Here's a Question:

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Well, let’s see, where do I start?

The Question is sure to light up some brains and Feelings, Proffessional as well as Hobbyists! Who builds Models Better and Why? When I say Better, I don’t mean who builds to Show Standards all the time. This applies to all forms of Modeling, including the Flyers and Boaters out there. R.C. Cars are not included. Why. well there’s only a few that I know that go all out because like Planes and Ships they can have some bad wrecks! So real super-detailing is given a pass. If it looks good Six ft. away that’s okay.

I don’t subscribe to that school of thought. Why? To many models under the belt that Must pass inspection by Judges and Lawyers in Liability and Injury Lawsuits at one time. My Hey-Day on that was 1980 to 1998. So that was a Habit that sadly stuck! They had to be accurate even down to the Buttons in the Upholstery if they were there! When they had Slot-Car centers I always raced full sized 1/24 and 1/25 Cars and Trucks, with full interiors and never wrecked. Sure, they weren’t as fast as the Clear plastic covers, shaped like bodies, but seemed less skittish in handling situations.

In Competitions I went for the unusual. A fully detailed Tug say. With lift of roofs and deckhouses to show the engineering spaces. River Assualt Boats(Viet -Nam ERA) as mail Boats and Swift Boats modified into Pilot Boats. L.C.M.s modified into Oil Spill Response Boats(Skimmers) with all scratch built equipment from scratch or found items. Armor and Planes were by choice O.O.B.

There are Modelers from the past that I greatly admire and in some instance no one knows their name(Yard Models and Admiralty Models.) Can you imagine building like Steve5 just finished with the “H.M.A.S. Friar Tuck”-By Natural and Oil Lamplight?I think I would’ve gone Blind by forty if I had to do that. Shep Paine did amazing dios and Armor. Back then we never dared to ask, We waited for an invite! to see A fellow’s Work area!. So in hindsight. Who, and Why do you considera certain person as a master. A Hobbyist, Researcher or Corporate builder or just someone who loves to bring the big things in life down to his or her tabletop or shelf.

2

Better is in the eye of the beholder. Way back in the USENET days, there was a profesional modeler who built items for movies and television. He scratchbuilt remote control studio model submarines, helicopters, warships, spacecraft, etc.

To him, everyone else was nothing but a “kit assembler”.

He built some awesome models, but because they were to be used in filming, sometimes accuracy had to be sacrificed for durability and on-screen appearances.

There used to be epic flame wars between these modelers in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Then there were some modelers who were hired to build kits that were photographed and displayed on the sides of kit boxed. There were certain restrictions placed on them like no aftermarket, no seam filing, no scratched built items. Just build out of box and paint according to the instructions.

These were guys who, when building for a contest or themselves, built highly accurate model kits, but when they were building for money, they built rather pedestrian kits because that was what they were required to do.

There used to be a man from the Far East on the forums who used to commission models from another builder who went by the screen name Art Instructor.

He was Gino’s nemesis, and would post photos of kits built by Art Instructor that Gino would rip apart. Some of his kits were decent, but many were just okay; better than average, but nothing to brag about. He was a professional modeler I guess.

3

Thanks for offering the question and starting this string which should find an endless amount of good responses. I think both of you have already explained it rather well. I would also like to add the definitions of the a few words being used as well as some of my own:

PROFESSIONAL, (ADJ): engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation rather than as a pastime. Similar: paid , nonamateur

HOBBYIST, (Noun): a person who pursues an activity in their spare time for pleasure.

BETTER, (Adjuctive): describes something as being superior or is an adverb that means something is done to a higher degree or more completely.

And I have to add a few other words not previously mentioned that should be included in this discussion"

BEST, (Adjuctive): of the most excellent, effective, or desirable type or quality. NOUN: that which is most excellent, outstanding, desirable.

BIAS, (Noun): prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

STANDARD, (Noun): an idea or thing used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations.

OPINION, (Noun): a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

DESIRABLE, (Adjective): worth having or wanting; pleasing, excellent, or fine.

DESCRIMINATION, (Noun): the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of things.

For me and I would predict many others, the question regarding who builds better models is a impossible question to answer definitively. It will also be impossible without exact defined standards to compare everything to as who is the best and why.

So to me it is important to understand that all the answers here should be considered personal opinions and none of them are wrong. So let our opinions fly and hopefully we can enjoy all the answers equally.

I would like to add more to the remarks concerning competition modeling. Contests modeling in many situations can be a very negative thing to competing modelers when determining who is better or best. I have participated as well as judged as part of a group in numerous model contests only to find that in many instances relationships, bias, and opinion can and do often effect the results; especially when clear standards are not defined and identifying “winners” is also related to money, status, or qualification for a higher level contest.

I quit competing in modeling contests a couple decades ago and have found I enjoy my builds more and the pace and structure much less stressful. That too is why I stopped building models for companies or commission years ago too. Unrealistic deadlines, ever changing desires for a build without additional compensation, or building to a budget price point all take away any sort of building pleasure for me.

I would rather answer this question in with another question. Who are the modelers who enjoy the modelling craft and are the happiest when working in it regardless if it is a profession or a hobby?

To me, those are the winners and best modelers. And it does not matter the skill level, modeling subject, etc. This is a very rare instance where truely everyone can be a winner or be better, depending on what your trying to get out of it.

Ben / DRUMS01

4

…I just like to build models.

5

I can be my worse critic; but if i like it then I’m happy above all I’m relaxing and having fun call me a hobbyist.

6

I am with est1961. I agree with all he said. I only do it for fun.

7

I build for fun. Heck – most of my finished builds end up in storage containers. For me, it’s the building process that is the fun.

Not interested in competing or commission builds. But if a friend asked me to build something for them-- I probably would.

8

I’m happy just gluing parts together and would be completely satisfied with a " naked" model…no muss no fuss…THAT SAID I do fall under the spell of peer pressure to produce an accurate, well finished, super detailed product thar never really exceeds the set bar. Like the average person my models are rarely viewed by anybody sans my wife so… I do place in local contests and aspire to take something to the Nats but I build because I like it. Quacjs lije a duck, farts like a duck…it’s a duck.