So whats this Monogram Mafia about?

I remember being  first aware of Monogram when my dad built the 1/48 A-4 Skyhawk in an all grey scheme back in '79/80. I had never seen such a cool kit, until he brought home the 1/48 F-100. I've loved them ever since.

Glenn

mikeymize

Built more than a few back in my youth. The 1/48 B-17G comes to mind. Did the OD "Chow Hound" version. Had to hang it from the ceiling as there was no room on my shelves.

Built more than a few back in my youth. The 1/48 B-17G comes to mind. Did the OD "Chow Hound" version. Had to hang it from the ceiling as there was no room on my shelves.

Yeah, it's a reaction to everyone who ever ran down our favorite kits.  I don't think you'll find anyone today who builds Monogram exclusively, but for those of us who grew up in the Sixties and Seventies, building those kits, they still hold up, and so, we build Eduard, Wingnut Wings, Dragon, etc, but we don't pass up the classic kits.  Also, Monogram really achieved a level of quality by the mid-Seventies, with some subjects, like the large bombers, that no one else produced.  For the price, you got a good model out of the box.  And if you wanted to, you superdetailed it, following Shep Paine's "Tips on Building Dioramas".  That was the start for a lot of us in our 60s, 50s and 40s today, and maybe some guys who were kids and teens in the Eighties, too.

Since I got back into modeling around '98 or '99, I've built a pair of TBFs, an SBD (finished as an A-24), a P-51B, a P47D razorback (with a bubbletop in progress), a Zero, and an F6F.  And I've got even more in my stash.  I also have a fine example from the successor company, Revell-Monogram--the PV-1 Ventura.   I also have the Red Baron hot rod on the bench, though that one's giving me fits.

So yeah, I'm a button man in the Monogram Mafia.

Regarding Don Hammeretti's participation, it could be that life has gotten in the way of building and/or blogging, happens to all of us.

I'm old school and did mostly Mono/Revell as a kid and yeah, they have their issues, but man, I do love putting them together.  I'm doing Monogram's 1/48 F4F Wildcat now.  Gap city and some of the worst wings ever, but I love it!  I remember kits being....well, not as expensive as the are now, so I'm with Hans....$15 or less is a great deal!  Got a 1/72 X-15 2 days ago for $11 and that's with shipping!  So, being a Momogram builder (and Sicilian!) my alliance would be with the Monogram Mafia. :)

Nah, Hans is occasionally still on here. But nowhere near at the rate he was on here before.

I lost interest in this place after the forum software changed so I haven't been around much.

It is my understanding there was a great purge. A few are gone I expected to be gone. Was Hans on the wrong side of things?

I'm working on my Monogram P47 right now. This was one of the few Monogram models I didn't get to build  as a kid.  

But even without the nostalgia aspect, this has still been a fun model to work on.

I think it's going to look nice once finished too. I may replace the bomb shackles, but otherwise the kit is perfectly decent.

Yeah I built that one right after I had seen "Flight From Ashiya".

HEY !

Hower YOUSE gonna GET builders if'n we don't talk .WASSA MATTA YOU ? I gonna build a MONOGRAM kit from a time back . Remember the original MONOGRAM SA-16 - B - ALBATROSS -rescue flying boat, Wit de liddle guy in da raft .SO DERE ! HE.HE.       Tanker-builder

The first rule of the Monogram Mafia is..... WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE MONOGRAM MAFIA!!

Don't mind if I do

cs.finescale.com/.../1641279.aspx

Before the original MonoMafia build came about, I started this thread.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/134679.aspx

It was in response to too many, " What is the best _____ kit" and the responses being, " stay away from Monogram's ______, it is junk". Afterwards Hans started joking about a the MM, and next thing ya know, he sponsored the first GB. That one was such a success, the second occurred.

Anyways, feel free to add your completed R/M builds (aircraft) on there. It is ready for more from the new batch of forum members that we have here now.

littletimmy

I was thinking the same thing. A forum just for Classic kits. How many of us are willing to open a mint kit worth several hndred dollars and build it?

He's currently away from the phone as he dabbles in being a home remodeling contractor, a bounty hunter and a property manager.

There's been two Monogram mafia builds. You can go find them in a Forum search. They tended to be pretty structured. The genesis of the term was a comment that DoogsATX made in an unrelated thread, where he prefaced a statement with something to the effect of "before the Monogram Mafia takes me out...".

I'm with you. I try to get models as cheep as I can But what I ment was who among us is willing to open a mint   Norton Sound ( worth around $700 ) and build it? And possibly mess it up?  I have several models that were worth more before I "fixed" them!

Why bother with mint when you can get them a little worn, but for peanuts at contests, estate sales, and such?

I was thinking the same thing. A forum just for Classic kits. How many of us are willing to open a mint kit worth several hndred dollars and build it?

Would be nice if there could be a permanent subforum to deal with threads pertaining to classic modeling.

...You know it'd be a real shame if something should happen to this place

Dont question the Monogram Mafia..... just build them and no harm will befall yous!

Hey ! Who said MONOGRAM was not up to snuff .My uncle and I built many of them . Or as he would say , "YOUSE gonna dis my model ? You do an I will make you an offer , know what I mean ? " I don't build many planes or armor , But anything in ships or cars ,count me in .I always thought MONOGRAM sometimes WAS better than their domestic competition .          Tanker-builder

If Hans comes back onto the active list here again, I have no doubt that there will be a Pt III.  The Monogram Mafia started after a few of us here got tired of all the dissin' of Monogram kits that would be heard in the forums here. It's very tongue  in cheek, but at the same time us MM types are ready to back up our beloved brand anytime, anyplace ;-)

Well then I hope there is an other some day.

Couple of group builds (in the group build forum)for Monogram fans from the last couple of years. We all kinda have an affinity for them.

Glenn