What motivates you to model plastic ?

well rik all i can say is

Same here, folks!

i still dont have a clear answer for this question. but like i said to rik, i build to honor in some small way those who sacrificed so much. an example, pearl harbor has become a big part of who i am. i have studied it, talked to some who survived, and talked to some who modeled it. it has become part of me. when i look at the pics of the attack i can hear the cries of the wounded, i can smell the smoke, and i feel an overwhelming sense of emotion.

pearl harbor has become a part of me. the same is with modeling, it has become a part of me. sure i take the kit use glue and paint, decal it and display. but it is much more than that. when i build a/c i feel a sense of emotion, an attachment to what this replica is. i dont know if that explains it but then again i dont know if i can really put into words what i mean.

joe

I build because I find the shapes, colors, and textures of historical miniatures pleasing to my eyes. I only build WW II aircraft because I feel that time period was the pinnacle of diversity for shape and color.

Wow Pix,

shapes.. colors... textures.........

I feel kind of........(shallow, maybe?) well, you know. I think I feel the same as you, I'll just add one thing-BECAUSE IT IS SOOOO COOOOL!!!!

Steve

to make a piece of art from hundreds of little plastic pieces, to make plastic look real. to build something that looks like you could jump in and start up.

My wife won't let me keep a real F-4 (or F4U or Spitfire or P-40 or F-105 or anything else) in the basement. Something silly about bothering the neighbors when I light it up.

I wonder how much a P-40 or something would cost, cause when i plan to retire from the Marines i am planning to either buy a vintage plane or open a hobby shop.

I don't know what they cost, but they are outrageously expensive because of the cost and lack of parts. Break something and it costs a fortune to get it fixed. The Miss America P-51 Unlimited racer has been down for a couple of years for repairs.

Here's a P-51 for sale
http://www.mustangsmustangs.net/p-51/p51sforsale/4413016mar2003.shtml

Funny thing though, I had a post on the aircraft forum about a MiG-21 and someone commented that it is actually cheaper to buy (not maintain and keep flying, but just buy) a jet than a WWII bird. FWIW there are currently 35 MiG-21's registered in the USA!

Rik, to seriously answer your question, I think the reason I build models is because I love planes and bringing one to life from plastic and paint is about as close as I'll get to them. I've flown several civilian planes, but I've never flown a warbird. As a pilot I can only dream about what it's like, and building them and seeing the details and learning about them is great.

I love the never ending challenge to myself to do something a little better or different each time I work on a model. And being a part of these forums has let me express my work and get honest feedback on the subject. I love modelbuilding...my favorite pastime!

Regards, Dan

I wonder if i could get a mig-29.

I build for many of the same reasons listed above but my Dad and me had a discussion a while back about this. The heart of it was that guys are just fascinated with miniature machines. Look at all the hobbies that revolve around mini machines. If you put a well build model on display where guys can see it you'll have to keep non-modelers from touching. Modelers are interested in other modelers work but are well aware of the labor and love lavished on these little plastic works of art and know to keep their hands to themselves (mostly).

yeah.....me too
what y'all said......
nice to be connected to the spirit of such a neat hobby......
AND to converse with such a cool bunch of afficionodos..........

Being able to replicate a piece of history in mineature is one of my main motivations. Probably a close second is the challange to do the best I can to make it happen.

Richard

I agree it's the history that is relicated in minature. It's good hand and eye corordination.

Rob.

Why do I model in plastic? Because I can't afford the real thing in metal.

QUOTE: Originally posted by sahickerson Why do I model in plastic? Because I can't afford the real thing in metal.

here here

its almost as if modeling is a religion and our work areas are our temples.

To me it starts with the interest on an aircraft. Photos are the easiest to get my hands on. Then I want to see it in action so videos are the next option. Now I want it three-dimensional. I can't afford to own a real plane so the next best bet is a MODEL!

Well, at the moment... NOTHING

In general, though, it's a deep-rooted passion for the history behind what it is that I build. Can't really explain it any better than that...


Fade to Black...

I think i make models because i love the machines and the history i've spent more money on books about warfare than i have on models.

to me its wanting to see the finished product. I can't wait for it to be done, so I can sit back and look at it.

QUOTE: Originally posted by M1abramsRules to me its wanting to see the finished product. I can't wait for it to be done, so I can sit back and look at it.

....me too
that's the personal gratification part..........

I don't want this to sound like a cry in your beer type story but, I come from a poor broken family. my mother and father divorced when I was only eight years old. I loved my father very much, and due to the divorce, was only able to see him rarely. my father was a career navy man which made it hard to see him. needless to say I saw very little of my father but, have wonderful memories of he and I in our garage building toys for me out of wood and scrap materials that were laying around the house. afew years ago my father passed away, and amongst the few belongings I recieved from his small but humble estate, was a picture of a wall in his little house covered with the most wonderful collection of models. he had built them over the years as he lived out his life. sadly I was not able to inherit those models, but at least I know where my love of modelling comes from, and I have that picture of my fathers models hanging above my small but humble little work space in my garage. It's probably one of my most treasured possessions next to his WWII medals, and service picture. that is what motivates me to model in plastic. "it's in my genes". semper fi, mike

yw18mc: good story, nicely told. Very touching.

It just makes me feel good

Thad

Wasn't there a topic not unlike this one not too long ago?
Anyways, I"ve been fascinated with military equipment all my life, and have been exposed to it from early childhood. At first, I had a great interest in military aircraft of all types. It was through this love that I discovered modeling. After that, modeling itself became the interest, and I moved on to armour, and other topics.
What keeps me going is the pure bliss of losing myself in an act of creation.