What was your gamechanger?

[Stuart]

I share the same sentiment as Gary. I often research my builds - mainly aircrafts online and books, magazines or whatever publications I have on hand or from the library.

I do like the UK aviation magazine, FlyPast a lot. I find a lot of inspiration in there often and I usually start the hunt for aftermarket decals if they’re available. I stopped buying it every month at Barnes and Nobles just before the pandemic due to the price. Now I think it’s like $14 USD here in the states. Stuart should be familiar with that magazine.

I know Flypast - it's a good magazine and I do buy the occasional issue. I think, back in the mists of time, that I used to be a subscriber.

[Stuart]

I've been reading through these posts and I have to say it's a very interesting discussion.

I hadn't actually considered the 'internet' as a game changer, but actually I suppose it must have been. When I started proper modelling back in 2010 my 'world view' of modelling was very much the same as it was in the 80's, when I used to knock together Matchbox kits with tube glue, Humbrol paints, no filler, decal solution etc. etc. Accidently finding an online forum a few weeks later was a total eye-opener. I had no idea about AM, different paints, clear coats etc etc.. or how to do most things we all take for granted. I guess that was a game changer - I wouldn't be the modeller I am today without that input and support form you guys on the web.

[speedgraflex]

Exactly. I still remember getting advice and answers from Carlos on my first post here. Without the forum, I never would have tried building a proper aircraft model. It never occurred to me that building one was even possible, considering my skill set was entirely based on scifi garage kits.

[Stikpusher]

Exactly. I still remember getting advice and answers from Carlos on my first post here. Without the forum, I never would have tried building a proper aircraft model. It never occurred to me that building one was even possible, considering my skill set was entirely based on scifi garage kits.

There are crossover skills between most any genre of modeling. The basics are the same, but the genre specifics frequently overlap.

[speedgraflex]

You're absolutely right, Carlos. That's the true. I was going to go on about how scifi subjects are often dismissed as being of a lesser degree of commitment or difficulty than military due to not being based in reality, but I think that attitude has largely disappeared. Or at least, I hope that it has. With the popularity of the hobby shrinking globally, we need all the builders working together. And maybe I've also encountered some of this attitude from other places and need to get over it. I've also been thinking about what you wrote about time spent researching and I have to agree that the majority of time I spend is in the gatherer phase and not so much in the hunter (or builder).

[BorgR3mc0]

A couple of things where, each at that point in time, gamechangers.

- I bought a copy of Chris Ellis How to go advance modelling when I was around 16. It was already an old book but it was very good on the basics. And it showed me that kits could be modified or that they might be inaccurate.
- after building for competition and over focussing on result I switched to enjoying the process.
- airbrushing and black basing in particular
- when I was in college I modelled on a budget. And I developed some frugal but limiting habits. To many “home remedies” , now I use better tools, paints and other products. That makes every build far more enjoyable.

[Stikpusher]

You're absolutely right, Carlos. That's the true. I was going to go on about how scifi subjects are often dismissed as being of a lesser degree of commitment or difficulty than military due to not being based in reality, but I think that attitude has largely disappeared. Or at least, I hope that it has. With the popularity of the hobby shrinking globally, we need all the builders working together. And maybe I've also encountered some of this attitude from other places and need to get over it. I've also been thinking about what you wrote about time spent researching and I have to agree that the majority of time I spend is in the gatherer phase and not so much in the hunter (or builder).

Considering the degree of fanaticism of many sci fi modelers, I would say that the degree of commitment is just as equal to any genre of real subject modeling can be. And anyone who was building models in the age of ILM models for the various movies cannot doubt the skills of those model makers, nor the aspirations of modelers wishing to match their ILM on screen creations. Along with Sherperd Paine, those guys were my role models in this hobby. Others have come along since then, but none with the same degree of impact. None of them were truly game changing for me, but they lit a spark and drive to aspire to reach for. I'm still reaching for it.

[speedgraflex]

Bravo, Carlos! That was well put. Thank you!