Leaving the imagination to flow..

This is something I have thot about a lot. I think in most categories judges should be looking only at the quality of the build... then there should be categories for Historically accurate models... like of a particular plane.

I even wrote an articel about this on my site -- Accuracy vs. Precision http://www.naplak.com/modeling/articles/naplak's_corner.htm -- and it has come up here a few times.

I like to go my own way a lot of the time. I have invented my own Racing Teams for F-1 cars etc. And even racing jets -- a YF-23 for example. And there were the great NasTank models in FSM last year.

DON"T GET ME WRONG tho... I am very impressed by the people who do all the research to build something that is Historically accurate... I want to build a model of Douglas Bader's Spitefire (a hero of mine). And if you are building a WW2 model, it should be accurate. But there should also be a place for the bazzar creations too.

I would just say to build what you want... and remember that we do this hobby for the pleasure of the DOING... if others don't appreciate what we end up with... who cares?

I love imaginative modeling! I almost do it more often than realistic modeling!
I've done a re-painting my F-8 in VFA-223 "BullDogs" markings, and I've also made a USMC TallGeese Gundam, and I'm waiting for some money and time to make some custom decals for my smooth-nose B-52H, so that it'll be in Clan Wolf(a BattleTech unit) markings! I'm also looking forward to making a Gundam in "GreenPeace" markings, which I will have in a diorama!

i would say whichever u say is better. i make some imaginitive stuff cause im bored of nmf or camo...

If it's something you want to build...then build it. Enter in a show if you want and state that it's a "what if" build. You wouldn't win the historical accuracy award but the rest of the kit should be judged on your skills in building and painting.

Sometimes letting your imagination do some work is all you need to get out of ruts in the hobby. They don't have to be real good stuff like show quality, just something that becons you to see a project through, begining to end, for maybe the first time in ages.

I once navalized a Gloster Javelin, folded wings, better tailpipes and landing gear from my spares box and some scrounged up decals.

I also did an F-8 up in a green and grey splinter camoflage and put modern Luftwaffe markings on it.

They're both long gone from my collection, but they were a lot of fun to make, because there were no rules of reality any more.

I've got some drawings I made of what I think the F-111K might have looked like if it ever came to reality. One day I'll find a model of an F-111 that I like and give it a go.

When it comes to modeling, or indeed any hobby, I always say: "If you're not doing it for yourself before anybody else, then you're not doing it for the right reasons"

Heck, that's exactly what I'm doing with my 1946 German E-100 super heavy tank! Based on reality, taking it to what I imagine what such a vehicle would have been like if...
I think such modeling is great. Really makes you think, because you HAVE to think! No reference sources for a 1946 E-100 London invasion tank!