Modelling philosophy

[0taku]

Hey guys, I wonder if there are those who feel the same as I in that this whole modelling hobby can often be stressful when we get stuck in the minutiae of detail that can stall projects for months! I've come to realise that the concept of the 'perfect' model is practical impossibility and at the very least extremely difficult, so with this in mind I take some precautions against this, firstly, I don't measure my kits, if I do, I 'will' find errors and 2D published plans never equate well with a 3D build! Precise colours are equally impossible to achieve with there always being some variance in conditions, when I would build grey air superiority jets I used Halford primer universally, no one ever noticed, it's fine. When i ask for information regarding my current project I often get replies telling me 'I must correct this' 'or I can't use that' . . well, I really can, I'm not too concerned if few millimeter scale anomally exists on my build, it's all good! I suppose it's subjective and we all have our 'line in the sand'

I'm in awe of guys who go to great lengths in time effort and expence to create as near perfection as can with some phenomenal results, just incredible levels of detail!

but not for me, anyone think this way? 

Who was it who said 'It's supposed to be fun'

[Aussie Jeff]

In total agreement. For me, I started doing this again as a form of meditation. I can immerse myself in a build and 'disappear' for a while. However that is tempered by my desire to improve as I go, which means I am striving to make the next model better than the last. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not. This applies to cnstruction technique, masking, painting etc. And, in fact, it is somewhat disappointing when a build finishes so I have to start a new one - a fact that kit, accessory  and paint manufacturers must be happy about!

And though I haven't seen  a post from him recently it is 'Jon the Pom' whose tag line is "Remember, we do this for fun".

[peebeep]

It's quite simple, your model, your rules. Nothing else matters. I'm not happy that 'rivet counting' has become a pejorative in the modelling community, at the end of the day people who seek the ultimate in accuracy have encouraged kit manufacturers to do better. Where it's wrong is if people try to force their own philosophy onto others, but we shouldn't miss the fact that they are often responsible for everybody being better informed. I'm mostly a near enough is good enough sort of modeller, I reason that at my age (mid sixties) life is simply too short to obsess over stuff that's supposed to be a hobby. I do however have limits. For example I was really looking forward to the Hong Kong models 1/32 Mosquito IV, but previews showed that it had outline errors that to me stick out like a sore thumb. Mr Tamiya got my money instead. On the other hand I would happily build a Trumpeter 1/32 Lightning, despite the kicking it got upon release. For some reason I can overlook the Trumpy Lightning issues, but not the HK Mossie. We're a weird bunch to be honest!   

[Kenneth ONeill]

That's entirely true up to a point. The question is more "can you live with or easily correct the errors?" For example, one maker releaset the Saab Viggen tools as a "JA-35". They did include the cannon, air to air missiles and revised air brakes, but the fuselage of the JA-35 is 6 inches (2mm in 1.72 scale) longer than all the other variants due to changes in the engine. It also has an extra actuator for the main wing trailing edge surfaces (4 rather than 3 each side).

Now, I can live with it being "too short" since you need a subject expert to spot that, but the extra actuator fairing needs attended to. Fortunately, they happen to be the same width as the spare pylon not used on a JA-35.

[0taku]

 We're a weird bunch to be honest!   

Hell yeah we are! Wouldn't have it any other way!

[0taku]

Now, I can live with it being "too short" 

Yep, they just reboxed the AJ as a JA with air superioirty grey paint plan and new decals, honestly, like you, i'm ok with that, it's not like it could be mistaken for anything else

[Ratch]

I build for myself. I'd like to get everything right, but I'm not that knowledgeable. I've always treated the plastic as a canvas to paint on. The best advice I was given about colour was, if it looks right to you that's all that matters. I'll turn my hand to any genre and get bored if I stick with one subject for a long time - Jack of all trades, master of none. I have built for other people (and had repeat orders), but always question whether I'm doing this well enough for them. Its much easier to build to your own criteria. Know your limitations, but don't be afraid to try something different. There are many transferrable skills in modelling. I cannot understand folks who say - I only build aircraft, I've never done a tank before - its a model, a piece of plastic, its not such a leap.

[0taku]

I suppose my acceptance of imperfection is because I'm evolving with every build, learning a little more to adapt and engineer my way around problems. I see my modelling as a journey and not a destination!

How zen is that! Ha!

[Cliverdee]

Yes it's got to be fun otherwise don't do modelling... my wife looks at what I do with unbelieving wonderment that I can sit quietly for hours focussed on the smallest bits of plastic in my calm and peaceful world... it remains calm & peaceful largely due to me knowing what I enjoy and what would drive me potty ... such as all the things required for air brushing! ....I  brush paint as I enjoy using a brush, I use enamels as I once tried acrylic and it was a dogs dinner, and I avoid manufacturers that use hard or brittle plastic that snap the small parts when attempting to get them off the sprue... so guess what... I buy mostly Airfix ! 

[dogsbody]

I've been doing some fretting over my first airbrush use on my Airfix 1/72 Hurricane. While looking at it close-up, wearing my optical visor, I wasn't that pleased with the result and was wondering whether to try to fix it or scrap it. While thinking about it, I realized that no one will ever see it up that closely. So I took a wooden toothpick, cut it off on an angle and used that to rub down the paint ridges. I'll use a small brush to do some paint touchup later.

 

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[James Bisley]

I'd give an arm and a leg for a finish like that Bod  😆 

Looks great.

I struggle a lot with perfectionism and maintaining my concentration when things aren't going swimmingly. Sometimes its best just to think about the next model and things you are going to do better on it.

[Bish1707821547]

I always find it odd when people say they don't stress over accuracy because they are building for fun, as if those of us who do aim for accuracy are not.

I aim to get my bilds as accurate as possable given my own abilities and the availiability of parts. But the amoutn of work i will put in wil depend on the subjects.If its one i have a lot of interest in, i will put a lt more effort into research and correcting errors than if its a subject i am less interested in. And for me, the research into a subject and figuring out what i nee to correc and if i can do it is all part of the fun.

The main question i always ask myself is, is the work needed to correct somthing worth the end result, and if i don't do it, can i live with it.

Earlier this year i was building the Academy Warrior IFV, to me, the most personal build i have ever done or ever will do. As i was converting it to a command vehicle, i already knew there would be some work to do, including one area that the conversion set didn't deal with. But soon after i started it, i came across an issue i was not expecting, the right side of the lower hull was completly wrong as all of the wheel stations were the wrong way round. After giving it some thought i realised the only way to correct it was to completly chop up the hull, and potantial make matters worse. So, as much as i hated doing in, i opted for the armour model builders most tried and trusted way to get out of a problem, cover it with mud.

So while the first issue was within my abilities and worth the effort needed, the second wasn't. Yes, it did spoil the build a little bit for me. I doubt anyone else will notice, and when i look at the model the error does not jump out at me, so i can live with that. Now when i look at the finished model, i don't even remember there was a problem. But i know if i had not corrected the first issue, i would not have been hapy with it at all.