Modeling real time?

It can take me anything from a couple of days to months (years!) to complete a model... Depends on a lot of factors such as having the urge to build or not, reference being available or not, something more exciting catching my eye .. Those factors have a greater impact on me than superdetailling or not, or the quality of the kit, ease of asssembly and such... When I do work for other people though, those factors have to be put aside, and I can normally turn out a new master (pattern) in 2 to 3 days, if I'm able to work most of the day on the project.

If I build a kit out of the box it usually takes about a month to complete. If I'm going to super detail a kit or do any conversion work, it generally takes a couple of months.

Now's there's a question! I guess as we all live different lives we make time for our hobby as and when we can. My model building time depends on how busy my work life is. If it's a busy time, then nothing gets done. So one 1/48 aircraft can take me up to six months.
However, when I am on leave I can knock out a couple of kits in a fortnight! If I was amazingly rich and did'nt have to work then I would turn out one good kit a week! (yes-I know,in my dreams...........)

Now if only I could win the U.K. lottery!

Regards,

Darren

Different subjects take vastly different amounts of time. A tank, from start to finish, can take anywhere from a week or two to 3 months. Aircraft have taken me anywhere from 2 days to a year or more. It all just boils down to motivation vs time constraints. If I have a free weekend, I can usually knock out a plane or two, if it's built from the box.

I'm not into how long a model takes as long as it at least turns out looking how I would like it to look. Do too time constraints, I might finish two models a year. I spend alot of time on research. My daughter takes up the majority of my free time. We are going to work on a project together on her request.. That might be one project that gets done. Time isn't really important, except I can't build as many kits as I would like.

I might get two to three kits built in a year. Too many kits, so little time.
Lee

That's true midnightprowler ! You hit the nail... "So many models, and so little time" - Working full time as a surgeon in the University Hospital I can spend only few hours a month for my hobby - so it let me to build no more than 4 models a year ! Aleksander

At the time I bring them home, I have every intention of building each one. But there are so many great models out there, that I have gotten behind, as shown in this picture:

At one model a day, I think it will take 6 years to finish them all, at one a week about 40 years. Since it really takes about three months to finish each, I'm going to have to eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest to stay healthy enough to finish them all in about 500 years. Uh Oh; just realized they keep making more, so it may take 1000 years. Goals are good, right?

Just Build a Model Today for the Fun of IT!
Gerald

Gerald, I see some there I'd like to buy. Wanna sell?
Lee

After thinking about it for a moment, I quess two months sounds about right. I'm not counting time kits are in my collection as I'd have Gerald's problem. I have several thousand kits and I'm not kidding my self into thinking a fraction of them will ever be built in my lifetime.

Hi Lee, I'm probably more interested in selling 1/72 scale small subject aircraft than anything else, especially since my eyes aren't what they used to be. I know you do cars, and I plan to build the Willys (I have SWC decals), Silhouette (built one as a kid), and Avanti (stumbled into a convention in Williamsburg!). What are some of the ones you are interested in? If some of the others, maybe we can go e-mail.

Woody, I finally decided last week that being delusional is a GOOD thing . I have decided that I can build them all, will win a billion dollars in the Pepsi sweepstakes, and that all women want me for themselves. Only BAD people will tell me otherwise.

Happy Fourth!
Gerald

One very interesting question and hard to answer. It all depends on the subject really. with a small kit of a subject that has personal interest to me like an aircraft that i have flown in like the DH Chipmunk maybe a week or so or on the other hand an aircraft that just "cought my eye" so to speak and becomes an ongoing project like the TU22 that i have has been in build for about two years now and i am only just starting the detail parts such as the undercart and bomb doors then decaling. The main drain on my modeling time is work(i work a three shift system) and work around the house and garden and maintaining our cars (Two Saabs one Rangerover) and restoring my 1958 Landrover all this does not leave much time to devide between forum and modeling time and as the computer is in the sitting room and my model room is in the attic the forum normaly wins there as its easier to get to ....Cheers .....Greg

Gerald, what do you have in 1/72? Any choppers? Email me. Woody, interested in selling anything?
Lee

Hey Gerald if you come up with a disposal list of 1/72 A/C, send me a copy via email. I'm a rabid collector so I don't care how many I have when I die! You could also join http://scalehobby.com/forum/idex.php and post your list in their trading section. I have some for sale or trade kits listed there.

My god Gerald! Did you think of opening a store? That's alot of money sitting on the shelves. I didn't think of modeling as an addicton.

Hi tigerman, If I sell them I can't fool myself into believing that I will build them all!

gbarnes, you've got an enviable collection. I thought I had an impressive number of models, but after seeing your stash and photos of BlackwolfSCD's, I feel like a rank amateur with only 400 kits. Happy 4th. - Ed

Hi Ed,
I think that with 400 models you aren't going to be hard up for something to build for a few years!

Ed, your out of control. Stay calm I have a plan. You send 1/2 thoughs kits to me and avoid a life time of model dementia. Don't take that downward spiralling path like Gerald and me!

Woody, it's too late. I started salivating over a stack of 1 / 72 WWII Army Air Corps trainer kits I saw at the local hobby shop. Guess I'll head over today and BUY 'EM ALL!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Geez, I'm in worse shape thatn I thought. Know a good therapist? Maybe he's got some kits I can trade for. :)

Welcome to the dark side

Hi Midnight Prowler and Woody,
Sorry I didn't get back on your questions about selling. Last week I had a major computer meltdown and lost everything that I didn't have backed up, which was pretty much all mail, files, and links, including my kit list. I have always been a bit suspicious of people using that excuse, but from now on will be much more sympathetic. After being on the phone from North Carolina to India, Canada, and Arizona for hours and hours, I am finally back on-line, and will have to reinventory about 3000 kits. A message to everyone - BACK UP EVERYTHING you can't replace! A little irritation now can save major headaches!

Build a model today for the FUN of it.
Gerald

I've heard two schools of thought that are of interest here-

One says "As long as you have kits left to build, you can never die"

The other one is "Time spent modelling is not deducted from your lifespan."

Eitherway, Gerald will obviously live forever! :)

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kolja94 Eitherway, Gerald will obviously live forever! :)

Kolja94:
I think you just scared a LOT of people in my neighborhood!

Build a model today for the FUN of it!
Gerald