The UK vs US Modeling...Your Thoughts

Bish

Another difference is the competitions. As i underdstand it, in the US, people can go and see the models being judged while the judging is taking place. I do recall guys on here saying how they have been approached while in the process of juding a model. In the Uk the competion room is closed off while the judging is being done. The guys i was speraking to on Tues often judges at shows including telford and sad he has never been questioned on a decision he has made.

Bish,

I was at a show about 2 years ago and a gentleman was escorted out of the building because of the fact you pointed out. The judges should be the only ones in the room when the time comes to judge each entry. The gentleman that was escorted out was standing nearby the judges while they were judging his entry and did not like what he heard and got upset and proceeded to get very vocal about it.

I have only been to the UK once, and it my have just been me but it seemed like there were more hobby shops in that area compared to hobby shops here in the states.

Thank you for the reply

As a UK based modeller i can only really speak about what i see on this side of the pond and can only compare it to what i see on this forum.

As far as Hobby Shops go, they are very few and far between. The ones that do exist on the high street and generally indepent stores rather than chains, the last of those wnet a few years back. being close to Europe, especially eastern Europe where a lot of great stuff is coming from does help.

As far as figure painters, there is some really stunning work both here and in Europe. On just the small club i belong to there are a couple who produce namazing work. But they do seem to be a close nit group, onoly painting figures and generally olnly posting on fiure forums. I don't see that many diorama's, i am the only one in our club who consistanly bring them in.

There does seem to be a big difference in shows from what i gather on here. I have only attended the smaller local shows, but i know that even the big ones such as telford, the displays are out on by clubs, who eachs have there own table(s). As i understand it in the US it is individuals who put on displays. It was mentioned to me at our club night on Tues, where the difference between the 2 countries came up, that this is down to the size of the US making it harder to travel to shows.

Another difference is the competitions. As i underdstand it, in the US, people can go and see the models being judged while the judging is taking place. I do recall guys on here saying how they have been approached while in the process of juding a model. In the Uk the competion room is closed off while the judging is being done. The guys i was speraking to on Tues often judges at shows including telford and sad he has never been questioned on a decision he has made.

Tickmagnet

Deckles

 

This one made me chuckle.  

I get the impression that the hobby is healthier in the UK.  My only indication of this is watching the show coverage and conversation over at Flory Models.  

I like it too, a lot but I don't subscribe.

My favorite for aircraft is Scale Aircraft Modelling. It used to be on the rack at Barnes and Noble.

GMorrison

One thing, I subscribe to a couple of British hobby mags going back to when my main interest was 1/72 aircraft.

British modelers use brush painting much more frequently than we seem to, and have the skills from constant practice.

 

All great thoughts and insights gentlemen. Thank you

I wonder if some of it is due to more museums in closer proximity in the UK/Europe.  And we have more opportunities for other forms of lesiure time activities in the US to take us outdoors, meaning that people don't really get bit by the bug as much over here.

Also there would seem to be more exposure there....therefore more interest.  Like the old racing adage..cautions breed cautions....

Deckles

Those UK modelers speak funny.    (Please don't hurt me Bish!)

Really, I see little difference overall.  The USA is a much larger geographic area than the UK, so you will probably see a greater difference in localities than in the UK.  Even so, the internet has evened out a lot of those differences.  That's about it.

Gary

One thing, I subscribe to a couple of British hobby mags going back to when my main interest was 1/72 aircraft.

British modelers use brush painting much more frequently than we seem to, and have the skills from constant practice.