Why do you build?

Because I can’t fly? Unaided, that is.

At first to irritate my parents when they would complain about what I spent my money on I would tell them ok I'll stop getting models and start spending my money it on cigarets and booze instead that would shut them up.

But now it's mainly to keep myself occupied, my only requierments are is it interesting looking to me and can I afford it.

'Cause I am also allegedly good with my hands and I love the look of models of interesting subjects. In fact, with many subjects I prefer the look of scaled down models on bases and in dioramas built by talented modelers more than the real deal. Except for supercars. I'll take a real F50 over a multiple award winning 1/24 tamiya any day.

Now I just need to get my s together and start pumping out models more frequently and enhance my skills.

Because it's fun and they CAN look pretty cool... not always, but I just keep trying.

I've always been interested in all thing military, as far back as i can remember, hence my reason for wanting to join the Army. Building models is an extention of that interest for me.

Originally back in 1984, I started modeling as an emotional relief valve to my father's terminal big C. Back in 2009, I came back to the hobby to cope with the long Minnesota winters.

I build there for I am.

Creative outlet coupled with a interest in military history.

Two quotes I like:

The only new news is the history you do not know'

Those who do not heed the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat it'

The authors & exact quotes escape me at this time yet the concepts are sound.

Its a creative outlet and at my age (61) I've now got the time and resources to do it.  One of the unintended consequences of this are the cyber-friendships I've made on-line in this forum.  I feel that I've developed a circle of friends via this hobby.

....so I have a reason to yell: "Rat-a-tat-tat! " ?

I like the way the fumes make me feel.

Stress relief, a passion for history, and the satisfaction.

...because I love crawling on my hands-and kness with a flashlight looking for kit parts that the Carpet Monster loves to eat.

Because I can't park a real F/A-18 on my shelf.

I feel like having a shelf with some well done models is like having a miniature museum in my house.  Each model is like a little piece of history with a story behind it.

I also feel like building a well done model is like building your own trophy that you can display proudly.

...because attempting to read Dragon kit instructions gives me an excuse to go to the pistol range.

...because i had a shortage of BB gun targets.

MAJ Mike

...because i had a shortage of BB gun targets.

you're lucky the local bureaucrats let you shoot a BB gun in your area.

Can't do that around here.

Can't have fireworks, either.

Maybe that's the real reason kids stopped building plastic models?

...and yet, what are the statistics of firearm crimes in the Windy City?

MAJ Mike

...and yet, what are the statistics of firearm crimes in the Windy City?

higher than kit building

Decompression.

For several years, I wrote. Then I started writing for a living, and writing for fun was just overkill. That and I was craving something to do with my hands. Don't have the space or time for a project car (one day...), so I figured I'd give modeling a shot, as I loved it when I was growing up. 

That, and for the chicks, of course.

Because it's....... "WINNING". Okay, that's getting old.

War movies got me interested when I was a kid. That led to reading history, finally to building the weapons used in war. I think most of us are interested in the weaponry of war.

I haven't looked too far back in 40 something years.

I do it for the trophy girls in Victory Lane at the end of the contests to congratulate the winners....Oh wait..sorry..my bad...

Seriously...for me, like some have said, each model is a snapshot of history, especially in the aircraft and armor arena.  When i went to the regional IPMS show a couple weeks ago with my 14 year old son, he would ask me what this airplane was and what that tank was and when and where were they used. it was actually a 2 day history lesson for him and I actually learned alot from those who built the models.

I try to learn something about each kit I build, whether it's a car, truck, plane or tank. By that, I mean, if i'm building a race car, then what makes the car I'm building different from others like it? Was it painted a special scheme for just one event? Was it a winning car?  If it's an aircraft kit, what makes the particular replica I'm building significat?  Was it a Mig killer? Has it been retired from service? What mods have been done to this particular version of aircraft that you might not see on others? There's always something to learn when you're building a model besides new techniques and tips.  For me, the more i learn about what i'm modeling, the more enjoying and satisfying it is for me.

...why?

Before 3D CAD, building a model was the only method of viewing an airplane, tank, car, etc. from all angles , other than having the real object,

An extension of my interest in anything military.  Especially the history aspect.  So far I'm aiming my efforts on stuff I've dealt with through my career, and my family members.

Acts as a nice escape too.

I also like that its acting as an inspiration for my son.  He likes what I've done and wants to make his own so we've made a couple dollar store wood kits, and yesterday we did a snap tite hummer.  Not bad for a 4 year old.

'Cuz I want to!  Seriously, I wanted to build a replica of each aircraft that I had worked on in the AF, since I really did enjoy that period (which was a long time ago btw) and I've been involved in aviation most of my life.  That has expanded to a few other types now, but I'm not very prolific.

Ken

Because I am an aircraft nut and modelling is as close I can get!

For the ribbons, trophies and medals...

Manstein's revenge

For the ribbons, trophies and medals...

..........Mein Führer.......

Please don't forget the all important , post award, victory laps at local club meetings.......

MAJ Mike

...because attempting to read Dragon kit instructions gives me an excuse to go to the pistol range.

I suspect Smeagol's frustration over the Dragon instructions for his M-14 kit proves your experience is not unique.

It was part of my early-release deal...