as i contemplate my first complete scratchbuild...................

I'll second what Woody said, start with something simpler. Just to get used to cutting out styrene pieces, gluing them together as per plan, etc. I had a background in drafting and construction/woodworking(as well as model building) which helped me in my first scratchbuild. And it had angular lines making it easier. You might even try a paper model first, or cut out the pieces in card stock as a test model.

the only thing i have scratch built is a roll bar for my 1/16 1964 1/2 mustang cobra, and the mg mount for my 1/35 jeep. both of which were just using spurs. i am building a robot in school so i will be doing some scrachbuilding there. but i must say; scrachbuilding shows just how skilled a modeler is.

QUOTE: Originally posted by fightnjoe some great responses. i thankyou. but i am not sure a groupbuild is part of the plan. right now i dont have a start date on this and it will be my first attempt. i got the idea from watching the sci fi forum and your firetruck chris. they all look outstanding and i wanted to try my hand at it. as i contemplate though i know one thing for sure. all the help i need is but a few keystrokes away. joe

If I might make a suggestion. You might save the AT-AT for your second or third project. Start with a few easier projects to get your "sea legs". The Scout Walker would be a good starting project.





I jumped into scratch building with both feet over 17 years ago and it seemed overwhelming at the time. Looking back, I believe the main reason for this was the subject I chose, a Corsair F2G. I wanted to add it to my collection but the complexity of the subject soon left a sour taste in my mouth. I finished the project and was proud of the results but I had convinced myself along the way that scratchbuilding was hard. I have since learned that a lot more planning is involved in scratchbuilding but the skills are the same. Best of all you make the rules but with proper planning it's not that hard.

I've scratchbuilt a he 100 in 1/100, carved it out of a solid block of epoxy putty.
I've scratchbuilt an entire interior for my hasegawa 1/32 262
I've scratchbuilt a lot for my 1/48 fgr phantom (from the old monogram f4j)

not me.....said he
i've enough trouble scratchbuilding during a conversion let alone one completed project in this lifetime........
for me it's like knowing when not to hop on all those incredible edible eggs.......joe.....may the modelling Gods watch over you.........
all the best, my friend....

with all the expertise in this forum, you should have few setbacks........
God Bless y'all............

some great responses. i thankyou. but i am not sure a groupbuild is part of the plan. right now i dont have a start date on this and it will be my first attempt. i got the idea from watching the sci fi forum and your firetruck chris. they all look outstanding and i wanted to try my hand at it. as i contemplate though i know one thing for sure. all the help i need is but a few keystrokes away.

joe

Well Joe, as you well know of the scratchbuild that I have been working on for a while now, I can say that there is no great feelingin this hobby then to take an idea from the deep confines of the brain and turn it into something that you can hold and looks like what you thought of, all with out the help of pre made parts or instructions. There are alot of people to give you a hand and comment on the build as you go too, as you have done for me.

I would suggest you start a group scratchbuild. My Star Trek group scratchbuild has been one of my favorite projects ever. The support from everyone is first rate and I think others in the group feel the same way. I love scratchbuilding and get the most satisfaction from my scratchbuild projects. As far as I can tell my next five projects will be scratchbuilds.

1). Avenger Class Destroyer from "The Starfleet Museum"
2). Marshall Class Destroyer from "Star Trek- Spaceflight Chronology"
3). Mann Class Cruiser from "Star Trek- Spaceflight Chronology"
4). Star Empire Dreadnaught from A trek novel but I can't remember the title
5). Daedalus Class Cruiser as seen on DS9

This line up may change but these are at the top of my list.

Check out some of our scratches over in Sci-Fi. Ther's currently a Star Trek build going on with some really nice work surfacing. As for buiding an AT-AT, you might start with an ERTL model as a guide for the bigger one(I'm assuming its bigger). My current build is a Hydran Ranger from Star Fleet Battles. I had small plans, but having the miniature too helped:

Is this your first scratchbuild? What were you making this out of? Happy to help any way I can.

I have never had a complete srcatchbuild, but I have had 2 big scratchbuilds in the interiors of a halftrack and a WACO gliger.
Someday I want to completly scratchbuild the Confederate tank from Wild Wild West.

Good Luck!