Re: Plastic Models

[zathros]

Guys,
If you are going to post a plastic model build, please, make it a really good one, detailed, beyond what's on the box. Micarogers work is an perfect example of what I would like to see. No simple, painted two parts stuff. That kind of flies in the face of all the hard stuff being done here. if you child posts something he build, post it, the suggestion does not apply to our children. This is not a reflection on anything done, just preemptive.

Also, remember, Mixed Media models are more than welcome, even encouraged. I'd like to see some metal work too. Like a tank. or WarHammer tank made from aluminum flashing, like the stuff they sell at Home Depot! Just a suggestion. Views and discussions on this are most welcome, and I would love to hear what you have to say, so have at it!

 

[starbuck]

I fully agree - all kind of models in all materials are of interest. Different materials show different approaches of the same basis model. E. g. see Star Wars Millenium Falcon which exists in paper form, in plastic and also in metal. Very interesting how different the same basis model can be presented.

I also like the threads of Micarogers - good to see the development of the models.

 

[micahrogers]

Okay guy Y'all gonna give me a big head
Couldn't agree more "Z" Kids builds are a pure joy just cause their doing something besides a video game...

 

[zathros]

Right! My son is finally showing interest in working on cars with me, I told him we may be building an 18 foot Proa sailing boat, or a Sharpie. Anything but those video games.

 

[spaceagent-9]

if you have a plastic model and you want to do things with it but don't know how or what I better or best than you do know, post a build thread, show the piece and what you want to do with it. ask for help. ask for relevant build threads or posts from those who do know. its a great place to learn new techniques here. lots of instructive articles and suggestions in many threads, ask them to be posted on your build thread or a link. I have learned so much just by paging thru galleries and threads here.

 

[mcusanelli]

I agree with Spaceagent, this is such a kind community of people. I would be happy to pass on hints and tips for anyone wanting to learn to better their skills. I'm sure others here feel the same.

 

[zathros]

Never throw away the plastic Sprues. It's amazing how people don't know that you can make those most convincing car radio antenna's out of the, by heating a stretching them, slow and stretching them very long, practice makes perfect. Wiring for the cars interior can be made that way too!

 

[Revell-Fan]

Indeed! Do you remember the Borg cube built for "Star Trek - TNG: Best of both Worlds"? It was nearly completely made of these sprues. The model which was blown up at the end of the episode was filled with sprue and left-over parts, too.

 

[zathros]

It looked it too. I thought they weren't really trying hard at that point, and let's no even go on about his "Older Brother"!!

 

[Revell-Fan]

It must have been fun to blow that thing up in the end ..!

 

[Cybergrinder]

I agree with Zathros, another function, sprue pieces come in handy for stirring those little paint pots you get

@Revell-Fan, destruction of ugly, botched or otherwise messed up models is the unspoken, dark side of our hobby! Apparently the guy who built the USS Enterprise for TMP era took great joy when destroying the Enterprise in Star Trek 3...

 

[Revell-Fan]

... That was no simple destruction. That was torture. He put the main saucer dish on a cooktop. And watched it melt.

 

[Cybergrinder]

After packing it with steel wool as well....

And dousing it with lit lacquer thinners....

I agree, it was torture. I think to spite him was the main reason for the Enterprise-A.... Then he has to see that model all over again!

 

[Revell-Fan]

Like a Phoenix from the ashes..!

 

[Cybergrinder]

Even then, the Enterprise A still got shot up quite a bit in the Final Frontier

 

[Revell-Fan]

Well, quite a bit but not completely. The damage caused in "Undiscovered Country" was more severe. However, she still was able to warp to the second star to the right and straight on till morning.

 

[Cybergrinder]

I muddled my movies.... :banghead: I meant Undiscovered country. Doh.

 

[Zubie]

I think the thread has gone a tad off topic. I personally doubt if my skill set (or equipment set) are on par for an IPMS contest placement (let alone win), but I think that it would pay not to be too harsh with regards to what "meets the requirement" with regards to posts. I understand that one wouldn't want to clutter the boards with rough builds or unpainted matchbox kits (moulded in authentic colours), and in that sense this "heads up" message is perhaps not a bad thing. As mentioned it isn't meant as a "reflection" of any actual post, but instead "preemptive" which is fine. By the same token I do think there's "out of the box" and then there's "Out Of The Box" without going crazy about pe-sets or rivets; so beating the box top should be viewed as a relative question (although I don't think it would take much to beat some of the old Heller and MPC box tops). I guess what I'm really trying to say is that I wouldn't want to be nasty about an otherwise well rendered HS-126 where the builder failed to correct for the off-center angle on the vertical stabilizer.
Some people may post precisely because they are just getting in gear and need the advice, and these should not be discouraged - mental age notwithstanding. It is nice to know that so many here are happy to give that help and advice.

The thread made me think about Scott Kruize's articles on Internet Modeler, particularly the one reminding readers that Messerschmitt's were once purple. I also remembered how he ended his column with Al Superczynski's quote "Build what you want, they way you want to, and above all, have fun"

 

[zathros]

Funny thing, I just mentioned how I am starting to regret allowing plastic models in, as it has opened a can of worms, and models, that frankly, I have no interest seeing on this forum, as others have also privately expressed.. This forum is not what those models entail, there are 100's of other forums that do, so no one is left out. I just think that there have been not quite a few plastic models, and if I don't see another one in a couple of years, I would be fine with that. The can of worms is starting to be closed. I made a mistake in allowing it. I was hoping to see more kit-bashing, or mixed media, not straight builds. It's kind of a slap in the face of the guy who does all this CAD work, proof of concept, then builds the model, offers it for free, and barely gets a nod. Then a plastic model is built? Nope, that's not going to happy, a small rudder turns a large ship, hold onto the rails, we're coming about.

 

[zathros]

Continue discussion here: http://zealot.com/threads/better-name-for-plastic-section.178531/