There is much talent no doubt. Just that the balloon doesn't seem so attractive when you know it's filled wi a fart. Also, really, for the time invested, it should bea bit better. Just look at the models our members design and put out in a matter of weeks. The sum of all those models would equal some of much higher quality. A big model is a bunch of little ones, an this one, is impressive, but there's that "Look what I did" factor, then you find out the time and effort where done over a couple of years at Mom and Pop's, footing the build, and like I said, I still have never seen a picture of it finished, I also wonder why it isn't painted?
I think models like this ultimately turn people off to this hobby because they believe the price is too high to pay, especially with the publicity this model got. I probably got 100 emails about this model over the years, as everyone I know knows I like these things. I don't think the back story usually maters, but this is, as "nero_on_fire" so succinctly, it has a bitter taste.
The other guy "nero" mentioned, (Paul Bischof)
, getting famous off his models while studying to be an engineer is excellent, inspirational, and actually teaches something!!