I have Dragon’s M1A1-HA kit and the beautifully done Eduard’s Photoetch set. I just spent about a half hour detailing the breach with the photoetch set. I put the top of the turrent on and guess what? You can’t even see the breach through the hatches. Then I got to thinking about all of the other interior photoetch detail stuff. You can’t see 90% of it. Why in the world does a company like Eduard’s go through the trouble of making this beautiful stuff when you can’t see? And of course, I’m complusive so I have to put the pieces in there because I have the pieces. Time to shut the work bench down for the night…
I think there is some truth in that. I think it’s a way of manufacturers tricking you into thinking your getting more for your money so to speak. I too don’t understand why anyone would want to go to such trouble in putting on all those little pieces on when half the time you couldn’t tell them from the original kits anyway. Just MHO.
I’m working on Acad. M10 that has a bunch of stuff for the interior.It won’t be seen.
I was gonna save the pieces for the spares box but then put them in there anyway.To be truthful I’ll put PE or other things on that won’t be visible purely because I like to build.Can’t really say anything else.There may be those who would build in a way that the model can come apart to show off those details.
But like I said I usually do it just because I like to spend time at the bench.That’s why I love DML Sherman indies!!![:D]
Why do you bother putting so much stuff into the interior if you know you’ll close it all up? I never go through extra trouble to put detail on parts that won’t be seen. I mean, if you’re compulsive, that’s your problem, and not the problem of the company for providing a product. I mean, hey, you bought it…
Next time, post on message boards and see what exactly you’re buying.
As far as turret interiors go, if you were to spend so much time on the gun breech, probably as much time should be spent on the rest of the turret, so you can open up every single hatch inside of it…
But as the above post, all companies will throw in gimmicks and useless parts so they can jack up prices.
I agree with the general sentiments here, if you can’t see it, I’m not going to put it in. I always try some dry fitting first for certain details before I commit the time.
Actually if you’re contemplating buying Eduard PE, you can pop out to the website www.eduard.cz and actually download the instructions. There’s probably no better way to see what you’re buying than to see the instructions.
I did the the same kit with interior and exterior eduard PE. My phylosophy was that I’d leave the hatches off, or not glue down the upper hull so the interior could be displayed. In the end, the hatches and the upper hull got glued down, but I don’t regret all the extra work done on the interior. It was fun to do, and doing the inside first got me prepared to do the outside details.
The exploded view models are quite impressive when done properly. Maybe that’s why kits with interiors are getting more popular.
Years ago I practiced the philosophy of “at least I’ll know it’s there” modelling, but no longer will I waste my time and effort in those areas. If you can’t see it and readily appreciate the detail, I won’t spend too much attention in that area.
I REALLY wish that aftermarket detail suppliers, and most especially kit makers who decide to provide photo etch frets etc., would put a little more thought into what is useful and what is really superfluous for the particular model/scale they are providing detail sets for. It’s way past the “novelty for the sake of it” stage.
When I bought the detail set, my intention was to leave the hatches open. But even with the hatches open, you still can’t appreciate the level of detail Eduard has provided. It would be nice if the companies that made these detail sets maybe provided an interior and an exterior set. I’m not complaining about the set, I just thinking what a waste of effort.
If you’ve gone to enough shows you’ll see plenty of exhibitors displaying Tigers, Panzer IV’s, T-34’s etc with the turret roof plate removed or even the entire upper hull to the side so the interior is displayed. This is the main reason for that type of detailing kit. It also comes in handy for open hatches on some kits (maybe not all) and maintenance vignettes. (There is a photo that comes to mind of a Pzr IV with the main gun removed from the turret and on a stand, all the hatches open, for maintence in the field).
I think its something that when considering the initial build you really have to figure how far of a detailing job you are going to do and if the kit fits (or can be made to fit) your vision.
Some companies do provide interior and exterior detailing kits as options. Voyager for one, Aber is another that comes to mind. Myabe not for this specific kit but for some others.
Don’t think of it as a waste of effort. Your time was worth something and if you enjoyed your time on the detailing, then it was well spent. Besides, think of the experience you now have that can be used towards future builds. If nothing else, at the very least, you have learned to fully research the products you buy to compliment your kits. In the future, you will now undoubtedly determine if the detail set you order is something that you can use and if not, consider it money saved towards something that you would be better tasked to scratchbuild or look for alternative detailing sources.
I agree with everyone. I usally only add detail that can be seen. Don’t waist time, materials, etc… However, I got Dragon’s Panther A, Atak zimm, the Aber Panther A super PE set, indy track, a resin interior, and 4 TANK figures. I am going to build as complete of a panther as I can. I am looking forward to the challange. I know much will not be normally seen but I am building it for me. I plan on starting when Toadmaster finishes putting the Little Field Panther restoration pictures on his web site. Greg
Detail sets to the side but what I find interesting is how the different manufacturers go about with the OOB details. A gun breach block, only visible from the rear is detailed but mayor interior parts are left out?
Take the DML Tiger 1 for example. The ball mounted MG is a piece of art in it self but cant be seen even with hatches open. The MG is the only detail in the front compartment.
The main gun though is sort of crude and interior detail in the turret, visible with hatches open is scare, the MG is a movie showoff, the exterior is there but the interior is just very thin air.
The counter balance and the traverse are completely missing. These are maybe the most visible objects with the loaders hatch open.
A very welcome change was made with the DML 6264 Pz.Kpfw IV. Suddenly detail was there to help the modeler indulge in dioramas rather then the manufacturer throwing in detail randomly.
I have 4 tigers on the bench right now and every one will display a little bit of detail. Each one with a different hatch open.
Bought the Academy 1378 Tiger 1 mid with detail, only to get my Zimm skills up to standard and topped up the spares box with all the interior detail.
They will not help me build a super detailed interior but they will show of that extra detail barely seen through an open hatch.