Does anyone remember...

I remember the days of actual group builds where my IPMS club would coordinate with a manufacturer (like Revell or Monogram) or a local hobby shop to get the exact same kit for everyone, like a case of Italeri UH-1H Hueys. In my club, the kit was free to the member if you built it.

We would all build the exact same kit, for instance a UH-1H, but other than that, the rules to build it were wide open. Some guys built it straight OOB using kit decals, other guys added aftermarket stuff like PE, cockpit, markings, etc.

One member even converted it into a sci-fi fighter.

Every other month or so members would bring in their builds to show it in progress or to get assistance in some detail or construction. 

It was interesting to see all the variations of the same kit. Even modelers who used the kit markings used different marking options. It also gave car or tank modelers incentive to build something different (or vice versa).

Here at FSM, a group build normally goes like this:
"Hey, I just bought the _________(insert latest hot kit name). It is a great looking kit! I am starting a group build today with a ________ theme (insert theme that includes new kit)."

"I am starting a group build thread, anyone is free to join up. The group build badge will be posted in the thread."

I don't see anything wrong with the genre group builds online, but you can try to organize a same kit build. I have seen them successful using very common kits like the Italeri M4A1 Sherman.

Due to my newness on the FSM forum, I do not remember same kit GBs.

However, let me make a pitch for "genre" GBs, (like the 1953-64 time period GB I'm trying to develop interest for):

• Genre builds offer builders a lot of flexibility to explore subjects they might not otherwise;
• This allows a greater range of models to be showcased, allowing builders a "virtual testdrive" of a number of kits they might develop interests in;
• Genre builds have potential to transfer a bgreater amount of aviation history to builders, which could spark new interests in other or related aviation subjects.

Because of these reasons, I will probably continue to advocate for and participate in genre builds instead same kit builds.

Flynavy1958
 

About 10 years ago, our model club did a group build......the Tamiya 1/32 F-15E. The catch was that it was only one kit, but each member was assigned a section, like the seats / cockpit, landing gear, ordinance, exhausts, final assembly, paint, weathering, decals, etc.....

It was well coordinated and a lot of fun. Each person involved got a task that was geared towards their strengths as modelers, and the final piece was something everyone could be proud of.

 

I agree. Although i'm new too, i might point out a few other thoughts that came to mind:

Like it was stated with some of the group builds in the modeling clubs, one certain model kit being provided to everyone involved might be logistically unfeasible. Even if it were done, you might have a fewer group that might participate(whether it might be experience level or interest), thereby making it not worth the while in the manufaturers eyes. With the genre group build, you do indeed get a wider and more diverse group of submissions. But you also attract more people to participate too. And even though the kits differ between builders within the group, most all the techniques are the same. I for one am involved with a group build with a somewhat unusual submittion, but just in the last week i am picking up tricks and learning some new techniques even though the "old timers" are doing a totally different airframe.

And i agree with having guidelines. It gives us all a goal to shoot for. But i fear that if the group builds are hampered down with stricter rules, then it becomes more work and stress and less fun. And i think we can all agree that would defeat the purpose.

My

I'm not saying the "new" genre style g/b are bad, just I prefer a one subject g/b.

Do you have something in mind for a future build? You might want to start your own.

I actuallly don'y remember when GB's were that strict! I prefer the "genere" GB's they are more fun and more people can participate.

tigerman wrote:

Do you have something in mind for a future build? You might want to start your own.

 

Why yes I do!  It will be in the future, but...

I'd love to do a side by side build with the old and the new M7 kits... 

 

TANGO 1 wrote:

I actuallly don'y remember when GB's were that strict! I prefer the "genere" GB's they are more fun and more people can participate.

I think he's referring to the 'good old days' when group builds were a function of an actual club meeting and not electronic posting of images.

I had fun with the old style, but have changed with the times. Although many times I see the envelope being stretched to allow more participants to enter. Not a good or bad thing, but sometimes it does not follow the spirit of the build.

Along the lines of the spirit of this thread - 

• I really like ones that focus on a particular time or specific subject such as the Spanish Civil War GB (one of many great GBs here for example).  I had known very little about the Spanish Civil War and the Condor Legions role in all of that, although I am pretty knowledgable with the Luftwaffe during WWII.  This build inspired me to get some books on the Spanish Civil War and learn something new.  I also got some more reference books and learned a lot about the early Bf109s, when previously I had only really known a lot about the E, F, G and K series.  So for me it was a great opportunity to learn something new while also doing my favorite hobby.  Because of the non-mainstream subject matter of this build there aren't many Tamiya and Hasegawa kits for these airplanes, so it gave me an opportunity to give Classic Airframes a try (Bf109D).  I'm impressed with the kit but I am having to learn some new skills working with the resin cockpit and PE goodies, doing some scratchbuilding and honing up my seam fixing skills.  Great stuff!  Builds that also focus on history are what inspired me to start up the Axis Aces and Panzer Aces GBs.

 

• The other kind I like the most are the ones that focus on a specific aircraft or tank as then many of us are building the same kit.  These are great because we can share knowledge on a specific tank or airplane and learn a lot about the real thing.  We also get to share lessons learned and info on aftermarket parts and accessories, or how to tackle a particularly tricky part of the build.  I think my favorite GB along those lines was the Elefant GB from a couple of years ago.  We were all pretty much building either the Italeri Elefant or the Dragon Ferdinand or Elefant kits.  That was great as we could see different ways to tackle a problem or see the different aftermarket Zimmerit sets in addition to home made Zim, and see how they looked.  Great stuff.   

I'm actually planning on starting up a Dragon Panther GB later this year in the summer or fall(unless someone else beats me to it....), which should really appeal to some of you I hope. 

i to would not mind seeing the exact same model group build ,just as something different.

it may be refreshing, but......

i do see a potential dark side though ,that is there will be (only 2-3) people that (may) get too competitive and it may become a my sherman is better than yours contest.this may become too offensive to a few(not me cause i know my skills are pretty sucky )

i am not saying it will because 99.9% of the people out here a cool but just bringing out this Darkside as an observation that i think everyone will(may not agree with)definatly understand

I see the 'exact same model' group build as potentially exclusive in nature. A broader range of subjects would increase the number of participants because of the increased odds that they would have at least something in their current stash that would fit in with the theme of the build.

What might be fun is say a Dragon Sherman build, or Dragon Panther build as they've released so many different varieties of each Tank of the past couple years.  I think we'd still get a decent number of participants, and I know it would appeal to some of us (not all of course) but it would be a nice change of pace.  The Elefent GB from a couple of years ago didn't have any of the issues mentioned above and everyone was really great about sharing information, ideas and tips and tricks with the small handful of different kits. 

espins1 wrote:

What might be fun is say a Dragon Sherman build, or Dragon Panther build as they've released so many different varieties of each Tank of the past couple years.  I think we'd still get a decent number of participants, and I know it would appeal to some of us (not all of course) but it would be a nice change of pace.  The Elefent GB from a couple of years ago didn't have any of the issues mentioned above and everyone was really great about sharing information, ideas and tips and tricks with the small handful of different kits.

Thanks Scott, nice of you recall the Elefant GB, it was a ton of fun.

I understand Durr's concerns, but have as yet to see any competition, at least in the Armor Forum. I suppose it's possible. Also agree that there might be limited participation for some ideas. I've seen many a GB die before it even really got out of the gate. The key is a topic many can relate too and sometimes opening up the initial concept can help. However, overexpanding it can leave members feeling lost at direction too.