How far ahead do you plan your next build ?

I try to finish one model before I start the next.  Part of it has to do with how much time I get to actually work on the model, and part of it is I don't have a stash (shudder.)  I tend to plan my next build around group builds that catch my eye.

It can be  very varied for me. Sometimes a build is a short term spur of the moment decision as to what to start next, or I may jump on some GB that I just saw... other times it is a well thought out and planned process where I have spent weeks or more gatheirng information, deciding on any changes to the kit I will make, etc.

Whatever strikes my fancy,,I just go to rmy relatively small stash, and pick out something that I should have built long ago.  Maybe I'll pick something to build for a friend to meet his interests.

I tend to work on one at a time.  It has a lot to do with how much space I have to work with.  I just don't have the room put more than one WIP.  Lately, I haven't even had the time to pull it off the shelf to work on.  Soon, maybe next week, I'll start working on it again.

The actual Planning Ahead part is and has been in the terms of years.

I have over 200 builds planned out, some have been that way for a couple of years, and some just got all "planned", but, won't be started for a long time.

Unless something comes along to move a model up to Now,,,,,,the next one that gets started is just the one in the pile of "ready to go" kits that attracts my eye on the day that I am rifling through the resource sheets looking for one to start.

I started the resource sheets because before, I would get all enthused about a build, dig out the kit, the decals, the paint colors, the armament,,,,,,,,and find some one thing wasn't here yet to go with it.

Now I only look at models that have everything in stock when I make my choice. Whenever I get more supplies or weapons kits, or a decal sheet, more models get finished resource sheets,,,,,,they join the pile on the day I pick out the next project to start.

Rex

Sometimes campaigns that I join dictate what is next,usually I'm thinking 2 or 3 builds ahead,unless something really interesting pops up and jumps the line.

I only work on one project at a time though.

i am about 20% through my current build and I made my choice for the next build... Now.    No wait... there's the...  OK... Now!.  But then again... what about the... OK for real... NOW!  

Sorry, now.. I really mean it this time

Hi ;

  You ask a strange question , mate ! I usually don't start one til I've got one finished .Lately though , because the client build is so problematic , I have two , yes ,  two ready for decals ," shudder ", and they are both planes . One is a 1/48 ME-262- clear , from TAMIYA ? . and the other is a 1/48 HELLDIVER  " "PRO-SHOP " from MONOGRAM (yup , old kit ,that ! ) Well , gotta go , work's calling .    Tanker-Builder      P.S. Leaving the client build and building something totally unrelated , clears my muddled thinking ,  and then I go back to the client build  , all fresh and clear as  to what is next .

Since my model bench is in the basement, and I do my research on my computer in my den, I often do research on a kit in my stash that I intend to start soon, though other model(s) is/are on workbench.  

Also, I sometimes work on two models at a time, both on the bench. I use mostly enamels for paint, and enamels, especially gloss enamels, take a long time to dry (even though I have a drying box that does speed it up a bit).  So once a model reaches the finish painting stage I frequently start a new kit, working on it while paint is drying on first kit and I cannot work on anything on that kit.

I will be building the Matchbox/Revell 1:72 Corvette this year.  The main gun in the kit lacks detail and is not that accurate.  There is a resin gun available but it costs more than I paid for the ship kit. I found detailed 3-views of the gun, and intend to scratch build it.  I will do that as a seperate project while I am working on some other kit (as in second paragraph) and not start the ship model till that gun and its enclosure are done.

Might end up being years, depending upon how easily I can locate reference material for my projects.

The advent of internet resources, such as Google Images, now provide photos of aircraft cockpits once unavailable to me even through the old Wings and Airpower magazine publications.

Kits I purchased decades ago can now be assembled because I have the resource materials.

( examples: Lindberg Convair X FY-1 VTO POGO and AURORA SBC-3 Helldiver ) .

Unfortunately, the abundant hobby time I once possessed has now been replaced by necessary chores so I suppose the yin and yang balance of the cosmos is still in effect.

I currently work on one build at a time. Each build takes me about 9 months to a year to complete so I have plenty of time to plan out my next build.  I started a Dauntless dive bomber in December of last year and thought it would only take me a few weeks to build it. Yeah right ! I started building my Fw190 for my GB and the Dauntless went in zip locks back in the box. I'm nearing the end of the Fw 190 build and will finish up the Dauntless after that. My planning is usually all during the current build. So basically you could say I plan them about  6 months out.

Good thread by the way!

Let's see now... I've done an F4U-1 Corsair in 1/72nd scale as my first model after 20 plus years away from the hobby. Next I did a 1/48 scale  P-47 Thunderbolt by Revell which I gave to my bro-in-law. After having done that P-47, I went out and bought 2 more P-47's (Razorback and Bubbletop). The Razorback I plan on building just as the one flown by Sutcliffe. The Bubbletop I haven't decided which one I want to do.

Currently I'm working on a Bf-109 G-6; a version I'm inspired to build after reading "A Higher Call". My next model kit will be:

B-17F Flying Fortress - a build as Ye Olde Pub from same book above. This will be a long build to recreate it as the battle damaged Fortress.

Others include -

Spitfire IXc and a B-26 Marauder for a GB I joined

I do want to do another F4U-1 Corsair but this time in 1/48 scale. This will be build as Pappy Boyington's plane.

SBD Dauntless in 1/48 scale.

Sturmovik IL-2 in 1/48 scale

Hopefully by next year, I'll try my hand with WWII tanks. It's been a long time since I've done armoured vehicles. :))

I pick my kits out of a jar at random, so my planning comes afterwards.  However, I do spend a couple of weeks after picking the kit doing my homework on what I want to do and what I'll need to do it.  It's usually here where I snag a book or two or browse through Goole Images on the subject.  I read kit reviews and look for build logs so I know what to expect.

For example, the magic jar gave me the Accurate Miniatures B-25B (Doolittle) as my next prop project, so rather than dive into it I'm doing my research onto the Doolittle B-25s to figure out colors, backdrop and what modifications I'll need to do, what items I have in the spares box and what things I'll need to sneak into the house while the wife is at work.....You know....Research.

my planning for the build comes prior to actually purchasing a kit.  however that time may be days, weeks, months, or even years.  i have my "ultimate" build that i have been planning for many years, not wanting to start until i can do it right.  i have others that i have been planning and researching for several years.  still others are but a couple of months in the planning stages.  then again every now and then i grab one and do it up with zero planning.  my biggest issue now is time to actually build and of course the skill to do it decent.

joe