While I don’t have much time to build, I do enjoy observing group builds and I even attempt to participate in one here and there. That being said, If I had more time to build or even to host a group build, I would enjoy the following themes. Why say you guys? Feel free to add to my list. Maybe somebody will pick up on one of these ideas and run with it?
Raised Rivets GB – Get an old vintage kit and go to work.
Gull Grey and White GB
One True Scale GB – possibly with a sub theme
My First Kit GB – Rebuild one of the same kits you built when you were a kid.
USAF TAC SEA Scheme GB – A/C has to be painted in TAC SEA Scheme
3 and 4 have been done before, but not for a while. But some interesting ideas there. I do have my hands full with GB’s for the next few years at least, but will be interesting to see if anyone picks up on those.
Has there ever been a Novel GB? Several years ago I remember a Movie/TV GB where the subject had to have appeared onscreen; but how about a subject described within a novel and purely based on the description (and sometimes a poor one at that) provided by the author. You know, combine your thoughts with the imagination of the author. No documentaries, must be fictional.
Obviously Patrick O’ Brian’s “Surprise” frigate comes to mind. What about the USS Ford (a fourstacker destroyer) from South to Java Sea? How about that wildly painted E-type Jaguar that Frederick Forsythe (maybe John le Carre?) described in one of his spy novels? The B-52 in Flight of the Old Dog. Someone in the “Ships” forum already mentioned the modified Lykes Line ship that was so important in Red Storm Rising. Anyway, you get the idea. No “right” or “wrong” look based on document photographs. Just name the book and use what the author gives you to make the model special.
Obviously not for everyone, but great for us junk-readers who like to “imagineer” machinery! [:)]
The national themed builds always seem to go well.
I have always thought an “out of the comfort zone” build would be fun, given the modeler a chance to flex their skills in a genre they don’t usually build.
Maybe a short term figures build, say 1 to 3 months in length.
I was running an idea by Modelcrazy a few week back. I was thinking about a GB that focuses on foreign vehicles in “enemy” service. I’d call it the “Strangers in a Strange Land” GB. With my work and travel schedule it would probably never happen though.
There are some interesting ideas being floated here. Wondering if you’re idea is good enough is like wondering how cold the water is in a lake. You won’t know until you jump in. When you’re ready, put a feeler message out there explaining the subject and the rules of the build and go from there. If you get a good response, go for it. If not, don’t give up wait awhile and try again.
That’s kinda where I was coming from Lewbud, I have been doing GBs for long enough, enjoying others running them and figured I should jump in and have a go.
I chose my first hosting GB based on two factors: what have I got loads of in my stash; and the centenary of the RAAF coming up.
The ‘feeler’ went out (probably a bit early) and happily got some support so looking forward to seeing how it goes.
And all being well I will be hosting a Between the Wars GB in 2022 to get through some of the 20s and 30s planes in the stash…
Sometimes it can be surpriseing how popular a GB is. I never expected the RAF GB to be as popular as it was. The big question is always how many people will actually build the kit they have entered.
Love the ‘out of the comfort zone’ idea- I could use an excuse to try building an auto model.
And the novel one is great too, I have a pile of old Mithril Miniature (pre-movie) figures of characters from the ‘Lord of the Rings’ novels I could use. And some from Games Workshop based ib the Peter Jackson movies- I mean they were based on a movie that was based on a novel right?
There’s some different wars that don’t get much attention:
French Indochina War in the 1950s, Chaco War in the 1930s, and the Spanish American War and the Russo Japanese War around the turn of the twentieth century. Even WWI could use a GB.
You know, I might just see if I have the “bandwith” (the word they use here at HP for time) to start a feeler for it. Unfortunatly, I can’t even keep up with my entries for my own GB’s LOL. I’m running six as of now but addmittley the majority of them are very long lasting and therefore very light.
I 'm not much of a helicopter guy but always thought there should be one called “Get to the Chopper”. I was also thinking of decade themed GBs like the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s…etc. We probably should get more car builds here to since I have at least 20-30 of those.
