It’ll never be “perfect”, will it? And is that the point?

[KennyX]

I’m working on kit #3, a 1/48 Eduard F109 E-4. Going into this build, I brought with me a few things which “I’d wished I’d done differently” when I was building the P40-E.

Maybe that’s one reason why human beings are so successful as a species, because we have the ability to remember what we did right, and what we did wrong, each time we perform the same task.

Example- I’m happy to report that I got a much better, stronger join in the wing root with the BF109. Because I paid more attention when building that part out, after not being 100% happy with the wing root on the Warhawk and having to fill it, lesson-learned. I actually deviated from the instructions on this kit. I mounted the bottom half of the wing to the fuselage first, let the glue set, and then I mounted the top halves one at a time making sure there were good joins in the wing roots.

Fine.

So last night I’m sitting in my den, drinking a beer, and looking over my BF109. I was happy with how well the build is going. Wasn’t making the same mistakes... and then I spotted it LOL, a control surface on the port wing is pitched just a hair above its corresponding control surface on the starboard wing.

Aaarrrgh!

...I don’t think anybody would notice unless I told them.

So this is another lesson-learned, I reckon. “Pay particular attention to control surfaces when you mount them, triple-check then and make sure they’re all set how you’d like before the glue dries.”

It’s simple and obvious. The less-generous among us might say “Duh!”, but still...

Anyway, I was thinking about that, and looking at my stash. And it occurred to me that no matter how many kits I build, no matter how many lessons I learn and take with me from one kit to the next, I’ll probably never build one that I think is “perfect”. There’ll always be some, slight, mundane thing I’ll end up wishing I did differently...

...and you know what? THAT’S OKAY!

It’s just like with my Fly fishing, and my Jiu Jitsu training. As long as I try my best, and as long as I keep on making an active effort to be engaged and to learn, it’ll be okay. Maybe even better, because I’ll keep learning.

And it occurred to me that unless I get my head around this, building models won’t be a very fun hobby. So I’m glad I had this little epiphany. I’m thinking maybe it might help me in other facets of my life, too.

And maybe some of the other new guys might find this useful too. If you’re frustrated with something you did, an honest mistake you made even though you were doing your best, it’s okay, because you learned!

[speedgraflex]

Welcome aboard, sir.

I am celebrating my first year back at the modeling bench in a few days (edit / actually my anniversary joining SPAM is 2/10/17. My return to plastic and resin kits is 1 year old! Huzzah!) I found your post much to my way of thinking. I’m relatively new at this; there are old salts and masters here on these glue soaked boards who may be better equipped to respond but as a fellow who retrieved his childhood joy and pain through creating models I want to add a few words: similar to you, I have a perfectionist gene. I tell myself every time, every day on a project or just living life, “perfection is a target that cannot be hit.” That is what keeps me from Hulking out. I feel the ideal situation never presents itself willingly, but a convergence of ideas and actions will fall into place in much the same way as a well-engineered kit.

[lawman56]

Nope. It will never be perfect. As, (primarily), a diorama builder, I've learned it gets exponentially worse as you add elements. A tank and 3 figures? 4 times the imperfections, not including a new technique or aftermarket you're trying out. I've learned to roll with the punches and chalk things up to experience or, as you stated, it's no longer fun.

[KennyX]

Accepting that perfection is “a target that’ll never be hit” (that’s an excellent quote by the way) is, I think, a thing that will be good for me.

And rolling with the punches, YUP! I’m learning that big time, being a new dad and all.

[lawman56]

Well congrats on being a new dad. And no, you can't use glue, or putty on your 1/1 scale person, at least that's what my wife told me when my grandsons arrived.

[Stikpusher]

A simple rule of thumb- aim to do better than the last one on something. Interiors, weathering, painting, decals, additions, modifications, something. Even if your just building a quick easy straight OOB project. And if something does not go as intended, chalk it up tonlesson learned. You can try again on the next one with the knowledge of gifs made on the last one, or discard that technique, tool, or item in favor of something new. It’s all good. There is no one size fits all answer. And above all, enjoy what you’re doing here. If it becomes upsetting or frustrating, step away and unwind. Figure out the problem and come back when you have the time. We are all our own worst critics, if we are truly being honest. And what others may see as perfection achieved by someone else, is often full of flaws to the guy or girl who put it together.

[KennyX]

Well congrats on being a new dad. And no, you can't use glue, or putty on your 1/1 scale person, at least that's what my wife told me when my grandsons arrived.

HAHAHAHAAA! Thank you!!

[KennyX]

A simple rule of thumb- aim to do better than the last one on something. Interiors, weathering, painting, decals, additions, modifications, something. Even if your just building a quick easy straight OOB project. And if something does not go as intended, chalk it up tonlesson learned. You can try again on the next one with the knowledge of gifs made on the last one, or discard that technique, tool, or item in favor of something new. It’s all good. There is no one size fits all answer. And above all, enjoy what you’re doing here. If it becomes upsetting or frustrating, step away and unwind. Figure out the problem and come back when you have the time. We are all our own worst critics, if we are truly being honest. And what others may see as perfection achieved by someone else, is often full of flaws to the guy or girl who put it together.

That’s definitely how I’m getting after it on this project. And in terms of “Not making the same mistakes”, I’ve done well. Of course, I’ve made a few new ones, but hey- an airbrush, to me, comes with a near-vertical learning curve. But I’m a novice, so it’s to be expected. And I’m having a lot of fun. This hobby is just as fulfilling and relaxing as fly fishing, only without the frustration that comes with not catching!