Why aren't you building what you "really" want to?

[MrT]

Why aren’t you building what you “really” want to?

I love to build models. I always have. I have dabbled with a little bit of everything, but what would I really want to build? What is that one thing you have always wanted to do, but just haven’t. Is it because you think people will think it’s a dumb idea? Do you think it’s too hard? Are you too busy keeping up with the newest kit? Are you tied up with too many other builds? Do think you could never do it. What is it that keeps you from building what you “really” want to?

Something drives every modeler. Some interest? Some experience?

My IPMS club is preparing for this year’s contest which means a theme had to be decided on. I made the suggestion that it be called “My First Kit”. To enter the theme category you would need to build the original kit from that time or a newer one of the same kind. It was interesting to watch all these people go back in their minds to that first kit. The room was full of smiles and chuckles remembering that first adventure into modeling.

Why don’t we take some time, think about and discuss what we really want to build. Let’s make plans, gather information, and combine all our talents. Then let’s set aside whatever we are working on and tackle what we really want to build.

No idea is dumb.

No idea is too hard.

So let the discussion begin.

Terry

 

[Swordsman]

I'll take that into consideration ... My first kit was either a Polaris Sub or B-58 I can't remember which ... but what I really want to build is a great looking Dio ...

 

[MrT]

I'll take that into consideration ... My first kit was either a Polaris Sub or B-58 I can't remember which ... but what I really want to build is a great looking Dio ...

What would the theme be?

 

[Hippy Ed]

:hmmm Good question General!! :frantic My 1st kit was of a WWII USN carrier & was 6-8" long with molded on airplanes on the deck. My uncle Ernie gave it to me when I was 6-7 yrs old as he was aboard the Hancock (CVA-19) 1968-72.

Now, what I'd really like to build is a 1:1 or 1:2 scale 103 Class PT boat, live aboard and sail away...

 

[phantom II]

As for me , I did not purchase my first few kits , they were given to me .


Since being on this web site I would claim that these forums would be the biggest distractor to building what I really want. Not only in topics but in time frames .

That aside, I usually don't push things aside to fit in . I stay within my field of endeavor which is basically building 1/72 WW II birds.

Cheers, Christian B)

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I very clearly remember my first kit. I believe it was made by Monogram. Got it for my 7th birthday in 1964. (yup that dates me)

The kit consisted of 2 planes, a C-135 refueler and a B-47 on a stand doing the refueling operation. It was all molded in that old Monogram silver plastic (no clear canopies). It seems like the planes were only about 4 or 5 inches long (each) and were very basic with almost no real detail. Many years later, at a regional, I saw a much larger multi plane kit that had those 2 models as part of it. Unfortunately it was way too pricey for me at the time so had to pass.

Have considered over the years building the Hasegawa 1/72 B-47 with the C-135 also in 1/72. I would prefer to do it in 1/144 though there isn't a B-47 kit available.

Oh well.

 

[moon puppy]

I seem to remember my first being a Porche 911.

But to answer your question, I think I am building what I want to. Not sure if there's something I want to do that I'm not trying to accomplish now. Time frame may be off but I'm getting there.

 

[moon puppy]

Many years later, at a regional, I saw a much larger multi plane kit that had those 2 models as part of it. Unfortunately it was way too pricey for me at the time so had to pass.

I think I did that kit, it was a KC10 and F15 if it's the same one I'm thinking of. 1:144.

 

[helios]

I haven't started the actual construction yet, but I have finally pulled the trigger on the CVW-11 re-creation that I've been wanting to do for the last 15-20 years. The parts/kits/decals have been slowly accruing, and you will likely see some of the individual builds turning up in the various GBs throughout the year. I hope to get a couple built this year, but we'll see if I have the time (too many other damn hobbies).

Not really sure why I haven't started sooner. I got out of the hobby after joining the Navy, and never picked it back up until very recently. Even though I wasn't building models, I still knew I wanted to build the collection as a tribute/reminder of my time in the service, it's something that's certainly been on my mind a lot since starting at WWU in '99. Once I did start building again, I wanted to get a couple builds in to brush up on my skills as it's been so long. I want the results of these builds to be something I can be proud of for years. While I'm not expecting trophy builds (I'm a long, long ways off from that), I have expectations of myself to be able to at least put together clean finished builds that are a semi-accurate representation of the birds from my air wing.

After I get this Mirage finished up, I think I may be ready to take a crack at the first one. I'm really happy with the pre-shading results on the underside of the Mirage, and feel I should have a pretty decent chance to re-create those results on the tactical naval schemes. It should be a lot easier than the camo on the Mirage!

The drive to build this collection I think is what ultimately got me back into it. Now I just have to see it through.

Now all that said, while these first couple projects since my return may not have been what I "ultimately" want to build, they are still projects I've really been able to get into. I've enjoyed researching the subjects just as much as building them. I like the GBs, as they force me make continual headway. Without some sort of deadline, it gets far to easy for me to push a project aside and "get to it later". :facepalm

Whew! I got to say, when I started typing I wasn't expecting this to turn into a novel. My apologies! :java

 

[ausf]

My first kit was a demolition derby car I was given as an Easter present, I remember it because it was hidden in the clothes dryer. The house we were in we moved from (I'm told) in 1970, so that puts me at 5 years old. That was the beginning of my modeling trip down the rabbit hole.

My love was the Aurora kits, then anything Monogram put out that flew in the Pacific in WWII.

But my real passion and longing was for the RC planes I'd drool over that were hanging from the ceiling at the hobby shop and the boats at the local park pond on Sunday mornings. Amazing stuff, but not even the slight chance of getting one since RC was ridiculously expensive back then. I settled for a Cox Stuka control line model that never really flew, just cut my fingers repeatedly and a line controlled sailboat that was impossible to work as you can imagine.

Fast forward to adulthood and I've messed around with RC planes, but tanks really captured my interest. That said, I never really shook the boat thing. RC AC is cool, but never reallly scale like because it has to fly. The boats from my childhood were astonishing scale models of battleships, destroyers, PTs, even huge river paddle boats.

So this summer I decided to follow my real, absurd dream of a RC submarine. I started on the Revell 1/72 Type IX/40, but my real, real dream is the Type VII, but those kits are OOP. Then, I found one in the UK for a reasonable price, which is supposed to be on it's way right now. So yeah, I super detailed Type VII RC U-boat that works would be my Holy Grail.

Turns out Trumpeter is supposed to be releasing a 1/48 Type VII this year. Yikes. I'm in.

Second to that would be a PT flying across the lake, which I have a Vospers MTB on the shelf. But, going 'grail' again, the 1/35 Schnellboat would be the pinnacle for me. It was OOP, but Italeri just re released it as a Premium kit. I'm all over it if it reaches the States, but for now it's only available in Europe. MMD is Italeri's US distributor, but they seem to have cut them out, or at least their new website shows very little Italeri and no 1/35 ships (but I've bought them from the previously).

So, I'm kinda living my modeling dream at the moment, although it's a slow process.

After a diving sub and boogying boat, I guess a completely lit original Star Trek Enterprise, then a functioning Seaview.

Sheesh, I have too many dreams.

 

[RichB]

Most of my early kits were just gluing the plastic together with tube glue and unpainted because the local stores only carried the old Pactra/Testors square bottle model paints and then old the basic white, red, yellow, green, etc.

My first "real" build was the Tamiya LRDG 30 cwt Truck inspired by a 1977 issue of Military Modeler featuring the build on the cover. A new hobby/craft store had just opened that had that kit, liquid glue and the Polly-S paints and weathering kit used in the magazine build. I got all the stuff together for the build and religiously followed the steps as done by the author, cutting, trimming, fitting, brush painting, washes, making tarps and bedrolls from white glue soaked tissue and a small display base for the finished kit.

I have the re-released kit in the stash awaiting its turn to be built.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[Paulw]

I have really wanted to build one of my most favorite planes of the "Golden Era", the Northrop Gamma. The only offering is the WB 72 scale one and after a few attempts at guessing how things went together. So my idea is to scratch build one in 24 scale or maybe 32 since it is easier to get the engine components in that scale.
I have the schematics from an RC club and I would have to have some very thick styrene to laser cut and then I can assemble it as such. For the skin I would use the yard signs from Wally world.

 

[MrT]

I very clearly remember my first kit. I believe it was made by Monogram. Got it for my 7th birthday in 1964. (yup that dates me)

The kit consisted of 2 planes, a C-135 refueler and a B-47 on a stand doing the refueling operation. It was all molded in that old Monogram silver plastic (no clear canopies). It seems like the planes were only about 4 or 5 inches long (each) and were very basic with almost no real detail. Many years later, at a regional, I saw a much larger multi plane kit that had those 2 models as part of it. Unfortunately it was way too pricey for me at the time so had to pass.

Have considered over the years building the Hasegawa 1/72 B-47 with the C-135 also in 1/72. I would prefer to do it in 1/144 though there isn't a B-47 kit available.

Oh well.

Here's one....

 

[MrT]

I haven't started the actual construction yet, but I have finally pulled the trigger on the CVW-11 re-creation that I've been wanting to do for the last 15-20 years. The parts/kits/decals have been slowly accruing, and you will likely see some of the individual builds turning up in the various GBs throughout the year. I hope to get a couple built this year, but we'll see if I have the time (too many other damn hobbies).

Not really sure why I haven't started sooner. I got out of the hobby after joining the Navy, and never picked it back up until very recently. Even though I wasn't building models, I still knew I wanted to build the collection as a tribute/reminder of my time in the service, it's something that's certainly been on my mind a lot since starting at WWU in '99. Once I did start building again, I wanted to get a couple builds in to brush up on my skills as it's been so long. I want the results of these builds to be something I can be proud of for years. While I'm not expecting trophy builds (I'm a long, long ways off from that), I have expectations of myself to be able to at least put together clean finished builds that are a semi-accurate representation of the birds from my air wing.

After I get this Mirage finished up, I think I may be ready to take a crack at the first one. I'm really happy with the pre-shading results on the underside of the Mirage, and feel I should have a pretty decent chance to re-create those results on the tactical naval schemes. It should be a lot easier than the camo on the Mirage!

The drive to build this collection I think is what ultimately got me back into it. Now I just have to see it through.

Now all that said, while these first couple projects since my return may not have been what I "ultimately" want to build, they are still projects I've really been able to get into. I've enjoyed researching the subjects just as much as building them. I like the GBs, as they force me make continual headway. Without some sort of deadline, it gets far to easy for me to push a project aside and "get to it later". :facepalm

Whew! I got to say, when I started typing I wasn't expecting this to turn into a novel. My apologies! :java

Good for you! Outstanding project.

 

[MrT]

My first kit was a demolition derby car I was given as an Easter present, I remember it because it was hidden in the clothes dryer. The house we were in we moved from (I'm told) in 1970, so that puts me at 5 years old. That was the beginning of my modeling trip down the rabbit hole.

My love was the Aurora kits, then anything Monogram put out that flew in the Pacific in WWII.

But my real passion and longing was for the RC planes I'd drool over that were hanging from the ceiling at the hobby shop and the boats at the local park pond on Sunday mornings. Amazing stuff, but not even the slight chance of getting one since RC was ridiculously expensive back then. I settled for a Cox Stuka control line model that never really flew, just cut my fingers repeatedly and a line controlled sailboat that was impossible to work as you can imagine.

Fast forward to adulthood and I've messed around with RC planes, but tanks really captured my interest. That said, I never really shook the boat thing. RC AC is cool, but never reallly scale like because it has to fly. The boats from my childhood were astonishing scale models of battleships, destroyers, PTs, even huge river paddle boats.

So this summer I decided to follow my real, absurd dream of a RC submarine. I started on the Revell 1/72 Type IX/40, but my real, real dream is the Type VII, but those kits are OOP. Then, I found one in the UK for a reasonable price, which is supposed to be on it's way right now. So yeah, I super detailed Type VII RC U-boat that works would be my Holy Grail.

Turns out Trumpeter is supposed to be releasing a 1/48 Type VII this year. Yikes. I'm in.

Second to that would be a PT flying across the lake, which I have a Vospers MTB on the shelf. But, going 'grail' again, the 1/35 Schnellboat would be the pinnacle for me. It was OOP, but Italeri just re released it as a Premium kit. I'm all over it if it reaches the States, but for now it's only available in Europe. MMD is Italeri's US distributor, but they seem to have cut them out, or at least their new website shows very little Italeri and no 1/35 ships (but I've bought them from the previously).

So, I'm kinda living my modeling dream at the moment, although it's a slow process.

After a diving sub and boogying boat, I guess a completely lit original Star Trek Enterprise, then a functioning Seaview.

Sheesh, I have too many dreams.

Very cool projects indeed. It's great that you are following through them. I wouldn't even know where to start on a working submarine.

 

[MrT]

I have really wanted to build one of my most favorite planes of the "Golden Era", the Northrop Gamma. The only offering is the WB 72 scale one and after a few attempts at guessing how things went together. So my idea is to scratch build one in 24 scale or maybe 32 since it is easier to get the engine components in that scale.
I have the schematics from an RC club and I would have to have some very thick styrene to laser cut and then I can assemble it as such. For the skin I would use the yard signs from Wally world.

Just in case anyone is wondering....

You could make the framing out of bass wood and cut the parts out yourself.

:hmmm

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Many years later, at a regional, I saw a much larger multi plane kit that had those 2 models as part of it. Unfortunately it was way too pricey for me at the time so had to pass.

I think I did that kit, it was a KC10 and F15 if it's the same one I'm thinking of. 1:144.

Nope not the same. This was cira EARLY 60's. The one I saw at the regionals had planes only up thru about 1960 and there were no clear plastic parts at all. The one I started with was only 2 of the 30 or more mini planes in the kit.

 

[MrT]

I guess I should bare my soul. Not wanting to get too deep into my first models they were a Monogram P-36 and the Revell battleship Alabama.

I have two big facinations. First is steam engines, locomotives, steam tractors whatever. I can sit and watch a steam engine run for hours totally hypmotized. This facination lead me to electric trains and on to model railroading, but sadly I have never had the space to really get into it. I used to gaze at model railroading magazines drool over the layout scenes depicted. I am particulary drawn to rail yards and work sites like mines and saw mills. I also like the narrow gauge type equipment. I guess what I would like do is create a diorama depicting some of this narrow guage stuff working a yard, mine or sawmill. Until recently electric trains was the only way to do this, I'm really not interested in the train moving just the scene. Buying an electric locomotive for it just to set would be a waste. Besides I want to build the locomotive myself. Without the skill to scratch build this dream will remain just that, but a couple of months ago I discovered a number of 1/20 scale paper models of European narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock. The thought struck me that I might use the paper patterns to make my own equipment out of plastic. So this might work out after all only time will tell.

My second big draw is battleships. If it has big guns on it I like it. I built several when I was younger, but was never really satisfied. I have several kits waiting in the wings like 1/350 Yamato, Mushshi, Dreadnaught, Missouri, but the crown jewel is the 1/200 Arizona. I really want to do it in pre-war colors right after her last refit in January 1941 when her kingfishers still had yellow wings(ok another passion). This is closer to coming about, but still have some PE to get before starting.

There know.

B)

 

[moon puppy]

I have really wanted to build one of my most favorite planes of the "Golden Era", the Northrop Gamma. The only offering is the WB 72 scale one and after a few attempts at guessing how things went together. So my idea is to scratch build one in 24 scale or maybe 32 since it is easier to get the engine components in that scale.
I have the schematics from an RC club and I would have to have some very thick styrene to laser cut and then I can assemble it as such. For the skin I would use the yard signs from Wally world.

Just in case anyone is wondering....

You could make the framing out of bass wood and cut the parts out yourself.

:hmmm

I'll have to dig it up but someone scratch built one in 1:32, it was amazing.

 

[moon puppy]

There know.

B)

I share with you about the BBs, I think a dream I have is to build one of the early class BBs of the Great White Fleet. I'd like to build one where it didn't have all the AA guns littering the decks.

I guess I was really luck in that I was able to commandeer the ping pong table and turn it into an HO lay out. The matt grass sheets was about all the scenery it got as it was more of a play set than a serious layout.