Last night, on my way home from work, my wife asked me to stop off at a store called Once Upon a Child and pick up some things. As the nice young lady behind the counter was explaining that her order wasn’t quite ready, I noticed the lights of Hobby Lobby through the window behind her. Somewhere in the middle of her apology I trailed off and all I heard was “10-15 more minutes, I’m so sorry.” I assured her it was no trouble at all and that I’d be back shortly… Out the door, across the parking lot, past the checkout lines all the way to the back of the store, and there she was:
On the walk over I remember thinking “I hope they don’t have a raptor” because I didn’t want to be tempted. It’s my fascination with this particular jet that led me to pick up modeling in the first place… I was heartbroken when I first learned that they only made the F-22 as a single seat aircraft and I’d never get to ride in one. The only example on public display is in Ohio so it’ll be a while if ever before I can see one up close, so in searching for a way to connect with this plane I looked into model building and viola, here I am! I love most modern fighters, F-14, 15s, 16s, 18s, A-10s, and maybe even the new F-35 if they can ever get it doing what they hope it will (but that’s a whole other convo). But nothing, and I mean nothing takes my breath away and gives me the chills in a good way like the F-22. It’s deadly beauty reminds me of a gorgeous woman… sexy curves (yes there are curves on an f-22!) give it a figure that drives me wild. She’s “smart” with her advanced electronics and sensor fusion. Like the hottest woman ever, that I know I’ll never really get close to but I like to fantasize about what it would be like to be with her anyways. I think about the lucky man who has that privilege… oh how high maintenance she must be haha.
I mentioned in my OP that I’d ordered that very kit pictured as my first model. Thankfully minutes after a placed my order I stumbled on this forum and Patrick advised that I start with 1:48 and skill level 2. As you can see this is 1:72 and skill 3 so I promptly canceled the order and went out and got an A-10 as my first kit, with the intention of revisiting the f-22 once I got some experience under my belt. So as I’m standing there last night staring at the object of my desire my wife texts and asks how it went at the store she’d sent me to. I explained they weren’t ready with her order so I was killing time at Hobby Lobby. Her immediate reaction was “Oh no, what are you buying now?” I replied with “nothing” and a smiley face. As much as I wanted that F-22 kit I know I’m not ready. The A-10 I’m building is a complete disaster. I don’t have the tools or the experience yet, so I’m going to save that f-22 until I’ve built all the other modern fighters in 1:48 first. Hopefully by then I’ll have the necessary skills, know-how and equipment to really do that right. Plus, what’s the rush? I’m just getting started and I have years of this ahead of me, why not save this and have something to look forward to… to aspire to. I like the thought of having all my favorite jets still left to build. If I feverishly buy up everything right away I’ll have exhausted all the models I’m most excited about building right away and then what? Sure there’s countless other stuff to build but you see my point. Im so happy to have found this hobby and I want to savor the excitement. I’ll get to that F-22 kit someday, but for now she’s out of my league and I’m ok with that.
Now that is will power! Of which I do not have! [:$] My stash just got boosted to over 425 after the Modelpalooza show in Orlando! It’s great to hear you are having a wonderful time with the hobby AND have a wife that is supportive! You won’t be using that “out of my league” saying much longer! You’re doing great!
Oh My Gosh that’s so hilarious, i surely can relate ! I’ve heard the "Oh ,no’ many times. TY for this well written post, you should be a magazine writer.
It’s a tough choice. In the future, either the kit will no longer be available, or the kit will be superceded by a much better model. Doesn’t matter what you model. That’s why the hoarders have stashes of kits waiting to be built. The unknown.
Holy smokes, 425!!! that’ll keep you busy for a while! Thanks for the words of encouragement, but ive been looking at a lot of other people’s finished planes on here and i’m totally blown away by the talent. You guys are seriously good… esp with the painting/weathering. It’ll be quite a while before im on that level.
Jay Jay, thanks, it’s funny how our wives are all having to deal with the same things Hey, it’s a great hobby and we could be into much worse things!
Arved, I hadn’t considered that… hmmm… I guess i could pick that kit up and stash it away until im ready. Not sure i could resist cracking it open though!
I should mention that I’m a very impulsive person when it comes to buying things and last night was a rare display of self-control. We’ll see how long that lasts.
LOL! Yeah, it’s a sickness! Hi, my name is Bobby and I’m a modelholic…[:|]
Dude, I just checked out your A-10 WIP post! You are doing very well! You are going to be a fast burner geting to other levels. Seriously, you are doing very well. As for weathering, and again, this is just me, I found doing armor helped with that. Armor builds are much more forgiving than aircraft when it comes to weathering…and more fun to do! Can’t weather an armor kit too much! LOL! So just a suggestion. Get you an armor kit, a ship, a car, a figure…each one has it’s unique techniques and steps. All will help with the other builds!
Yes well, you haven’t seen it really close up! It’s got about every noob mistake you can think of. I appreciate the offer to work through some of the fixes with me and when i get home tonight i’ll take some zoomed in pics of my problem areas and hopefully you can suggest some creative solutions. I could definitely use some help.
Bobby (glad to know your real name now) you’re way to kind - mean that literally! When i first starting browsing around this forum i just couldn’t believe the level to which you guys take this. I’m still reeling from it all. I had no idea there was a whole community of people who take this so seriously and who create such incredible works. It immediately knocked me down a few notches and caused me to slow down and want to learn instead of just rushing out to buy all the kits and cobble them all together half-assedly (is that a word?). I actually saw one of those armor kits you’re talking about last night, it specifically said “armor weathering kit”. I’ll definitely pick one of those up, thanks for the suggestion! The painting/weathering is the part im most interested in mastering because i think it really makes these models look realistic. Again, i’m just blown away by the skills of the people on here and Im looking forward to being able to put together some top notch stuff myself some day. PS - maybe you could start a support group for model addicts!
No doubt, the level of craftsmenship is amazing! The neat thing is how down to earth everyone is. One of my best friends on here is Bish. He can do the most amazing things with 1/72 planes! Just blows me away! And his armor skills are out of this world! He never hesitates to answer any of my novice questions! [:$]
Oh yeah, weathering takes the build to another level for sure. They have those pre made weathering sets, but lots of ways to do it on a budget! Lots of stuff sitting around your house you can use.
LOL! A support group!? We have one…the FSM forums! [whstl]
You have a gift for conversational writing. I really enjoyed reading that.
I don’t think it’s as important you pick up a supermodel (if you’ll pardon the pun) as it is you pick up the one you want. Plenty of beautiful gals in my display case, and all have their flaws. [;)]
Joe, you have no idea how much my skills have rocketed 1000 fold since joining this forum and like I said before, I have been building since 1965. You are truly hooked man and it’s so great to read the excitement, it reminds me of Toshi. Your guys’ post are so fun to read.
“Oh no, what are you buying now?” man I’ve heard that soooo many times, in fact now I buy something on the internet, and time it where it arrives during the week so I can get before my wife sees it LOL. She’s not stupid though as the stash is slowly growing. I tell her I’m storing up for retirement like a squirrel stores nuts.
You have plenty of time to get the kits you want, soon you will so many you won’t know where to put them.
I know you like modern jets and that’s totally cool, but you may find yourself wanting to try something different in the future. As was said before, you may want to try some armor, ships, figures (bla), Sci Fi. It’s all cool! And stretches your abilities and comfort zone.
Hey Joe, it is a Revell kit so it’s probably not that over-priced. I wouldn’t start out with a ninety buck Hasegawa F-22 but personally I’d say if you want the Revell kit go ahead and buy it.
I have to agree, the F-22 to me at least is an attractive aircraft. The F-35 is kinda fugly but the F-22 has nice lines. Personally I think she’s more futuristic looking than an X-Wing.
Then again my favorite fighter is the P-47 Thunderbolt. I figure that if a P-47 were a woman she’d probably be about 6 foot 2, with 220 pounds of muscle and a voice deeper than mine… [;)]
I knew a guy who used to fly P-47s. With the big radial engine, and being a tail dragger, there was no way to look around the engine and figure out where you were going when taxiing. And she had tremendous torque steer. Definately a woman with her own mind, the way he described her.
I have the Revell F-22 in the stash, I assume its the same kit as its the RoG kit in the blue box, and it does look really nice. Recent Revell release’s have been top notch. Some of there kits, such as the new Ju 88A-4, easily rival hasegawa but at a third of the price. I would say just go ahead and build it. Don’t let the scale put you of. In fact, IMHO, starting with a lrger scale and then moving down could be doing it the hard way. 72nd really is not as bad as many people think and when its what you know, they don’t look small at all.
Hey, it’s a great hobby and we could be into much worse things!