Detail - have far do you go?

[alextheblue]

A thought occurred to me a few nights ago as I was working on my 251/17 half-track from Dragon. I had just fixed the engine/gearbox etc into place and had set it aside, when I noticed that the next step in the instructions pictured a floor-pan that fixed on top covering everything beneath (you may pick up from this that I'm not a great one for planning ahead - fools rush in etc!). What the f#@*! was my first reaction, but when I stopped and thought about it and asked the question, would I have bothered if I had known in advance - my answer was, hell yeah!!

For me, I would have known that I had skipped this step and that would have bothered me. I've not being doing this overly long and maybe in a couple of years I'll be leaving the tracks off - does that tank REALLY need a turret !!

When do you guys say, nah, not going to bother with that?

[McLeod]

I always used to check through the different sub assemblies to see what went where etc, if there were bits like an engine or interior parts that were covered up or not visible I would either try and make them visible, like opening a bonnet or hatch to make the engine visible or I would just miss those bits out completely and keep the bits as spares or for use in dioramas or something. Most of the time though these never happened an I just ended up with an ice cream tub full of random engines, seats, consoles and bits like that lol.

[graham22]

the manufacturer spend a lot of money researching and developing these kits - so i build out of the box (i'm prob boring)
if there is detail covered up then i have still had the experience and gained the knowledge of some of the internal working of the machine i am building.
(can you tell i'm an engineer)
take the 1/24 Mosquito or the new tool Lancaster - loads of detail - but much of it invisible when completed, but what have you learnt?
you have a 3D memory of how these machines were built. where the people sat and where the equipment was in the real machine
you could always modify your model with a cutaway section to show the detail.
so do i omit parts that won't be seen - hell no. otherwise the model is just a shell

[Tiger131]

as far as you want

[HamilkarBarkas]

I don´t go that far, i usually choose a kit that already provides a high amount of detail. i improve the realistic look of the model by adding stowage for example, thats it.

[WebbyNZ]

Depends on the build i guess, and one of the reasons I like bike kits as you can usually see all the parts without much difficulty.

[russ2471]

I've just made a mistake with my meng tortoise. I completely screwed up the running gear by not reading the instruction properly, the detail in question is hidden by the plates but I know it's there and it grates on me every time I work on it now

[alextheblue]

I've just made a mistake with my meng tortoise. I completely screwed up the running gear by not reading the instruction properly, the detail in question is hidden by the plates but I know it's there and it grates on me every time I work on it now

Know exactly what you mean Russ - I've read on a lot different threads people saying that they do this hobby mainly for themselves and I think that's what drives us to get it right rather than think, what the hell, it looks alright. I dropped a small bit for the Tiger I'm working on and had to turn the room upside down looking for it. My wife asked what I was doing and when I showed her she said, "but you can't even notice it's missing!"

But the thing is - I can!

[HobbyModeller]

I enjoy building the detailed parts like cockpits and interiors even if they will be covered up for example last year I built Dragon's 1/35 Aufklarungspanzer 39(t) which was bursting with interior detail yet unfortunately little can be seen. However I can feel my subconscious telling me well done and 'it's in there somewhere'.

[Tamiyasnob]

If it,s in the kit I use it, simple as Dave.

[chief5437]

Depends really. If I can make be seen, then I'll try and do that. But if I know it'll be put to better use somewhere else, I'll leave it out.

[schweinhund227]

You get out of your hobby .... what ever you put into it! and it doesn't have to be cash !!!

Thats my view on the hobby now a days... in order to get some satisfactions in my builds..... I need to finish models for once in my life!

If you like a certain model so much ! Go with what your Heart tells you ! but with moderation ! if there are no windows or hatch to let us see the extra details you put in ! Take the time to RECORD on film or in photos what won't be visible.... so it can be shared and admired by others! If its all buried behind some Armour plate or A/C Panels... what's the point ? Beside you telling us... ITS there..!

I fell into that trap years ago... and many kits became shelf queens because of too much extra details or after market parts went into it !!! and then the interest died !

Build it OOB ! and if you believe you can do better ? build another one ! and surpass yourself on the next one!

In the old days... a GREAT paint job is what Sold models !!! If your paint skills or building skills suffers...? it won't matter what ever you put in or out of the model if the finish isn't up to par !

my man !

[alextheblue]

You get out of your hobby .... what ever you put into it! and it doesn't have to be cash !!!

Thats my view on the hobby now a days... in order to get some satisfactions in my builds..... I need to finish models for once in my life!

If you like a certain model so much ! Go with what your Heart tells you ! but with moderation ! if there are no windows or hatch to let us see the extra details you put in ! Take the time to RECORD on film or in photos what won't be visible.... so it can be shared and admired by others! If its all buried behind some Armour plate or A/C Panels... what's the point ? Beside you telling us... ITS there..!

I fell into that trap years ago... and many kits became shelf queens because of too much extra details or after market parts went into it !!! and then the interest died !

Build it OOB ! and if you believe you can do better ? build another one ! and surpass yourself on the next one!

In the old days... a GREAT paint job is what Sold models !!! If your paint skills or building skills suffers...? it won't matter what ever you put in or out of the model if the finish isn't up to par !

my man !

I'm liking that response - gotta agree!

[graham22]

If it,s in the kit I use it, simple as Dave.

Like it - me too

[Gav0909]

Graham, I notice your from Tamworth, by gf is from Hurley, just outside Kingsbury. I made her move to Scotland though, much better accent

I will build the kit as its intended in the instructions, or to the reference pics I am using. The M10 I built has a full interior (bar the engine bay) but I built it anyway. Its an open topped tank and one of the front hatches was going to be built open so you can see enough to know its there.

But my AS 90 had no interior, so all hatches were closed. As for adding details, if its within my skills/budget to add details the kit is missing but are common on the real thing, I will try and add them. From now on I intend to get into the habit of adding things like brake lines to plane undercarriages, something often missed, and wires, junction boxes etc in wheel wells. To me this is just sprucing up areas to make them more life like, rather than adding the details in order to achieve more kit accuracy, as often the details I will add are not strictly correct, they are merely an enhancement.

[Coen]

For me every model that I build is a story being told. The kit itself is only the pages that it's written on.
I'll tear apart three different kits just to build one model if what I need isn't present or I can't scratch build it.
The level of detail that I'll go to depends on the story that I'm trying to tell... but sometimes I just want to add something special to a model.
My Tiger I in the 507 Schwere Panzer Abteilung diorama has a complete interior and an engine. You can't see most of it. It doesn't matter.
I built it for me... and I know that it's there, it's also part of the story that I was telling. The tanks is being rearmed and serviced, so it went with the story.
However, I built Otto Carius' Panzer 38t, it also has a complete interior, that one is impossible to see unless the turret is removed. I did it simply because it was part of the model kit.
So in the end how far I'll go with detail depends on what story I'm telling, what's in the box, and sometimes it's all a whim.

[longlance67]

I think detail is one of those things that is often down to the modeler whatever they are comfortable with attempting with their projects, for me personally its down the enjoyment as much as how true to life the build is. I'm not really into the whole bolt counting thing or anything like that but will always try to get it as close as possible. I admire those who can do complex scratch or etch work on their kits though i try its often down to patience....or sometimes my total lack of it...just to listen outside my cave when i'm working with etch and river of swear words that spill out....just as well i'm out in the shed


kinda ranted off there, but what i mean to say is detail within the boundaries of it still being enjoyable and fun, and if the detail is there always try to use it

thats just my take on it


thanks,


Shane

[alextheblue]

For me every model that I build is a story being told. The kit itself is only the pages that it's written on.
I'll tear apart three different kits just to build one model if what I need isn't present or I can't scratch build it.
The level of detail that I'll go to depends on the story that I'm trying to tell... but sometimes I just want to add something special to a model.
My Tiger I in the 507 Schwere Panzer Abteilung diorama has a complete interior and an engine. You can't see most of it. It doesn't matter.
I built it for me... and I know that it's there, it's also part of the story that I was telling. The tanks is being rearmed and serviced, so it went with the story.
However, I built Otto Carius' Panzer 38t, it also has a complete interior, that one is impossible to see unless the turret is removed. I did it simply because it was part of the model kit.
So in the end how far I'll go with detail depends on what story I'm telling, what's in the box, and sometimes it's all a whim.

Coen my friend, you model far better than me and you explain it better than me and that's why I love being part of this forum.

[Coen]

Yer makin me blush Alex.
I will never say or agree that I model better than anyone. I've just gotten further along in the skills than some folks. Given time they'll be able to do what I do or better. It's all practice.
So I don't model better than you are Alex... I'm just at a different point with the skills.
There's two parts to this hobby,
There is the technical or skill set side. Everyone learns that with patience and practise.
Then there is the ownership side, you do that buy taking your skills and creating a piece that you love.
And that is an act of will.

[Gav0909]

Ach shh Coen, admit it. Your the god of all armour modelling sent down from modelling heaven to guide all us lost and poor souls.

[5Craven]

Actually Gav I think Coen has hit the nail on the head right here right now. Yes there is the skills thing be it the build skills or the painting skills. ( And yes I know everyone finds the balance in those) But that something that you put into a build, that 'act of will' is what makes it your own. I don't care if its an addition of AM parts, a particular wash technique or whatever it's what YOU bring to YOUR build that makes YOURS!

[Coen]

Haha... Gav I have one thing to say to that... there's no button for it on my keyboard... it involves a certain finger.
Lee should find a smiley for that one.
haha.
That's pretty much it there Dave.
It's your hobby, so make it yours.

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

As far as i can go.
I always try to super detail my models with aftermarket stuff and photo etch up rates.
Indeed, sometimes you will not see the engine or interior, but I know its still there...
I like building models straight out of the box too, but still I'm trying to add some scratch for further details like I did on the engine from my Opel Kadett k38...

[bdr65]

Iam kinda the same as most of you folks, I guess. I will omit detail parts that won't be
seen, especially small PE detail. Otherwise mostly build what's in the box. I do however
really admire and enjoy looking at built models that have had that extra detail added.

[Scruffy]

For myself, it depends on what I want ot accomplish with the build. I also use what is in in the kit and then add to it if I feel it needs it, or replace it if I feel it can be improved. Some things for my taste just "need" to be replaced, like cranes and catapults on ship kits. Most are molded solid, and p/e replacements showing the open truss work of the originals are much superior to ME. That is is the important part, ME. I try to add detail or build to a point to satisify ME, and no one else. Each of us has our own point and that is something that we should all remember and respect!