I learned the chipping and scratching techniques in the early 70’s.
But it was for railroad gondolas and hoppers - you know - those cars that are constantly having gravel/coal/scrap metal dumped into them…
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Thanks, I knew I’d seen it somewhere, but with my failing memory… At least I got the punchline pretty much right, but it is a corker! It’s good to hear the full version from the original narrator, it deserves to pass into legend. I hope I didn’t cause offense by telling your tale before you had the chance.
Regards,
M
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All my builds are fantasy builds as even the “historic” ones tend to be a generic depiction describable as “unknown unit, f### knows where, whenever”. It’s the reverse of having the killer piece of evidence to confound the rivet counter; being polite and attentive while managing to exude apathy - “It’s bits of plastic crudely clagged together, daubed with inappropriate colours and of utterly no significance”.
Cheers,
M
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I know that this may be an unpopular comment but, it’s a hobby…it’s not life and death. It’s supposed to be an activity that brings one pleasure. And when those that share a similar interest get together for a meeting, show or chat at the lhs it also should be pleasurable for all. I don’t think unsolicited criticism is okay. Im not a snowflake…I can take suggestions…I was raised with manners and thats not something you do.
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I like what you’ve posted.
There’s a certain type of obnoxious modeler that causes 99.5 percent of the issues…
Sayre’s Law applies to model builders as much as it applies to academic politics.
Per WSJ; Sayre said: “Academic politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low.”
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Tom, really I assure you no problem; it needs telling, I feel, in a way more than ever(!)
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I want to agree with you but it really depends on the circumstances of your presentation and the viewing audience. If you take your model to work and show it you’ll likely get lots of praise and admiration, but when you display your work to fellow practitioners of the hobby then you should be prepared to expect a knowledgeable critique of your work. I don’t disagree that social courtesies, tact and discretion should govern how that criticism is delivered but some folks are just not sensitive to others pride or vanity. Even in this community you’ll find there’s one or two that will blatantly call out a mistake without the slightest compunction or consideration of how their comment may affect the presenters self esteem. You just have to hang tough, take it with a grain of salt and learn from the experience and . . . make damn sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row the next time you offer up your model build for sacrifice.
Cajun 
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For me it depends upon the activity and the person on the receiving end.
If I’m at the range and someone is about to lose the meat on his thumb because of an improper grip, I’ll say something. I generally save two or three thumbs per week.
Modeling is a different subject completely. There are some on this site who, while they may not be snowflakes, certainly don’t take criticism well. Ironically one in particular usually says all comments and criticisms are welcome. I have come to discover they’re not, so I usually ignore his builds, I’m not talking nitpicky things either (nobody wants to be that guy) but major components missing or done incorrectly. If he doesn’t care, why should I? It’s a model building site after all. We’re not curing cancer.
The sad thing is I have walk arounds (which I sometimes give away just because I can) that would have prevented these shortcomings in every case. But for some, pride goeth before the fall.
Again, no dog in the hunt so I don’t care.
Others have benefitted greatly from a little advice whether solicited or not, and I’m happy to give it. It just depends on the person, as I said in the beginning.
Edit:
This is not the guy I’m talking about, but from the archived site, who as far as know doesn’t post here any more. Note how my comment is delivered with tact, and even praise.
His response is fine in this thread. But in a follow on thread I made a similar comment. (about another impossibilty - rubber fenders on an earlier Centurion) He actually said all I had to offer was - I forget the exact wording - snarky? mean? comments, and actually quit the site, just as he said he would. Although he did return a few years later.
I’m pretty sure most of you would sound off if say, someone was using an M14 in a Korean war diorama, right?
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Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter – the spectrum of Criticism.
“Unsolicited”? – I don’t think that exists. We all voluntarily submit our photos to these forums – why? To solicit responses. There’s no book of Rules which says those responses must be positive. Anyone who isn’t prepared to be told they’re mistaken or didn’t do a perfect job is deluded. Nobody learns anything if they’re told everything they do is 100%.
However as has been said, what peeves is when negative criticism is delivered in an unqualified or impolite manner – e.g. “You got that dead wrong and I know I’m right” instead of “I may be mistaken but according to these references (attached) I think you haven’t got x right.”
As Cajun said, if you do your research well enough it’s unlikely you’ll be tripped up. The times I’ve been tripped up are because I didn’t do the research thoroughly enough & I’m delighted when that’s pointed out – I learned 2 things: what I got wrong, and I was lazy. That’s not an assault on my ego, it’s very helpful. And most of all, thanks to that negative criticism I ended up getting it right.
I think the overwhelming majority of members share a similar attitude – if we just don’t particularly like somebody’s work for whatever reason, we just pass. That should be enough of a signal to the poster that, well, OK maybe it could be better. A look at others’ work should provide numerous clues about how to improve – if indeed the poster wants to improve. They don’t have to of course, that’s fine too – but if they don’t, then one wonders why they’re posting at all?
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LOL 
there’s actually a word, not that anyone uses it, to describe that certain type of problematic modeler.
Ultracrepidarian - noting or pertaining to a person who criticizes, judges, or gives advice outside their area of expertise
ORIGIN OF ULTRACREPIDARIAN
First recorded in 1800–20; from Latin ultrā crepidam (also suprā crepidam ) “above the sole, beyond the sole,” from adverb and preposition ultrā (see origin at ultra-) + Latin crepidam (accusative singular of crepida ) “sole of a shoe, shoe, sandal” (re-formed from Greek krēpîd-, stem of krēpís “man’s high boot, half boot, shoe”) + -arian; in allusion to Pliny the Elder’s adaptation of the retort that the Greek painter Apelles (360?–315? b.c.) made to a cobbler who was critiquing Apelles’ work, nē suprā crepidam sūtor jūdicāre “let the cobbler not judge above the sandal”; cf. the English proverb “let the cobbler stick to his last”
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True!
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Speaking of the guys that sell manufacturer or created these items for finishing models you know sometimes I think they even have a an altar at these shows so they’re devotees can pray to them and leave offerings maybe even a sacrifice. To the god of MiG. The God virlinden, all praise the modeling gods. Sometimes I just make myself laugh but I’ve seen these guys oh my God sometimes he shows can be like a Comic-Con convention in the Star Trek crew shows up and it’s giving up free autographs and handshakes. I like Star Trek don’t get me wrong but now you know what I mean like a furry convention gone wrong.
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Yes I’ve seen that before Robert, if I understand you correctly we commonly call that being a “fan boy” of something or someone and I have to admit there are some modelers who I am a huge fan of that I met at shows. I saw Steve Zaloga at the last AMPS convention but didn’t go up to him.
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Just for the fan boys.
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BTW, Mig has closed his online store, and there’s no glimpse for re-opening…
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That’s interesting. Any details provided?
I could understand distributors & retailers not liking direct sales etc.
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The third option has always led to jealousy and eventual hostility at some point.
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Not details. The website is on update since a few weeks ago. And some people are talking about that’s a fake, and that the webpage won’t be online again…
I have bought some items there, but honestly I don’t mind what happen
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the “Great” image can be a double edged sword.
One, could go all night, Two, would kill any semblance of an ego you had.
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