This is what I call scratchbuild - from Jimmy Woods and Alex McFadyen
This is what I call scratchbuild - from Jimmy Woods and Alex McFadyen
You see Colin, Even Jimmy does not build everything, our good friend Gordon does all the photo etching for him, I build 90% of my models, I buy in some of the very small guns , like quad 40,s and Orlicoms, so you have to put it down as , im not a scratch builder.
This survey is interesting as a poll, but is getting boring as to what is scratch building, and some of the prejudices come out.My sentiments exactly Bob. Its a fun hobby in which I've made many friends. Some take it too seriously. O0
My opinion is simple.
I couldn't care less, if the builder is happy with his model then so am I.
This is after all a HOBBY.
You remember, for relaxing, having fun and meeting other like minded people.
I have made some good friends and modelling keeps me out of the pub (as I tell the boss)
Just enjoy it.
Bob
QuoteYou see Colin, Even Jimmy does not build everything, our good friend Gordon does all the photo etching for him, I build 90% of my models, I buy in some of the very small guns , like quad 40,s and Orlicoms, so you have to put it down as , im not a scratch builder.
If you look at my earlier post Captain A, I referred to the traditional definition of scratchbuilding and then said that the definition is more elastic these days. So, yes - I would consider Jimmy to be a scratchbuilder. At the other extreme, if somebody has bought a kit, made it out of the box and then added a few home built items to give it extra "colour" then I wouldn't consider it scratchbuilt. The line between the two is blurred as somebody else has quite rightly said. But as Rick F says, who cares? I prefer to build most of the model like you but I draw the line at anchor chain and propellors and some fittings that I don't have the tools or skills to make. Sometimes I'll make the stern tubes sometimes not depending on the model.
From the comments we have been seeing it would seem that certain people feel the need to go on the defensive if they haven't built everything themselves and that is total nonsense. There are still competitions around that people enter and if you have a competition you have to have rules and definitions to reflect the amount of work put into the model to enable it to be judged. That's why there are different classes - to be able to fairly compare like with like. In the ME Exhibition Jimmy may have lost a few marks for his photo etchings, I don't know, but when you look at the sheer quality of the model there is no question that it deserved its Gold Medal. I know many modellesr who scratchbuild at the highest level and none of them look down their noses at people who build kits or semi kits. They recognise that everyone has their own preferences, skill levels and amount of time available for modelling. It's just all different aspects of the hobby we all share and enjoy.
Just a query: as many if not most of the tools we buy here in the U.K. are made in China, are they available in China? Or is everything exported?
I am stalling embarking on my first scratch builds from MM plans. I may need to buy a lot of tools. The possibility is that in future I will go back to kits. As was said above, with a kit I get everything I need.
TT
All at sea in China.
... Neither is it up to anyone to say in open forum not to use a certain company for any reason...
Hi Gerry - updating my Bismarck build now - Martin Builds the Bismarck! (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4024.msg61147#msg61147) :D
Does this count as kit?!?!
Prefer scratch building..... then you've only yourself to blame if it sinks ::)
1/125 Titanic on my slipway at the moment.... Keeping a sharp lookout for icebergs.
Prefer scratch building..... then you've only yourself to blame if it sinks ::)
1/125 Titanic on my slipway at the moment.... Keeping a sharp lookout for icebergs.
Has anyone ever made a model of the Iceberg? An IC Iceberg how "cool" would that be! :D