Next, we have had a lot of new members join up this year, and this is great. A few of our dedicated GB addicts have unfortunately moved on, and while a few of the new members have jumped right in, it would be great if we could get some more to give them a try.
I know a lot of the new members have been out of the hobby for many years, and some never had the advantage of the Internet. A couple have asked about GB’s, what they are, how do they run etc. So, for those new to the world of GB’s this is a quick guide. I am sure my fellow GB addicts will jump in with there own advice and ideas, so feel free.
A Group Build is basically what it says on the tin. A group of people get together and build models, which are linked in some way, albeit sometimes rather loosely. Being that we are spread all over the world, we of course can’t do this face to face, but some clubs do run GB’s. Many other forums also run these, but on all the ones i have seen, none of them run them like they do here, and i have found FSM’s way by far the most relaxing and easy going.
If you have an idea for a GB, sometimes it might be worth putting out a feeler thread, to see how much interest there is. Because the GB’s here are run by the members, that often means there are many running at one time. This does mean that sometimes a GB will just fade away, for what ever reason. But as long as the host is active and the members keep an interest, the GB will work fine. And while there are always GB for those of us into military subjects, if you are interested in one of the less covered genre’s, trains for example, you can always start one yourself. Even if only 2 or 3 others join in, as long as the stick to it, it can be a god GB. However, if you are planning a GB that many people might be interested in, it might be worth seeing what else is running. If you are planning a GB on German armour and there are already 3 or 4 running, it might be worth putting yours on hold. I have seen some great GB ideas not take off simply because others where to committed already.
So, if you want to join a GB or even start on yourself, there are usually a number of rules. These are pretty standard and also pretty easy going. In no particular order.
Subject: What the GB is about. This could be a specific aircraft type, such as the 190 GB http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/150191.aspx
Builds from a certain battle or year, we currently have the 1943 GB http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/149627.aspx
Or my own D-day GB http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/154026.aspx
It could be a spcific scale, such as the 1/72nd http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/153063.aspx
Or it could be a very open Gb with the builds haveing only the slightest connection, such as the Gift GB.http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/151389.aspx
And there are of course many more examples currently on going. With the specific GB’s, others may well be building the same subject as you. This means they may have access to info that you don’t, which can be very handy. With the more open GB’s you get to see subjects you may never have thought of which could lead you to learning new methods of weathering, or even trying something totally different. In my Gift GB we have had 2 jets, 2 WW2 aircraft and a Gundam ( that was a new one on me) so far, and we have WW1 aircraft, sports cars, armour, pick ups and sci fi to look forward to.
Time Frame: The host will give a start date for the GB. The thread is usually posted a few weeks, maybe a month, before this start date. Builds cannot be started before this, though often partly started kits are allowed. If you have just put the cockpit together, this should be fine, but if your about to finish the weathering on that tank, that might be a bit much. There will also be an end date. Your build should be completed by this date to qualify for the all important badge. But the end dates can, and often are, moved back to accommodate latecomers or people who have had problems with the build. Most GB’s tend to run from 8 months to a year. If the build is to long, it can just fade away into nothing.
If you want to host a GB and are not sure, make it shorter. Its better to extend the GB than have to to long and it just dies a slow death.
Scale: this is usually open to anything, but now and again, the build will be based on a certain scale.
OOB or AM up to the gills: usually you can add what ever you want to your build, on the odd occasion, such as the My First Time GB http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/29/t/151172.aspx its only whats in the box or what you can make yourself. But you are never pressured to add those extra, and expensive goodies.
Crossovers. usually, the host will allow crossovers. This means yuou can enter a build that in anotehr GB. But somtimes they will state no crossovers. If this is the case, you need to decide which GB you wnat to be in. But rather than do a crossover and try and get two or more badges for one build, you could do a WiP thread as well and share the build with those not in the GB. You will get much more feedback that way.
Most importantly, post progress pics, as often as you think it worth while. And if the kit has any issues, make sure you highlight this and post a pic of it. This may not only help others help you, but may give others notice of what to expect from that kit.
Most most importantly, have fun. We have some stunning builders on here. But if you don’t feel your skills are up to that level, don’t worry. Every one is welcome. My builds have come on leaps and bounds in the last 5 years, mostly because of what i picked up in GB’s. I saw ideas and methods i may have missed and was able to ask about them and get more info.
Be warned, they are addictive. Since my return to the hobby in 2008 i have built 19 models, every single one for a GB here on FSM.
If there’s anything your not sure of, please ask. And if any of the other GB addicts want to add anything, please do.
