SPA Modeler

This looks like it's going to be a great project Bruce and am excited to watch it. As for the aurora kit why not put it up on ebay then use that money to buy a few Eduard mustangs.

Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice and say don't do it. It sounds like a fantastic project but I would encourage you to pick one of the many models that you've already started and finish it. I think you have a lot of talent, insight and knowledge of aircraft, Bruce. And for selfish reasons, I'd really like to see what a Bruce aircraft model looks like. There is so much to these builds than dressing up a seat or wiring up an engine. The big step, and one that I'd love to see you commit to, is to tie all of the individual components into a cohesive whole. I'd hate to see you perpetually stuck in a cycle of unfinished builds.

If this is the one you pick, I would make the bold suggestion that you build it straight out of the box. I may be misstating but perhaps you run out of steam when contemplating improvements that are difficult to execute. When they don't turn out as originally imagined, the excitement starts to fade and soon other kits will catch your eye. Building it out of the box will help you focus on the kit itself and I believe there is more than enough there to build up into an excellent representation of the Mustang. Sorry if I keep sounding like your nagging parent but I believe that the right thing to say is not always the easiest.

Floki wrote:This looks like it's going to be a great project Bruce and am excited to watch it. As for the aurora kit why not put it up on ebay then use that money to buy a few Eduard mustangs.

Thanks, Son of Odin! I intend to keep this Aurora kit awhile longer, though. I find the Eduard wing assembly to be slightly too complicated a task at the moment.

jkim wrote:Ok, I'll be the dissenting voice and say don't do it. It sounds like a fantastic project but I would encourage you to pick one of the many models that you've already started and finish it. I think you have a lot of talent, insight and knowledge of aircraft, Bruce. And for selfish reasons, I'd really like to see what a Bruce aircraft model looks like. There is so much to these builds than dressing up a seat or wiring up an engine. The big step, and one that I'd love to see you commit to, is to tie all of the individual components into a cohesive whole. I'd hate to see you perpetually stuck in a cycle of unfinished builds.

If this is the one you pick, I would make the bold suggestion that you build it straight out of the box. I may be misstating but perhaps you run out of steam when contemplating improvements that are difficult to execute. When they don't turn out as originally imagined, the excitement starts to fade and soon other kits will catch your eye. Building it out of the box will help you focus on the kit itself and I believe there is more than enough there to build up into an excellent representation of the Mustang. Sorry if I keep sounding like your nagging parent but I believe that the right thing to say is not always the easiest.

John!

Let me start by thanking you. I am truly grateful you wrote what you did and have taken your words to heart. I will write more shortly. Promise.

Well... tonight the news that Chuck Yeager has bought the farm at 97 years young colors my thoughts. I’ll be the first to admit that finishing is always a problem. I am used to having deadlines, and now is as good as any to admit that I need to set them within the hobby arena.

Bruce, let me start off by saying that I love reading the introductions you put at the beginning of your builds. They are always a thrill to read, especially when you interject various pics in between the words. As for starting this kit in particular, I have to agree with John. I've always followed your work and watched as you displayed incredible talent in areas I lack talent in. However, I'm feeling a bit incomplete since I have yet to see a completed model from you. If you do so well in making these sub-assemblies and parts so incredibly detailed and superbly painted, I can only imagine what a stunning Masterpiece the final product will be! I don't want to imagine anymore; I want to see a finished model from you. If it helps, I'll even start the Horten you sent me some time ago and continue building it alongside your efforts to finish yours.

Bruce, it's your Hobby and you can do as you will with it; starting builds and putting them aside for another new build if that is what you enjoy doing. However, finishing something has a thrill and excitement all it's own, such a thrill you are denying to yourself. Whatever you decide to do, I'll continue to watch your work; your threads are more enjoyable in ways that words cannot express.

I’m with John and Mark on this. Each kit you’ve started, I have been looking forward to the finished product. A completed kit will do wonders and you are missing out on the excitement and a proud moment in showing off a build you’ve worked so hard and long to get there. Bruce, you are talented enough to get it done.

As John mentioned, don’t start another kit. Let’s see the Gee Bee finished, let’s see the others you’ve set aside get finally done. Don't start something you can’t finish. Instead, start something and set a goal in finishing it. Don’t worry about every single tiny details and nuances in a kit in order to make it accurate for your taste. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing detailing on any kit. Too much focus on tiny details will burn you out and you lose focus in the goal of actually getting it finished. It’s a hobby, not a chore. It’s suppose to be enjoyable. So.... GIT ‘R DONE!!!

I wouldn't say that I don't enjoy the building part of modeling, but the best feeling is the one I get when I photograph, share, and then place in the display case a model I have finished. And that is not to say the model is the best I think I will ever do, either.

All wise words; wise words all.

As the holidays approach us, I want to give special thanks to everyone here for their advice and ideas. I received the decals I plan to use for the kit, but I am not entirely pleased with the way the nose art is replicated. Too cartoon like.

At the moment I am most excited about the Aurora kit from 1952. I am going to wrap it up and put it under my tree. Maybe even open it. An idea I had was to make a video of the unboxing. We have all sat through those videos on YouTube, but I often find them to be useful information, in much the same way as sprue shots are.

I don’t know what I want to build or finish at the moment. Life itself is changing around me. I went from jobless and broke and alone to completely different circumstances. I discovered writing again, which suits me well and sustains me; I found love.

I started my modeling adventures in 2015 with an Aurora kit. There’s something fitting about building another Aurora kit to me. As far as the other partial builds, I have packed each one away. There is also the not small matter of finishing an AMT Enterprise for my friend Bryan, who has been patient, but still... I should get that done.

Build what you want to build. I think any project you select would be widely and enthusiastically supported by the majority here at SPAM. I hope that you continue to post and share your builds here, Bruce.

I'm so happy that you found writing and love. Love is the most important thing. Everything else is gravy so maybe your experiences with Carlotta will put the modeling thing into proper perspective. It's really small potatoes in the big scheme of things. Ahhh... to be young again!