Do you keep your model projects a secret?

I have one I'm keeping a secret right now! And I'll never tell!!!!!! Ha-HA!

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For enjoyment, and club meetings, themed build-offs, Yes and Yes.

For contests? I'm afraid you are stuck with the Bf109 and FW190 and Tiger and... creativity doesn't give any bonus points in most of the competitions that I'm familiar with, regardless of the category it's about...build quiality, then your competition, and then reference (note as distinct from accuracy, references is required, accuracy is totally...subjective given the judge). How it works is like...the judges need to know about something before they can award points - the point structure works like the more they know the subject you are doing, they more favourable your entry is, because it's 'easy to judge'. And...truth be told a judge is not going to read your 20 page reference manual, they'll look for faults first (because it's an unfamiliar subject) then only when that fails, belately flick through the reference to award you some points.

Some of the more creative ideas I've seen include, a plated dish of 'egg (planes)' with bacon, a choice of 'straight boiled' (OOB) and 'scrambled' (ie eg planes with parts mix matched). And no, it did not place, because there are perhaps no points awarded for creativity.

Nobody cares what I think.  I believe that if I were to share a secret idea, people wouldn't even notice.  Rick.

If you own a cat, there is no model project secret enough to hide for very long............

.......just sayin'

Only when I've been making a model for my fiance' to present to her for a gift. I once kept the entire building of a Castle Neuschwanstein model a total secret and surprised her with it on Christmas.

I guess I would have to say no,,,,    I don't enter contests much anymore. I don't belong to a modeling club or such. I'll share an idea with the limited friends who also build. My ideas also end up changing half a dozen times by the time I actually get into a specific build.

Doog,, that looks awesome.          What are the specs on that baby?  how big, made of, etc.       Would enjoy seeing some more pics if available......

Bill

I do when working with  manufacturers.

I have plenty of Diorama projects, but i would say i keep them a secret, i just don't share them as who would want to know about a project i might get round to doing in a few years, if ever.

I would never keep a modelling technique to myself, as what would be the point. I have learnt plenty of others and am happy to share. This isn't about my models being better than yours. Its about haveing fun and shareing what we learn.

I do have a couple of ideas for GB's that i am keeping to myself, simply because if someone else did it now, i wouldn't be in a position to join it.

BaBill--thank you; glad you like it! FSM bought the article for publication, and I keep waiting for them to run it? Here's a link to my build on it: I hope you enjoy it!

I'm not sure of the actual scale--1:200 or maybe 400?

Castle Neuschwanstein

I once made a "knight in shining armor" for my girlfriend as a gift, so I kept that a secret for her.

We are married now so I think she liked it!

I personally don't sweat it too much.  I've never had an idea stolen though. 

Not really. I'm not curing cancer here. 

However, I think I may start keeping paint and markings to myself until they come together. Planning to try it out with my upcoming Airfix Bf 109E-3 - will see how it goes.

                                 From Who??

I keep them so secret I forget what I am working on

yes i hide them in the trash lol.nothing to hide put up on shelf till cat knocks them off .

I have when I do for gifts..

I once scratch built a water well drilling rig for my step dad for xmas.. 25 yrs or so ago...

its also why I have 2 differant width thumbs.. lol..

I think it still in the office of the business which he sold to his son...

I have no need to keep them secret. There are a few GB's I've joined where I've "commited" to certain builds, while looking at adding in a few from my stash that I haven't announced. I am not sure I'll get to them in time. If someone else does the same build/decal set I am thinking about, then so be it.

Maybe

I have no reason to keep a build secret from anyone. And I think keeping a new technique that I've developed a secret would be selfish. After all it's only a hobby and we all should be willing to share with others what we've learned.

Only one--I have a "what-if" project that involves a couple of builds, and which I haven't revealed to anyone.  But only because I want to finish it first, and I want to savor the reaction when I show it at our club meeting.

Otherwise, no, I haven't kept any secret from anyone.  It's too much fun to float ideas and talk about things we'd like to do or try with this or that kit.

Only the projects that I don't want CSIS or CIA to find out about... 

VanceCrozier

Only the projects that I don't want CSIS or CIA to find out about... 

To late. I already sunk it. Again.

Interesting question. For me I have to say that sometimes if I see a photo that I want to replicate I play it pretty close to the chest. Not that there is any great mystery it just fun to throw something out there as a surprise. Inevitable when you find a treasured photo that you want to build a diorama of, someone else has probably already done something similar. This happened to me recently. I found a cool picture that inspired me so i proceeded to purchase a large number of items to build the scene only to see the exact diorama on the inside back cover of a magazine a few months ago. I am now friends with the gent that built it and we've jokingly discuses what happened. He gave his blessing for me to go ahead and make my interpretation of the scene.... :)

As far as techniques, absolutely not. I freely share any and all information or tips I have on painting and weathering with anyone who'll listen. People who horde techniques and/or information that could help other modelers really cheese me off.

Again, very cool question.

I do only until she notices it in the closet and questions me on it.  Then my reply is usually, "Um oh I got that with that one gift card a while back."

But things I learn  from here or anywhere else, no.  I'll share anything I learn with anyone if it'll help. I'm not stingy with what little is in my brain.

Mike

I've been debating this question.  I sometimes wonder, when I finish a really good model which has contest potential, if bringing it to a local meeting for show-and-tell is a bad idea. I sometimes wonder if a judge's first impression is most important. If they have seen a model before, it may be less able to make an impact than when they see it for the first time, and some of the guys at the local club meetings will likely be the judges at our local yearly contest.

I think a lot of it depends on what the focus of the builder is.

Some people just build for fun - in that case there's no reason to keep things secret and in fact it can decrease fun if you like interaction.

Some people build to win contests, and in that case there can be an advantage if the contest is at least partially based on "wow" or "cool."

I agree with the creativity angle.  No points for it.  I've seen smoothly painted blahblah's place high because they were smoothly painted.  And they should be smooth.  They only took 1/2 hour to glue together. , so there was plenty of time to paint!

I keep it secret that way moderators can't steal my ideas.