Since joining the forums and being exposed to a “world” of people who have like interests, I can say that the experience has “changed” me. I mean that, before the forums, my modeling was exposed to family and a few friends. But, since my membership, and having posted my work, my whole outlook has changed.
I want to be more accurate
I want to take advantage of new techniques,tools,etc.
I SPEND MORE MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE![:p]
It means a great deal to have my models looked at and appreciated by my peers.
I SPEND MORE MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE![:p]
Oh, by the way, did I mention I SPEND MORE MONEY THAN EVER BEFORE![:p]
Hasn’t affected me at all. I always spend more than I should on the hobby [:)]. But the Forum has been a lot of fun & a learning experience. Does broaden the enjoyment of the hobby by being able to interact with so many modelers of like interests. Time on the Forum does take time away from the bench, but I think it’s time well spent.
FSM has completely taken me away from building!
Now all I do is TALK about modelling! [;)]
Seriously though, I have learned a tremendous amount about both modelling and modellers from FSM. The high level of craftsmanship and enthusiasm here has encouraged me to strive to do the best I can and have the most fun I can with this hobby.
Thanks, FSM, and most of all, thanks FSM members!
Now if I could just sit down and BUILD something…[;)]
The Forum has opened a whole new world to me, too. Not only a place full of great people, but great advice also. I have made many new friends here, from all over the world.
I was thinking the other day about how we all try to moderate ourselves here and of how very similar it is to the “Forums” of Roman times (duhh? [D)]). I know, every now and then an Administrator has to step in, but we all try to avoid that.
Once again, I want to thank all of you who have been good friends and have helped me along in my modeling pursuits.
I think this forum has been a driving force to keep me going in this hobby.
I tend to change hobbies too often and without being able to discuss it and see pictures of builds on this forum, I would probably lose interest pretty quickly.
FSM Definetly helped me A LOT!!! The Mag and the Forum. For example, without the 2 I wouldn’t have a clue to what A: a wash was B: Drybrushing to show raised detail.
I would Probably even be building aircraft![:O][:P]
And the knowlege I have learned from here about the vehicles. WOW!!! I acually know the Difference between an Sdkfz 251/1 and a sdkfz 251/21! Might not e much for some of you, but its alot coming from a guy who knew coming i nto modeling that there were panzers and Tiger tanks and Shermans, thats it.
It has inspired me to stop doing things strictly by the book and out of the box. I realized that I don’t just have to paint that JDAM od and be done with it, detailing it a little is okay, even if the instructions don’t tell you to.
FSM… first the magazine … and then the online community … both have affected me and my hobby.
They have both made me a much better builder. They have both allowed me to enjoy myself and my hobby more. I have learned more about history. I feel I have collected more kits for those “future project” then I think I would have without being exposed to all of the new stuff … and the old stuff (ebay has entered into this probably more than it should have … [:D] )
I enjoy the fellowship here in the online community … I really didn’t know there were so many “scale model nuts” around the world as there seems to be … [^]
Like some others have mentioned … the online community does take away from “workbench” time … but, I think all in all it makes the “workbench” time better.
I like them both a bunch … and I can’t imagine enjoying my hobby as much without either one of them.
I really learned everything I know about serious modeling from reading FSM, I had built models before discovering the magazine but from what I can remember they were truly “straight out of the box”, not even a paint job, and I remember using that stringy tube glue that gets all over everything including your fingers which would result in smudgy-glue-fingerprints on canopies and such, decals would fold over onto themselves a little bit but that was cool, and never mind the seam down the top of that fuselage that I tried to disguise by spreading a layer of glue down it like caulk.
I did start to improve on my own after a while, paint was a big improvement on most projects, as was sanding the sprue attachment points, ( never occured to me before).
I started being more careful how I handled parts, and a little less glue was used, ( I think I was under the impression that 1 tube of glue = 1 model ), but I still knew nothing of weathering or washes or all the wonderful paints and chemicals available to make this hobby so much more enjoyable, but on I persisted.
I can’t say exactly when I came across my first issue of FSM, but the information within had me amazed, I couldn’t believe the quality of work that people put into their kits, I never knew there were people out there that took this hobby so seriously, and all the techniques and tricks on those pages just made me want to try harder to improve my skills.
Yes, I have come a very long way since those early years thanks to FSM magazine, the website and forum just make it even better, even though I am kind of new to the forums, I am no stranger to the hobby and I can’t wait to share my experiences and show off my finished projects to everyone here who I know understands all the time and work that goes into building one of these little buggers and making it look just the way we want it to. The fact is, I will probably try even harder now that I know it will be seen by someone who is also involved in the hobby and will be more critical of my work.
The magazine isn’t familiar to me but this BB is!
i’ve spent the last few months hours and hours just reading and watching all kinds of terrific pieces done.
1000’s of ideas flooded my brain.
what started as a shy attempt turned out in a way of life.
Scale modelling/scratchbuilding as i do it isn’t that popular in Holland,
i have to buy all my stuff in the USA B/C the scale( 1/64) i work in is totally unknown here in the old world.
all knowledge by all you guys and gals on this forum is just incredible
so does it affected me mmmmmmmm a full YES
The forum particularly, has shown me what is possible in modeling, and given me tools to try to achieve it. I’ve also met a ton of great people who have never been too busy to answer questions, and comment on my work. It’s made me a better modeler. And I spend too much money.
I can honestly say it’s changed my life! Now I can talk to other model builders, learn new tricks , ask questions and share my models with people who are interested in what I’ve done.
I tend to spend more time at the bench than I do here, but I’ve always been given a warm welcome when I “drop in” and for that I am very greateful.
FSM really hasn’t impacted my model building that much, but it is great to pass the quiet times at home and at the office.
One of the reasons why it hasn’t impacted me that much as many of the subjects, tools and materials I build are not covered here and on the more common subjects like Bikes, Robots, etc I tend to do my own thing and usually differs a lot from the supplied paint schemes.
Did I already mention that I like to vary from the norm and ususally avoid popular subjects like common planes, gundam, etc.
I am wearing out my computer, getting less model building done and HAVING A BLAST.[party][party]
I have learned a lot just reading the topics. I think I have learned more from the members than they have from me. It has helped me in my building. I also feel I have made many friends. I have also discovered this hobby stretches all over the world and speaks many languages.
The magazine renewed my interest in my "forgotten hobby " and the forum has taken the interest to another level. The interaction with other modelers has filled in for an old friend whom I shared this addictive passion in my younger years and is now gone from view. The helpful assistance as well as the making of friends has made the hobby better than ever in my old bloodshot eyes.