Kit assemblers or modellers?

[DavidJC]

To avoid derailing a separate thread, this selection of a post is from another thread (my italics):

'If we demand and then depend upon super-kits, perfect in every sense, then we become mere assemblers of kits, as opposed to actual modellers.'

 

To put that into some sort of context, it was in answer to a question referring to older Airfix kits and which ones should be best forgotten, which (rightly or wrongly) another member and I argued would be almost all pre-1990 kits.

 

It did get me thinking though. On a personal level, though I prefer to be an assembler of kits, I still refer to myself as a modeller. I want to be able to get a kit home and produce an accurate-as-it-can-be model without having to correct shapes, fill/sand badly fitting joints or source (too much in the way of) after-market parts. Some after-market parts are inevitable, I accept that - that's due to mass-production in the original kit having to take priority and also perhaps limitations in injection moulding anyway.

 

I've bought some after-market parts and decals, although decals aren't quite the same thing. I will qualify that: the after-market parts I've bought have enhanced rather than corrected the model, although the original kit parts have been OK, and the decals depicted a particular machine/squadron.

 

Some very basic work is necessary of course due to assembler error, or a bit of mould mismatch which leaves some tiny gaps etc. To me that's acceptable and part of assembly of a kit which even with today's superfine moulds is going to give us now and then.

 

Whilst there is some sort of pleasure in sanding a seam to get a perfect/invisible join, or adding tiny bits here and there just to 'lift' the final model (say brake lines or drilling out holes where these really can't be reproduced on the model itself), do I want to have to sit there with strips of styrene, tubes of filler and a box of tools to correct what should be expected in the first place? After all, I have just paid for someone else to do the hard work to produce the model I want to make, so let him do it.

 

But is my way modellling, or is it just kit assembly? I'd be interested in other opinions.

[vimal_indrasoma]

 One of my cousins (sadly no longer with us) had strong feelings about the subject - his 'thing' was building models (the Eiffel tower, the moon lander, various planes and a model of his own house) out of matchsticks and parts of wooden matchboxes. He thought my kit assembly activites were far below actual creativity, about one step above Lego.

[DavidJC]

What was your opinion on that, vimal_indrasoma?

 

And what is your opinion within this thread?

[Jonathan Mock]

Modelling is whatever you bring to the workbench. There is no committee who get to decide who are modellers and who are kit assmeblers.

[Braille Dave]

My first thought is that modelling is a pretty broad church- ranging from those who derive pleasure from building out of the box, to those who construct wonderful creations out of raw materials.

 

By now most of you will know that I tend to regard a kit as a starting point. I decide to build a particular subject, then I work out how I'm going to do it, sometimes there's a kit, sometimes I can modify, sometimes I have to scratch-build. 

 

So that makes me a 'kit-builder', 'kit-basher' and 'scratcher'... 

 

Or to put it another way; a 'modeller'.

[Discostu]

The good  thing about this hobby is,you can assemble the kit,but the end result depends on the skill of the assembler. You can merely glue it together, or create a scale model of the real thing. Thats my take on it. 

[david_fleming]

Modelling is what you want it to be. 'Kit assemblers' is a snobbish derigatory term from those who beleive mere kits to be beneath them

[Simon Norton1707820138]

Modelling is what you want it to be. 'Kit assemblers' is a snobbish derigatory term from those who beleive mere kits to be beneath them

Shouldn't it be model making? Modelling is skinny women on a catwalk :)

[DavidJC]

"Who came up with that then? I was unaware that there was a hierarchy and find nothing derogatory about kit assembly."

 

It might not have been intentional, but rightly or wrongly, I read that particular passage:

"If we demand and then depend upon super-kits, perfect in every sense, then we become mere assemblers of kits, as opposed to actual modellers."

as disdainful against the out-of-the-box modeller. 

 

To me at least it came across as the pastime of making models from the box appeared to be of less relevance than more experienced modellers correcting shapes or converting one Mark to another due to lack of appropriate kit. It's what prompted me to pose the question.

 

Is the modeller wanting to complete a beautiful kit from the box because he (or she)

(a) hasn't the skills

(b) hasn't the time

© has no real inclination to spend days mucking about with something that, arguably, should have been accurate in the first place

less of a modeller because of that, becoming merely a kit assembler (like me)?

[Ratch]

 I'm just a mere assembler. I see the plastic as a canvas upon which I can paint. I don't have specific knowledge to correct perceived errors, and I probably don't have the skills if I could recognise the errors. I hate photo-etch, finding it impossible to work with. Anything involving superglue should be avoided in my book. But some folks can do it, proudly show off their work without ever divulging how they do it - if they shared such information they might not win so many competitions, and these modellers are competitive.

Personally I think the most important thing is enjoying the hobby. If you, as the builder, are happy with what you've produced then no-one should knock you back because their standard is different to yours. I see lots of builds that have incorporated many fashionable techniques or styles that are just not to my liking. I suppose its like asking a lover of Art Nouveau to like Surrealism. Its not that you can't appreciate the skill and effort, its just that the result is not to your liking. But I wouldn't knock them because if they've enjoyed the build then that's the point of our hobby.

It takes all sorts and none should denegrate the others because they choose to enjoy themselves in a different way.

[Discostu]

Ultimately, however you choose to build your kit,and how far you want to paint and detail it,as long as you are happy with the end result and enjoyed it is all that matters.

[vimal_indrasoma]

 To quote Heath Ledger, "Why so serious?"!

Hobbies are what we do for fun and relaxation, so just get on with what floats your boat, be it collecting unbuilt kits, OOB, super-detailling, or even shaking your tushie on the cat-walk!

I just hope I can get new display cabinets put up this year ... my stash is beginning to attract Madam's attention, and not in a good way.

[Braille Dave]

I can't see the difference between someone who builds straight out of the box, and someone who starts with a sheet of plasticard. Like I said upthread; Modelling (or 'model-making', if you prefer) is a broad church. 

 

 

[Sgt.Squarehead]

 I challenge someone to just assemble an old ACE kit, or something early from Attack Hobby.....It'd be funny to see and that's a fact!

[John Symmons]

Remember we do this for fun.I'm starting this reply with what I usually end my posts. Ratch and all the rest of you; you are in my book NOT kit assemblers you are plastic model makers, And very good ones I might add. Reading your posts I always find something of interest; even if the subject is not in my category: and I always learn something, even if it's what not to do, so thanks to you all.If someone really degenerates you hobby just challenge them to "assemble" Dragon,s Sharnhorst OTB, ( well maybe not as it's now almost unobtainable and very expensive. ) Ok something a bit less expensive to "assemble" Airfix's or Roden's Bristol fighter or maybe the Airfix HMS Belfast or Prinz Eugen, ( I’m sure you can all add many other kits that are almost impossible to “assemble” and then lets see how they get on "assembling" those without painting, just the basic plastic assembly. There was a very good post somewhere, I think it was on this site, of a lady in charge of disabled children and she got them some Airfix kits to build, all with varying degrees of success some coming out really good. But what really came out of it was that they developed an interest, It brought history alive, improved hand eye co-ordination, and were able to identify a Spitfire that flew over their school a few weeks later, not only that but they even knew the Spitfire’s mark, and they had fun. Now they all want to do more, now that’s learning without realising you are learning. (the best way to learn.)So I’m am forever gratefully to Airfix for igniting that spark that burned bright for many years then almost went out, but I'm glad to say is still burning, for starting my interest in aviation history and history in general, and I know if I want to add some life to it I just get the Airfix kit. Remember this is not academia, we do this for FUN . So to all those de-generators out there “go teach your grand-mother to suck eggs I’m having fun. So guys keep assembling; whooops modelling and lets make 2016 the assembly year. John the Pom

[Barad]

Depending on the day I could be either. Sometimes I want a really good kit that has no flash, no mould lines and the pieces simply fit together with proper locating lugs so alignment isn't hit and miss. This means I can try and do a better quality paint job without any loss of detail.

Other times (usually due to finances) I buy a cheaper kit and this is when you need to clean mould lines, play around trying to get pieces aligned and then use copious amounts of green stuff and sand paper etc to fill gaps and smooth out surfaces. Then it becomes a pratcise piece for painting. You may gather my focus these days is getting better at painting.

Both sets of kits I would still consider model making. As for splitting people into groups reminds me of a trend that runs through model train people and how if you simply buy a RTR (ready-to-run) item then somehow you are a lesser person. To me it's just different priorities.

cheers

[Agent .25i]

Ha!

After working on this Airfix 172 mossie I think "sculptor" should be added to the list of names...

[Ratch]

To me it's just different priorities.

Well said.

[Sgt.Squarehead]

 You simply can't approach all builds the same way.....If you try to go about building a typical 20th Century Eastern European kit the same way you would with Airfix latest or something from Tamiya or Flyhawk, you will soon find yourself in a world of hurt!

[John Bollig]

Remember we do this for fun.I'm starting this reply with what I usually end my posts. Ratch and all the rest of you; you are in my book NOT kit assemblers you are plastic model makers, And very good ones I might add. Reading your posts I always find something of interest; even if the subject is not in my category: and I always learn something, even if it's what not to do, so thanks to you all.If someone really degenerates you hobby just challenge them to "assemble" Dragon,s Sharnhorst OTB, ( well maybe not as it's now almost unobtainable and very expensive. ) Ok something a bit less expensive to "assemble" Airfix's or Roden's Bristol fighter or maybe the Airfix HMS Belfast or Prinz Eugen, ( I’m sure you can all add many other kits that are almost impossible to “assemble” and then lets see how they get on "assembling" those without painting, just the basic plastic assembly. There was a very good post somewhere, I think it was on this site, of a lady in charge of disabled children and she got them some Airfix kits to build, all with varying degrees of success some coming out really good. But what really came out of it was that they developed an interest, It brought history alive, improved hand eye co-ordination, and were able to identify a Spitfire that flew over their school a few weeks later, not only that but they even knew the Spitfire’s mark, and they had fun. Now they all want to do more, now that’s learning without realising you are learning. (the best way to learn.)So I’m am forever gratefully to Airfix for igniting that spark that burned bright for many years then almost went out, but I'm glad to say is still burning, for starting my interest in aviation history and history in general, and I know if I want to add some life to it I just get the Airfix kit. Remember this is not academia, we do this for FUN . So to all those de-generators out there “go teach your grand-mother to suck eggs I’m having fun. So guys keep assembling; whooops modelling and lets make 2016 the assembly year. John the Pom 

I agree with John .I have seen exactly what John is talking about. I have seen the joy of model building with disabled children.

[WhiteRoseKillie]

As repeated by many above, this hobby is supposed to be fun. Personally, I'm looking to produce a reasonably accurate rendition of the subject, with no seams, scratches or errant glue marks. While I'm waiting to source some decent/affordable display shelving, the WRKAF are suspended, as per childhood cliché, from the office ceiling. At that range, they're all identifiable, and gain admiring comments from guests. Which is nice. I'm not building for close inspection, or perfection - although I do like a well-detailed cockpit, which only I will probably ever see...

I agree with the dislike of PE parts to an extent - yes, they can provide an enhanced degree of detail, but again we're getting to the penlight and magnifying glass brigade. Instrument panels you can normally paint (or decal), and seatbelts are easily made from scratch, from materials much more suitable than brass.

The most satisfying build I've produced recently was the NT 1/48 Hurricane, which almost reached Tamegawa levels of "shake 'n' bake", but was a very satisfying experience, ending up with a Hurricane that looked like a Hurricane, in a lot less time than some of the E. European kits I've made in the last couple of years.

While I admire the skills displayed monthly in magazines, and regularly at shows, I simply do not have the time (or indeed patience) to devote to honing modelling skills which, given the available quality for OOB builds, are increasingly unnecessary. A few months ago, one magazine had a feature on a diorama created around a Bell AH-1 (I think) undergoing maintenance. An absolutely stunning piece of work, with scratch-built stairs, trolleys, and the like surrounding the mostly exposed airframe. Two things struck me about this, however - firstly that the builder had used spare rotor blades to ensure that a nicely built crate wasn't empty. Now, I have a fair few spares in the desk - wheels, weaponry, the occasional prop and even canopy - but I would have thought the rotor blades would have been pretty important to the kit they came with?

The second thing to strike me, however, was the casual mention, almost in passing, that the project had taken five years to complete. There is no way on God's green earth that I would be confident of that diorama remaining undamaged for that length of time in my house, simply due to the actions of dog/cat/grandkids if nothing else. And the investment of time! I may not lead a jetset lifestyle, but the demands of work, family and friends mean that modelling has not got the highest place on the priority list - were I to embark on something of this scale, I reckon I'd soon be down at least a wife from that list!

Anyhoo, I see what I do as modelling. I see the men and women who produce those beautiful builds we pore over online and in magazines as professionals. Not necessarily professional modellers, but certainly possessing skills in painting, fabrication and even research which could easily be marketable. I am happy to admire them while accepting I'll never produce work of that standard. As a returnee to the hobby - really a beginner in terms of the new materials and equipment developed since my youthful days - I'm content to turn a few sprues of bits into a recognisable replica of the kit's subject. I still take an inordinate amount of pleasure in a kit where you "can't see the joins" - especially when its in NMF!