are a few GB’s I’ve joined where I’ve “commited” to certain builds, while looking at adding in a few from my stash that I haven’t announced. I am not sure I’ll get to them in time. If someone else does the same build/decal set I am thinking about, then so be it.
