Authenticity vs. Artistic License

I almost ALWAYS go for artistic license of some sort. I really like going after what is pleasing to me, instead of what the box demands for paint and sometimes even decal instructions.
For instance, I put a B-1B in a Southeast Asia scheme, I created my own camo scheme for a B-52H, my M2A2 Bradley is depicted as being in service with the Army of Northern Virginia, and my gundams often sport scratchbuilt/modified weapons.
ARTISTIC LICENSE FOREVER!!!

The idea is to have fun. That's why some the neatest models I've seen recently were those where the builder took artistic license to the max. For instance, visualze an Enterprise starship decked out in NASCAR colors, an alien invader ship from Indepencene Day camoulfaged in a desert scheme with the markings of the New Mexico Air National Guard, a Sherman decked out in the livery of the Army of the Potomac (that cavalry blue was a nice touch!). I build for authenticity's sake as well, but ya gotta have fun, ya know? Follow your muse, guy. - :) Ed

Hey, Keyworth, maybe someday your Army of the Potomac Sherman can meet my Army of Northern Virginia Bradley? That would make quite the diorama, I'd bet!

Well, allan, you said you have 3 so why not build one the way you want to and then you still have 2 others that you can build authentically (sp?) or otherwise. Like Keyworth said, have fun! Build for yourself cause when it's all said and done you're the one who's gonna be looking at it and displaying it.

Ray

I tend to build models as both authentic and with a bit of artistic license. For the most part, I just attempt to capture the spirit of the subject, and if that includes opening avionics bays and extending flaps with a pilot seated in the cockpit, so be it. It just gives the model more of a dramatic flair. But ultimately, it's to each his or her own.

HEY,
I say go for the fun and whatever you think looks best. Once i built two F-18C Hornets that would take off from a carrier. I painted the top in desert camo even though it takes off froma carrier. I think it looks cool and if you think that whatever you do to the plane looks cool, thats all that matters.

Randy

Do whats right by YOU, not the dictam of rivet counters.

I've just started to built a hypothetical production F-17 out of an F/A-18 kit, the changes will be many I'm sure, but it will be MINE before its anybody else's.

Hypothetical models are great fun and a welcome rest from the exhausting (I find it exhausting) hyper detailing some folks get caugth up in. Its also a tremendously good exercise in mental agility as it keeps you thinking in several directions at once and keeps your creative problem solving skills sharp.

Watch for a two seat advanced interceptor variant of an F-17 from the Scottish Air Force sometime in the future.

I'm also tearing down and rebuilding a 1/72 P-3 Orion and have decided to go hypothetical on it too, just how I haven't decided.

They're your models, it was your money that bought them, make whatever you will out of them they are YOURS.

Allan,
I had the same problem when I came to build that kit-Do want you want to do! I put mine on a carier deck, ready for take off with the gun bay open,ladder deployed and an open canopy. I wanted to cram in as much detail as possible, because that is what I like to do. Paint and build yours which ever way you want-it could happen your way,who's to say it can't?

Happy building!

Darren.

Hi Allan do whatever rows your boat. I think theres nothing wrong with going your own way with a kit, go the "whole hog " with the F/A18 if thats what you want. why not have them armed to the teeth and in Blue Angels marks too, Wouldn't that look way too cool?...Greg

Thanks guys. I'm glad a lot of people share the same view as mine. I must admit there are certain projects where I put a borderline on artistic license, but Ive had my own share of freewheeling. And youre all correct, they did give me some of the best times Ive had with the hobby. Among them:

1. 72nd Mig-21 in USAF aggressor grape scheme with Vinten camera pod on the underbelly (I couldn't find an F-104 at the time);
2. 700th German Narvik WWII destroyer with 2 twin US 5 inch guns and an ASROC launcher amidships;
3. 76th Panzer III in MERDC colors and a 75mm gun; and
4. 72nd F-20 in Su-27 colors.

I agree in the end the project has to please me and not others (especially not those with raised eyebrows).

Upnorth,

Id really like to see that F-17.

Greg,

What an idea! If I do build one, though, I'd probably take it a little further: The Blues FA-18 will be heavily weathered, will have tac/modex numbers, and sports kill marks. I wonder how that will look like?

How about having small Thunderbirds patches as kill markings? LoL..Greg

Darren,

Saw your Cat on rongeorge. That is one NEAT bird! So happens the Sundowners is one of my fave squadrons. Great work!

QUOTE: Originally posted by gregers How about having small Thunderbirds patches as kill markings? LoL..Greg

Whoa! Look out, we woundn't want to step on Tbirds fans...

So, where do you figure I can get them Tbird patches? LOL.

Dunno but it'd be a fun project ..dacal paper, laser printer and a bit of resizing of a picture of the patch, hmmmm ???? Red Arrows Hawk - AIM 9L snakes with patrouil du france kill marks hmmmmmm NICE...Greg

Think about why you bought the kit in the first place. What was your original interest and whom are you building for?
If you are interested in building a historical kit, and want to disply a particular plane, tank, figure, etc. then by all means keep true to your intent and desire. What is the end result? If you are building for competition or enter it in a contest then give those "rivet counters" their due. (Its because of those rivet counters that we have more accurate kits to build, a better selection of kits and figs, decals, detail sets, and accessories so don't entirely throw them under the bus...) If you are building to indulge your own fantasies or muse as was so eloquently put, then by all means do so. It is for you. Who is the end client? If it is for the Deutsch museum, then you have an obligation to make it correct, if it is for you then your only obligation is to yourself. Paint it fluorescent colors if you so desire. On the other hand if you do indulge in a fantasy piece, do not expect an equal reaction from folks. Fantasys are a private indulgence and if you show off a Tiger tank painted with tiger stripes, don't be insensed if it doesn't receive the same appreciation as you have for it.

All in all, indulge yourself.

Mike

Well put, Mike.

My F-17 will be on rongeorge when I get it done, don't hold your breath too much though. It could take some time to get it just as I want it.

Allen if you want to paint a tank orange with pink poka-dots then go right ahead. It's your model, do what you want. Now if you want to enter it in a contest, it'd be a different matter.

Just do what ever is fun and interesting to you and don't worry about what any one else thinks about it. Unless they're paying you for it that is

Points well-taken, gents. I figger I'd do something really out of the ordinary whenever trying to stick to what's real is becoming stressful. What we have, after all, is a hobby which is supposed to erase stress.

Mike,

I never thought of rivet counters that way before. Thanks for sharing that.

Allan,
I say do it the way you want it, YOU have to look at it every day. Please yourself. If we like it so much the better, if we don't so what.

You could build this one with canopy open, wings out, flaps down AND the compressed gear. Put an oil spot under the leg like it blew a seal. It's taking artistic license to model something that may (probably) happened at some time.

Its all you Allan.

Enjoy yourself.