Motivational issues

I do have two kits that are my 'albatross'. First is a Tamiya Castrol Mugen NSX. I really screwed up the paint on it and unfortunately nothing has been able to strip it (everything from CSC to Brake Fluid to Easy-Lift-Off to Oven cleaner). It's too nice of a kit to throw away, so it's either destined for the parts bin, or I'm gonna spend A LOT of time sanding down the paint. Just the thought of it makes me cringe and procrastinate...
The second is a 1/48 Hasegawa F-4J. Nice kit, but I really messed up the cockpit and now I'd like to re-do it. Unfortunately I've assembled the fuselage halves so it's gonna take some surgery to get it out. At one point, I had accepted it's fate to just be a so-so model and started to paint it. Unfortunately, the painting didn't really go well either and now it's definitely in the 're-do' pile...
I did have an old CHiPs Harley Davidson MotorCycle (1/8 scale??) that I've had since I was a kid. It was always staring at me too and I finally just gave it to a fellow club member whom I knew would make use of it. I'm sure it'll end up as a chopper or something else, but at least it will get finished.
Giving that kit away really opened my eyes to the 'freedom' that gives. If the F-4 and the NSX are still around after 6 months, I'll probably give them away too. Makes me feel better about getting started on a new kit.

Murray

Even tho I must have atleast 10 kits in the near completion stage, I do as swanny does pretty much. I try to dedicate atleast 1 hour a day (usally my lunch hour - thank god for working from home) to try to do just one thing - even if it's looking through my references, gawking in model boxes or just staring at the current project - it's just enough to keep the interset going.

That's good advice, Swanny. I managed to get some parts cleaned up, dry fitted, and ready for painting last night. I'm eager to get home this evening and do the painting and assembly. :D

Regards,

-Drew

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lufbery Geez, Now I can get back into it. All I've got is a couple of flaps, some landing gear, a bunch of decals, and a bunch of weapons to put on my F-4 and she's done. But I'm having trouble getting back into it.

Sometimes when I find myself there I have to give myself a real push - just force myself to sit down and do just ONE thing on it and ...Wha-la, the interest comes flooding back. That is what happened with the S-38. Now if I can just get that to work with the Mach 2 Do-26.....

HEY,
This happens with every model car i get. I build the engine, chassis, exhaust, etc. But when i get to the interior, i kinda get bored. I make excuses like" dont have this" or "ill do it this weekend". Ug.

Randy

Geez,

I'm feeling some of the same things. Part of the problem is that I just moved, but had to spend pretty much all of November working on the house and not indulging my hobby. Now I can get back into it. All I've got is a couple of flaps, some landing gear, a bunch of decals, and a bunch of weapons to put on my F-4 and she's done. But I'm having trouble getting back into it.

I have some ideas, however, and I'm eager to try them out. Still, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who feels a little let-down after the main parts of the plane are together and painted.

Regards,

-Drew

Boy! You guys really cheered me up! I have less than twenty I did somethng on and around 10 of those I made pretty good progess on then stopped for one reason or another. My interest seemed to have decayed a bit, but attempting to to work out a "schedule" for when I'm home to get back to work on some of them. One is a 1/48 B-29 that I was detailing the interior on and had access to another old fuselage so I was able to make removable panels along existing panel lines to see all the "good" stuff. Of course it would have motorized props. Another is the clear sided 1/48 B-17 with scratch built bomb bay details. One of these days!

I think it would make an incredible study! It seems after a serious modeler arrives at a certain point in their lives, the motivation level decreases. Not as much time nowadays? More detractions (like responsibilities)?

I seem to make it through the most difficult assemblies with no problem, you know, interiors, fine detailing, complex painting..... but then when it's time to finish it out, my interest all but disappears. I have 7 pending at this time... all painted, decals applied, exterior finish completed, detailed, but the tires, props, canopies, antennas, etc etc, still in the box. On at least two of them, I'm not even real sure where their boxes are, but inside, when I look at them, I still say: "Next week's project", well, you know...
Frank

For me it's projects that take to much time. I have two scratchbuild projects started in the day when I had some time in my life. Those will never see the light of day.

I think I have about 50 half-built kits that fit this description.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Swanny Sometimes you get that project that was so interesting when you started it and then .... and then it just becomes a dead albatross.

Hey, at least you were able to do it! i have a Tamiya Tiger waiting for me to pick up again, but i can't stand all those wheels!!! It's probably going to stay like that until i hit 50.

yeah, I have two models sitting on my desk right now. They're both just waiting on paint. I keep telling myself, "You'll have time this weekend." For some reason, I never do.

i've had that problem too, an Avro Shackleton that i started when i was 18 yrs old. i'm 38 now and it still ain't finished!!!. maybe someday......Greg

Ive have that probalem too..Before I had that Bf109 G-6. I was so gung ho. But...Now I have the Academy P-38. :) Its been alot of fun. AND I have that Hasagawa Stuka too...Yikes.