I have recently joined the forum and am getting back into modeling. In the past I would bang then together as fast as I could, not really paying too much attention to the finer details. I am starting on a 1:48 P40B and have spent about an hour just trimming and sanding and test fitting the fuselage and wings. It’s amazing just how relaxing it can be but I also find I’m getting really picky with the details now. trying to get out ever mould mark and anything else getting in the way of a nice finish. I’m guessing there are many others who do the same!
anyway, I will post pics of my progress in the appropriate location.
Not crazy at all. I think we all started young and without a lot of guidance. After coming back to the hobby, and with a whole new world opened up via the internet, I’m realizing just how much more attention to detail is required. I now spend a LOT of time getting rid of unintended seams, sprue marks,ejector pin holes…etc. Heck I’m even airbrushing for the first time. Having a blast btw…
I built quickly for the first year I returned and now I have slowed down myself. When I went fast it seemed like I was just trying to get done and on to the next one. I guess that was the excitement of getting back into the hobby and the need to learn the techniques now being used. Look forward to seeing some builds and have fun with the P40.
Just wait till you end up spending more time on the small details not included with the model than the model itself.
Then there is the research time to authenticate something or build in accuracy.
You know you fell off the deep end of modeling when your scratch building parts like brass, aluminum, solder, plastic sheet and extruded spares is larger than the kit itself.
Or how about the moments when organizing your work bench and paints becomes relaxing therapy.
Then there is the moment when you find that a kit is not complete unless it has the necessary photo etch or resin additions made for it from the after market.
I think we could easily start a thread titled, " You know you have the modeling sickness when (fill in the blank)"…
That’s where most of us end up, we become obsessive over the small details and spend hours cleaning up things no one will ever see. Not a bad thing to have higher standards and want to do a better job though. After you do a few high quality builds go back to your own style and smash a kit together, it’s a great way to recenter yourself and refresh your hobby focus.
already there. I have spent a lot of time looking at photos online to ge the missing details. This kit has basically an open hole for the wheel wells. I am wanting to box it in like the original and add some details as well. The cockpit has very little detail as well so I am trying to decide what I can add to make it better.
Thanks for all the great replies and making me feel somewhat sane now, LOL. I am quickly realizing the rabbit hole you can go down trying to research and add details to make a model more authentic. I have been researching thin wire, platic sheets to make parts… the list goes on. The learning process has been a lot of fun so far.
Well, I startet out building all sorts of aircraft, all sorts of scales and companies way back in the 1960’s. After years of those, Tanks models started to appear, boy were they EASYIER! No big gaps, by comparison. Oh, you had to pay attention, but they wern’t bad. Then when after about 13 years I went back to doing a mixture of A/C and armour. My basic skills had advanced so that aircraft seams no longer were an issue. You can go nuts all types of models. Cars, ships, Space Craft, Tanks and all types of aircraft. Have you gotten into decals or doing your markings yet. Theres a whole word there. Then there is painting them. Oh boy!
You are now a member in good standing of Plasticaholics Annonymous. It won’t go away. It only gets worse. I’ve been building for 73 of my 79 years. The eyesight is getting worse so I use drugstore 2x and 3x glasses. Also use an Optivisor with the drop down lenses. The hands are getting shaky so I rest the arms on the desk while building. You will do whatever you have to do to keep building. I hope the man upstairs lets me take my stash with me to the great workbench in the sky. I’ve got enough to keep me busy for the next couple hundred years.