My motivation is simple, it is FUN, the main reason for anything I do!
My motivation? The thrill of the build! Oh, yeah, and whatever cathces my fancy at the time!
That, and I have this strange fixation with building modern-day and vietnam-era stuff, and then modding it to be in service with the Confederate Army(if the Confederacy still lived)! Take my Army of Northern Virginia M2 Bradley, for example!
Tench
What are the tactical markings for the Army of Northern Virginia? Do you do any other units?
My motivation…I liked playing army as a kid. WW2 was over and Korea was in the news. The 5 or 6 of us in the neighborhood likjed to run around pretending to shoot each other. Then there were the toy soldiers. The older I got the more toy like they looked, so I turned to models for the realism. I quit modeling during high school. When I got out of the service, I got back in until I could find a job and get some money. I do mostly a/c because I love them and flying.
I have always liked history and I really enjoy building things. i’ve been lucky enough to have helped restore and maintain several warbirds over the years. I can’t afford to buy Mustang, Corsair or P-40 basket case and if I could, I wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of restoration. Models allow me to build something that I can’t do with a real item because of cost or the fact that the item no longer exists. (I still chase after rumors of the real thing though - Somewhere in eastern Kansas there is a barn with a BF-109K in it - I’ve seen pictures of it but the gentleman who had the pictures won’t tell me where it is)
I started with airplanes and cars, as I think everyone has. When I was 19 I bought one of the reissued Monogram armor kits (we’re talking 1974 here, kids), which had the “How to Build Dioramas” flyer by Shepard Paine in the box… and the rest, as they say, is history. I discovered there is a lot more you can do with armor, and in a lot of cases it’s more challenging than aircraft. I still do an occasional airplane, but it has to be a good subject and a superior kit (Tamiya’s 1/32 Zero, as an example).
Some intersting reasons behind the things we do here. I build the models I do mainly because of a childhood dream of mine. I always dreamed of being a pilot, yes, I wanted to be Maverick. But, due to circumstances , I never saw that dream. But , I joined the Army anyway, falling in love with armor. Not long in I was injured and was given a medical discharge, so, I lost that one too. So, modeling helps me stay somewhat close too it, and its very fun and satisfying. Now, the reason I build the female figures is another story 
To monsterarmor: Great job on the Betty Page figure… but careful, dude, this is a family website![;)]
Fascination with machines is what I think is my primary drive. Ever since I always liked to tinker with whatever machinery I could lay my hands on. And of course History, thats what made those machines more fascinating.[;)]
- Relaxation
- Learning History
- Learning Maintenance (sanding, painting, etc…all same processes done with the full size version)
- Remember the past
What started my interest in this hobby…Im not really sure but I belive I recieved a kit from an Uncle for a birthday gift. Up until that point I didnt know what a model was…The kit was a Monogram P51B…I built that… Then moved on to other things…then recieved another one the next yr from the same uncle…After 2 of these I was hooked…I have grown up having an interest in history and the machines involved in history…I also have an interest in Muscle Cars(MOPAR RULES!)…So I build a lot of 60’s&70’s cars. My father was a pilot…so Ive done quite a few planes mainly F-14’s. Other people in my family are of racing background…so Ive done a few stock-cars…and just ordered my first Sprint Car to model after my dad’s cousins last race car. I have just recently moved into the world of figures…though Im not sure how I like it…alot smaller of an area to work with and its challenging and rather downright frustrating at times! I build what I like…and as one signature on this forum says…like what I build. If I find something of interest Ill buy the kit and build it…Ive never done a ship/boat model before but I will be ordering the New Revell(G) 1/72nd U-boat.
As a kid, I built model cars. I would go to the store each week and pick up the latest release and go home and finish it within an hour. Then my Uncle retired from the Air Force and talking with him, I started building aircraft. I built the types he flew, P-38, P-40, P-47, P-51, F-86, and F-100. I never could find a model of the F-89.
After I went into the USAF, model building was put on hold for some time. I got back into it in the mid 70’s but built mostly armor. There were several aircraft thrown in every now and then.
In the late 70’s I went to my first model show. I looked at the models and told my self I could do that too. That is when I really got serious with the hobby.
Now I build aircraft only. Early jet to modern jet aircraft. Having worked on many that I built, it gives me an advantage on knowing how to weather them.
I was Crew Chief on an RF-4C in Vietnam that had a six tone paint job. The SEA pattern was painted over Gull Gray on top and white underside. The SEA camo was pealing off in long strips showing the original paint under it. I built a model of that aircraft and was told by a judge it was not correct. How did he know. He wasn’t there.
Motivation #1: The thing I like most is that when I am at my workbench, it doesn’t matter what the president is doing, what the Iraqis are up to, how the pacific rim is getting along etc. etc. etc. All that matters for that little while is whether my panel lines are straight or if my paint is the right color or anything else I can control in that tiny corner of the world for that tiny stretch of time. In my work room, I leave the troubles of the world at the door and when I look at my slowly growing collection, I am reminded of hours of enjoymwnt where I left the CNN laden world and spent some time away and I have something to show for it.[^] That’s why I do it.[:D]
Motivation #2 : It’s fun[(-D][tup][:D]
Mom blames my facination with planes on my dad, him having been a pilot in vietnam. I find this rediculous since I’ve only met the guy once in 19 1/2 years and only realized who it was it retrospect seven years later. I did start building about that time and mostly planes though?! But mostly I like history and getting my hands dirty. Makes since I’m an archaeologist then doesn’t it!![:D]
It started out as an interest in history. I built aircraft, armor and ships. Then along came the muscle cars and so I added cars to the collection. I have owned a 66 Mustang with a factory 302. I thought I had a 289, so did the salesman, until we had to replace the starter for a problem that would not go away. Should never have sold that car. I then bought a Sat. Sebring Plus. In 77 I went in the military and was stationed in Germany. I returned to a rust bucket. I left the car with my Dad and he let my younger sister use the car to go to school. Well the Wife and I currently own a 68, rag top, Camaro RS/SS (hers) and a 87 Vette (mine). That explains the autos. My Dad (AF Ret. also) served under Robin Olds and while at Eglin under Daniel “Chappie” James. Two of the greatest AF commanders. My Grand father and Uncle served under “Chesty” Puller in WWII and Korea. This is my motivation.
Motivation to build models…
It’s a long term creative project with no deadline. What a relief ! Nobody gives a rip if I take a long time, I don’t have to do it their way, I can pick what I want to work on and when. If I have 15 free minutes I can find something to do - or if I want to stay up until 4 am I can do that too.
Motivation to build Aircraft Models…
I have no idea ! It’s just in me.
I’ve always been interestd in history and wars and for some reason amor appealed to me more than aircraft.
I build aircraft almost exclusively because I have been a military aircraft nut since I was a kid. Part of it was fueled by my dad who also loved WWII aircraft, and was crew chief on Curtiss SB2C Helldiver’s in the Marines as well as doing maintenance on Hellcat’s and other aircraft at Alameda NAS after the war. He loved the F4U Corsair, the F8F Bearcat and the P-61 Black Widow especially. I always wanted to fly fighters and my dream was to be an Eagle driver, but that never transpired as I fooled around in High School and would never had been able to make it to the USAF Academy in Colorado with the sad grades I had. I guess building them and playing flight sims on the computer is the closest I will ever get to flying a real F-15, F-16 or A-10. [;)]
Mike
Chris,
Have you ever read the book, “Team Yankee” by Harold Coyle?
Excellent read! [8D]
Mike