Real men refuse to stop for directions!!!
hill...@gmail.com
Weird question for you, round about twenty
years or so ago I realized that virtually every
F-16 kit and F-4 kit would be split the same
way in the same places. At that point, I think
that i stopped every building a Falcon or a
Phantom with directions.
Now, I've found that I rarely if ever consult
the manufacturers directions, leave alone ac-
tually FOLLOWING them!
So, out of curiosity, how many of you folks
out there in cyberland build models a) by fol-
lowing directions, or b) even consulting the
directions?
I'll go first, in the last five kits I've build I
followed the directions 0 times and consult-
ed them ten times.
Just curious! :)
-ahill
The Old Man
Not only do I refer to the instruction, but usually scan them and blow
them up as my eyes aren't what they once were. I also (lately) go
online and check out any reviews about the model in question that I
can find.
Case in point, recently I started the antique Heller Morane 230. Their
instructions suck, period. After several attempts, I blew up their
instructions and saw how the landing gear/wing struts were ~supposed~
to be attached (as opposed to the way I was headed) and a quick check
of a review suggested mounting several parts in a different sequence
to make life a bit easier.
Moramarth
Actually, it's useful to read kit reviews as these sometimes mention
errors in the instructions.
Otherwise it's useful to give the instructions a once-over first as
nowadays most kits contain several options, and unless you're really
familiar with the subject this is important. It's a while since I've
actually had time to build anything, and as the process became more
drawn out and fragmented I took to photocopying the instructions,
ticking off what I've done and options used, and adding notes where
I've modified stuff - especially where it affects later stages of
construction. But I don't feel obliged to slavishly follow assembly
sequences, particularly where I'm leaving out stuff that won't be seen
after completion.
Regards,
Moramarth
eyeball
follow them. If it's limited run where the parts are hidden in flash,
I will pay more attention.
On Jan 1, 5:17 am, "hill4...@gmail.com" <hill4...@gmail.com> wrote:
RobG
> leaving out stuff that won't be seen after completion.
YOU WHAT??? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MODELLER?? sheesh, I dunno...
:)
RobG
(The Aussie one)
Don Stauffer
assembly the way I was doing it, and find I should have done it another
way :-( You know-"oh, that should have gone in BEFORE I glued the
fuselage sides together."
willshak
I detail all interiors with scratch built panels, wires, and crew.
I then seal it all up with the outer shell.
When people compliment me on my model, I say, "You oughta see the
inside" :-)
--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @
som...@some.domain
>RobG wrote the following:
>> Moramarth wrote:
>>> leaving out stuff that won't be seen after completion.
>>
>>
>> YOU WHAT??? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MODELLER?? sheesh, I dunno...
>>
>> :)
>>
>> RobG
>> (The Aussie one)
>
>I detail all interiors with scratch built panels, wires, and crew.
>I then seal it all up with the outer shell.
>When people compliment me on my model, I say, "You oughta see the
>inside" :-)
>
Musicman59
I was trying to start 2 1/35 plaster building kits from Verlinden,
etc.... Never could figure out why they never offer even a basic
instruction sheet.
You get one picture on the cover of the box and that is it. I have
one kit that has over 8 pieces that do not show in the pic - I have no
idea where they
should go. 3 different stairways, which one is the correct one for
each doorway? You guess, I guess.....
Craig
Mad Modeller
> I usually refer to the directions after I find that I cannot complete an
> assembly the way I was doing it, and find I should have done it another
> way :-( You know-"oh, that should have gone in BEFORE I glued the
> fuselage sides together."
>
Yeah, I know that routine, I've followed that trail a time or two.
It's taught me to check over the sheet(s) before I start. It does not
follow that I slavishly stick things together in the prescribed order.
Sometimes I re-arrange assembly to fit my wants and needs.
Bill Banaszak, MFE Sr.
frank
>
> I'll go first, in the last five kits I've build I
> followed the directions 0 times and consult-
> ed them ten times.
>
> Just curious! :)
>
> -ahill
I'll follow directions, but not necessarily in their order. Leave
putting tracks together on armored last. might do turret and body
before wheels. stuff like that.
Usually don't bother with interior if its not visible. Though did see
a nebbish guy running around at one of the IPMS nationals with a
dentist mirror, head lamp on. Wasn't a judge.
I'm reminded of one set of US templates that had a few that said if
you're close enough to read this, you're too close.
AM
I do at least read, and memorize the directions than start.
Does not mean I follow their assembly sequence, but I do like
to have an idea what part is what.
Airplane kit's are easy to not follow directions, but AFV's
have that whole one for the right and one for the left side
deal going, with only subtle differences between the parts.
You go ahead and build the Dragon 3 N 1 Tiger with 1186 parts
and not follow the directions..... lol.....
--
AM
Moramarth
> Moramarth wrote:
> > leaving out stuff that won't be seen after completion.
>
> YOU WHAT??? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MODELLER?? sheesh, I dunno...
>
> :)
one at that...
Try assembling an army of GW plastic wargame figures, you start
leaving off stuff that CAN be seen - that way you don't have to paint
it. :)
>
Happy New Year
> RobG
> (The Aussie one)
Moramarth
> RobG wrote the following:
>
> > Moramarth wrote:
> >> leaving out stuff that won't be seen after completion.
>
> > YOU WHAT??? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MODELLER?? sheesh, I dunno...
>
> > :)
>
> > RobG
> > (The Aussie one)
>
> I detail all interiors with scratch built panels, wires, and crew.
> I then seal it all up with the outer shell.
> When people compliment me on my model, I say, "You oughta see the
> inside" :-)
T34 kits but have yet to assemble one - why can't they just mould them
in clear plastic?
Stadia
I don't do anything that can't be seen after assembly and regard the
last coat of paint as that which hides all errors. I also dislike any
models that are more complicated than necessary - example is a
Hasegawa Typhoon Mk1B just completed. Far too many trivial
sub-assemblies, like 8 rockets and rails at 4 bits each when they
could/should have been moulded one for each rocket and one for each
rail. I did not bother to insert the rudder pedals as they can't be
seen with canopy shut. All my models are built like that to keep dust
out. 22 decals to represent the underwing black and white stripes
almost had me using the part completed model for CO2 pistol target
practice.
I want to build models that satisfy me, not ones that cause
frustration and irritation at unreal levels of complexity.
Tony
Chch NZ
The Old Man
> Possibly one reason why I've bought all four of the Hobby Boss 1:48th
> T34 kits but have yet to assemble one - why can't they just mould them
> in clear plastic?
If they did that, somebody would try to describe it as a "stealth"
tank.......
willshak
almost all parts are recognizable. the same goes for model cars.When it
comes to armor, field guns, or ships, the parts may not be recognizable
as much, so the instructions are needed. Also, decal placement and paint
colors may require that the instructions be consulted.
Me, I almost always read the instructions and keep them displayed and
open to the steps I am working on, even though I have been building
models for about 60 years..
som...@some.domain
Musicman59
> > YOU WHAT??? AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A MODELLER?? sheesh, I dunno...
>
> > :)
>
> Nope, not for years - now I'm just a kit assembler - and a damn lazy
> one at that...
> Try assembling an army of GW plastic wargame figures, you start
> leaving off stuff that CAN be seen - that way you don't have to paint
> it. :)
I love this guy !!! Yeah!!! when you figure, at least in my case,
that if my family sees a model plane with wings on both sides, its
just fine. that's my standard these days.
Craig
>
>
>
>
Mad Modeller
Nobody notices the biplane with one upper and one lower, do they?
Bill Banaszak, MFE Sr.
Peter W.
You build the kits you buy?!?!!?! WOW!
I buy plastic model kits just for the instruction sheets. I collect
them! Who cares about the plastic parts - it is all about the
instruction sheets. My favorite are the older Tamiya sheets which
feature B/W photos sidebars of either the model or the 1:1 subject and
sometimes they also feature cute cartoon characters giving you hints.
They just don't print instruction sheets like that anymore! :-(
Instruction sheets (especially for the more complex kits) also make
excellent bathroom reading!
:-)
Peteski
som...@some.domain
they make poor substitute toilet paper. especially those dragon full color
brochure style. it's like using 20 grit and a propane light.
willshak
What about the early instructions translated from Japanese to English.
They were a riot. :-)
som...@some.domain
to be melting with the cement from part a
to be sticking part a with part b.
to make sure the area of contact matches the angle of the direction used.
to be swearing and calling the parts littermate of drones when they are
seperating in their place of contacting.
to be scraping the silver fake metal off where it contacts the real plastic
area of the adjoining piece in the assembly for it to be looking correctly.
to be then uncementing the shiny black plastic part of the circular rolling
part of the assembly to contact the road.
to be remembering that this kit is for the sneaky 2 eyes and not for we, the
superior beings with 5 eyestalks.
to be aware that the two-eyes have only one digit for reproduction.
to not be scraping the silver metal off that digit.
to be using the enclosed plastic cover for this digit in the small foil
packet in the manner reccomend by the hive master who's family produced this.
to be ending the assembly with the superior groacian 77.7 mm focused energy
digestive fluid that has been safety scented with the chemical signature of
stinkbug and whale hork.
to be using the safety bag marked "for groaci only"
to make sure the creepy two eyes ride in the compressing end of this
sanitation and sterilizing vehicle.
to be returning to the home sand pits to caruse with the nubile new slave
tools.
eyeball
> >Instruction sheets (especially for the more complex kits) also make
> >excellent bathroom reading!
> >:-)
>
> >Peteski
>
> they make poor substitute toilet paper. especially those dragon full color
> brochure style. it's like using 20 grit and a propane light.
The real problem comes when you are in a hurry and grab a sprue
instead of the instruction sheet. My wife wondered how I got my voice
so high...
Tom
T2
<som...@some.domain> wrote in message
news:ldt0n.12069$H15....@en-nntp-02.dc1.easynews.com...
som...@some.domain
me neither, those sneaky 5 eyed....
som...@some.domain
>On Jan 4, 3:31=A0am, some...@some.domain (some...@some.domain) wrote:
>
>> >Instruction sheets (especially for the more complex kits) also make
>> >excellent bathroom reading!
>> >:-)
>>
>> >Peteski
>>
>r
>> brochure style. it's like using 20 grit and a propane light.
>
>The real problem comes when you are in a hurry and grab a sprue
>instead of the instruction sheet. My wife wondered how I got my voice
>so high...
>
Peter W.
Check out http://engrish.com/ (including the adult Engrish section).
Peteski