Why do you chose aftermarket products?

There are several types of aftermarket items that I use. I think the main benefit of using AM items is saving time.
I really like Eduard masks, they really speed up the proces of masking. Same goes for resin or PE. You could/can also scratchbuild details (which I often do) but using AM can give you more finesse and costs less time.

When I buy aftermarket parts it is usually that they look more crisp then the moulded items. No matter what PE and resin castings will generally look cleaner than moulded styrene and give a better scale appearence

Phil

I dont have the time or skills to compete with AM kit . I'll add wires,cables or make up little bits but Most am kit is way beyond my skill. I find it just as much fun altering kits to fit AM stuff as building the kit itself, some stuff is a real challenge to graft in properly. just another enjoyable part of the hobby.

Beware of Czech master (CM) stuff. I am sure most is ok but i was shocked at how bad the bits i got for my lightning were: mostly  unuseable !

I often use aftermarket parts because the parts are not included in kit at all.  Usually this is the PE stuff, which are my normal aftermarket purchases.  However, until recently, the molding detail in styrene has not matched the fine detail in resin, so sometimes it is that fine detail.

I have noticed lately in several kits I have built a new quality in styrene molding detail. Not sure how they are doing it, but it certainly does reduce the need for resin parts with this new technology.

I just like buying stuff!

I like the resin parts because they save so much time over scratch building every little change that I sometimes need

someone already put in the effort to make the wheels for an early Skyhawk, so, I just buy a pair and glue them on my Fujimi kits, or use them as a better looking wheel for the Airfix kits

I have always figured that since I was making parts and casting them for myself, that buying some now and then from another guy doing the same would save me some work

Believe me,,,,,it is far more than $10 worth of labor to make the changes in a Crusader to get an accurate 1/72 F-8A-D,,,in contrast, it is just a quick cut and glue procedure to put the $10 worth of parts on,,,,,and who would scratch build the small nose 5 times to build one of each "fleet" small nose?,,,,,plus the RFs after that?

It's a balance for me between more detail and more accuracy, and the effort to pull it off.

Case in point - I'm getting ready to start in on a 1/32 Bf 109 and my list of aftermarket is as follows:

• Aires wheels
• Eagle Editions spinner and supercharger
• Radu's microtextile harness and PE radiator grilles
• Eduard cockpit PE
• Quickboost exhausts

Most of these (spinner, supercharger intake, grilles and exhausts) are straight drop-in replacements, but they correct inaccurate shapes or they just look substantially better. And while I have the skills to pull off some limited scratchbuilding, I don't know how I'd go about, say, bringing the kit tires up to the quality of the Aires set...

Thanks for all the responses.  With the exception of TarnShip and Doogs, others seem reluctant to use the word accuracy, so I'm not sure what their end goal is.   I'm trying to get to the bottom line of  'why' the addition of aftermarket.

A few have mentioned crisper detail, or specific parts were not included in the kit - so again I ask is this in the pursuit of accuracy or just because it looks neat?

regards,

Jack

jgeratic1

 

.......- so again I ask is this in the pursuit of accuracy or just because it looks neat?

regards,

Jack

I'd say a bit of both, accuracy a little more-so though.

Buying a/m as opposed to scratchin detail, for me, comes down to my mood, and how much I know the subject / refs on hand. If I have a lot of refs, and am in the mood for a good project, I'll scratch. If I don't know a whole lot about, or have substantial refs, for a particular subject, I'll trust someone else who put in the time to refer and make the a/m parts.....sometimes!

 A man and a fine brush just can't compete with a pre-painted I.P.........I LOVE those!!!

fermis

I just like buying stuff!

Really doesn't seem to make sense answering after that

A lot of times accuracy and detail go hand in hand.

Look at aftermarket tires. The tires you get with Revell's PV-1 are awful with this wavy kinda-sorta-raised texture that's supposed to represent tread. It's both inaccurate AND poorly detailed.

Tires from Eduard, Ultracast etc blow the kit parts away on both counts. 

A lot of times I'll buy aftermarket exhausts just because they look better, but they also cover off on options you may not have otherwise. For example, Spitfires, lend-lease P-40s and others used various exhausts throughout their lifespan, but it's rare for a kit to include tube exhausts and fishtails, so if you spring for Ultracast P-40 pipes, you're going for detail AND accuracy. I'd argue the same is entirely true of resin seats, resin cockpits, photo etch instrument panels, etc

hmm... interesting.  I can see the point made, that accuracy and detail go hand in hand.

I'm still thinking that some hobbyists' endgame is to detail their build to impress the viewer, and not overly concerned with accuracy.  I mean, how else can one explain when a builder adds/replaces kit parts, but then someone is upset when a colour correction is suggested for that particular subject.

Gentlemen, thank you for participating in this thread.

regards,

Jack

The bulk of my aftermarket is decals, more for the variety of markings options rather than "upgrades" on the kit decals. I also have a little resin in the stash, replacement seats, tires and a nose section for a Spttfire that are straight-up replacements for poorly represented kit parts.

I really dig a well-cast resin cockpit set because the detail is generally so much better defined than on kit parts, accuracy not withstanding.   They just look crisper and better than plastic, but I use them only on 'special' projects.

Preprinted IP's can look better than kit parts but lack any depth, so they can be wasted money if one has a well-molded plastic IP and some patience with a fine paint brush.

AM decals open up new camo/color scheme possibilites above and beyond the kit's supplied decals.

In the end, I use AM stuff to augment a build that I'm trying to make awesome but I don't use AM stuff just because it's available for the subject...

Jim, I have to say I had never considered snobbery, but the fact is quite valid.  Now thinking back to Fermis' first response, although it was likely in humour, it is true that some people spend money as they find it quite therapeutic.  

Quite enlightening, so now there are four possible reasons for procurring those extra bits for a kit.

regards,

Jack

I sort of disagree with the snobbery part of all of this

Someday, somewhere, I would like to see what the people think should be the answers when someone is looking at a solid wheel with bolts, and thinks the cast spoked wheel is the correct one,,,,,,,so, he asks about them on a forum

It is NOT snobbery that makes the correct answer "go and buy the Quickboost, and drill the hole out a few thousandths to fit your landing gear leg"

It is However, some other rude word when the response is "you call yourself a modeler, scratch the part",,,,,,without giving any dimensions, etc

that last deal is very unhelpful,,,,,and if the questioner had the info to build it himself from remelted sprue bits, he would have done it instead of asking

I figure, if a person is asking, it is okay to answer,,,,,shape, size or color,,,,and I also figure that giving wrong or generic info is less than helpful,,,,,,,,,that, to me almost looks like someone is "hoarding the facts" to somehow make their models stand out more

Extra detail or replacing inaccurate or missing pieces. Case in point, I have Minicrafts 1/350 RMS Titanic. While a decent kit built OOB, if you are a Titanic nut like I am there are alot of accuracy issues.

Davits: I got Tom's Modelworks set because the davits in the kit are just curved plastic blocks...not very realistic.

Deck Benches: L shaped plastic chunks in the kit, again replaced with PE to get the fine brasswork/slatted look

Rails, missing or made from thick plastic, again PE replacements look better.

The next example is my cars. Carpeting material is one of my largest AM expenditures because that authentic fuzzy look is far better than just painted plastic. I'm known to buy pre-wired distributers from time to time as well to avoid the hassle of drilling the little nubs on top and trying to somehow slip a wire in there. In short I save money by scratch building or modifying kit parts where I can but sometimes you just want a more asthetically pleasing/accurate model. For me it depends 100% on the subject, average car like sake of argument R-M 1998 Saleen Mustang I will build OOB, but a Corvette which is the focus of my "main collection" I'm willing to pump a little more $$ in to if that makes sense.

Years ago I used to buy after market stuff, I still have a lot of it for future projects. Most of what I have bought recently has been storage for armor kits.  Same reasons as the others,  just better looking than what I could do.  However, aside from the storage items, I haven't bought any up date items in years.  I found that with as many kits I build, over 35 per year or so, accuracy isn't as big a deal with me anymore.  Close enough is good enough.  I belong to two clubs and I have never had any negative feedback from anyone if you didn't replace parts.  Even the PV1 kits guys have built OTB didn't get any negative waves on the tires.  I built a Monogram B-17 last year, had a resin interior set. looked at it, decided I couldn't see enough to justify the effort and just went OTB with it.  No regrets there.  I still have a couple of them, maybe someday for the challenge, maybe.  Also the reality of how my aircraft are displayed, on the ceiling, makes super detailing cockpits a fools errand. Also my airplane models rarely compete, those I built for fun and for something different.

I have several hundred built kits on display, and around 2 grand left to build.  After a while I can't even tell what I did to what, so OTB is my new watch word.  I used to buy a lot of decal sets also, but I haven't even bought any new ones in quite a while, not counting some star ship markings, just because the projects demanded certain names and registry numbers.  Oh and as for counting rivets, I'm lucky to even see them anymore.

Snobbery? Why are we snipping at other modelers?  If you like to scratch great, buy after market, great.  Build out of the box, also great.  It's only a little hobby, and everything we build will probably not outlast us for long or until the next big house move.  Just enjoy the process, however you do it and appreciate the work of others who take the time to participate.

Doug

I think the phrase you're after is "Keeping up with the Jones'"

Ive bought resin on occasion. The main one i bought was a new cockpit for a tomcat because i lost some of the parts. The other one was because a couple sites noted the kit needed some extra detail in certain places. So i got some resin bit for it.

Yes I don't use much AM,but what I do use is to improve the look,things like metal barrels and screens are little ways I can improve the look.

I get it now, Jimmy, thanks for clearing that up

I do agree that there appears to be some of that "keeping up" thing going on

I just don't agree that it is very many modelers, I think the majority of modelers that buy resin buy it to actually improve a detail or shape problem on a model kit

as far as "getting along",,,,,,that would be fine,,,,,it would be great, in fact,,,,,,,but,,,,,,,if you eliminate all back and forth about kits and their accuracy, or details, or loadouts,,,,,,that eliminates all the posts to help people when they ask questions,,,,that would sure make for some boring message boards

here is a short list of possible discussion topics in a world where calling the Academy F-4 nose "too skinny" is off limits (the same world where it is okay to use the same photo to call it "wonderful", by the way,,,,,,,,,,if one is wrong behavior, so is the other)

the list

Help, I am trying to build a 40 year old Zero model, and the glue doesn't stick well enough,,,,,,,,answer, either use very old glue from the same time period,,,,or sneak extremely modern glue into your house and glue the seams with that,,,,,be very careful to never admit using a new product anywhere online, though

Help, I have seen the Tamiya Skyray 1/72 kit built 2 dozen times now, in all the possible options that always come in the box, what can I do, a nasty person sent me a link to a page, and it is full of aftermarket decals,,,,,,how do I avoid buying any of those??,,,,,,,,,sorry, no answer that can be typed in public, but, I sneak various aftermarket company's products into my house so that I can build more than one of each model (gasp!!), and/or a model that 10,000 other people have displayed online already

Help, all of my Phantoms have 4 Sparrows and 4 Sidewinders, I have 14 of them built now, how can I get different "things on wings" for them??,,,,,,,,,,Answer is buy some weapons sets from a Hated modern model company, don't worry, they will still fit under the wings of your most wonderful antique Phantom models,,,,,,but, see the modern glue comment above

Help!!!! (a lot),,,,,,,I constantly type online about wanting models to be like the old days, OOB without using any modern techniques to mold or to build them,,,,,,,,,and the latest and greatest model is going to only come with missile choices and 2 markings options

Answer,,,,,either don't buy it,,,,,,,OR,,,,,,you could buy that Academy Phantom, buy a nose if it measures out in your hand and tells you that you either need one or it is okay to go with as is, then you can buy an aftermarket set of weapons to have more choices of things to hang, a decal sheet from someone that gives you a different option to paint your model, a resin cockpit that will enhance the model's appearance when viewed with the canopy open, OR you could build it OOB with OOB decals, knowing that enough of them will be built to stand out that a good OOB gives everyone a baseline model to look at (we do need a few of those from each kit)

lol, it seems that I spend a lot of time "picking on modelers", but, anyone that claims that just doesn't get that it is really me "picking on the people that are picking on modelers"

because, OOB or "scratch built by combining all the resin parts available without even needing a base kit",,,,,,and everywhere in between,,,,,,all of those people are "real modelers" to me, and if they are lucky, every once in a while they get to be an "assembler" just for the fun of it

if you want to fight about resin parts,,,,,,,fight the "real" fight,,,,,,start a discussion about what really fits and what really doesn't

Rex

for armor i might buy metal barrels or resin  "gear" to hang on the vehicle unless i am going to drape the barrel with a camo net. for ships am is necessary for railings and cranes/catapults assuming it doesn't come in the kit. i avoid ww2 ships so don't have the AA gun problems. for big sailing ships maybe linen line for rigging, blocks and deadeyes if the plastic ones are bad. i can see decals (am looking for idf and arab 1/35 but getting pretty good at freehand arab numbers) and am decals for aircraft.

lol, Jimmy,,,,,,,you spell out the real truth about these boards

everyone should be able to ask even the most popular question, for a few reasons

unless it is about a kit coming out 2 days in the future from this post,,,,,EVERY topic can be answered with "use the search function",,,,,and we all just know that "searching" ALWAYS works 100%, LOL

I got told "use the search" so often, that, this year, I have decided that if I can't find it in just a few minutes online, by holding my elbow just right, while closing one eye, with keywords that I think might make it show up,,,,,,,I just don't ask anymore,,,,,,I will spend hours in books instead,,,,,,if I don't find it,,,,,it isn't a big enough thing to even bother seeking out these days

I am only online to help others, now,,,,,,,,,I have "got all of mine" as far as what I need,,,,,,,the only thing that might come up for me online now is someone might sell some super rare kit I would have liked to have worked into my collection, or they might know where there is a stack of almost sold out new stuff that I didn't get enough of

you only have to get told the equivalent of "just mix Red and Yellow" to get 32246 once or twice,,,,,,,and you just stop asking

I started out buying AM parts for better detail and more accuracy. But i must admit i did get a bit addicted, and i think what Jimmy says applied to me. I would look for every AM part i could find for any given kit, simply because i thought it would make it better.

This included wheel wells, which as Doogs pointed out are under the model. And as my aircraft are secured to a base, unless it has a tall front undrcarrage, theres no way your going to see it. I also bought metal barrels when the kit had a perfectly good one piece plastic barrel.

But recently i begain to realise how much money i was waisting that could go on other things, like a new kit. So i have begun to control myself a bit more. I still love AM, especially a nice resin pit when the kit one has little detail or a set of Fruils to replace rubber bands. But i am much more selective about what i get and i make sure it needs it.

The other week i was going to get a resin rudder for a 72nd Ju 87. When i looked at the resin part, the kit part and photos of the real thing, i realised the kit part was slightly wrong, but it would be very easy for me to correct myself.

professordeath

Well I am right with you on needing to have things to talk about. That's why I go nuts when someone posts a topic and is told to use the search because its been discussed 400 times. The beauty of forums is the information they provide and it's awesome to have such knowledgable people willing to share. Some of us just require more or less detailed knowledge to find satisfaction on our craft.

I agree with you there, that winds me up a bit. Search functions are not always easy to use, and it can all depend on how you word a search. It can just be easier to ask. And by answering with help or advice, you don't just help the person who asked, you could be helping anyone else who may have the same problem.

Luckly there are enough people on here with the paitience and knowledge to help anyone. What can seem like an obvious question to some, may not be so for others.

jgeratic1

  I'm wondering now is this a growing trend that some people are buying upgrade parts for their kits ..............simply because they look "cool" for lack of a better word?

If I buy aftermarket, it is because the kit lacks the detail supplied by the aftermarket components and I am unable to scratch build the desired detail due to lack of information.

One example might be a resin engine.

Few modern kits require aftermarket parts.

This is super, I did not imagine this discussion would grow to a third page.

The point of all this (for me) is this conclusion - more detail does not necessarily imply the builder is striving for an accurate build.  I recently made this  assumption that the addition of aftermarket parts was intended for accuracy.   The builder indicated he was going for a specific subject from a specific point in history.    When a couple of us suggested colour corrections, we sort of got flamed for it.   So yes, now I know better.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic1

This is super, I did not imagine this discussion would grow to a third page.

The point of all this (for me) is this conclusion - more detail does not necessarily imply the builder is striving for an accurate build.  I recently made this  assumption that the addition of aftermarket parts was intended for accuracy.   The builder indicated he was going for a specific subject from a specific point in history.    When a couple of us suggested colour corrections, we sort of got flamed for it.   So yes, now I know better.

regards,

Jack

This brings up another issue, giving people advice, especially when it comes to historical accuracy. But thats another discussion all by itself.

I think the reasons for AM are wide and varied. We all choise which suits us best, and for the most part we can all get along just fine. Rangeing from the scratch builder to the AM fanatic.