HI:
I was reading over all the posts I like to delve into .I see a common thread here . You know what ? That's what this hobby is all about . When I go to a place that injection molds or Vac forms something I think of the folks who devised our models at the inception of the industry . Just think .Someone actually had to sit down and say " lets manufacture little plane kits - in plastic '. Ah ! that was the day .Then years later someone said " bet I could do that in resin " The cottage industry was just coming of age then .Now there's one more I won't forget to mention .Photo-Etching for the hobby .This was a case of folks learning the techniques and creating model parts .Well , we know how that turned out , " Don't we " ?
I bring this up because of something I started years ago .I wanted a ship from the age of " DREADNOUGHTS " The model in question was a model I had in my " PAPER model stash " I carefully took CARBON paper and copied every little piece on that model and started building the " KRONPRINZ " in plastic and wood .This project , on and off has yielded a ship almost two and a half feet long .It's far from even ready for a deck anywhere . It did make me think of those out here who build every frame of a sailing ship model and then cover it all up with planking .Some don't and these fall into a teaching type category . ADMIRALTY models were probably the first " salesman's samples " .
Now , in that same vein .The first injection molded model was probably devised through much trial and error .The molds had to be cut . I have to ask ", how many can visualize a plane or ship basically backwards "? Then the first one was produced and popped out of the mold and assembled .AHA ! the first ALL plastic airplane kit .The list goes on . Have any of you seen how photo-etched parts are made ? I got my opportunity last year in DALLAS at a friends fathers place .They had a friend that was etching something for CAMERAS . Now the technique is the same .Do you think the creator of P.E. is a draftsman , or an engineer ? I ask that because someone has to create the drawings of those parts , reduce them in size and then apply the process to brass sheet .
Fascinating isn't it .Can you even imagine how the first decals were made .We all know now but , when we were kids the thought of how much work went into creating those neat markings never entered our brains .They were just neat , right ? Going back to the beginning in the model hobby is very fascinating and perplexing too . Why would someone spend the time cutting out wood and brass parts to provide you with a kit (this is back in the dawn of model time ) unless they loved what they built so much it was imperative they share and they could make money doing it . Now , there's the rub . Since computers came on scene everything has changed .The company gets plans , adjusts them for molding , sets up the program and runs thousands a day . I would be willing to bet that in some of these companies , you best NOT be a model builder if you work on the line . You know why , I ain't saying it .
I have actually seen companies balk at hiring someone because he owned a plane and the company had a large stash of aircraft aluminum in the warehouse that could be used outside the plant . The same applies to plastic and such in this world of ours .BUT , All said , sit down , close your eyes and imagine you're back sixty years and you want to share your ship model with friends .AHA ! the company starts ,right there .Thank goodness for those visionaries .I am seventy and the stuff coming out now just amazes me .Back then found materials were the norm . You know , build it a little better and more accurate .There you have it . I am very grateful for ALL those who had a vision wether just for profit or the LOVE of the hobby of making things in miniature . Thanks Tanker-builder