SPRUE CUTTERS UNION #18 - Inspiration

Decisions, decisions...

Inspiration, this is a bit of a tough one to pinpoint. I have to admit the way my next subject meets the bench is varied. Sometimes I'll see a movie or TV show which leads me to a strong desire to build the ship in that sci-fi classic or WWII combat vehicle. Other times, I want to do a build to commemorate a special anniversary, like Lamborghini's 50th or Alfa's 100th, both which made me want to complete my Miura an Giulietta Sprint GTA by the end of the year (and both which are previous on-the-shelf builds). Aston Martin celebrated their centenary and I have a beautiful Tamiya DBS sitting in my stash. Other instances, I'm flipping through the pages of a model magazine and I see a build that catches my attention. Then as the year draws closer to an end, I'm inspired to get as many in-progress builds completed before the new year, hoping the number of completed builds is greater than the previous year. And of course there are new releases, which have the power to make me forget everything. As soon as the box arrives, I have glue and x-acto in-hand and I just can't help myself, further motivated at a chance to be the first to post it on an online build
forum.

Like I said, it's a tough call to pin down what inspires my next build, doesn't matter too much as long as I get to put glue to plastic. _pL

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Read what some other modelers have to say about this topic!
The Combat Workshop 
Yet Another Plastic Modeller
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Mattblackgod's World
Motorsport Modeller
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SPRUE CUTTERS UNION #17 - Go Big or Go Home

ms.Enterprise D

To answer the question of Would I devote an entire years of precious model time and funds for one large project? The answer is YES! For years now there has been one subject that I've always wanted to go to town with. It's one of those 'retirement' projects, like fixing up that old car that's been sitting in the garage for years. In my mind the situate is the same, I would probably buy the kit and let it sit until time avails itself. Spending that in-between time to plan every step of the build, all the extra detail I would be adding, testing colors and lighting effects so that it would end up just right. No rushing, no need to get it done over a weekend (like that ever happens). More of a sip your coffee, have a doughnut and do some work on the project.

The subject in question is the Enterprise. That's right, a sci-fi starship. Not the Kirk movie version, which I admit to having three already,  but Capt.Picard's ship from ST:The Next Generation. She's a grand lady, her curves are timeless and I could spend all day looking at her. To what level of detail would I go to? For me, the ship looked best in season 4, when the studio began to use the smaller but more detailed 4 foot model of the ship. One of the standout features was that the aztec paneling was not only painted but was raised, lending a chunky feel to the ship. This is a detail that I would definitely want to incorporate in the build. She would be fully lit up of course, with blinking formation lights, warp engines and such. I would also include the main shuttle bay and make a custom display stand. And by this I don't mean a metal rod in a plank of wood but something fitting for such a project. A company by the name of Sovereign Replicas made a 1:650 scale of it in clear resin but recently became Titan models and I'm not sure if they still produce the kit. I know that Custom Replicas uses a modified version of this kit for customer builds.

Since I don't have the funds to source the kit at the moment nor the space (at 1:650 she's 40-inches long) that's as far as it's gotten. Regardless, it's nice to daydream about it. _pL

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Read what some other modelers have to say about this topic!
The Combat Workshop 
Yet Another Plastic Modeller
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Lt. Smashs' Models
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Mattblackgod's World
Fill 'n Sand
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SPRUE CUTTERS UNION #15 - What do you think makes an outstanding model?

Learned a lot on this build.

I've been at this hobby for quiet some time now and I'm happy with the level I'm at and that I enjoy building just about anything. And there are times when I see other builder's work and I just get blown away!

For me building scale models or like everything else I do, whether it's a piece in the wood shop or a graphic design layout on the computer, it's all about practicing my craft - and constantly pushing it, improving it. I know we all get stuck on mega builds: determining accuracy, adding every minute detail via photo-etch and scratch-building. But the more I visit forums and experience the build through the modeller's words and photos, the more I enjoy and appreciate this hobby. And sometimes I learn something new along the way or can offer some advice.

An outstanding model for me is the experience the builder has, trying something new or different during the build: maybe it's working with photo-etch for the first time, or building in a different scale, working with pigments or attempting their first diorama. Anyone can build a kit in a day but taking the time to learn new methods, adding to their skill-set and thus improving their craft - that takes dedication and a touch of bravery. As time goes on, the builder can carry out what they've learned on the next build, refine it and accomplish it more efficiently, making way for something new. Sometimes it does not work out and we get discouraged, but we eventually find ourselves back at the workbench. It took me forever to get a metallic finish on a car body right, a lot of experimentation, stripping and re-coating but eventually I got it right. And following other builds, reading about their experiences, is a great source of inspiration and keeps me going.  

So for me, the learning and experimenting aspect of the build is what I think makes for an outstanding model. The journey along the way rather than the destination, is what I appreciate the most about this hobby and those builders who put glue to plastic! _pL

_____________________________________________________
Read what some other modelers have to say about this topic!

The Combat Workshop 
Yet Another Plastic Modeller
The Eternal Wargamer
Motorsport Modeller
Mattblackgod's World
Miniature and Model Painting
Scale Model Soup
Scale Model Workbench
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