Feeling Humbled

[typhoonfanatic]

I recently posted a supposed problem with the fitting of Vampire wings. Having read the helpful replies from you guys out there I put the problem down to poor workmanship and not the kits fault anyway having deconstructed and rebuilt the Vampire I now have a more than acceptable airframe. the reason I am writing this is because having trawled through all the images of finished kits and dioramas on here I now feel totally inadequate (lol) I have been modelling for many many a year, thought I made a good accurate model and have posted many pics of my airfix kits on the relevant kit pages - I am totally impressed with all the new releases etc and am truly an Airfix convert especially in 1/72 scale, far more affordable than the previous kits I used to  purchase  and now having limited space and time to devote to my passion (Liz, my partner still reckons I'm obsessed) I find them great fun to make with an exceptional end product. There are  some very talented modellers out there and I take my hat off to you guys for your expertise beautifully built and finished kits, they are a joy to behold - congratulations to you all  - Mine which I am (was) quite proud of  look totally amateurish in comparison - will think long and hard before posting any more pics ! Keep up the good work and congratulations to Airfix for great kits and here's hoping to more exciting new releases

[DavidJC]

You're not alone typhoonfanatic.

 

I haven't posted many photos on here either. Yes it's in part due to the fact I have built other manufacturers' kits which we cannot show here, but I also feel wholly inadequte with the models I have built. That said I've posted some on here - the Sea Vixen, a Seafire, a Red Arrows Hawk and Gnat. Whilst the Gnat I felt a difficult kit to build, the others listed were good, but I didn't feel I had done them justice (you can search my posts and judge for yourself if one was so inclined). I thought they were OK, then I saw some proper work being shown.

 

Such builds both dismay and inspire me. Dismay because I feel so inadequate, inspired because it's the sort of work I want to be able to turn out - though can't.

 

That said after returning to the hobby - around 5 years ago now - after a long, long break from modelling, even I can see I've improved massively from what I once did turn out. I have some way to go now. And I appreciate well-considered, constructive criticism (rather than just 'you've made a mess of that join' kind of thing).

 

Don't be shy though. Post some photos, it could be you are nowhere near as bad as you think you are.

[peebeep]

Provided you can handle (ignore) comments from people who tend toward the brutal rather than the constructive, I would suggest keep posting your builds with the aim of receiving informed critique, especially so if you're aiming to improve your skills and build quality. If there's any particular aspect you're having a problem with, ask the question and if you see something in another person's work that you'd like to achieve, ask them how they did it. There's very few modellers I know that couldn't bothered to explain the techniques they employ to another modeller. With regards to your problem with the Vampire, one thing I have noticed with 'new' Airfix is that the components are designed with close tolerances and very often it is best to spend some time de-burring and fettling the parts followed by a dry fit to make sure everything goes together nicely. Even a coat of paint can throw things out.

[Sailorman]

Paul and David are right.  It is only by posting pictures of one's builds, asking questions and exchanging ideas with others that one can improve.  Most of the time I find people give constructive criticism and this helps the next build. 

Incidentally, I have yet to meet a really good model maker who isn't prepared to listen to and adopt ideas from others.

We all learn something from each model we build.  One never stops learning!

[Pogo2]

Hi Tyhoonfanatic

There is no need to feel humbled regarding your recent inquery about the Vampires wings and fuselage fit. Every modeller gets things wrong sometimes and if they spot it soon enough, then they can remedy it . Do not be put off by mistakes. I have just completed a Vampire T22 , or the Naval version using a set of model art decals . The kit was built as per instructions and painted in Admirals Barge scheme, ie, Emerald green and white using both kit stencils and the decals from the other sheet. (I will post photos in the near future). I was looking at the finished model and straight away realised that something was not right. It wasn't the painting or the decals , but something that just didn't seem right. Next to the model was an earlier T22 from the same decal sheet but with a different scheme, the aluminium and yellow stripes standard colours. It then clicked that the nose wheel door on the latest model was vertical instead of at an angle. That was totally my own doing. It was sorted but these things happen. 

On the workbench forum , looking at the pre release of the JP 3, there is a photo of my first Vampire in day glo scheme as well as a Tucano i built a while back. The Swordfish are mine (aston martins and Swordfish)as are the Pearl Harbour set (poppies and phantoms) and the SEAC Dakota build. I have also done a Tiger Moth in Royal Navy day glo colours , the decals were all seperate strips cut by hand. You should have seen the mess. 

Cheers for now 

 col

[John Symmons]

Hi Tyhoonfanatic

I can only echo the above comments especially the fine tolerances of the new airfix kits. See my post on the Me 109 shoot-out and the various postings on the Airfix Swordfish. Dry fit first then dry fit again and again then add glue and you still have a 50/50 chance of putting it on the wrong way round. I recently made a Roden 8 wheeled armourd car and the first bit I glued on I put it on the wrong side, only discovered it much much later when thring to fit the wheels. We live and learn but some traps are very hard to spot. In my posting of the Ju 52/M float plane I tried several new things including the winter camouflage and diarama and while I was building it I thought it looked a mess but once completed it was OK-ish. The replies I got totally surprised me, remember we are all our own worst critics. 

So lets see your builds especially the vampire that you've now repaired, as these kinds of builds can be very informative, and inspirational to other builders.

Keep up the good work and looking forward the seeing your builds and reading about your adventures.

Remember we do this for fun                John the Pom.

[Captain Triggers]

Don't worry! On this forum all you will recive is congratulations and CONSTRUCTIVE critsisam

[Kenneth ONeill]

The naerest thing to criticism I could offer is that you're prepared to learn from your mistakes! Is that actually a criticism? It's certainly not a negative!