Last week I was cleaning out my workshop and reading some olf model magazines. I came across a letter to the editor by some modeler who definitely had issues. He claimed that kits were killing model making and dumbing down modle making skills, and that “kit builders” were not true model makers.
I got to thinking and I for one think he was wrong. I build kits and I also scratch build models. I learned a lot of my scratch building skills from building kits (wooden model ship kits). Even plastic kits helped when I tried my hand at a styrene scratch built boat. If it was not for kits I feel that many of us would never have got into modle making. I feel that kits have helped the hobby of model making not “dumbed it down”.
There’s always going to be some joker who thinks people who build “straight out of the box” are less than others. Complete drivel. They are the types that sour the hobby. If it weren’t for the basic kit builder, this hobby would be dead right now.
Who cares if you can paint a portrait like a master or you have to buy a paint by number kit. It’s a hobby and if you enjoy building out of the box, don’t let anyone bring you down.
I’m with you. I build both from kits and do scratch projects. With strict OOB builds, the thing is the quality of the build. Some kit builds with extensive super-detailing are just as much work and skill as some scratch projects.
I think the recent price increases of kits is a reason for more folks to try scratch building. The only thing that will hold down price increases is reduced sales. And if you buy less but want to continue to build as much, what is left is scratchbuilding
Well as much as I like to do things that other people like, I do models for MY enjoyment and I really think people get too wraped around the axel about what other people think about how they build.
I know I am no expert and by no means am I an artist, like some of you folks, I do the best I can and I don’t measure myself against others only against myself and the builds I have done. I stive to improve, but I find the more I try the less I enjoy this hobby as I look for things I did wrong other than the things I did right.
I would agree that any model built, OOB or not, is how the builder enjoyed it or not. I have found that vacuform kits helped me develop some building skills. These newer kits with greater detail (read: more small fiddily parts) are a challenge than the old Monogram and Revel kits we built in the 60’s.
Because I shared exactly that opinion back when all we had was Mastadon bones and our newfangled bronze tools. Those whippersnappers sure didn’t know how easy they had it with wood and knives! But in reference to anything since the sixties that’s just not true anymore.
However- you truly aren’t a “driver” with anything besides a manual transmission![H]
Reminds me of a former Command Sergeant Major of mine, when he started his speech at the St, Barbara’s Day Dining-out many years ago… It started with, “The Army isn’t what it used to be… And it never was.”… [t$t]
Every activity, hobby or sport means something different to every participant unless taken to the professional level. Once there the highest standard is maintained to remain there.
The important thing is you participate and enjoy the activity.
There are a lot of lurkers and new members on this site who won’t dare post their work in fear of the comments they may get, this upsets me as its counter productive and at times cruel. Long as they are enthusiastic with a desire to improve their modeling skills comments should be constructive and not critique.
Many here are modelers striving for perfecting their excellent work, when asked for honest critique its refreshing to hear it!
I know its a fine line yet us that have been here a while should be able to filter out the comments to remain constructive for everyone.
*Back to the original post…
From Snap-tite[au] to complex multi-media[ap] kits they are all models, taking the time to build one makes you a modeler.
How far you go with what is in the box is up to you!
As long as there are hobbies, there will be rivet counters, paint Nazis and those who look down on what you build as inferior because you didn’t triple the price of the model with after market parts. Build what makes you happy. Paint it the way you want to. It is your hobby and what the other guys think of your work isn’t really that important. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to not have to fuss with all that extra stuff. Out of the box looks just fine.
Heck… With my messed up coordination, it’s a chore just to get a decent looking kit built OOB. Never mind doing a lot of scratch building. I think the challenge level (especially for those of us with physical impairments) of doing modern OOB builds is quite high as it is. All that new AM stuff, and PE and/or resin parts that need to be detailed before you can even glue them in, makes it harder, not easier. And I would love to tell whoever wrote that letter to try drinking about 20 cups of coffee so he is really shaky and then try to put an OOB kit together, especially something with a lot of detail parts. That’s what it’s like for some of us. I truly respect the builders who do these kits and then ADD even more detail from scratch. It’s something I probably will never be able to do. Those who work OOB on newer ultra detailed kits, or even the older simpler kits that need a lot of AM goodies, are just as much modelers as the guys who build completely from scratch.
