What did you learn from modeling/fsm

Lot of stuff I learned, most of it in fact, was from using Shep Paine's book, How to Build Dioramas, and theother one he wrote, Modeling Tanks and Military Vehicles...

If you don't have those two books in you library, your missing out on LOT of good information.. If you don't have at least HTBD,  then you're REALLY missing out.... In it, he covers planning, mock-ups, weathering, figure painting and conversion (my favorite part), building structures, casting your parts, adding extra equipment, scratch-building, kit-bashing, and foliage construction... 

It's the Bible of Modeling IMNSHO...

BTW, it's now gone to the Second dition, with even more stuff than the 1st Edition..

Regarding FSM, it's still a good enough rag for me to subscribe to, but it doesn't do much more than allow me to see the builds of some members here, and sometimes, rip off their techniques, lol..   I give it a 7 on a scale of 10, more often than not, but it could stand a few changes..

Dudine i have learned that any plastic can be used !    That any wire can be used !  If you got imagination and the will it can be done.  Yes MR Paine,s book is the bible of dioramas and he has a lot of really good tips but it take,s the forum members who think (out side the box ) and come up with other ideas or other ways to do things  HANS VON HAMMER is a good example !  The mag is a great starting point and i will keep my subscription just so i dont miss anything !        

                                                                                The Original

                                                                       Mike Oscar Juno Oscar

                                                                                Outcast !

                                                                    End Transmission-Semper Fi

Aw, shucks, 40mm... Thanks fer the Kudos, but in reality I'm just too cheap to buy AM parts that cost more than the kit...

I've been doing things from the scrap-box and junk-drawers for so long that I don't know any other way...

I've learned about a lot of different techniques here.

Although I've seen many of the same in books, they're all perfectly done in the photos.  There's never a mistake or an example of what could go wrong.

Here on the FSM forums, I can see real world examples of those techniques done by regular modelers, each with varying abilities. I've learned more from studying these then the perfect examples shown in books.

they're all perfectly done in the photos. 

Heh.. Then you haven't seen Shep Paine's B-25H diorama in the HTBD book... If you have it, check the gear doors on it.. Even the "Experten" make a gaff now & then..

Hans you should see my boxes and boxes of scrap that i have acquired, jewel cases old cassette tapes ,vhs tapes pens, spoons ,squirt guns leggos busted toys drinking glasses telephones computer parts...... if its plastic and it looks interisting i will pick it up.......Is it an affliction ? all i have to say is   YES ! but i do love it so !

I can reach, man.. I'm in the grocery store with the wife, see, and she sees me staring at some goofy thing, some gizmo or something with interesting greeblies, and she says, "You're thinking about model parts aren't ya?"

Did ya look her in the eyes and say    Yup   or dose she know you too well ! no need to answer i know ....addicted ---- so be it

                                                                            The Original

                                                             Mike Oscar Juno Oscar

                                                                             Outcast !

                                                             End Transmission--Semper-Fi

I learned that model companies and modelers will make up names for military hardware that are not used (or even known) by the military that uses that hardware, i.e. "Gavin" for the M113 and "Mutt" for the Jeep.

I learned that even with the plethora of information (reviews, articles, forum posts, etc.) available online regarding specific kits, many modelers will spend good money on substandard kits because of the brand name on the box. Converesly, they will dismiss excellent kits that are better and cheaper for the same reason, brand name.

I learned that even with ample internet warnings across multiple forums, modelers will still order blindly from online retailers they are not familiar with just to save a buck or two. Then complain on forums they discover only after realizing they placed an order with a bad seller and have lost money. Remember, research first, order second.

I learned to stop being a perfectionist. So I can actually enjoy modeling - and actually finish my models.