Rivet counters, scratchbuilders and out of the box guys, guys who buy it and build it for no other reason then the fact that they can…
All are welcome here, which is great. But what is the essensce of this hobby? Obviously personal enjoyment and satisfaction of a completed project.
I have on the bench right now the Revell 1/72 Lanc Dam Buster. Detail is rough, no pit, enormous rivets. It is more like a toy than a model. So I decided to stretch myself and scratch the pit [banghead] add an AM canopy and turrets etc.
This got me to thinking, with a model is it to be an exact copy or a representation?
To scratch an entire pit for a 1/72 Lanc is monumental, but is it necessary to get the desired effect? Is the weathering essential? The research we do is due in large part to the fact that we are plane nuts, but what is essential?
I am curious to find out what all of you may think…
I think modeling is; what it is to each person. There is no right or wrong. To some it’s the challenge of taking an old obsolete model and making it look perfect by hiding the lousy fit and seams. To others it’s just building out of the box as quickly as possible to have a personal airforce. To some it’s building “what if” models that wouldn’t even really fly. Some prefer the build… others the finish… all that really matters is that we all love what we do. Maybe that’s the magic of models… they can be so many different things to so many different people. Just my [2c]
Originally posted by Swanny
You want to see some serious scratch building? Look at this … http://www.fineartmodels.com/
WOW…[bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]
That is impressive…and a bit humbling as well…15 years and 20K hours!!! I get sketchy after about 12 hours…That is like Zen or Jedi Level work…
Jacket…good points all, however, all things have some essential quality or quantity to them, what is this hobby’s? It could be as simple as the answer that I am happy and proud with what I have done…
Most of us will never be able to make an EXACT copy of a subject in miniature. We can try and get close if that is your desire but there are just too many things that we don’t know when it comes to building a model. Even if we have a ton of reference and even access to the subject there is no way you will be able to recreate the paint exactly, especially on some of those mottled German schemes. This is just one thing in many. As Adam said, it’s different to every person. Some like to do it just as a way to relax, others want to do it to win contests, and others may be into models more for the research aspect of it.
Recreational Modeling is all about personal preference; there is no definitive answer. It’s like asking someone what does it mean to eat a hot dog… it may cause some depressed glabella’s and seeking stares, but it’s simply a matter of personal preference.
Professional Modeling (as a form of income) is different in many ways, as you’re generally satisfying a customers personal preferences.
R/M: It’s essential that the builder is having a good time… and that’s all!
P/M: It’s essential the builder satisfies their customers… and that’s all!
I agree with the personal perference theme. I’ve done scratch building, out of the box, and small to large dios. WWll has always been of interest to me, as my Father served in the Army Air Corps and then the Air Force.I enjoy the process of building a model, knowing the history of the subject, and sometimes the history of the men who used the equipment. As stated in a previous post, exact replicas are impossible to do. Do your build to your satisfaction. Enjoy the hobby, but always remember the history and the troops.[^][2c]
Its about trying to recreate a little piece of history. When I have fibished a model I feel that I have part of history to hold. Also it sometimes almost a mark of respect and remembrance to those that lost their lives fighting for our freedom in the real versions of what we build. Call me a sentimental fool if you wish!!!
For me, it is about relaxation, almost to the point of meditation, where I “turn my brain off” while I work. In the end, I want a model that is recognizable as a miniature replica of the real thing. I am obsessive compulsive about many things, but this is one area of my life where I limit the compulsiveness, because if I let that take control, it will no longer be the relaxing hobby I grew up with. And yes, whether the model is aircraft, ship, or automobile, modern or antique, I feel it represents a bit of history for me.
What does it mean?
Man - that’s a hard one…especially since I do it for three reasons…for money with contract builds, for pleasure just to build something, and then there’s the “special” projects that just get under my skin and I have to go all out with the scratchbuilding…
For MY projects, it’s relaxation, the opportunity to “push the envelope” and see if I can do better than the last time - which gets to be a real pain sometimes - makes the build times ridiculously long…
It’s relaxation, escape, an ego stroke to make something you like, pride, …it’s hard to define.
Personally, I’m probably a little less intent on “rivet counting” and research (getting it EXACTLY right), and more interested in making a good looking model - that’s really the criteria - does it look like the real thing, only shrunk? Does it look believable? If it looks like a toy, then it’s only a model - if it looks real, then it’s a scale replica.
I’d say I’m beginner to intermediate compared to the folks responding to this article. I am building for personal satisfaction based on steady progress in applying the skills I’m learning about from FSM and this list serve. My fifth model is better than my first, and my sixth model will be (I hope) better than the fifth. I don’t know what Nirvana is, but technique and mastery are what I’m aiming for. But when I stop having fun doing this, then I’ll stop. Also, it is sandwiched between other hobbies. I build for the shear pleasure of seeing the finished product that is pleasing to the eye and the mind. We’re all building for something deep inside us, and when we match it with the model, we’ve achieved some real satisfaction.
Now that you guys told me what my[2c] means, I might as well give it.
For me it´s about having fun and put something up to display. Most of the times I figure “I´ll live with that” when it´s enough. I´ve learned no much here and in FSM that I know tons of trics, tips and tecnuiqes “in my head”. I try to use atleast one new tecnique or feature on every kit I build, putting the bar up a bit each time.
For me it is the fun of building, I know there are things wrong with most of my builds but do I care?, I just want something that looks good and to have fun while I’m doing it.
The other big thing for me is the research, I love learning about things and I think I develop a greater appreciation for history and where we come from and I hope the hobby never lets me forget what others had to go through for me to be here (In the case of military modeling). [2c] It is kind of my way of connecting with the past.
Modeling is whatever you as an individual want to make it be. To each his own. You set your own goals and objectives with each build, (they can be different each time), and then strive to achieve them. The amount of research, detail, accuracy, AM parts, paint procedures, etc are whatever you feel meets your needs.
Good question…it does give one pause to think and reflect. For me it is a chance to remember the sacrifices that others have made that we might be free - I had serveral uncles who served in the US armed forces during WW II, and some relatives that served in the German armed forces as well. Building a WW I fighter causes me to imagine what it would have been like to be around and involved in the dawn of flight. There is the challenge of planning and building, learning new techiniques, over coming various difficulties, and there is the reward of the finish project. There is the time spent with one’s friends who also model, and then teaching one’s child(ren) as well is another reason. For me it is also a way to relax and get away from troubles that is constructive and has the added benefit of having something to show for the time spent. A very good question.