Epic = Fail

This week's SCU question: If you had the resources, would you attempt one HUGE project? In the context of 'Go Big or Go Home' I'd be on the first bus back to my house. Considering my current out-of-box build of the Eduard 1/72 Bf110D has been on the bench for over four months, the chance of my completing a super-detailed, pull-out-all-the-stops mega-build is like a Calgary winter – well below zero. As other Unionists have stated, there are just too many subjects, too many kits in the stash, too little time and I have way too short an attention-span to focus on a single, huge project. 

I enjoy looking at other peoples' super-projects though, like the Scale Model World showstopping Steam-Punk Bugatti. Superbly conceived and built by Stefano Marchetti, the humbling reality is that even if I had a decade to spend on such a model, I'd never be able to achieve anything like this. (Photos by Darrell Thompson, used with permission)

Other Union posts:
Yet Another Plastic Modeller
Fill'n Sand
Mattblackgod's World
Doog's Models
The Combat Workshop

Like it.

I could respond to this week's Sprue Cutters' Union question – What do you like to build? – with a one-word answer: aircraft. However the Union members demand a little more thought than that so I feel the need to expand a little...

I like to build 1/72 aircraft. I have some 1/48 models on my shelf and can appreciate the extra detail that they allow, but there's something about a well executed 72nd scale model that is almost jewel-like. When I attend a Nats I'm drawn towards the small-scale subjects with their exquisite details and immaculate finishes. There are obvious practical reasons for choosing 1/72 too – they occupy less space and there's a much greater variety of available subjects than in 1/48 scale.

I like to build unusual aircraft subjects. At model shows I'll walk by the ranks of Bf 109s, Corsairs, Fw 190s and Spitfires with nary a glance, in favour of a tiny gyrocopter or a Breguet Alize (yes, I also like ugly aircraft). That isn't to say I won't build a mainstream subject – an Eduard 1/72 Bf110 currently occupies centre stage on my workbench – but the majority of my stash is of more obscure types.

I like to build biplanes, and 1950s jets. Those are the two genres that I find the most appealing. As much as rigging biplanes can be tedious and frustrating, the satisfaction in completing the task far outweigh the difficulties. And 50's jets are just downright cool with their fancy colour scheme bravado and Gerry Anderson-esque details.

I like to build old aircraft kits that need re-scribing. There, I've said it. The same comments apply to rescribing as I mentioned above regarding rigging; it's tedious, repetitive and constantly prone to disaster. But when it's done and the plastic has been polished and that old Airfix kit looks like a new-tool Hasegawa (in my mind, at least) it's all worth it. It's also one of the few modelling tasks I can do upstairs to keep my wife company while she's watching a TV show, as there are no sofa-melting solvents involved.  

This post doesn't tell the whole story as I do enjoy occasionally dabbling in other genres, notably armour. But, if I was stranded on a desert island and only allowed a stash of 30 kits, at least 29 of them would fit into the criteria described.

Other Union posts: 

Scale Model Soup

The Combat Workshop

Fill' n Sand

Yet another Plastic Modeller

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats. 

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats. 

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats.

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats.

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats.

1/72 models (not mine) photographed at various Nats.

AMMS Armour and ships

Yet more pics from the recent Alberta Military Modellers Show, this time armour and naval subjects:-

More AMMS

Categories were a little odd this year, as 1/144, 1/72 and 1/48 models all competed against each other within the same categories. However they were differentiated according to basic, intermediate or advanced levels.

More 1/72 goodness from Dan Mackay

Dan's 1/72 Spitfire

The new-tool 1/72 Airfix Zero built by Dan Mackay

The new-tool 1/72 Airfix Zero built by Dan Mackay

A nicely done Tamiya 1/48 P-47D

Massimo Santarossa's 1/48 Hasegawa Spit (VIII?)

Italeri 1/48 Macchi, also by Massimo. Nice camo.

Rick Chin's 1/32 Bf108F

1/48 F-15 by Rick Chin

The Airfix 1/48 Lynx

1/48 F-86D, presumably the Pro-Modeler kit.

1/48 Nichimo Ki-51 Sonia

1/48 Val(?)

First actual build I've seen of the new Tamiya 1/32 Corsair.

AMMS Contest 2013

I spent the day at this year's Alberta Military Modellers' Show, held at the Military Museum in Calgary. Originally an armour-only contest, in the last few years it's been opened up to military models from all genres. Over the next few days I'll post pics, starting with some of the 1/72 entries.

Mike Tanguay's 1/72 Airfix Bf110 

Mike Tanguay's 1/72 Airfix Bf110 

MPM 1/72 SAAF Boston III by Massimo Santarossa

MPM 1/72 SAAF Boston III by Massimo Santarossa

Sword 1/72 Vultee P-66 Vanguard by Dan Mackay

Sword 1/72 Vultee P-66 Vanguard by Dan Mackay

Special Hobby 1/72 RCAF Digby Mk. 1 by Massimo Santarossa

Special Hobby 1/72 RCAF Digby Mk. 1 by Massimo Santarossa
 

1/72 Revell CH-135 Twin Huey

What-if 1/72 CAF MiG-31