I've read through many builds over the weekend and all seem to be built from kits.
Does anyone scratchbuild anymore? Can you honestly say you have built a model yourself when all you have done is assemble a kit of parts by following a set of instructions, instructions written by someone more knowledgeable?
Is it because people don't want to spend the time or have the patience to actually cut/sand/file fiddly bits out of raw stock and its so much easier to splurge the cash and buy ready made?
Is it because kits nowadays far exceed anything that the average bloke could ever hope to attain themselves out in the shed?
I'd be interested to know the
I know it's phrased as a question but what a load of condecending rubbish. Obviously you've not had to build some of the kits that are knocking about. The implication seems to be if you don't scratch build then you're not a proper model maker.
Most model boat kits aren't like your average tamiya static kit which fits together beautifully. The quality of the fit and finish is often poor and there's masses of rework bending fitting, filling and sanding to make something decent.. Certainly not "sticking a few bits together", in fact I see scratch building a an extension of the skills people gain building kits.
You also seem to be forgetting that building the thing is only part of the whole, you still have to fit out drive train, hook up the electrics and most importantly paint the thing, scratch built or no.
Not everyone is retired and has the time, money and workshop facilities to fully scratch build a grp hull, these are skills that people develop over many years. Some people enjoy the sailing part too , I see no shame in getting to that stage a little quicker.
I have a question back to you Brian, I spent a good part of last year building a Graupner moonraker kit, there are I would think several hundred hours getting it completed to a finish I was happy with, however it was from a kit. Does this make me less of a modeller than some one who has built for example something from a Glynn Guest plan but is scratch built?
IMO this is a hobby, it's purpose is enjoyment for the individual , we need more people involved not less and if kits and artr out there which help then that's got to be good.