Those are all fantastic!
A+++
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I’m in love with your RG 33 what sucks is I don’t have the talent for scratch building. Everything comes out looking like a two-year-old built it.
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I certainly remember feeling that way back when. For me It started with keeping all the spares & bits from kits, and stashing weird domestic waste like fine wires & tin foil seals, miscellaneous scraps from craft stores, and bargain-basement deleted PE & railroad-brass sets…in the days when there were hobby shops to browse. Their dusty displays of discounted Evergreen strips & tubes were always a magnet too.
I had a vague idea this stuff would “come in useful one day” without any plan at all. And then I’d build a kit which needed a new or revised item. Or a vignette/diorama for which I couldn’t be bothered spending hours online looking for the desired item. Trawling through the spares boxes something would usually jump up at me – often not quite the right piece, but then you can narrow down what will work.
But wow stuff like what Doug/Damraska & Andrew/Amegan just posted is Next-Level – both brilliant.
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@Brantwoodboy, my experience is pretty similar to @Dioramartin Tim’s which is pretty funny - down to buying odd junk at the hobby shop that was in the clearance basket, and way back when, ordering all sort of sale items from Lucky Model! They used to carry all sorts of PE - I wasn’t that concerned with what the parts were supposed to be used for - but if it was cheap, and looked interesting I bought them. These, and keeping old sprues, a variety of evergreen, and so on provides a deep junk box, which is very useful.
Regarding the RG33, first, thanks, I really enjoyed that build, but, it is not the first time I tried it. At least ten years ago I tried to make it, and at the time, my ambition was well beyond my skillset! 
I finished it, and it looked more or less like the truck but it was not that good.
I ordered a set of walk around images of something else from Rob Skipper, @18bravo, and a few of the RG truck were included - it was just too cool to not at least try to build! btw - if (when!) you get into scratch work, those walk arounds are very good - they are clear pictures of whatever it is you are trying to make, which is especially useful when trying to build something from scratch. I open up a powerpoint show and populate it with images in the order of construction I want to follow. This way the images are big, organized, and easy to scroll through.
As for starting out trying scratchwork, there seem to be as many approaches as the day is long. I’ve seen people suggest you start out by trying to make a cube out of styrene. I don’t think I’d start that way, as while it seems to be an easy enough task, I’ve found it to be a challenge, and I would think disheartening - as in, if you are trying to make a perfect square/cube, you need to consider the thickness and edge assembly of your styrene, which means despite what you might think, all sides are not the same size (as we are not welding steel sheets together, where you can grind and weld each side equally). I have found this to be a tedious task.
I remember you recently asking about making a box for the back of an RG-31. I think that would be a pretty good project. FWIW, I’d start with the (generally triangle shaped) bumper brackets and figure out how they work, how they attach to the bumper, how you might make them of styrene, and then how you would assemble it. It seems .020" sheet might be good for making the bracket.
With the bracket made up, you could then make a base for the box, but, rather than leaving it as a single flat piece of styrene, add some liner material (.060" x .080" strips) so that you would have some internal framing to attach the box sides to. As for the box sides, I’d use .020" sheet, and, on the inside of these, make up a framework (like the base) using either the same material or .040" x .080" strip so that you would be making some out of view connection points for the sheet materials.
OK, sorry to go on and on - it’s like anything, the first time might not turn out great, but, you’ll learn a bit, try again, and learn a bit more, and pretty soon, you’re trying more ambitious projects.
Cheers
Nick
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I think there are actually two tracks to this discussion; the acquisition of skills to produce an accurate scale model of a subject otherwise unobtainable (at least straight from the box) and the joys of the Trash Bash… There may be a commonality in the skill set, but there may be different objectives. There was a time when when I aspired to the former and acquired some experience but now I am on the age-related downslope of capability I find more satisfaction in cobbling together imaginary objects from left-overs (often other peoples, generously donated) and junk than the frustration entailed by mutilating a lovely modern kit simply by attempting to assemble it (not that stops me with the compulsion to grow the stash).
Regards,
M
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All All very interesting debate. But for someone like me with neither the skills or talent. Scratchbuilding was never an option. I tried a few conversions in my early days. But I soon realised it wasn’t for me.
So I always admired the scratchbuilders but you are by and large a minority of talented people. It’s the same in most other roles in life whether sport, business, art or work. I suspect many of the scratchbuilders end up working for the model kit manufacturers.
So we should admire the scratchbuilders. They will always exist but were and are a minority.
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I do not think it matters. Scratch building is getting done, every day, by lots of people, with different amounts of experience, using lots of techniques, in degrees from very simple to very complex, with diverse end goals. The original argument–that scratch building is dead and the hobby is dying–is flat out incorrect. The exact opposite is happening.
My impression is that the original poster is disheartened by modern models showing up on contest tables and the work necessary to compete at that level. He does not want to use the required techniques. They are not fun for him. He equates this, along with the closing of local hobby shops and the proliferation of after market parts, with death of the hobby. In a very real sense he is correct. From his subjective viewpoint, the constant upward spiral in build complexity and difficulty, the need for expensive replacement parts, the inability to source materials locally, is resulting in less engagement with the hobby. He can no longer go to a hobby show, put something he found fun to build on the table, and have any chance of winning. I suspect many people here have experienced the same sort of thing.
This conversation may indicate a very real problem exists at the contest level. In my area, a number of contests have switched from 1-2-3 contests to individual model grading. The latter system allows more people to walk away with an award–to have a chance. Rather than saw this log further, perhaps it makes more sense to talk about how to get more people interested in contests by adjusting the rules. Perhaps it makes more sense to talk about how to have more face to face conversations when the closure of local model shops leads to individual isolation.
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All good points. I think there are a couple of points here worth considering further: model shows and social media. Model shows are fun but aren’t all about competitions. Sitting where I am I can see half-a-dozen (now very dusty) cups, trophies and plaques from wins at shows but none date from this century and to be brutally honest none come from really big shows or ones where the real talent showed up. The most satisfaction I had from them was because my retired-and-ageing parents would come along for the ride - not the show - and after wandering off and doing their own thing return towards the end of proceedings but usually in time for the presentations. The best occasion was the time when I’d already picked up a couple of trophies and when my name came up again my mother (as she loved to recount it afterwards) barged out in front of me, grabbed the silverware and announced “This one’s mine, for putting up with his mess all these years”…
I have no illusions, I was (then) a competent modeller but not up to the standards of some of my friends; there was one who if he didn’t win the 1:144th aircraft prize(s) at a show it was because he wasn’t there…
(He’s still at it, nowadays he and his now middle-aged son pool their collections for a display; a few years ago they decided that rather than just line everything up on a couple of blank tables they would make several large contiguous scenic bases where the models could be laid out as if at an air show. These were completed with landscaping and background buildings, etc. At the first show they set it up, at the end of the day they were told they had won the diorama prize which they hadn’t even thought to enter…).
The point being a show is not just for the half-dozen talents who, in any class, will always be in competition with each other for the big prizes but the dozens of others who are there to display their own builds just for the fun of it and without whom there would be no show at all. The downside of shows is there is, all to frequently, some know-it-all whose greatest satisfaction is finding fault in one’s work in a way which could be described as “non-constructive criticism”.
The downside of social media is where an event is related to a specific manufacturer official coverage of the gathering will be restricted to intensive studies of the top three in each competition category and a few distant shots of the crowds attending to show what an important occasion it is.
The upside of boards like this is you can post photos of your proverbial “Turd-rolled-in-Glitter” and garner nothing but kind words and mildly-expressed suggestions for future improvements.
Regards,
M
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I understand why he would feel that way; those models entered for competitions are often of an elusively high standard, certainly for me, but then I don’t compete. The following views may not be much comfort for those who would like to (but don’t) but for me the great joy of exhibiting at a show is the interest that is (hopefully) garnered by my builds on the display tables.
I’m lucky perhaps in that although not a club, Stonehenge Modellers (ie me plus a modelling mate) consists of just the two of us, therefore when we exhibit we have a 6’ table each. With a fair wind, I can get nearly a dozen 1/35 models on that yet still allow for a bit of Feng Shui and a decent spacing.
But as I say, the buzz for me comes from the interest displayed and the chats about, well, everything; from the idea, the real history, the modelling techniques (or in my case, lack thereof), even military stories, it all creates a great atmosphere.
Now, the British modelling public can be quite reticent I must admit; perhaps because of the whiff of a nerd sub-culture, but I always engage with a cheery “Any questions, please ask” or similar, and that normally breaks the ice if, if they’re sufficiently interested.
Of course, this may not compensate much for those who do like to compete, and of course, one must have a display table and the like, but I’ve found breaking into an event is relatively easy: just ask(!)
There is an equal, if not slightly greater, interest when we exhibit abroad; IPMS Belgium’s show, was for many years, the great annual event to look forward to. Whilst one might think there was a language barrier, that was never the case, and by the end of the two days had a sore throat and was hoarse (from all the yakking) which required copious amounts of Belgian beer just to soothe.
So, what am I really saying? Not much; it’s always horses for courses but there can be as much fun I’m sure in the discussions and interest in one’s models as there is conceivably, in winning an award.
Perhaps!
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I just hate it when my illnesses need such extreme medication!
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As for contests, I don’t bother. My kick is just displaying my models and chatting with folks. But I will sometimes judge at the MAFVA Nationals, and I hope I bring some (in-)sanity to the proceedings. I gave up “competing” with my hobby early on, when I realised I wasn’t having fun.
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I can’t even see any of mine. Thye’re in the garage in a pile or have been used for bases.
Very mild, depending on the recipient of such suggestions.
For me it was when I returned to show a year later and they said it was great that I showed up again. The previous year I had not stayed long enough to hear my name announced for Best Armor of Show. Houston, 1996 (ish?)
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If you want to see some serious scratch-building, tune in to this thread:
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In case it was not clear, my previous post was not intended as a dig at the original poster. He seems like one of those guys who can build anything, use all the techniques, and produce really well done, competitive models. If I am reading things correctly, that process is just not fun for him, at least not all the time.
It reminds me of what happened in art starting with the Renaissance. There was this sudden turn to realism and rapid advances were made. The best artists mastered this. In an effort to one up each other, the best artists began producing extremely complex pieces of art. Eventually, they were producing the over done weirdness that is Baroque art. A bunch of artists revolted against the tyranny of complexity resulting in all sorts of modern art styles.
Anyway…I had an idea.
What if AMPS or IPMS or whatever had a program called, “Museum in Miniature”. An organization–business, military facility, school, veteran’s hall, whatever–can request a model display on some subject, on some day, lasting for about 8 hours. If the terms are reasonable, club leadership contacts members and seeks volunteers. If there are enough volunteers, the event goes forward.
Volunteers show up the day of the event, put their models up for display, hang around talking to viewers, maybe give a history chat or two, then call it a day. These events would give model builders a venue to display their models for the public, a chance to talk about their models, a chance to talk with other model builders, and a chance to give a history lecture or two.
I know some model clubs already do this sort of thing. What if it became more organized, more common? Would it fulfill the social function of a contest without the need for all the frustrations of competition?
This could develop into a lecture series at a school, or a revolving history exhibit at an art gallery, or a revolving history display in a library.
Kinda tilting at windmills but…maybe?
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We do something almost exactly like this once a month at the American Heritage Museum.
On the third Saturday of every month, Minuteman AMPS and Northeast Military Modeler’s Association (an AMPS Chapter) get together at the museum for a build day. There’s usually 10 or 12 of us, mostly seasoned modelers, set up in a circle on the museum floor building 1\35 scale vehicles. We are part of the exhibit - museum goers are encouraged to come up and ask us questions about our models, history, and the real tanks that surround us. Someone always has the answer. We also talk extensively amongst ourselves, discussing kits and doing the styrene rap. We go the whole day, 9 to 5, and always have a great time. The museum likes having us there, providing live entertainment for the guests, and we love going, having free reign of the museum for the day. Great times.
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Build Day is a really good idea!
Back around 2007, a friend and I started a Build Day for our local IPMS club. I am no longer a member and have not seen that friend in many years but Build Day is still going today. My former club now holds the Build Day meetings via Discord so anyone with a computer can participate. (I much prefer real life meetings that are not recorded.)
Maybe Build Day and/or club presentations would succeed where contests do not?
Maybe someone needs to write, “How to Start a Local Model Club”, and offer help for people who want to organize such a thing.
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Follow the money…
Plastic modelling is not dying.
When I was young, in a school of 1500 children there were +/- 30 modellers and there were Revell, Airfix, ESCI, Matchbox, Italeri, Tamiya and Hasegawa.
Yes, ESCI and Matchbox are gone but now we have Dragon, Eduard, ICM, ZVESDA and many more…
There used to be one readily available brand of paint: Humbrol. I even don’t want to begin listing all the brands we have now.
And then there are hundreds of small aftermarket companies
and scratchbuilding isn’t dying either: Haven’t you noticed that we have super large aircraft now in vac form with detailed parts in resin or 3D printed. Still, it takes some skill to build one of those (i broke my back on a 1/48 scale B-52 a few years ago but am determined to pick it up again.)
More brands, more options, more detail… that is not a shrinking market
what is in trouble, it seems, is club-life. Growing individualism and the internet give many the (false) impression that joining a local club is no longer needed. When I retired, I joined a club, best decision in a long time 
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I think what killed Scratch Building was all the aftermarket things that are avaliable today. They weren’t around in the 70’s.
As for model building its the electronic age. Videos games and cell phones made the youth of today Couch Potatoes. All the big chain stores Woolworth, Sears, K-Mart and so on. All had a well stocked hobby section in their stores. You didn’t have to find a local hobby shop.
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My easy three step plan.
- Pick a location (preferably free) to meet at a consistent time monthly.
- Advertise by posting on social media, model forums and local community places (hobby shop if you have one).
- Don’t be a
to people. It’s a extrovert activity for introverted people and some eggs will probably get broken along the way. The isms are strong with our hobby.
Might take a few meetings to get traction. You don’t have be part of organization like AMPS or IPMS to do a club. You can start out loose and build up to bylaws if needed.
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