I am a modeller.......what sort of modeller am I??

[alextheblue]

Before anyone groans, this isn't the age old question of, what genre of model do you prefer, planes, tanks or cars. Hopefully it's a little bit more insightful than that, but let me explain.

I was working on a Dragon Panzer IV "Wirbelwind" yesterday and was attaching all of the tools and gizmos that turn these things into mobile, armoured Swiss Army knives. There was the usual choice of kit part or PE for a couple of the bits and as always, I opted for the PE. I carefully removed the part from the sprue and delicately filed away any burring. With tweezers and the blunt edge of my scalpel, I gingerly bent the required parts into place, all the while taking care not to breathe, so that the gossamer thin part wouldn't be blown away in a gale of my expelled carbon dioxide. So far so good. Squeezing a blob of CA onto a plastic lid, I dipped a specially sharpened cocktail-stick into the gooey liquid and dabbed the smallest amount onto the PE. Acting quick, trying to optimise the millisecond window-of-opportunity that CA allows, I attempted to join the part together. I pressed as tightly as I dared and held the part together for a five-count and then let go. Nothing! The two pieces fell apart without even a hint that they were going to stick. I applied a second dab of CA and tried again. Again, nothing! After a third attempt, the PE snapped, eliciting an angry cry of "feck-it", from yours truly and the offending article was instantly crushed before being tossed into the bin. Kit part it is then!!

It was then it dawned on me. Whilst I enjoy all aspects of scale modelling, it is the painting and weathering that I really delight in. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the build part as well, but if I was to be honest, this is just a process to get me to the painting stage. Whilst I'm happy with a craft knife or sander in my hand, it's an airbrush or hairy stick that feels the most comfortable in my sweaty palms.

And so I ask you fine folks of ISM, if pushed, what about scale modelling really floats your boat (pun absolutely intended of course!). Do you revel in the build stage and prefer nothing better than scratch building all kinds of detail that ends up never being seen. Or perhaps its the sound of a compressor filling with air that puts a smile on your face as you knock back another swig of X20A. Maybe it's neither of these, perhaps it's the historical aspect of the hobby, or researching a new build that you prefer. Maybe its posing long-winded pointless questions on modelling forums that gives you your kicks!

And discuss!

[barrythornton]

I have the same issue with CA in small quantities and smaller parts. Its just not `sticky`.
I now use cheap clear `Top Coat` for nails. its thick, so the part doesnt slide. Its sticky enough that it stays put and dries clear.
Apply with a coctail stick and dont look back . Youre
And yeah, being long winded on forums and doing waaaayy too much tinterwebs research is what keeps me from building.

[digger303]

I like the building process, PE and all. The painting gets me down. I'm not arty...damn it !

[Willem]

It might be the age of the CA. I've recently found this out with an expensive modelling brand CA. If it's been stored for awhile it loses it's tack. I buy cheap super glue now and just squeeze a bit onto a lid and apply with a toothpick.

In answer to the original question, I don't know really. I enjoy most aspects of the hobby although I'm not a massive fan of sanding seams, re-scribing or masking up.

[OneSmallStep1966]

I don’t mind the building process as long as the kit doesn’t contain too many parts (I find high-part count kits mojo killing), but
I most enjoy painting.

[alextheblue]

I have the same issue with CA in small quantities and smaller parts. Its just not `sticky`.
I now use cheap clear `Top Coat` for nails. its thick, so the part doesnt slide. Its sticky enough that it stays put and dries clear.
Apply with a coctail stick and dont look back . Youre
And yeah, being long winded on forums and doing waaaayy too much tinterwebs research is what keeps me from building.

Thanks for the tip Barry!

To be honest, I'm not really fussed about using PE. Sure, it does look much better and more in scale, but the fact that it's a
gnat's chuff thinner than the styrene kit part.....meh, I can't be arsed! And that's what prompted me to wonder what other people preferred about their hobby.

[alextheblue]

I like the building process, PE and all. The painting gets me down. I'm not arty...damn it !

Not 'arty my foot! I've seen your builds and they look pretty darn arty to me!!

[alextheblue]

It might be the age of the CA. I've recently found this out with an expensive modelling brand CA. If it's been stored for awhile it loses it's tack. I buy cheap super glue now and just squeeze a bit onto a lid and apply with a toothpick.

In answer to the original question, I don't know really. I enjoy most aspects of the hobby although I'm not a massive fan of sanding seams, re-scribing or masking up.

Definitely agree with you on that one. Since getting into aircraft modelling, taking care of seams is the one thing that I find a real drag. Funny thing is, I love putting together individual link tank tracks and hand painting in the tyres on the gazillion wheels that come with most German WW2 tanks. Go figure!

[alextheblue]

I don’t mind the building process as long as the kit doesn’t contain too many parts (I find high-part count kits mojo killing), but
I most enjoy painting.

I was reading the box for the Revell Halifax that I'm building for the bombers SiG and noticed that it's a skill level 5 - "contains over 150 parts, etc, etc...." Are you kidding me!! Most Dragon kits have more parts than that on a single sprue!!!


And we have another one for the painting side!

[Tomcat64]

It depends what I'm working on... I enjoy figure painting (regardless of the results), and with armour I enjoy the build and painting pretty much equally but for aircraft I stall every time it gets to painting and masking...

Overall I think I'm probably happier building than painting.

[digger303]

I don’t mind the building process as long as the kit doesn’t contain too many parts (I find high-part count kits mojo killing), but
I most enjoy painting.

I was reading the box for the Revell Halifax that I'm building for the bombers SiG and noticed that it's a skill level 5 - "contains over 150 parts, etc, etc...." Are you kidding me!! Most Dragon kits have more parts than that on a single sprue!!!


And we have another one for the painting side!

Maybe the high skill level is required to fill seams

[Fridgy]

I enjoy painting
Watching it all come to life
With all the crap im going through atm its good to see something ive created come to life

[SteelScooter]

Love building, the more parts the better. Hate painting. I hate wearing a mask and I have asthma so I have to even with inoffensive acrylics. I like weathering though, that is when you put your individual mark on something. I mostly build tanks with some aircraft and cars/bikes.

[DRUMS01]

I would have to say my favorite part of modeling would be the research and corresponding scratch-building to make something more authentic.

I also like the painting and adding of decals. No wait!, it might be the cleaning and assembly of the pieces, that's it.....

Heck, who am I kidding, I rarely build straight from the box so it is definitely some level of scratch building to make it "mine".

Yup, scratch-building.....

[alextheblue]

It depends what I'm working on... I enjoy figure painting (regardless of the results), and with armour I enjoy the build and painting pretty much equally but for aircraft I stall every time it gets to painting and masking...

Overall I think I'm probably happier building than painting.

Got to agree, love figure painting. I wonder how many people dread the painting stage because of airbrushing problems. It was a concern of mine in the
early days.

[alextheblue]

I don’t mind the building process as long as the kit doesn’t contain too many parts (I find high-part count kits mojo killing), but
I most enjoy painting.

I was reading the box for the Revell Halifax that I'm building for the bombers SiG and noticed that it's a skill level 5 - "contains over 150 parts, etc, etc...." Are you kidding me!! Most Dragon kits have more parts than that on a single sprue!!!


And we have another one for the painting side!

Maybe the high skill level is required to fill seams

Damn it, that's where I'm going wrong!! Need to get me some that "high skill level" stuff you talk of!!

[alextheblue]

I enjoy painting
Watching it all come to life
With all the crap im going through atm its good to see something ive created come to life

Hey Fridgy, good thing about the crap is it's only ever temporary, Hang in there bud!

Love building, the more parts the better. Hate painting. I hate wearing a mask and I have asthma so I have to even with inoffensive acrylics. I like weathering though, that is when you put your individual mark on something. I mostly build tanks with some aircraft and cars/bikes.

Yeah, it is a concern, what with all the chemicals we subject ourselves too. Not keen on wearing a mask either, but I find, once it's on, you soon forget it's there!

I would have to say my favorite part of modeling would be the research and corresponding scratch-building to make something more authentic.

I also like the painting and adding of decals. No wait!, it might be the cleaning and assembly of the pieces, that's it.....

Heck, who am I kidding, I rarely build straight from the box so it is definitely some level of scratch building to make it "mine".

Yup, scratch-building.....

Got to admit, I'm really lazy when it comes to the research. I absolutely love history, but for me, modelling is more about creating something, and I just want to get stuck in as quick as possible. I'm more one of the, "meh, that'll do", brigade.

[GMahaffey]

I love the building aspect of modeling. Painting would be my second favorite. Never really did the filling gaps and rescribing panel lines. Decals would be the least favorite part of modeling. The genre I prefer would be that there are more of these in the ocean than there are submarines in the air. I have built only one car so I don't have an opinion on them.

[Novasquad23]

Pretty much an aircraft obsessive. The initial rush is tearing of the shrink wrap to see what I've got. If it looks like a fatherless person, ie too much flash, sinkholes etc then I need to put it aside after noting the work involved and think about how I'm going to build it with minimal fuss. If it has good parentage, eg, nice crisp mouldings, panel lines etc then it goes to the to do list. I'm not detail obsessed and generally don't do aftermarket bits unless its 1/48 or larger. As far as PE goes I prefer non PE kits as they're cheaper, leaving the option for buying aftermarket if I have a rush of blood. All PE is doing is driving up the price when im happy with just a well engineered kit and a lick of paint. i build for me and not for museums so I don't feel the need for the nth degree of detail and accuracy. I don't mind filling filing sanding and painting as they're basic skills in my book. I avoid kit reviews as they generally seem to be nit-picking for the most part (and rarely OOB builds). I have real problems in paying way more than the purchase price of the kit for all the sundry aftermarket stuff. Call me a cheap charlie. And these are static plastic model's that do not fly so realism is a relative concept. That's the kind of modeller I am.

[rm6239]

I'm a painter and while I enjoy the building phase and all that it entails,what I don't like is being forced to use PE, give me the option so I can choose.

[Novasquad23]

Rm6239, concur on the PE as its inflating the price of kits for sometimes dubious gains. I bought a kit that featured PE and it turned out to be a seat harness (that i can make myself and an invisible grill for an air intake. Big deal. Better that PE were aftermarket. That leaves the cost vs detail equation open depending on your build options rather than being forced by default. Your 50 years of MiG's project sounds fascinating (I'm working on Russian/Soviet Aviation from 1914 to date including civil types) so I'd be interested to hear how its going.