FSM July 2010 Guest Editorial

tonka

...Between models and firearms collecting,,I probably have too many toys,that I don't 'play with' enough,,,,but hey keeps me out of bars.....mostly!!

That's the defense I use too, when my wife asks me if I "...really need that kit." 

I think it was a great editorial and I even had my wife read it , she asked if I sent him the material for the editorial..

One of the great things about modelling is that you can do as much or as litlle as you want.

I personally don't like the aftermarket and would rather build an old kit than a new one,,maybe its revisiting my youth,, maybe I'm cheap,, I dunno.. But the point is ..modelling is a hobby and hobbies are supposed to be fun,,,your fun! 

I 'mind build' almost every night,,, its my release from the day's stress,,maybe only 10 minutes,,to look at a kit I have not opened in a while. I also try and do something to a kit a few times a week...

No idea how many are in my stash,,I don't want to know

Between models and firearms collecting,,I probably have too many toys,that I don't 'play with' enough,,,,but hey keeps me out of bars.....mostly!!

I guess I'm a proud "Bench Modeller"!!  I have only bought after-market PE kits for a model one time.  I check PMMS and a few other sources to see if there are any major problems with a particular kit.  If there are I either live with the problems and work around them or don't buy the kit.

My current kit stash is a paultry 13 kits including the one I'm currently working on (the AFV Club Stryker MGS).

That's just my take it and be on your way!  :)

Just my opinion, but if more people would "mind-model" on how they could make a thirty year old kit look like a modern one without spending 60 bucks and another 50 on after-market parts, there would be more "bench modelers"...

I'd rather spend 100 hours scratch-building than 100 dollars and have it done for me... 

My stash of kits is relatively small compared to most here, about 50 with 1/4 being 30% complete.

Everyone of them was purchased with inspiration to build it into a diorama or just for the interest of the subject. All have been looked at, instructions studied and built in the depths of my mind. The only ones I parted with still had the plastic on the box, once that has been removed I have full intentions to build it one day. 

Aaron's editorial is typical of people who collect kits as well as build them. It is a reasonable hobby just like some justify collecting rare sports cards ect. Given Aaron's profession it helps explain his large collection of unfinished kits.

Hobcen,

I am glad people's enthusiasm for purchasing more kits than they build has helped keep you in business. Any incentive for younger people to start the hobby will benefit you as well, the average age here is 40 years young!

Jason

I guess what I was awkwardly stating is that I am wishing more people will find enjoyment, whatever that entails, in our hobby.

I have been on the receiving end a lot of late of people "freaking out" over the amount in the stashes of kits that they have and either hurriedly downsizing or in some severe cases abandoning the hobby altogether. The thoughts of "how many kits do I have versus how long will I live" is becoming an all too common topic around here.

That is why I loved this editorial so much. It gives reason and purpose for our behavior.

To buy and hoard lots of kits I take it.

hobcen

Now if we can get more people on board.....

 

On board for what?