ADVANCED MODELERS SYNDROME:
Advanced modelers syndrome better known as AMS is a malady that many modelers suffer from. It is a highly contagious virus that if not managed properly can destroy a modeler’s willingness to build models.
What is AMS? Simply put it is an intense desire by the modeler to super detail everything and very much like drug or alcohol addiction requires ever increasing amounts of detail sets, working tracks, resin parts, photo etch, and so on to satisfy the modelers need to detail. AMS is spread by coming in contact with someone already infected. Casual contact is all that is required to spread the virus and victims may not even know that they have been infected. The disease presents itself very gradually at first with symptoms like making wire grab handles on armor or seatbelts for aircraft. Very soon however the infected modeler will feel the need to obtain photo etch detail sets and have a strong desire to do research. Research may be the central factor in the spread of AMS. Research transforms the modeler from just replacing certain parts to super detailing. This can be particularly dangerous because the modelers desire to detail may outstrip their ability to do it. This is the point at which AMS may go into remission or sadly could be fatal to the modeler. Many times the modeler may give up modeling altogether. This is particularly true of children. AMS can lay dormant for weeks, months, and even years waiting for the modeler’s skills to improve to the point that the disease can re-appear with full fury.
Many modeler’s are able to manage their AMS with little ill effect maintaining moderation in their building projects, but there are some that the disease has consumed them to the point that modeling is no longer possible. Some of the warning signs of out of control AMS are: 1. Delaying a project until all availably aftermarket items have been released. 2. Hiding model purchases from their spouse. 3. The cost of the aftermarket items amounts to more than the value of the kit they are for. 4. Calling in sick so you can work on your project. 5. Obsessive research behavior. 6. Choosing to go to the hobby store instead of the grocery store. These are just a few and I’m sure you can think of some more.
Some examples of full blown AMS.
A modeler bought a brand new Dragon halftrack only to trash the body parts and replace them with brass parts.
Another guy used a $30,000 prototype machine to create parts for a robotic tank model.
Filling and re-drilling the screw pattern in the top of a Panzer IV because the model company got it wrong.
And the list can go on and on.
Sadly AMS can reach such a fever pitch that the modeler will be unable to complete and in some cases even start a project. They will have multiple projects started, but not completed. Some will fall into endless research. Collecting dozens of pictures, articles, and tech manuals, but never starting a kit. Others will begin to have an obsession for collecting kits and may even panic at the suggestion that they should build one of them.
AMS can never really be cured. Only managed. Some common treatments are starting and completing a project no matter what happens during the build. Build a model out of the box. Maybe the most drastic and agonizing AMS treatment is to build a model with your child or grandchild and LET THEM DO IT.
While this has been fun little parody there are elements of truth in it. How many modelers have you seen that act just like some of the ones in this article. If you are one these poor souls I would encourage you to take a break from research and collecting and build something. Try and recapture the joy that is scale modeling
What Ya Think??
Terry
Advanced modelers syndrome better known as AMS is a malady that many modelers suffer from. It is a highly contagious virus that if not managed properly can destroy a modeler’s willingness to build models.
What is AMS? Simply put it is an intense desire by the modeler to super detail everything and very much like drug or alcohol addiction requires ever increasing amounts of detail sets, working tracks, resin parts, photo etch, and so on to satisfy the modelers need to detail. AMS is spread by coming in contact with someone already infected. Casual contact is all that is required to spread the virus and victims may not even know that they have been infected. The disease presents itself very gradually at first with symptoms like making wire grab handles on armor or seatbelts for aircraft. Very soon however the infected modeler will feel the need to obtain photo etch detail sets and have a strong desire to do research. Research may be the central factor in the spread of AMS. Research transforms the modeler from just replacing certain parts to super detailing. This can be particularly dangerous because the modelers desire to detail may outstrip their ability to do it. This is the point at which AMS may go into remission or sadly could be fatal to the modeler. Many times the modeler may give up modeling altogether. This is particularly true of children. AMS can lay dormant for weeks, months, and even years waiting for the modeler’s skills to improve to the point that the disease can re-appear with full fury.
Many modeler’s are able to manage their AMS with little ill effect maintaining moderation in their building projects, but there are some that the disease has consumed them to the point that modeling is no longer possible. Some of the warning signs of out of control AMS are: 1. Delaying a project until all availably aftermarket items have been released. 2. Hiding model purchases from their spouse. 3. The cost of the aftermarket items amounts to more than the value of the kit they are for. 4. Calling in sick so you can work on your project. 5. Obsessive research behavior. 6. Choosing to go to the hobby store instead of the grocery store. These are just a few and I’m sure you can think of some more.
Some examples of full blown AMS.
A modeler bought a brand new Dragon halftrack only to trash the body parts and replace them with brass parts.
Another guy used a $30,000 prototype machine to create parts for a robotic tank model.
Filling and re-drilling the screw pattern in the top of a Panzer IV because the model company got it wrong.
And the list can go on and on.
Sadly AMS can reach such a fever pitch that the modeler will be unable to complete and in some cases even start a project. They will have multiple projects started, but not completed. Some will fall into endless research. Collecting dozens of pictures, articles, and tech manuals, but never starting a kit. Others will begin to have an obsession for collecting kits and may even panic at the suggestion that they should build one of them.
AMS can never really be cured. Only managed. Some common treatments are starting and completing a project no matter what happens during the build. Build a model out of the box. Maybe the most drastic and agonizing AMS treatment is to build a model with your child or grandchild and LET THEM DO IT.
While this has been fun little parody there are elements of truth in it. How many modelers have you seen that act just like some of the ones in this article. If you are one these poor souls I would encourage you to take a break from research and collecting and build something. Try and recapture the joy that is scale modeling
What Ya Think??
Terry
hyeah 
