Modelling and the unwashed masses - some horror stories!
Jonathan Mock
White knuckle time!
A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a display
of models. They had a nice glass cabinet and I accepted the offer on the
proviso that I was the one to install them and remove them. No problem. I
took down about a dozen model and laid them out on display. It went down
well, garnering interest from veterans who remembered some of the aircraft
and the local ATC club.
Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
had someone stolen them (Yeah, in my dreams). No, they had been removed
early to make way for another display, but łthey were safe˛ (Librarians
words).
She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
(Pause here while the rest of you get some air or have a glass of water).
Of course, I went ballistic, as I retrieved them and packed them away,
along with the various parts that had come adrift along the way. I was both
angry that a: theyąd never rung to to say they had changed the date and
could I remove the models and B: that they had broken an explicit agreement
with them NOT TO TOUCH THE MODELS!
Of course, the reply I got was a kind of łwell, theyąre only models˛ (as in
łwell, theyąre only toys˛) and blunt looks from a librarian who couldn't
see what all the fuss was about. When I pointed out that if people treated
her books the same way sheąd treated these models, sheąd had had a fit but
no... what was the point, I wasnąt getting through. I made it know that I
was not happy and left. I never did do another display for them, which was
a shame.
A similar thing happened again recently when a newspaper photographer a
model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
łItąąs only a model˛.
There's a moral in there somewhere...
--
Jonathan Mock
łIąve got idols and icons, unspoken holy vows,
Thoughts to keep well hidden -
sacred and forbidden,
Free to browse among the holy cows."
buck off
A post that everyone who has ever built a model can really relate too.. Got
a good laugh and a cry out of this one...
Jonathan Mock <jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk> wrote in article
<jonathan.mockSPAMOFF-ya0...@news.ukonline.co.uk>...
Mark Schynert
jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk (Jonathan Mock) wrote:
>White knuckle time!
>
>A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a display
>of models. They had a nice glass cabinet and I accepted the offer on the
>proviso that I was the one to install them and remove them. No problem. I
>took down about a dozen model and laid them out on display. It went down
>well, garnering interest from veterans who remembered some of the aircraft
>and the local ATC club.
>
>Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
>had someone stolen them (Yeah, in my dreams). No, they had been removed
>words).
>
>She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
>like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
>
>(Pause here while the rest of you get some air or have a glass of water).
>
>Of course, I went ballistic, as I retrieved them and packed them away,
>along with the various parts that had come adrift along the way. I was both
>could I remove the models and B: that they had broken an explicit agreement
>with them NOT TO TOUCH THE MODELS!
>
>„well, they¼re only toys¾) and blunt looks from a librarian who couldn't
>see what all the fuss was about. When I pointed out that if people treated
>no... what was the point, I wasn¼t getting through. I made it know that I
>was not happy and left. I never did do another display for them, which was
>a shame.
>
>A similar thing happened again recently when a newspaper photographer a
>model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
>and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
>tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
>equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
>
>There's a moral in there somewhere...
>
>--
>Jonathan Mock
To me, this is part of the same syndrome complained of by Dan Winfield re his workbench--a lack of respect for the hobby, and a complete lack
of conmprehension of the skill, $$$ and time needed to create these
'sculptures'. That's what they are--works of art. That they may be
'photorealistic' art only confuses the non-cognoscenti all the more, and guess what? There's not much any of us can do about widespread perceptions like this, except to make sure that we demand respect for
our work product up front. If we insist that librarians, photographers
and observers at contests treat our stuff with the same circumspection
that they would a Ming vase, only then can we hope that the models are
treated carefully. The librarian (bless her bunned hair) probably had no
clue how many hours go into even a simple box-shaker, much less anything
the least bit difficult to build or upgrade. Don't get me wrong--
Jonathan had every right to "go ballistic" with this hamhanded approach.
Still, the cautionary moral of this for me is that you have to
anticipate this ignorance if you are going to place your models in peril
by exhibition to the general public.
Mark Schynert
Mark Schynert
Eric Tetangco
Jonathan Mock <jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk> wrote:
> A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a display
> ...they had been removed early to make way for another display, but
> "they were safe" (Librarians words).
> She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
> like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
> model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
> and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
> tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
> equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
> "It's only a model".
Perhaps if you put in in terms they understand, and use a metric the
un-initiated can understand, like the value in money.
I've see people look at garage kits and figure kits and marvel at their
cost, and nothing else. If you elevate the hobby to "art", it might be
easier to get some respect.
Consider the average Joe looking at a model kit who doesn't appreciate the
time, material, money, and effort to produce a great buildup. Slap a price
tag on it, and it immediately gives him an idea of it's "worth".
I humbly submit that the next time you display your models, put them all
up "for sale" with displayed prices in the hundreds of dollars or pounds.
Since they are "collectibles" no one can fault you for overpricing,
because, heck, that's what they are worth to you.
RAY MEHLBERGER
Mark Schynert wrote:
>
> jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk (Jonathan Mock) wrote:
> >White knuckle time!
> >
> >proviso that I was the one to install them and remove them. No problem. I
> >took down about a dozen model and laid them out on display. It went down
> >well, garnering interest from veterans who remembered some of the aircraft
> >and the local ATC club.
> >
> >Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
> >early to make way for another display, but „they were safeľ (Librarians
> >words).
> >
> >She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
> >like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
> >
> >
> >Of course, I went ballistic, as I retrieved them and packed them away,
> >along with the various parts that had come adrift along the way. I was both
> >could I remove the models and B: that they had broken an explicit agreement
> >with them NOT TO TOUCH THE MODELS!
> >
> >„well, theyĽre only toysľ) and blunt looks from a librarian who couldn't
> >see what all the fuss was about. When I pointed out that if people treated
> >no... what was the point, I wasnĽt getting through. I made it know that I
> >was not happy and left. I never did do another display for them, which was
> >a shame.
> >
> >model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
> >and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
> >tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
> >equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
> >
> >There's a moral in there somewhere...
> >
> >--
> >Jonathan Mock
>
> To me, this is part of the same syndrome complained of by Dan Winfield re his workbench--a lack of respect for the hobby, and a complete lack
> of conmprehension of the skill, $$$ and time needed to create these
> 'sculptures'. That's what they are--works of art. That they may be
> 'photorealistic' art only confuses the non-cognoscenti all the more, and guess what? There's not much any of us can do about widespread perceptions like this, except to make sure that we demand respect for
> our work product up front. If we insist that librarians, photographers
> and observers at contests treat our stuff with the same circumspection
> that they would a Ming vase, only then can we hope that the models are
> treated carefully. The librarian (bless her bunned hair) probably had no
> clue how many hours go into even a simple box-shaker, much less anything
> the least bit difficult to build or upgrade. Don't get me wrong--
> Jonathan had every right to "go ballistic" with this hamhanded approach.
> Still, the cautionary moral of this for me is that you have to
> anticipate this ignorance if you are going to place your models in peril
> by exhibition to the general public.
>
> Mark Schynert
Mark,
Our chapter had a mall show, several years ago. We had table set up in
the middle of the mall, right outside the door to the Sear's store.
There was a lot of traffic there to see our built-ups. The management of
the mall also provided us with metal poles and velvet ropes..like used
in movie theatres....well...during the show, a little kid about 5 or 6
ducked under the rope and picked up a 1/48 Monogram B-17 that had a lot
of extra work done on it, while the two table attendants were busy
looking the other direction. They heard the little guys voice behind
them ask "Does this fly?!" Just in time to turn around and see him
launch the fortress....geeze...2,000 assorted pieces of plastic when it
hit the marble floor. The mother grabbed the kids hand and retreated
down the mall without so much as an appology...Yes..it is dangerous to
display your models...been there, done that, have the t-shirt!!
Rant mode off....
Ray Mehlberger IPMS/USA #12269
--
PRESIDENT ALEXANDER LIPPISCH CHAPTER IPMS/USA
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA USA "THE FARTIN FLEAS"
OWNER/MNGR. ARMOR RESEARCH CO.,845 ORCHARD RD.,MARION,IA
PRECISION IN 1/35 A.F.V. ACCESSORIES, MADE IN USA WITH PRIDE
Chris Hughes
Johnathan,
Next time, try:
a. "I've coloured in some of the pictures in your book..."
b. "Oh sh**, I dropped your camera..."
--
Chris Hughes (CJM.H...@BTInternet.com)
ch1...@earthlink.net
Jonathan Mock wrote:
Snip the 'Oh the /humanity/ of it all' Hindenburg Horror Bits.
> There's a moral in there somewhere...
Yes, three actually-
1) Modelling builds a certain degree of pentup watchmaker
micro-detail-control frustration angst that God, Fate and some curious
bipedal Freaks Of Nature kindly allow us a release for via violence.
2) Mention the words L-A-W-S-U-I-T in your preamble about
"_Not_Touching_The_Damn_Models_!!!!" Together with advisory's on how
many hours in each and total on the display collection. Even translated
to minimum wage currencies that are all the average slope headed wonder
can probably comprehend, this has the ultimate Is-It-Clear-Now? weight
of fiscal responsibility. Do it in front of witnesses.
Small Claims courts here in the U.S. will do (by state) up to 500-1,000
dollars with No Lawyer's Needed and I might even be grateful for the new
collection of unbuilt styrene I could acquire...
3) NEVER 'show the holy of holys' to the the unclean barbarian hordes
without overwhelming protective backup. At least at an IPMS show you
can expect ropes and other-kit/back-of-table shield wall averages on
ballistic kids and free fall all-thumbs accidents plus, occasionally,
/some/ comprehension of your investment and extra care-effort in
consequence. Heck, maybe even a ribbon in exchange for your heart
palpatations and grey hairs. And again, 90% of them are male so if
worse comes to worst...
Kurt Plummer
P.S. Many of you might not think I'm serious about #2 especially. But
translate even your simplest 'box-shaker' to a museum model in say the
Smithsonian and looking at the prerefurbished Enterprise for an example,
wonder just which kit is in superior shape and quality...
Yet there isn't a block-brained moron alive who would think he could get
away with trashing such a 'bit of history'; even if it could be
scratchbuilt again rather simply by any of us with the materials-$$ to
back up the intent.
Yyeeeeuuuu-Uggggghhhh!!! The Red Haze of beligerent berzerker blood
fury doth recede now.:)
Gemi...@webtv.net
Oh, yes. I have friends that come over and pull the same crap. As
for trusting my assembled kits to someone else--NO WAY. As for the
librarians--I would have burned them at the stake!
--Gemini--
(Wolf in Sheeps Clothing)
William H. Shuey
Jonathan Mock wrote:
>
> White knuckle time!
>
> A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a display
> of models. They had a nice glass cabinet and I accepted the offer on the
> proviso that I was the one to install them and remove them. No problem. I
> took down about a dozen model and laid them out on display. It went down
> well, garnering interest from veterans who remembered some of the aircraft
> and the local ATC club.
>
> Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
> had someone stolen them (Yeah, in my dreams). No, they had been removed
> words).
>
> She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
> like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
>
> (Pause here while the rest of you get some air or have a glass of water).
>
> Of course, I went ballistic, as I retrieved them and packed them away,
> along with the various parts that had come adrift along the way. I was both
> could I remove the models and B: that they had broken an explicit agreement
> with them NOT TO TOUCH THE MODELS!
>
> see what all the fuss was about. When I pointed out that if people treated
> no... what was the point, I wasnąt getting through. I made it know that I
> was not happy and left. I never did do another display for them, which was
> a shame.
>
> A similar thing happened again recently when a newspaper photographer a
> model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
> and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
> tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
> equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
>
>
> Jonathan Mock
>
> łIąve got idols and icons, unspoken holy vows,
> Thoughts to keep well hidden -
> sacred and forbidden,
> Free to browse among the holy cows."
FRUSTRATION: Def. That awful feeling in your gut when you have met
someone who really needs to be whacked up along side the head, but you
know you will be locked up if you do it.
Bill Shuey
IPMS(USA) 10292
Mike Dougherty
Jonathan Mock wrote:
>
> White knuckle time!
>
> There's a moral in there somewhere...
>
I was at a Hobby/Craft Show recently and almost lost my mind watching
parents let their kids touch the models on display. Although there was
stanchions and rope around the tables and signs beside almost every
model saying not to touch them these moronic parents just stand there
and watch the kids 'enjoying themselves'. I really felt for the guys
there who had stuff on display as they seemed overwhelmed trying to look
in ten directions at once. Maybe a loudspeaker with a looped recording
blaring 'DON'T TOUCH THE MODELS' might help. To top it off when I
politely told the parents/kids not to touch, I got some very harsh
responses. One was 'It's a toy show, they shouldn't be on display if the
kids can't play with them'. If I hear 'they're only toys!' one more time
I'm going to find another use for my x-acto knife!
John Selvia
My brother couldn't wait til I finished a model and he would get some M80s and
blow them up or use butane lighter fluid and torch them til they were a molten
slag on our front steps.
Very traumatizing.
Then there's the time I spent weeks on a scratchbuilt sci-fi diorama and my nephew
(6 at the time) destroyed the whole thing in 2 hours while I was away at college.
John
iva...@dnaco.net
http://www.dnaco.net/~ivanjs/
MgicBox
Whoa! What a real nightmare to a model builder! Heck no, these models aren't
toys, these are works of art!!! OUR ART, our blood, sweat and tears! Our way to
express ourselves, our stress relievers, our world away from the crazy
world!!!!!
Man, that story pretty well made me mad. I sure wouldn't like my models
displayed and stacked up like toy blocks, like the way the author said in his
story. All that work GONE! All modelers put a considerable effort in making
their models as realistic looking as possible, hence the distinction between
"toys" and "models" and to have them treated as mere toys pretty much steams
me!!!
I feel really bad about that one modeler's experience. It sure hit me like a
rock. I remember when my brother touched my models and broke them and how mad I
got after seeing my hard work go up with a crash! Eventually I had my model
repaired but after many times of that happening, I decided never to place it
anywhere near his reach again. (Sorry little brother!)
How DARE anyone call our models "toys" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An aviation museum sure sounds a lot safer than a library, don't you think?
MgicBox
Ruediger Landmann
ch1...@earthlink.net wrote:
: 2) Mention the words L-A-W-S-U-I-T in your preamble about
: "_Not_Touching_The_Damn_Models_!!!!" Together with advisory's on how
: many hours in each and total on the display collection. Even translated
: to minimum wage currencies that are all the average slope headed wonder
: can probably comprehend, this has the ultimate Is-It-Clear-Now? weight
: of fiscal responsibility. Do it in front of witnesses.
In the same vein but with a slightly different approach, in displays such
as the one Johnathan mentioned, it might sometimes be worthwhile to
include a half-built kit with some "Gee whiz! Who woulda thought?" facts
and figures around it, spelling out how much money is involved in building
a kit to this standard, and the amount of time involved in each step of
the building process.
Thing is, the plebs simply don't have a clue, and they haven't been
socialised into thinking of model aircraft/tanks/starships/whatever as
having much inherent value, they way they have for, say, a china figurine.
Furthermore, the association made with toys leads them to believe that the
models are probably pretty robust - hell, well made pieces of armour and
even some aircraft *look* pretty robust! Lastly, having no experience with
models, they simply have no idea that there might be a little antenna or
gun barrel or other projection sicking out *exactly* where they're about
the grab the model to pick it up.
So, for them, picking the thing up and handling it as you would a toy
doesn't seem like an unreasonable thing to do. We have to educate them
otherwise... one way or another...
Chun325
>From: jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk (Jonathan Mock)
>Date: Tue, Jan 27, 1998 17:47 EST
>There's a moral in there somewhere...
>
Funny, that's why there was an argument some months ago about judges handling
models at any contest !
'Nuff said.................
HAPPY MODELING, and BASICS FIRST !
Bradley Chun - IPMS #33945
I build vacuform aircraft kits, therefore I am.
An injected kit, of any vacuform kit, will surely follow.
Shoot 'A's fast !
Invisible souls exit through suppressed 9mm and .308 cal holes !
Ruediger Landmann
MgicBox (mgi...@aol.com) wrote:
: rock. I remember when my brother touched my models and broke them and how mad I
: got after seeing my hard work go up with a crash! Eventually I had my model
I once went away on a long trip, and returned to find that my mother and
grandmother had been round in my absence to do me a favour by tidying the
place up so it would be "nice and clean and fresh" when I got back. Much
as the sentiment was appreciated...
Every model that I currently owned had been "dusted" (why I don't know -
they were all under glass...). And *every one* had been stripped of
antennas, guns, undercarriage, and most under-wing stores. I was just too
heartbroken to even get mad. To make matters worse, it was denied that
anything had been broken at all. Later, to add insult to injury, it was
shrugged off with "what silly things to collect if they can get broken so
easily"!
Needless to say, I explained that I would appreciate it if any good turns
in the cleaning department in future would not include my models...
It's a sad thing to have to junk your whole collection and start over.
Still, on the other hand, when I built those kits again, they come out
much better the second time around. Not that that was much comfort.
Barton Spencer Brown
<<I humbly submit that the next time you display your models, put them
all up "for sale" with displayed prices in the hundreds of dollars or
pounds.>>
Now THAT's an excellent idea! Most photogs and painters I know attach a
price when their images are on exhibit at anything other than a juried
show -- like the guy who shot the cover photo for John Berendt's
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" (great book, lousy movie...):
he had a lot of his stuff hanging in a café I used to frequent in
downtown Savannah, and every image had a price plainly marked. It
encouraged parents to rein in their adventuresome kids...
With models, maybe the price and a "you drop it, you bought it" sign.
And a high-voltage barrier (if you had a BIG kit, you could stash a live
Tazer inside it...)
Bart Brown
Vince Pugliese
Let me relate a story that has a similar ending:
I used to work for an engineering department a great metropolitan university
and from time to time we used to get requests from film production types
to see our "facilities" as possible film locations. Well one time, the prop
master for some film project came by and noticed a model of a projected
design that we had commissioned a "professional" model maker to construct.
The prop master asked if they could borrow the model for filming purposes.
I spoke with my supervisor, who agreed to lend the model to the film company.
We did put one stipulation though: A cheque in the amount equal to the
cost of the model was given to us as a sort of insurance policy. [No points
to those who peek ahead]
Well the big day arrived, and the model was off to stardom and a spot on
Entertainment Tonight. A few days pass, and we get the model back:
Aaaahhhh!! What the...??
The prop master phoned and apologized profusely though this was clearly not
going to make things better. The model was damaged though not totally beyond
repair. Even though I did not actually construct this particular model, I
still felt that a trust had been betrayed. The saving grace was that we had
the foresight to insist on an "insurance" deposit.
.vp
Maiesm72
Sometimes not even the "right" venue is safe.
Several years back I allowed a local (Concord) branch of a national hobby chain
display a heavilly converted model with tons of detail. The owner of the chain
had a hissy fit over something or other and I came back the next day to get me
model. Never saw it again.
Not too many years ago the IPMS folks in the SF Bay Area loaned large numbers
of models to an Oakland air museum. Cases were provided, pretty good lighting,
real respect for the models. Nobody planned on the thief who broke in during
the night and stole almost every model, leaving damage in his wake.
If the aforementioned librarian still works for that library a formal letter of
complaint to her employer would be appropriate with a demand that it be
retained in her personel folder. When the library comes up for funding a little
effort on your part may make your feelings known. Always mention and present $
as the bottom line. Whether it is the librarians salary or money to run the
library, that is the only thing that most people pay attention to. If she is
that careless with other people's property there is probably a pattern to her
work habits as well.
BTW, the IPMS Golden Gate chapter has had some very nice experiences with the
Corte Madera library along with other venues to display our work over the
years. Check out the 1/72 scale USS with full compliment of B-25s at the air
museum at Oakland International Airport.
Tom Young
IPMS #3406
ch1...@earthlink.net
Maiesm72 wrote:
>Check out the 1/72 scale USS with full compliment of B-25s at the air
> museum at Oakland International Airport.
>
> Tom Young
> IPMS #3406
Dare I say /Hornet/? Wow, that must be some display, drool-drool...
Dan Winfield
>>
>
In my experiences with the cellphone sucking general public and their out
of control, snot sucking, foul mouthed a**hole baby, offsprings that resorting
to certain gestures does more to press home a point than a thousand words.
When a certain rather rotundous woman and her pack of unkept, candy smeared
by products approached our display area, she repeatedly ignored request to
keep her children undercontrol, they systematically went from table to table
fondling, dripping and smearing different excellent pieces, as they approached
my table, I ran interference, I calmly requested that she not allow her children
the liberties she had at the other tables. And as she so candily put it, "How
cum yer so special anyhow, dem kids touchin dem thins ain't gonna hurt nuttin,
they's just stinkin toys." To that I responded with "Then why don't you touch
this stinkin toy awhile, BITCH!!!".....................(grabbing crotch).
After she gathered her multitudes together rather hurridly and made a quick
exit right, she immediately reported me to the Mall officials, who where sympathetic
but asked me to use a little more tact in the future. They didn't touch my "Toys"
and I guess that was the whole point.
"A single sunbeam is enough to drive
away many shadows."
St. Francis of Assisi
MRLB Dan¹
BucholtzC
My experiences with publc events...
The last public show I displayed models at (about 10, IIRC) was a... CHILDREN'S
FAIR! (Gasp! Shudder!) Oddly, the only damage that was suffered was to the
canopy on an A-4 Skyhawk (adults tried to "close" it--twice!), which was
promptly repaired (twice!).
When you have a chance to TALK to kids, they usually turn out to be fairly
respectful. It's the ADULTS who are beyond help, most of the time. (Also,
saying "please do NOT touch!" in the same tone I used with my first-division
non-rates also does wonders.)
My M.O. is to sit at the display working on another model--that way, people get
the idea of what sort of time, money and effort goes into these "toys." When
you're sanding down a fuselage and someone says, "what are you doing?" and you
say, "I'm building another one of these," and point to a FINISHED model of the
same type--well, the point is made abundantly clear!!
Also, I never leave my models in a spot unattended by other fellow modelers. I
had the nose probe on my KA-6D broken off and lost in the display case of a
HOBBY SHOP once--never again, I vowed! (Of course, the same KA-6D's in D&J
Hobbies' case now... but, heck, it's proved it can take punishment!)
I have seen nightmare situations--a plane that "ran away" at a Moffett Field
exhibit, and the worst ever--a contest in one half of a gymnasium, with the
other half filled with small children playing basketball!
Still, I think models deserve to be seen and enjoyed by people, many of whom do
appreciate our art, and some of whom ,with a bit of inspiration, might find
pleasure in pursuing the sickness- er, hobby we engage in.
--Chris Bucholtz
Les Pickstock
In article <19980128083...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
buch...@aol.com (BucholtzC) wrote:
>
> When you have a chance to TALK to kids, they usually turn out to be fairly
> respectful. It's the ADULTS who are beyond help, most of the time. (Also,
> saying "please do NOT touch!" in the same tone I used with my first-division
> non-rates also does wonders.)
It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how far apart we are
the more its the same. I've displayed at various Steam Rallys and every
said so far has applied. But I wonder if people who display will
recognise this character.
Usually a boy about 8-10 years old , more often or not
unaccompanied. He hangs arounds and refuses to be drawn into
conversation, but let your attention wander for a minute and he's in the
roped area touching the models. And the worst thing is you can see the
'little bugger' coming. You know what he's up to and times being what they
are you can't discourage him with a cuff around the ear. (I do miss the
days of my youth).
But public showing can be great fun. My own favourite
experience was being asked if the aeroplanes I had on display were flying
models. I proceeded to explain to the young girl the difference between
"scale models" and " flying models" while she and "the family" watched
and listened intently. After this explanation which I had thought was
imformative and not patronising ( a serious mistake when talking to
children) was over the 'mother' explained the little girl was the child of
a German friend and hadn't understood a word I'd said.
I'd love to hear some of the nice things that happen to
modellers who display.
=====================================================================
Les Pickstock... son of fun and daughter of darkness
=====================================================================
I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full-frontal Lobotomy ...... Tom Waits
=====================================================================
Dennis Bishop
They're all a bunch of dipsticks!
--
"You are not ready for Immortality" Kosh on Babylon 5
Chris Durden
BucholtzC wrote:
>
> My experiences with publc events...
>
> The last public show I displayed models at (about 10, IIRC) was a... CHILDREN'S
> FAIR! (Gasp! Shudder!) Oddly, the only damage that was suffered was to the
> canopy on an A-4 Skyhawk (adults tried to "close" it--twice!), which was
> promptly repaired (twice!).
>
> respectful. It's the ADULTS who are beyond help, most of the time. (Also,
> saying "please do NOT touch!" in the same tone I used with my first-division
> non-rates also does wonders.)
>
> the idea of what sort of time, money and effort goes into these "toys." When
> you're sanding down a fuselage and someone says, "what are you doing?" and you
> say, "I'm building another one of these," and point to a FINISHED model of the
> same type--well, the point is made abundantly clear!!
>
> Also, I never leave my models in a spot unattended by other fellow modelers. I
> had the nose probe on my KA-6D broken off and lost in the display case of a
> HOBBY SHOP once--never again, I vowed! (Of course, the same KA-6D's in D&J
> Hobbies' case now... but, heck, it's proved it can take punishment!)
>
> I have seen nightmare situations--a plane that "ran away" at a Moffett Field
> exhibit, and the worst ever--a contest in one half of a gymnasium, with the
> other half filled with small children playing basketball!
>
> Still, I think models deserve to be seen and enjoyed by people, many of whom do
> appreciate our art, and some of whom ,with a bit of inspiration, might find
> pleasure in pursuing the sickness- er, hobby we engage in.
>
> --Chris Bucholtz
Chris -
I agree! Three modellers from our club went to a local middle school to
talk about model building to a group of 11 boys. We let them pass
around our models after we told them how to handle them. I was
impressed by the gentle and respectful way they handled our creations.
Chris
José Herculano
>and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
>tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
>equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
>³It¹¹s only a model².
Answering a similar question by a similar moron, I quoted how many hours I
spent building it. Then I quoted my per hour fee for providing services to
business computer systems, which I did at the time. Then I did the simple
math of multiplying the numbers. OK Mr. Photographer, I'll take your camera
and your clothes as a down payment ;-)
José Herculano
_____________________________
http://www.almansur.com/aviation/
José Herculano
>hit the marble floor. The mother grabbed the kids hand and retreated
>down the mall without so much as an appology...Yes..it is dangerous to
Next time shoot her.
Barton Spencer Brown
<<When you have a chance to TALK to kids, they usually turn out to be
fairly respectful. It's the ADULTS who are beyond help, most of the
time.>>
Boy, ain't THAT the truth!
Bart
Jeff Cooper
In article <EnH8E...@ecf.toronto.edu>, vi...@ecf.toronto.edu says...
I can relate to this. The hobby shop that kindly displays some of my models was
rented a while ago for part of a film. The producers wanted to move all of the
models out, and replace them with toys, etc of their own. The owner supervised
the packing and moving, so all was well when they left. Filming over, everything
was moved back in, and, to our horror, most of the models had some kind of damage.
A tray of parts was left for us to do a kind of archeological reconstruction.
Worst, my Monogram B-52 had been dropped. I was presented with its smashed remains
in a box and told that the company would pay for it. Weeks later, after several
phone calls, the manager grudgingly paid C$40 (less than replacement value), saying
"Well, you had the fun of building it, didn't you?" The shop owner made up the
difference from his own pocket and gave me the pick of his stock to replace it but
the experience left me determined to never let one of my models near a film crew
again.
Oh, yes. Several quite expensive toy soldier sets diasappeared during the filming.
I don't know the outcome of that.
Jeff C
--
"We have all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million
typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare.
Now, thanks to the internet, we know this is not true."
R. Wilensky
=> SPAMtrap: Replace "remove" with "Direct" to reply<=
Jonathan Mock
Kaboom! I've obviously tapped into a familar vien here!
At a major show I had a 1/72 Grumman Martlet partly trashed when some kid
picked it up an launched it into the wild blue yonder. Again, the reposnse
of the parent - hurredly shuffling little Jonny away - was "it's only a
toy".
Mind you, I don;t think this phenonenom is limited to moedlling. I see
similat things in supermarkets and shopping centres all the time. I think
kids are born deaf or something.
What really pisses me off (apologies for the language, but it does) is the
vacant looks these 'parents' have on their faces when they are looking at
models, as their brains try and comprehend what it is they are looking at.
Unfortunatelty, it's a case of "can't understand, can't understand... MUST
DESTROY!".
Mind you, at one show there was a life size Dalek model (from Dr Who) that
had a 'Do Not Touch' sign. Of course, I was talking about it to a friend
and pointed out the Mini lights (or whatever) on the head with my fingers.
With that, the head swivelled round and the eye looked at me! There was
someone inside it! I never did wear those trousers again...
Ok, I want to see this as STANDARD at all model shows. A little sign that
says "DO NOT TOUCH THE MOELS - ALL BREAKAGES WILL BE PAID FOR" and "PARENTS
- YOU ARE LIABLE FOR YOUR CHILDRENS BREAKAGES". Come on, you people have
computers (you wouldn't be here if you didn't). Print this out, get it
photocopied and pass it around. I want the IPMS to go on the offensive.
Time to hit back at these savages!
Ah, the wonder of shared experiences - group hug anyone?
Vesa Halme
MgicBox wrote:
> An aviation museum sure sounds a lot safer than a library, don't you think?
Well..., maybe. I have had both good experiences and bad ones - the bad
ones actually at an armor museum. I had scratchbuilt the Finnish PASI
APC and donated it to the museum for display. I probably should have
attached some parts more sturdily, as I have over the years repaired it
at least three times.
Then I gave them a model of a T-72M1 (Tamiya) in Finnish markings, on a
base like the PASI. The next time I saw the model, it looked very much
like a real tank that had been driven into a several-hundred pound box
mine. The fenders were torn almost off, flags were missing from the
antennas, along with various small parts from the turret. Apparently,
someone had carried the model/base combination on top of a pile of
papers or books, and as they started sliding from the person's hands,
the model landed on the concrete floor, upside down...
I would have gladly repaired it, but someone had thrown the small parts
in trash... I had them remove my name from beside the base, as I could
no longer stand letting anyone know that I had built it. Needless to
say, that was the last model that I will ever put on display there :-p
--
Vesa Halme *
war...@vmhalme.pp.fi *
http://personal.eunet.fi/pp/vmhalme *
also *
webm...@prh.fi * Vesa Halme
http://www.prh.fi * Contest Secretary, IPMS Finland
Kenneth Hartlen
Mike Dougherty wrote in message <34CEB6...@lunaticfringe.org>...
>I was at a Hobby/Craft Show recently and almost lost my mind watching
>parents let their kids touch the models on display. Although there was
>stanchions and rope around the tables and signs beside almost every
>model saying not to touch them these moronic parents just stand there
>and watch the kids 'enjoying themselves'. I really felt for the guys
>there who had stuff on display as they seemed overwhelmed trying to look
>in ten directions at once. Maybe a loudspeaker with a looped recording
>blaring 'DON'T TOUCH THE MODELS' might help. To top it off when I
>politely told the parents/kids not to touch, I got some very harsh
>responses. One was 'It's a toy show, they shouldn't be on display if the
>kids can't play with them'.
Yet more proof that natural selection is no longer working and society
allows these morons to walk the face of the planet. Even worse, they get
together and procreate, passing their teachings onto the offspring!!!
Common sense and consideration for others seems to be dieing traits. To hear
these types of stories, especially when judges are involved, makes my blood
boil. The closest people will probably ever get to my models is the pictures
on my Web site.
As an aside: the Toronto subway stations have signs saying "Danger, high
voltage. Stay off the tracks". Now, why do we really want to protect the
morons that even consider venturing onto the tracks?
> If I hear 'they're only toys!' one more time I'm going to find another use
for my x-acto knife!
Go on Mike, put natural selection back on track! :)
Ken
David Batt
Jonathan Mock <jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk> wrote in article
<jonathan.mockSPAMOFF-ya0...@news.ukonline.co.uk>...
> White knuckle time!
>
> A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a
display
> of models.
> Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
> had someone stolen them (Yeah, in my dreams). No, they had been removed
> early to make way for another display, but łthey were safe˛ (Librarians
> words).
>
> She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one
another
> like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
>
> (Pause here while the rest of you get some air or have a glass of water).
>
> Of course, the reply I got was a kind of łwell, theyąre only models˛
Jonathon, it's not only the uninitiated who can be this casual. A few
years back I was into large scale r/c ships and my own effort was a
battleship nearly six foot long and weighing in at over 60lbs. In order to
get the wooden deck looking right I'd laid basswood strips over the plywood
structural deck - God knows how many thousand individual three inch strips
of 3/32 x 1/16inch 'planks' and I have to admit it looked pretty tasty when
it was all sanded flat and matt varnished. This sort of effort, while it's
a perfectly practical thing to do, was a bit unusual.
I lost track of the number of times I attended model sailing regattas and
saw, usually from a distance while I was off getting a cup of coffee or
suchlike, other modellers scratching at (yes, I wrote SCRATCHING AT !!!)
the decks to see what they where made of. Their usual reaction was "Oh, I
didn't realise you were watching", as if not noticing would have made it
alright.
I don't know whether it was a scale effect (no pun intended) but the
non-modelling public at these regattas were invariably a lot more
sympathetic and respectful - maybe they thought the thing would turn on
them if they got too close!
--
David Batt
"I'm only doing this while the glue dries, honest!"
AHorv43767
I'm afraid there are some fallacies going around in this thread.
Don't get me wrong, I agree with all the comments about the kids and their
parents, and I'll be the first to commiserate about the sinking feeling from a
destroyed or missing model. (Fortunately, I'm protected from such experiences
by the fact that my models are not well enough built that anyone would want to
look at them, but I can still relate!)
The bad advice is this:
1. Tell the unwashed that the model is a "work of art/piece of history." That
is only going to make you look like a flake. Modellers do worst with the
general public when they get pretentious and try to inflate their hobby to more
than a hobby. Except to model buffs, models aren't art! The brat's mother's
it's-only-a-model response is irrelevant, but it isn't wrong. The truth of the
matter is that it IS only a goddamn model. That should be enough! It's a
piece of someone else's property, after all, that he lavished a good bit of
time and attention on.
2. Tell the unwashed what the model is worth. One contributor to this
discussion has even mentioned a lawsuit. Bad idea. First, you must understand
that a model is NOT worth whatever value you arrive at by assigning a value to
your time and then adding in the cost of materials etc. Nor is it worth the
amount of money that you, the builder, would feel content with receiving in
exchange for its destruction. The model is instead worth what someone would
pay for it. With fairly rare exceptions that means it is worth pretty close to
nothing. If you successfully sued somebody in small claims court for
destroying your model, you might be awarded the cost of the kit and aftermarket
parts, if you were lucky enough not to be laughed out of the courtroom. And,
much as I sympathize with anyone in this situation, I can't say I'd disagree
with such a result.
I will offer one proviso to the above. Any time you're dealing with a library,
hobby shop, museum, etc. where someone has control over and responsibility for
the premises, you can simply arrange a contract BEFORE the model goes on
display, specifying a sum of money as damages for harm to the model. If you do
this, the sum of money doesn't have to reflect any troubling notion of the
"value" of the model -- it's a contract, the amount may be high but the other
party can take it or leave it. Of course it's even better if you actually take
a deposit on the safety of the model, but the contract alone may instill the
necessary sense of responsibility in the person you are dealing with. And if
you have to sue them in small claims court later, a contract is a lot easier to
sue on than proving negligence and the value of the piece.
Guys, look. We have a hobby we enjoy a lot, but most people don't have much
respect for it, and it isn't easy to think of a good reason why they should.
When you put your model within reach of the public, the only things standing
between it and destruction are (1) the vigilance of whatever custodian is
responsible for safeguarding it while on display, assuming such custodian does
not turn out to be the agent of destruction, and (2) the public's sense of
respect for others' property and ability to enforce that respect with their
children.
Slender reed on which to stake the safety of your model! Well, best of luck.
August
Barry Beldam
I have had more than my share of horror stories as well, especially
building 76th armour but I did have one very different one as well.
Several friends (US, Cdns and German) and I were at the international
airport in Frankfurt in 1986 for a large hobby display. During the
weekend there were over 60,000 visitors and, believe it or not, not
one person touched anything. Children were leaning over the tables and
making comments galore but no one touched. After the initial
anticipation of waiting to disembowel the first guilty moron (I gave
up speaking harshly years ago) and being disappointed, the time became
pure pleasure. It can happen, but only once in a lifetime, I guess.
Barry
Armoured Acorn: www.cgo.wave.ca/~sbeldam/acorn.htm
Maiesm72
OK< somebody asked for positive input.
Two years ago I attended an airshow with the Tuskeegee Airman as a theme.
Several of the original pilots were guests and it was a great show.
Part of the show was a small booth displaying examples of the aircraft that
these gentlemen flew, about a dozen in all. While I was chatting with the lady
at the booth a family of five stopped by. The youngest boy, who looked the part
of a low level rapmaster, shoved one of the models off of the table and
exclaimed "Them's just cheap toys!"
Big brother gave him a slap accross the face that was obviously very
restrained. Mama came over, kneeled down to the little monster's level and very
quietly said "Those are models of the planes that your grandpa flew. He was a
true hero. You haven't even made it to fool yet, and you may not make it that
far if you ever act like that again". She then ordered a rather dejected
appology and started to leave.
That was when the lady in the booth reached underneath the table and handed the
kid a Monogram P-51D and instructed Mama where to get glue and paint. At the
end of the day I saw the little bugger with the model, a book on the Tuskeegee
Airmen and a couple of autographed posters.
I like to think that that incident made a difference in the life of one little
kid who, more than gaining respect and perspective, gained something of a grasp
on reality far ahead of his years.
Tom Young
IPMS #3406
Albatrosdv
I'm certainly glad to find that vacant-headedness among parents and the
ill-discipline of their spawn isn't limited to the savages of North America.
If it's happening in Britain, it's time to bring up the drawbridge and man the
battlements.
I think orphaning the child is preferable. But since what I would do and what
I can do are two different things, I agree about these signs, and I hope those
who run the shows ENFORCE it.
BTW, in case you are wondering what the replacement value of a built-up model
is, charge them US$15/hr and the cost of materials. That is the standard
professional rate here in S. California for those doing journeyman work for the
studios. I usually get $250-$300 for a built-up 1/48 fighter. The first time
they pay something like that, I'll bet little Johnny will learn to keep his
hands in his pockets.
Tom Cleaver
Albat...@aol.com
red...@vermont.starway.net.au
jonathan.m...@ukonline.co.uk (Jonathan Mock) wrote:
>White knuckle time!
Snip, Snip
>There's a moral in there somewhere...
>--
>Jonathan Mock
>łIąve got idols and icons, unspoken holy vows,
>Thoughts to keep well hidden -
>sacred and forbidden,
>Free to browse among the holy cows."
Even modelling clubs have morons that damage other's models. Several
years ago in the club I frequent we had a member who always flicked
the pitot tubes of jets with his finger. I built a rather poor Mirage
IIIO kit but took the time to replace the pitot tube with one made
from a surgical steel wire. Sure 'nuff, the "destoryer" comes along
flicking all the pitot tubes, does it to my model and impails himself
on the pitot tube. He spent a good ten minutes hopping around,
squeeling like a stuck pig, until I pulled the thing out of his
finger. We have not had a singe breakage since.
Gary Byk
remember the golden rule of the 7 Ps
Albatrosdv
Even at an air museum, models are not necessarily safe. Last year, at the
Planes of Fame show, my friend Robert Karr had put on public display the huge
diorama he built for the museum (Eddie Rickenbacker's return to Toul Airdrome
after losing the top wing fabric of his Nieuport 28, done from photos of the
actual event), a piece of model-making for which the word "stunning" is an
understatement. Everything is GLUED DOWN on the diorama, and still several
"adults" tried to PRY THEM OFF to take a look. Finally, the acrylic case went
over it and no one got to look closely ever again.
As far as the "market value" of a model is concerned, I do it for collectors,
and the price is $250-$500/model, depending, and I am talking about the models
you all buy in the shops and do for yourselves. There is value in this work.
The one nice thing to notice in this thread is that it is obvious all the
fruits and nuts have not rolled down to the Southern California corner.
Tom Cleaver
Albat...@aol.com
SVanaken
>The one nice thing to notice in this thread is that it is obvious all the<BR>
>fruits and nuts have not rolled down to the Southern California corner.
Reminds me of a joke.
How is California like a box of cereal? Once you have taken out all the fruits
and nuts, you still have the flakes!
(uproarious laughter from the mob in the room)
=0)
Cheers,
Scott Van Aken IPMS Canada 5729
Now, back to reality: which is already in progress--Firesign Theater
kit reviews and photos at http://members.aol.com/svanaken
New items added weekly
Paolo Pizzi
Jonathan Mock wrote:
> Mind you, I don;t think this phenonenom is limited to moedlling. I see
> similat things in supermarkets and shopping centres all the time. I think
> kids are born deaf or something.
It's not their fault, unfortunately the problem is bigger: parents
don't teach them how to behave and the brats are completely spoiled.
> Ok, I want to see this as STANDARD at all model shows. A little sign that
> says "DO NOT TOUCH THE MOELS - ALL BREAKAGES WILL BE PAID FOR" and "PARENTS
> - YOU ARE LIABLE FOR YOUR CHILDRENS BREAKAGES". Come on, you people have
> computers (you wouldn't be here if you didn't). Print this out, get it
> photocopied and pass it around. I want the IPMS to go on the offensive.
> Time to hit back at these savages!
Well, even if you don't write it you can always sue them.
--
Paolo Pizzi
Cypress, CA
IPMS #35423
_______________________________________
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Mjrudymodl
>The closest people will probably ever get to my models is the pictures
>on my Web site.
To the poster who thinks the models will be safe in his own home:
When I was in my teens, I had a fairly decent collection of 1/72 and some 1/48
WWII aircraft, lined up neatly, figures all around servicing them, you know the
drill. I kept them in my cellar on a picnic table with the two benches
together underneath as a second shelf.
One day while I was at school, we needed some emergency repairs (the nature of
which now escapes me) and a repairman came into the cellar to work. Would you
believe the Neanderthal plopped his materials RIGHT ON TOP of the models?!
Didn't even attempt to move anything! Didn't even apologize when it was
pointed out.
Got no sympathy from my mom either, who hated my hobby because it wasn't
"ladylike." She only let me do it because my late father had started me on it,
and there were worse things a teenager could do.
Moral: If you think you're safe from the "great unwashed," better check that
your collection is out of harm's way before you call a plumber!
M. J. Rudy
mjrud...@aol.com
Have you checked here lately?
http://members.aol.com/MRudyruthl/rudymodl.html
Ranger Joe, Defender of Bunnies
When I moved from the Destruct of Columbia to rural Virginia I knew that
I would have no room for some of my larger spacecraft models, like my
1/72 shuttle with hand-drawn tiles and a semi-scratchbuilt Apollo-Soyuz
Test Project. I allowed a friend of mine to display them in his office
at the National Space Society in DC with the condition that I could
reclaim them at any time.
Two years later I moved again, and wanted my models back. I drove into
DC, met with my friend at our favorite Capitol Hill restaurant and after
dinner went to his office to collect the models. The shuttle was intact,
but the ASTP was in about 376 pieces. My friend hemmed and hawed and
then said, "Uh, I don't know who took that apart". What took it apart
was the rapid decelleration imparted upon it after it fell from the
ceiling. My friend at least had the brains to put the many tiny antennae
and thruster bells into a ziplock bag.
I've since rebuilt it and it hangs over my head as I speak, er, type.
I've also removed my friend's name from my email address list.
Ranger Joe, Defender of Bunnies
William H. Shuey
Jonathan Mock wrote:
>
> Kaboom! I've obviously tapped into a familar vien here!
>
> At a major show I had a 1/72 Grumman Martlet partly trashed when some kid
> picked it up an launched it into the wild blue yonder. Again, the reposnse
> of the parent - hurredly shuffling little Jonny away - was "it's only a
> toy".
>
> similat things in supermarkets and shopping centres all the time. I think
> kids are born deaf or something.
>
> vacant looks these 'parents' have on their faces when they are looking at
> models, as their brains try and comprehend what it is they are looking at.
> Unfortunatelty, it's a case of "can't understand, can't understand... MUST
> DESTROY!".
>
> Mind you, at one show there was a life size Dalek model (from Dr Who) that
> had a 'Do Not Touch' sign. Of course, I was talking about it to a friend
> and pointed out the Mini lights (or whatever) on the head with my fingers.
> With that, the head swivelled round and the eye looked at me! There was
> someone inside it! I never did wear those trousers again...
>
> says "DO NOT TOUCH THE MOELS - ALL BREAKAGES WILL BE PAID FOR" and "PARENTS
> - YOU ARE LIABLE FOR YOUR CHILDRENS BREAKAGES". Come on, you people have
> computers (you wouldn't be here if you didn't). Print this out, get it
> photocopied and pass it around. I want the IPMS to go on the offensive.
> Time to hit back at these savages!
>
>
> Jonathan Mock
>
> łIąve got idols and icons, unspoken holy vows,
> Thoughts to keep well hidden -
> sacred and forbidden,
> Free to browse among the holy cows."
FWIW Several years ago I was at a Maryland Military Modelers show and
learned a lesson. They were taking photographs of the winning models-had
a real professional setup. Lesson learned: NEVER USE FLOODLIGHTS!
This guy had a Revell 1/32 scale P-40 and while the photographer
was setting up the shot the P-40 started to change-the wings began to
droop and the stabilizers to sag-became a real sad P-40 before he got
the lights off and the plastic hardened again. Looked like one of those
characture aircraft cartoons we used to see on a calender every year.
And then there was the Hobbyshop owner who wanted a couple of
built up models for display in his store. Unfortunately-he put them in
the front window. The sun will do the same thing as those floodlights
mentioned above-just takes a little longer. The Revell 1/32 scale P-40
that went in the window was mine! Oh Boy!
Bill Shuey
William H. Shuey
My value on the model is ten times the cost of the kit. People gasp when
they ask me to build a model for them and I quote that rate, but they
don't realise what is involved-That's the problem - they just don't
know.
Bill Shuey
Mike Kroeker
Though, I have no modeling horror stories to share, I've had similar
experiences in the antique firearm hobby. I once spent a great deal of time
building fine grade flintlock and caplock muzzleloading rifles which I took to
regional gunshows to sell. Most of these pieces represented 200-300 hours worth
of labor because of the amount of carving, engraving, and hand fabrication of
the brass and silver mountings. Despite the Do Not Handle and You Break It, You
bought It! signs prominently displayed at my booth, there would always be one
or a group of grizzled buffoons in their camo deer-hunting garb with a beer in
their hand who would shoulder the arms, swing them around and invariably slam
them into a display rack or worse, another fine rifle putting a big dent in the
curly maple, hand-rubbed gunstock or hammering a big flat on the edge of the
hand-filed octagon barrel. The kids were never the problem. It was their
dim-witted elders who probably have never built anything by hand other than a
patio gate and had no appreciation for the kind of damage they had done. My
solution to the problem was to never take the good stuff to a show and never
display anything where the public could reach it. Unfortunately, displaying
models demands a different set of requirements, but the public is the same all
over.
Mike Kroeker
Mike Kroeker
Uh-Oh... Duck! Scott! Incoming! ;^)
-mike
Mike Dougherty
Ruediger Landmann wrote:
>
> MgicBox (mgi...@aol.com) wrote:
>
> : rock. I remember when my brother touched my models and broke them and how mad I
> : got after seeing my hard work go up with a crash! Eventually I had my model
>
> I once went away on a long trip, and returned to find that my mother and
> grandmother had been round in my absence to do me a favour by tidying the
> place up so it would be "nice and clean and fresh" when I got back. Much
> as the sentiment was appreciated...
>
> Every model that I currently owned had been "dusted" (why I don't know -
> they were all under glass...). And *every one* had been stripped of
> antennas, guns, undercarriage, and most under-wing stores. I was just too
> heartbroken to even get mad. To make matters worse, it was denied that
> anything had been broken at all. Later, to add insult to injury, it was
> shrugged off with "what silly things to collect if they can get broken so
> easily"!
>
> Needless to say, I explained that I would appreciate it if any good turns
> in the cleaning department in future would not include my models...
>
> It's a sad thing to have to junk your whole collection and start over.
> Still, on the other hand, when I built those kits again, they come out
> much better the second time around. Not that that was much comfort.
One ray of light here would be that your spares box must have been
overflowing!
Mike Dougherty
I was in a hobby shop about 2 months ago and while I was waiting to pay
for my purchase some guy from a movie company came in with a large box.
Needless to say there were about half a dozen models piled on top of
each other, a few damaged extensively. They had been borrowed from the
shop. He was very apologetic and did offer to pay damages(never found
out what the amount was). If ever someone wishes to use a model of mine
I think I'll just sell it to them because it probably won't make it back
anyway.
Paolo Pizzi
Albatrosdv wrote:
> The one nice thing to notice in this thread is that it is obvious all the
> fruits and nuts have not rolled down to the Southern California corner.
We still hold the world record though :-)))
Burl Burlingame
I have to admit the last time I got really mad at a stranger was at a model
display. We had several hundred Pacific War models on display at the Arizona
Memorial (an annual thing that IPMS-Hawaii used to do, but the Park Service
doesn't care for it anymore). Anyway, there was a father and his boy looking at
the models. The boy was about 10 to 12 years old, and he was really examining them
closely.
The father said, "Good models, aren't they?"
The boy nodded.
Then the father said, "You'll never build them this well. You might as well give
up."
The boy just nodded again.
But I was out of my chair, really pissed. I said to the boy, "Wait until you leave
home, then you can build whatever you want, and the only person you'll have to
please is yourself."
The father yelled at me, "How DARE you speak to my son that way!" And they walked
away. I had to go stomp around the building a few times to calm down.
LAX ET
I have about two dozen airplanes in 4 four *locked* display cases in the lobby
of the Los Angeles Airport Traffic Control Tower. I noticed one day that the
Kruger flap of a 747 SP model (half scratch built with flaps) was hanging. I
didn't think much about it at the time, thinking that it had just come loose. A
few days later I noticed all of the wire antennae on a PBY black Cat were
broken loose. I looked at the rest of the models & found half a dozen broken. I
found broken props, fin antennas, also. As far as I knew, only two people had
keys.
When I started raising hell, the guard at the desk told me that the cleaning
lady had "dusted" them. Since she doesn't speak english, I had the guard
explain life in the big city to this idiot, who still to this day doesn't
understand what I'm so mad about.
Now, there *ARE* only two keys, & the tower chief has the other one.
Dale G Elhardt
LA...@AOL.COM
You're only young once, but you can always be immature.
SVanaken
The obvious moral to all this is:
Don't put on public display anything you cannot afford to have broken.
J2R
John Selvia wrote:
>
> My brother couldn't wait til I finished a model and he would get some
> M80s and blow them up or use butane lighter fluid and torch them til
When I was about 9, I received an Airfix Heinkel HE111 as a present. I
spent days putting it together (no paint though) and then let it have
pride of place on a cabinet. Along comes my 7 year old cousin, who picks
it up, asks loudly "Can this thing fly?" and without waiting for an
answer proceeds to launch it across the room...where it ends up as a
pile of broken plastic :-( barely an hour after completion. Talk about
trauma and not to mention a couple of black eyes and bruises :-)
ModelerAl
In article <6ao8jp$hh4$1...@woody.vic.hotkey.net.au>,
red...@vermont.starway.net.au writes:
>Even modelling clubs have morons that damage other's models.
Yeah. The MiG-19S on my homepage was retired from competition after a
<former> "friend" decided to *help* me (unsolicited, I might add) unload my
car following a contest in Memphis. He DROPPED the MiG on the sidewalk! I
still display it at home, but it's never been the same since...
&*(%#$*
Al Superczynski
IPMS/USA #3795, continuous since 1968
Check out my want and disposal lists at"Al's Place":
http://users.aol.com/modeleral
"Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to,
and the critics will flame you every time."
MgicBox
Group hug or therapy if in case your model's been trashed... Darn right you
are! Models aren't toys unless you make them look that way!
At contests I've gone to but haven't participated in (due to crappy mishaps or
midterms in college for example) signs are posted saying "DO NOT TOUCH! in big
bright letters. You gotta be really near blind to not see these signs.
However, when the curious come in to see what's happening they see these signs
but what about the kids? When kids are tailing their parents, oh boy, you just
gotta see the eyes of the modelers who own the models lying on the tables. They
look awfully worried.
Well, you can't keep the kids out, otherwise there won't be any future modelers
but to a point, PLEASE keep the kids as far away so as not to damage the
models!!!!!! Especially MINE! Look but don't touch!
Maybe we should put up those ropes or things that the MPs place around the
Stealth fighter at airshows when we have contests. Then I can leave my model
alone for awhile knowing it's safe while I go browse or clean out the model
vendors for some great model kits. Hahahahaaa!!!
MgicBox
Ruediger Landmann
Kenneth Hartlen (khar...@interlog.com) wrote:
: As an aside: the Toronto subway stations have signs saying "Danger, high
: voltage. Stay off the tracks". Now, why do we really want to protect the
: morons that even consider venturing onto the tracks?
Because if said moron unfortunately survives his/her experience, the
lawsuit costs a lot more than putting up a sign... Now, for as to why the
law feels the need to protect people from *their own* stupidity ("What?
How was I supposed to know it isn't safe to walk on the train lines?") -
that's another question. Chances are that the moron who steps on the
tracks is also too stupid to read/take notice of signage, but that's
another story too, but at least tax dollars aren't being wasted in the
courts if the rail company covers its behind properly...
Ruediger Landmann
AHorv43767 (ahorv...@aol.com) wrote:
: nothing. If you successfully sued somebody in small claims court for
: destroying your model, you might be awarded the cost of the kit and aftermarket
: parts, if you were lucky enough not to be laughed out of the courtroom. And,
: much as I sympathize with anyone in this situation, I can't say I'd disagree
: with such a result.
Actually, courts can and do assign costs for labour, calculated at the
commercial "going rate" - in this case, what it would cost you if you had
to pay someone else to build the kit. Now whether or not a court chose to
factor this cost in when awarding damages in any specific case is another
question... as usual, it would probably come down to which party had the
better/slimier lawyer...
Charles Gallo
I know how this one feels. A little more than 2 years ago, my HOUSE
was broken into. Besides my camera, the TV and VCR, they got one of
my Photo CDs, and they took my BEST to models. The insurance company
bought me replacement kits and paint, but I still haven't had the will
power to build those two models again. I'm afraid of messing them up!
On 28 Jan 1998 07:08:26 GMT, maie...@aol.com (Maiesm72) wrote:
<snip> Nobody planned on the thief who broke in during
>the night and stole almost every model, leaving damage in his wake.
<snip>
CharlieH
MgicBox <mgi...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980129034...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
>
> Well, you can't keep the kids out, otherwise there won't be any future
modelers
> but to a point, PLEASE keep the kids as far away so as not to damage the
> models!!!!!! Especially MINE! Look but don't touch!
AHHH but did you not know that most people do not have eyes in their heads.
The eyes are located in the fingertips ---- Thats why they have to TOUCH
to SEE the model.
At some mall displays we used to have a large battle axe on display. When
asked what THAT is for the answer is simple -- to chop off the hands of
those who dare to touch.
Amazing re-action from all hands disappear suddenly and those parents whose
brats seem to want to touch promptly remove them from the vicinity.
In all seriousness though putting your models on public display does cause
many anxious moments. to date we have been lucky with minimal damage
occurring. One occasion was an adult who, upon lookinh at a beautifully
finished model with canopy opened , asked Does this close whilst pushing,
and breaking it, too which the reply was ---- Now it does.
Having put my models in an art gallery for for a one week period without
damage although having had minor damage at competitions (are judges that
more ham-fisted??) makes me wonder about it.
I suppose if you do not clearly identify the indemnity limits prior to a
display and set ground rules there is precious little we can do about
compensation if damaged.
regards
charlie
Chun325
>From: Mike Kroeker <mkro...@feist.com>
>Date: Wed, Jan 28, 1998 22:27 EST
>Uh-Oh... Duck! Scott! Incoming! ;^)
>
>-mike
>
>SVanaken wrote:
>
>> How is California like a box of cereal? Once you have taken out all the
fruits and nuts, you still have the flakes!
>> (uproarious laughter from the mob in the room)
>> =0)
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Scott Van Aken IPMS Canada 5729
How does this pertain to modeling?
José Herculano
>My value on the model is ten times the cost of the kit. People gasp when
>they ask me to build a model for them and I quote that rate, but they
>don't realise what is involved-That's the problem - they just don't
>know.
And 10 times is almost a straight from the box. If you go into detail,
aftermarket sets, correcting, so on, it can go skyhigh.
José Herculano
_____________________________
http://www.almansur.com/aviation/
Jonathan Mock
From: "David Batt" <xs...@dial.pipex.com>
> > Jonathon, it's not only the uninitiated who can be this casual. A few
> > years back I was into large scale r/c ships and my own effort was a
> > battleship nearly six foot long and weighing in at over 60lbs. In order to
> > get the wooden deck looking right I'd laid basswood strips over the plywood
> > structural deck - God knows how many thousand individual three inch strips
> > of 3/32 x 1/16inch 'planks' and I have to admit it looked pretty tasty when
> > it was all sanded flat and matt varnished. This sort of effort, while it's
> > a perfectly practical thing to do, was a bit unusual.
> >
> > I lost track of the number of times I attended model sailing regattas and
> > saw, usually from a distance while I was off getting a cup of coffee or
> > suchlike, other modellers scratching at (yes, I wrote SCRATCHING AT !!!)
> > the decks to see what they where made of. Their usual reaction was "Oh, I
> > didn't realise you were watching", as if not noticing would have made it
> > alright.
> >
> > I don't know whether it was a scale effect (no pun intended) but the
> > non-modelling public at these regattas were invariably a lot more
> > sympathetic and respectful - maybe they thought the thing would turn on
> > them if they got too close!
> >
> > --
> > David Batt
> >
> > "I'm only doing this while the glue dries, honest!"
Yeah but that's radio controlled stuff, and they ARE toys!
(Runs for cover...)
;-)
JMChladek
Our club's response to that at local shows is to erect a "No Mans Land" between
the public and the models. We basically use the external cheap plastic chain
barricades like one might find at a movie theater and set them about 1 1/2 to 2
feet back from the tables. We have "DO NOT TOUCH" signs all over the place.
And, as added insurance, a model of a fake rubber hand touching a model, except
it has been cut off by an equally fake cleaver. The parents love that one and
point it out to the younger ones who can't read. Never underestimate the power
of a demonstration I always say.
Jay
Dennis Bishop
many LONG years ago, I had just built the model of the XB-70
jet bomber, 1st time it had been marketed. I came home from
school (I said lONG years ago) just in time to see my younger
brother send it out of my bedroom 2nd floor window! He just
wanted to see it fly! And ofcourse, it HAD to land on the
cement driveway!
--
"You are not ready for Immortality" Kosh on Babylon 5
William H. Shuey
AAAaaaahhhhh MEMORIES!
With me it was a Cartercraft 1/24 scale Sopwith Camel. Fully
Rigged! The Cartercraft kits were made to be powered with a CO2 engine,
but I built them for display-full interior and rigging. My little Cousin
flew it out the second floor window-ended up in a neighbor's yard-The
neighbor had a large and nasty Chow named Ming, after the villian in the
old Flash Gordon Comic Strip-Ming chewed up what the crash didn't wreck.
I would dearly have loved to feed my cousin to Ming.
I sure would love to find a couple of those Carter Craft kits
today.
Bill Shuey
Weasel
albat...@aol.com (Albatrosdv) wrote:
>Even at an air museum, models are not necessarily safe.
Finally, the acrylic case went
>over it and no one got to look closely ever again.
Snips
We might take a lesson from some of the better run model railroad
clubs. Most of the club layouts I've visited have installed either
plexiglas sheets at the layout edge, thereby precluding anybody
touching anything, or ropes or railings at least three feet away from
the layout edge, making it real tough to touch any models.
I've never been to a scale model show but I've seen lots of pictures,
with all of the models out in the open, ready to be fondled and
caressed by the great unwashed. Not mine!!!
Weasel
jla...@surfsouth.com
> Even modelling clubs have morons that damage other's models. Several
> years ago in the club I frequent we had a member who always flicked
> the pitot tubes of jets with his finger. I built a rather poor Mirage
> IIIO kit but took the time to replace the pitot tube with one made
> from a surgical steel wire. Sure 'nuff, the "destoryer" comes along
> flicking all the pitot tubes, does it to my model and impails himself
> on the pitot tube. He spent a good ten minutes hopping around,
> squeeling like a stuck pig, until I pulled the thing out of his
> finger. We have not had a singe breakage since.
>
> Gary Byk
Now THAT makes an idea spring to mind!
Booby trap the models - maybe plant a miniature claymore mine underneath
each one to take out anyone who tries to manhandle them. Of course,
suitable warnings would be prominently posted in five languages.
Hmm, mebbe a bit extreme, possibly unworkable, but a satisfying thought
nevertheless.
Semper Fi,
John
-------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====-----------------------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
Paolo Pizzi
Ruediger Landmann wrote:
> Because if said moron unfortunately survives his/her experience, the
> lawsuit costs a lot more than putting up a sign... Now, for as to why the
> law feels the need to protect people from *their own* stupidity ("What?
> How was I supposed to know it isn't safe to walk on the train lines?") -
> that's another question. Chances are that the moron who steps on the
> tracks is also too stupid to read/take notice of signage, but that's
> another story too, but at least tax dollars aren't being wasted in the
> courts if the rail company covers its behind properly...
And if they aren't morons they might be scam artists...
Just think of the lady who sued McDonald's and got
$700,000 because her lawyer suggested that if she was
stupid enough to spill hot coffee on her bare forearm
it wasn't her fault but McDonald's, who failed to warn
their customers about the potential danger (!!)
Paolo Pizzi
jla...@surfsouth.com wrote:
> Booby trap the models - maybe plant a miniature claymore mine underneath
> each one to take out anyone who tries to manhandle them. Of course,
> suitable warnings would be prominently posted in five languages.
Great idea, how about surrounding the model by a 380V-charged wire?
Joseph
Greetings, all (stumbling onto this thread after a long absence)
Mjrudymodl wrote:
> To the poster who thinks the models will be safe in his own home:
>hair-raising story snipped for brevity<
A year or so ago I had about eight models in a display case in the
bedroom of my house. One day I noticed that a prop blade was MISSING
from a 1:48 Mustang. Huh?? (This was a one-piece prop, so the
individual blades weren't simply tacked lightly on.) I checked the
other planes and found that almost all had had *one* piece removed,
usually a landing gear door. Well, my girlfriend didn't do it (she was
as surprised as I was) (and besides, why would she? Wait! Don't answer
that!) And my teenage daughter doesn't care about my models one way or
the other. Who did this? We finally came to the conclusion that one of
the women we hire to clean house, lacking child care for that day, must
have brought a rug rat into the house. If that was the case I suppose I
should be thankful- it could have been MUCH worse.
The "Seventh Avenue Air Force" has since been relocated to higher
ground.
I never did find the missing parts.
> Moral: If you think you're safe from the "great unwashed," better check that
> your collection is out of harm's way before you call a plumber!
...or a housekeeper...
Question- has anyone doing public displays ever thought of displaying
prominently, alongside each model, a Large Price Tag? Might that work
with those "You break it, you buy it" signs seen so many places?
Cheers, all!
Joseph
Tim Brimelow
Perhaps you should have threatened to tear some precious books (Noddy, or
some other Enid Blyton book) and if you touched the photographers camera he
would have gone ballistic too. Just twist his f stop, thats what I say.
Tim Brimelow
Jonathan Mock wrote in message ...
>White knuckle time!
>
>A few year back I was asked by a local library if I would put on a display
>of models. They had a nice glass cabinet and I accepted the offer on the
>proviso that I was the one to install them and remove them. No problem. I
>took down about a dozen model and laid them out on display. It went down
>well, garnering interest from veterans who remembered some of the aircraft
>and the local ATC club.
>
>Come the day of removal I popped into the library and.... they were gone!
>had someone stolen them (Yeah, in my dreams). No, they had been removed
>early to make way for another display, but łthey were safe˛ (Librarians
>words).
>
>She ushered me over to a cupboard where, there on top, stack on one another
>like some plastic junkyard, were my models.
>
>(Pause here while the rest of you get some air or have a glass of water).
>
>Of course, I went ballistic, as I retrieved them and packed them away,
>along with the various parts that had come adrift along the way. I was both
>angry that a: theyąd never rung to to say they had changed the date and
>could I remove the models and B: that they had broken an explicit agreement
>with them NOT TO TOUCH THE MODELS!
>
>Of course, the reply I got was a kind of łwell, theyąre only models˛ (as in
>łwell, theyąre only toys˛) and blunt looks from a librarian who couldn't
>see what all the fuss was about. When I pointed out that if people treated
>her books the same way sheąd treated these models, sheąd had had a fit but
>no... what was the point, I wasnąt getting through. I made it know that I
>was not happy and left. I never did do another display for them, which was
>a shame.
>
>A similar thing happened again recently when a newspaper photographer a
>model of mine. The photographer kept grabbing the model and pointing it up
>and down like it was just so much worthless junk. Sidestepping any kind of
>tact, I asked him if he would like me to treat his precious camera
>equipment in the same, haphazard and disrespectful way. His retort was:
>łItąąs only a model˛.
>
>There's a moral in there somewhere...
Shane Weier
Burl Burlingame wrote:
>
> The boy was about 10 to 12 years old, and he was really examining them
> closely.
> The father said, "Good models, aren't they?"
> The boy nodded.
> Then the father said, "You'll never build them this well. You might as well give
> up."
> The boy just nodded again.
> But I was out of my chair, really pissed. I said to the boy, "Wait until you leave
> home, then you can build whatever you want, and the only person you'll have to
> please is yourself."
> The father yelled at me, "How DARE you speak to my son that way!" And they walked
> away. I had to go stomp around the building a few times to calm down.
This is sickening. Not just for the implied denigration of modelling, but for the demeaning of
his own child. How anyone could bring himself to so wound a child is beyond my understanding. My
older kids have started to build models - and build them just about as well as you can expect of
7 year olds - but to them they're great models and I'm *never* going to say otherwise even if I
live to see them as grandparents.
Shane
Steven Nelson
Paolo Pizzi wrote:
>
> jla...@surfsouth.com wrote:
>
> > Booby trap the models - maybe plant a miniature claymore mine underneath
> > each one to take out anyone who tries to manhandle them. Of course,
> > suitable warnings would be prominently posted in five languages.
>
> Great idea, how about surrounding the model by a 380V-charged wire?
>
"The TAZER! The TAZER! heh, heh, heh,.........."
-Beavis
SN
Peter G. Nebelung
On 29 Jan 1998 04:54:35 GMT, s30...@student.uq.edu.au (Ruediger
Landmann) wrote:
>Kenneth Hartlen (khar...@interlog.com) wrote:
>
>: As an aside: the Toronto subway stations have signs saying "Danger, high
>: voltage. Stay off the tracks". Now, why do we really want to protect the
>: morons that even consider venturing onto the tracks?
>
>Because if said moron unfortunately survives his/her experience, the
>lawsuit costs a lot more than putting up a sign... Now, for as to why the
>law feels the need to protect people from *their own* stupidity ("What?
>How was I supposed to know it isn't safe to walk on the train lines?") -
>that's another question. Chances are that the moron who steps on the
>tracks is also too stupid to read/take notice of signage, but that's
>another story too, but at least tax dollars aren't being wasted in the
>courts if the rail company covers its behind properly...
Tis True!. I am a great believer that Mother Nature is self
correcting. Stupid people die, hopefully before they can breed. Just
wish it happened more often. One of the problems of this glorious
society of ours is that Stupid people screw up and the rest of us pay
the freight to patch them up and then let them sue us for THIER
stupidity.
Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of
lead, applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
Pete Nebelung.
Chun325
>From: nebe...@ix.netcom.com (Peter G. Nebelung)
>Date: Fri, Jan 30, 1998 11:24 EST
>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of lead,
applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
I actually prefer the 168gr. JHPBT myself !
HAPPY MODELING, and BASICS FIRST !
Bradley Chun - IPMS #33945
I build vacuform aircraft kits, therefore I am.
An injected kit, of any vacuform kit, will surely follow.
Shoot 'A's fast !
Invisible souls exit through suppressed 9mm and .308 cal holes !
Maiesm72
One correction to the oft-told McDonald's coffee incident. The woman got the
coffee at the drive-through as she did every morning. The coffee was a great
deal hotter than usual and she dropped the cup as she took it out of the bag,
the heat of the cup alone being enough to scortch her fingers. It was not her
arm that received most of the damage, it was her legs and abdomen, which
received 2nd degree burns with spots of third degree. We saw photos of the
damage in our EMT class as part of being warned not to ignore what appears, on
the surface, to be minimal damage.
The results included several trips to the plastic surgeon for grafts. The
damages were probably excessive, but the suite itself was well founded. The
clincher in this case was th testimony of the clerk, who remembered that the
top melted when he put it on the coffee, but that he still put it in the bag
without any warning that the coffee was considerably hotter than usual.
Don't always what the headlines and tabloids put out. Sometimes the facts in
the articles are not the same as what the headlines show.
Tom
FDameronUT
>Say what you like about mail order houses, video games and the like
>"stealing"
>potential new modelers from the hobby--there's the number one contributing
>cause: parents who don't support their kids' endeavors, or, worse yet, put
>them
>down just for trying.
>
>Good for you, Burl, for letting the little guy know that his dad was full of
>manure, and that the only person who can put limitations on himself IS
>himself!
>
>
I agree. When my son is old enough to start I will encourage him if he wants to
try. The path I want him to take is the path HE chooses.
Later...
PINK FLOYD
THE WALL
BucholtzC
(Burl's tale of parental idiocy snipped)
Say what you like about mail order houses, video games and the like "stealing"
potential new modelers from the hobby--there's the number one contributing
cause: parents who don't support their kids' endeavors, or, worse yet, put them
down just for trying.
Good for you, Burl, for letting the little guy know that his dad was full of
manure, and that the only person who can put limitations on himself IS
himself!
--Chris Bucholtz
DZapper
>At some mall displays we used to have a large battle axe on display. When
>asked what THAT is for the answer is simple -- to chop off the hands of
>those who dare to touch.
>Amazing re-action from all hands disappear suddenly and those parents whose
>brats seem to want to touch promptly remove them from the vicinity.
>
>
Some of our club members bring long wooden dowels to our mall shows. Whenever
an excited little kid comes running up to the table, they start whacking the
things around. It sure catches their attention. I've been told they
occasionally find cause to strike a little hand, but I have never actually seen
this happen.
John Benson --------<mabe...@whc.net>------<DZa...@AOL.com>------------
*Star Games (A Virtual Company)-Pacific Tide Design Team*
*Pacific Tide...The ultimate Pacific Theater strategy game.*
http://www.star-games.com
ModelerAl
In article <34d1fd8f...@nntp.ix.netcom.com>, nebe...@ix.netcom.com (Peter
G. Nebelung) writes:
>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of lead,
>applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
Pete, I sure hope you're kidding. This sounds a lot like the WWII Nazi
attitude towards those "less than perfect"...
No offense meant, but I just had to comment.
Al Superczynski
IPMS/USA #3795, continuous since 1968
Check out my want and disposal lists at"Al's Place":
http://users.aol.com/modeleral
"Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to,
and the critics will flame you every time."
Ruediger Landmann
Peter G. Nebelung (nebe...@ix.netcom.com) wrote:
: Tis True!. I am a great believer that Mother Nature is self
: correcting. Stupid people die, hopefully before they can breed. Just
: wish it happened more often. One of the problems of this glorious
If you check out the following URL:
http://www.skyhawk.org/darwin.htm
you'll find the home of the Darwin Awards: "The Charles Darwin Award is an
annual honor presented posthumously to the person or persons who do the
world genetic gene pool the greatest service by exterminating themselves
in the most extraordinarily stupid way -- before reproducing in kind.
Grand tales of extraordinary and terminal stupidity! The 1996 award winner
has to be my favourite...
Mjrudymodl
>I agree. When my son is old enough to start I will encourage him if he wants
>to
>try. The path I want him to take is the path HE chooses.
> Later...
Hey, I've done this all 13 years of my son's life, and he just rewarded me with
2 Catholic high school scholarships earned with 99% test scores!
M. J. Rudy
mjrud...@aol.com
Have you checked here lately?
http://members.aol.com/MRudyruthl/rudymodl.html
Mjrudymodl
>Tis True!. I am a great believer that Mother Nature is self
>correcting. Stupid people die, hopefully before they can breed.
My good friend Marc Frattasio sends me e-mail of the annual Darwin Awards,
which is a tongue-in-cheek "award" given to the individual who removes
him/herself from the gene pool by killing him/herself in the most stupid
fashion.
sc...@rocketmail.com
> I am a great believer that Mother Nature is self
> correcting. Stupid people die, hopefully before they can breed. Just
> wish it happened more often. One of the problems of this glorious
> society of ours is that Stupid people screw up and the rest of us pay
> the freight to patch them up and then let them sue us for THIER
> stupidity.
>
> Pete Nebelung.
Unfortunately humanity has used it's intelligence(?) to place itself above the
rules of Mother Nature, something which I'm sure she is planning to correct.
History may prove that at least for our species, the development of
intelligence was an evolutionary dead end.
I just hope I can finish this USS Enterprise project before Mother Nature gets
really serious! :)
Mark
sc...@rocketmail.com
sc...@rocketmail.com
Azzz1588
In article <19980130164...@ladder03.news.aol.com>, chu...@aol.com
(Chun325) writes:
>>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of
>>lead,
>>applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
>I actually prefer the 168gr.
>JHPBT myself !
I prefer 40gr soft points at 4100 fps !!!
(28" bbl 22 250)
Allan
http://members.aol.com/azzz1588/azpage1.html
"Only a Gentleman can insult me, and a true Gentleman never will..."
Mark Schynert
paint it, I grabbed the Aoshima "Paul", helped her put it together in
approximately five minutes (no ASM problem here!) and she's gone through
three sessions of painting it--if the Japanese had ever used the scheme
she's got, Allied fighter pilots would have collided with each other in
mid-air in the midst of uncontrollable mirth. But she's happy, I no
longer feel like I wasted the $3 I spent on the kit, and while she may
not become the world's next M J Rudy, at least I haven't said she
couldn't.
Mark Schynert
Dan Winfield
"Time stays long enough for anyone
who will use it."
Leonardo
MRLB Dan¹
Burl Burlingame
Forgive another story of grown-up idiots: At another Pearl Harbor display, an
adult woman picked up a 1/48 Monogram B-29 (if memory serves me right, it was a
foil-covered beauty built by Modeler Al Superczynski) by the nose and began
banging it on the table. Pieces flew all over the place. When she got yelled at,
she snapped, "Geez, I just wanted to see what it was made out of. It's not like
it's REAL, or something!"
Doug McClure
Dan Winfield wrote:
>
> azzz...@aol.com (Azzz1588) wrote:
> >In article <19980130164...@ladder03.news.aol.com>, chu...@aol.com
> >(Chun325) writes:
> >
> >>>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of
> >>>lead,
> >>>applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
> >
> >>I actually prefer the 168gr.
> >>JHPBT myself !
> >
> >I prefer 40gr soft points at 4100 fps !!!
> >(28" bbl 22 250)
> >
> >
> >Allan
> >http://members.aol.com/azzz1588/azpage1.html
> >
> >"Only a Gentleman can insult me, and a true Gentleman never will..."
> >
> >
> My personal preference is "00" buck in a 12 gauge pump. Just a thought.
grains of Dupont's finest.
Mjrudymodl
>and while she may
>not become the world's next M J Rudy, at least I haven't said she
>couldn't.
>
>Mark Schynert
Aw shucks, well--uh-- (blush) Thanks Mark!
red...@vermont.starway.net.au
rg...@voicenet.com (Weasel) wrote:
>albat...@aol.com (Albatrosdv) wrote:
>>Even at an air museum, models are not necessarily safe.
>Finally, the acrylic case went
>>over it and no one got to look closely ever again.
>Snips
>We might take a lesson from some of the better run model railroad
>clubs. Most of the club layouts I've visited have installed either
>plexiglas sheets at the layout edge, thereby precluding anybody
>touching anything, or ropes or railings at least three feet away from
>the layout edge, making it real tough to touch any models.
>I've never been to a scale model show but I've seen lots of pictures,
>with all of the models out in the open, ready to be fondled and
>caressed by the great unwashed. Not mine!!!
>Weasel
This is one reason the Australian Model Expo and National
Championships, held in Melbourne on the Labour Day long weekend in
March, are held in the Arts and Crafts Pavilion of the Royal Melbourne
Showgrounds. This may not be the most glamorous venue, but the
display cases are the size of pool tables and totally enclosed in
lockable sliding glass doors. Models get put in on the Friday night
when everything is set up and entries are delivered, then the cases
are locked. Only the judges enter those competition cases and on the
Monday night when everything gets packed up the cases are opened. The
un-washed teeming masses trudge through looking at everything but they
and their destructive off-spring can't touch anything.
Gary Byk
Remember the golden rule of the 7 Ps
William H. Shuey
Mjrudymodl wrote:
>
> >Tis True!. I am a great believer that Mother Nature is self
> >correcting. Stupid people die, hopefully before they can breed.
>
> which is a tongue-in-cheek "award" given to the individual who removes
> him/herself from the gene pool by killing him/herself in the most stupid
> fashion.
>
> mjrud...@aol.com
>
> Have you checked here lately?
> http://members.aol.com/MRudyruthl/rudymodl.html
Did they give that award to the nutcake who attached a couple of
aircraft RATO bottles to his car and splattered himself all over a cliff
face out west a year or two ago?? There was so little left it took the
cops weeks to figure out what happened.
Bill Shuey
John P. Wilson
William H. Shuey wrote:
> Did they give that award to the nutcake who attached a couple of
> aircraft RATO bottles to his car and splattered himself all over a cliff
> face out west a year or two ago?? There was so little left it took the
> cops weeks to figure out what happened.
Yes. I think he got one of the "biggest" awards. You've got to wonder
what would've happened had he survived to patent the process... ;-)
-John :|:
ModelerAl
In article <34D27AF4...@aloha.net>, Burl Burlingame <bu...@aloha.net>
writes:
>if memory serves me right, it was a foil-covered beauty built by Modeler Al
>Superczynski
Burl, even though I *was* already doing the foil thing back in those days
(mid '70's), that model wasn't mine. Good thing, too, or I'd probably still be
in the Hawaii State Penitentiary! I love the Aloha State, but not that much...
;-p
Mahalo,
Burkhard Domke
On Wed, 28 Jan 1998 07:56:40 GMT, Dan Winfield <d...@iglou.com> wrote:
> In my experiences with the cellphone sucking general public and their out
>of control, snot sucking, foul mouthed a**hole baby, offsprings that resorting
>to certain gestures does more to press home a point than a thousand words.
>When a certain rather rotundous woman and her pack of unkept, candy smeared
>by products approached our display area, she repeatedly ignored request to
>keep her children undercontrol, they systematically went from table to table
>fondling, dripping and smearing different excellent pieces, as they approached
>my table, I ran interference, I calmly requested that she not allow her children
>the liberties she had at the other tables. And as she so candily put it, "How
>cum yer so special anyhow, dem kids touchin dem thins ain't gonna hurt nuttin,
>they's just stinkin toys." To that I responded with "Then why don't you touch
>this stinkin toy awhile, BITCH!!!".....................(grabbing crotch).
>
> After she gathered her multitudes together rather hurridly and made a quick
>exit right, she immediately reported me to the Mall officials, who where sympathetic
>but asked me to use a little more tact in the future. They didn't touch my "Toys"
>and I guess that was the whole point.
>
> "A single sunbeam is enough to drive
> away many shadows."
> St. Francis of Assisi
>
>MRLB Dan=B9
Atta boy, Dan!!!
Rama Lama Hoope da la Weee
Burkhard
Reichs-Tempel
Burkhard Domke
On Fri, 30 Jan 1998 16:24:25 GMT, nebe...@ix.netcom.com (Peter G.
Nebelung) wrote:
>[people's stupidity]
>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains of
>lead, applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
>
>Pete Nebelung.
If you were talking about suicide here, I would agree. You may simply
resort to the usual medication, though.
Burkhard
Wayne C. Morris
Doug McClure <dmc...@apk.net> wrote:
> > >>>Could easily be solved with the judicious application of 187 grains
> > >>>of lead, applied to the head at about 2400 fps.
> > >
> > >>I actually prefer the 168gr. JHPBT myself !
> > >
> > >I prefer 40gr soft points at 4100 fps !!! (28" bbl 22 250)
> >
> > My personal preference is "00" buck in a 12 gauge pump. Just a thought.
>
> My personal preference is a 1/4 scale Sea Service 12 pounder with 800
> grains of Dupont's finest.
Gentlemen, I am shocked! Yes, _shocked_ that you would even consider
the possibility of using deadly force on someone whose only sin is that
they were stupid and/or clumsy.
They should be _pitied_. And they should be _educated_.
What they need to learn most is to keep their hands in their pockets.
One way to teach this valuable lesson would be to take your favorite
fast-curing all-purpose adhesive...
(Of course, before beginning the lesson, one may want to remove the
student's wallet so that he can pay his debts.)