8 New Vignettes

Model Maniac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noooo! i was going to do that!!

beauticul dios!!

More of the usual mediocre figures randomly placed on bases............................

Are you using the same kit? You can do Tarawa instead!

Many thanks for your kind compliments!

Joh's "randomly placed mediocre" figures look pretty good to me MM. Thanks for taking the time to post, there are still some of us that enjoy looking at other peoples work here. Its too bad the bazooka dudes shoelaces are the type made from a special synthetic fiber that we all know wasnt created until the late fifties.

Jester75

Joh's "randomly placed mediocre" figures look pretty good to me MM.

Except for all of the same problems with any of Joh's (or any of MM's other "builders" for that matter) models - lack of basic techniques - mold seams not removed, seams no filled in, poor color choices, no research (US soldiers in the battle of Berlin 1945?).  If MM were actually doing the building himself I could offer constructive ways to help him improve, but as proven above, MM doesn't even acknowledge any replies except atta-boys on what he has purchased.  I enjoy looking at other peoples work too, just not at someone who appears to brag about "look at these wonderful models that I just purchased.  And before you start in as in another post, yes I know there are all levels of skill on this board and I do believe that all are welcome here.  Just if you post something on here and say comments welcome be prepared for comments not just "good job" - there are a couple of other sites who's forums are that way.

Bronto

 

 

MM doesn't even acknowledge any replies except atta-boys on what he has purchased. 

 

 

Now I am sorry but I honestly disagree with this. I have seen MM on several occasions make the comment "i'll pass that along to my builders" in his threads. I have even seen him post tips from his builders on other peoples threads trying to help others on the forum. It just seems to me that often a certain group of people are just ready to jump MM for whatever due to eitehr the fact the he is a "buyer' and not a "builder" or some type of personal distaste for his personal issues such as his deal or "indentured servitude" as others here have described it with his builders.

The same group of people are extremely quick to jump in on MM's threads when there is something glaringly wrong, but, you dont hear from them when something decent comes from some of MM's builders. I mean, if your going to offer someone your opinion on something, do it all time, not just when a modelling error presents an opportunity for a grilling on a person which you just happen to dislike.

Thank you so much for both of your posts here, Jester75! Because there are people like you that I keep on posting here though I have found a better, friendlier site. I also believe that the majority of people here have fair mind and think the same as you. Some may not want to speak their mind out like you did. Thanks again!

Model Maniac

Thank you so much for both of your posts here, Jester75! Because there are people like you that I keep on posting here though I have found a better, friendlier site. I also believe that the majority of people here have fair mind and think the same as you. Some may not want to speak their mind out like you did. Thanks again!

I feel all warm and fuzzy now.  Group hug time.

Combayah........

I enjoy looking at MM's purchases, models, or whatever you like to call them. Some are better than others, but they are all nice to see. The same can be said of just about everyone that posts their own builds on this site.. some are great, some not so.

I can do without Gino's predictable bashing of the builds. That gets old.

Bronto

Except for all of the same problems with any of Joh's (or any of MM's other "builders" for that matter) models - lack of basic techniques - mold seams not removed, seams no filled in, poor color choices, no research (US soldiers in the battle of Berlin 1945?).  If MM were actually doing the building himself I could offer constructive ways to help him improve, but as proven above, MM doesn't even acknowledge any replies except atta-boys on what he has purchased.  I enjoy looking at other peoples work too, just not at someone who appears to brag about "look at these wonderful models that I just purchased.  And before you start in as in another post, yes I know there are all levels of skill on this board and I do believe that all are welcome here.  Just if you post something on here and say comments welcome be prepared for comments not just "good job" - there are a couple of other sites who's forums are that way.

Agreed no research. It's simple as asking the forum. Painting camo on a US Army uniforms doesn't depict a US Marines in Guam. Army and Marines have different cut in uniforms.

acmodeler01

I enjoy looking at MM's purchases, models, or whatever you like to call them. Some are better than others, but they are all nice to see. The same can be said of just about everyone that posts their own builds on this site.. some are great, some not so.

I can do without Gino's predictable bashing of the builds. That gets old.

Then you might want to avert your eyes when you see Gino's avatar turn up. Gino's "bashing," as you call it, honest critique is really more like it, is nothing that isn't well deserved.

ajlafleche

 

Then you might want to avert your eyes when you see Gino's avatar turn up. Gino's "bashing," as you call it, honest critique is really more like it, is nothing that isn't well deserved.

Nope, its not honest critique, he is quite plainly being a jerk and his posts in MM's threads IMO are borderline harrasement.

Lighten up, Francis.  If you don't appreciate honest criticism, don't read them, MM doesn't seem to.  As I said though, they are not intended for him as they will fall on deaf ears.

I have said it again, bears repeating... I do like READING the critiques of MM postings, since I learn a lot from the mistakes that are pointed out....

Here are some true questions I had when looking at the figs, with the pre-amble that I have yet to complete a fig but I know it is a technique I must learn:

1. random placement - what makes it "random"? To me, seems some figs in the same vignette are acting "hurried" (under fire?) while some are strolling along. Also seems all figs are placed symetrically; that is, same distance from each other.. this placement seems..not-random and forced... you agree? why yes/no?

2. no "shadows" or areas of different light intensity on the uniforms; should they had been washed with some dark counterstain? Or maybe dryrbushed with a lighter shade of the uni color?

3. "Stuff under the boots"; I see space and "stuff" between the sole of the boots and the ground. I assume that the same way you want your A/C and AFV wheels flush against the ground, you want boots solidly on the ground? Or if you pose a fig striding, have a heel make contact with the ground simulating walking?

4. i see the seams, specially on the weapons... I also assume that I should bore out the barrel of any weapons I place in figures.

5. The grass in Kandahar and Bazzoka team looks like a noodle bundle; should the grass point downwards and at least appear to have "roots" in the soil?

Anyways, those are my "figure newbie" honest and objective observations for what is worth...

JMart

1. random placement - what makes it "random"? To me, seems some figs in the same vignette are acting "hurried" (under fire?) while some are strolling along. Also seems all figs are placed symetrically; that is, same distance from each other.. this placement seems..not-random and forced... you agree? why yes/no?

I agree. Many figure model kits have various poses and sometimes it doesn't look good together. AI build it OOB and and builds everything in the box even though it doesn't go together. The only research material he has is the instruction and box art.

JMart

 

3. "Stuff under the boots"; I see space and "stuff" between the sole of the boots and the ground. I assume that the same way you want your A/C and AFV wheels flush against the ground, you want boots solidly on the ground? Or if you pose a fig striding, have a heel make contact with the ground simulating walking?

4. i see the seams, specially on the weapons... I also assume that I should bore out the barrel of any weapons I place in figures.

Agreed.

These are many things that modelers from here and other various modeling sites have told MM to fix for many years. If you go to his site and look at the first models you will see that it has the same errors. He has the same modelers for years. Problem like seams, injection mold marks, bent gun barrels, no weight impressions (specially snow), silver decals, models in the wrong time frame, unit in the wrong place, vehicle in the wrong theater, not enough rubbles in destroyed buildings, wrong color of vehicle, wrong title, model put together wrong, and goes on.

http://www.falconbbs.com/modelmnu.htm

HeavyArty

Lighten up, Francis.  If you don't appreciate honest criticism, don't read them, MM doesn't seem to.  As I said though, they are not intended for him as they will fall on deaf ears.

I do appreciate honest criticism. For me, that is not the issue. In fact, the critique offered on MM showpieces is quite useful to anyone who looks through the thread.

My problem lies with predictable comments like, "same ol' MM: it's crap." That does nothing to help out the OP or anyone reading the thread. Further, if you're going to post something like that, which by your own admission is not even directed to the poster himself, then why even bother? I'll agree with Jester, and say that those comments do nothing but take a reader's focus away from the builds.

acmodeler01

I enjoy looking at MM's purchases, models, or whatever you like to call them. Some are better than others, but they are all nice to see. The same can be said of just about everyone that posts their own builds on this site.. some are great, some not so.

I can do without Gino's predictable bashing of the builds. That gets old.

Wow! your second paragraph is the best and greatest comment I've ever read on this entire Website! And I just can't agree more. You've made my day, I just can't thank you enough! 

Jester75

 

ajlafleche:

 

 

Then you might want to avert your eyes when you see Gino's avatar turn up. Gino's "bashing," as you call it, honest critique is really more like it, is nothing that isn't well deserved.

 

 

Nope, its not honest critique, he is quite plainly being a jerk and his posts in MM's threads IMO are borderline harrasement.

Thanks so much, Jester! You're absolutely right! Those bullying and boorish comments can never ever be interpreted as "honest critique" in any way. They are borderline harassment as you said, made in an astonishingly uneducated fashion!

acmodeler01

 

HeavyArty:

 

Lighten up, Francis.  If you don't appreciate honest criticism, don't read them, MM doesn't seem to.  As I said though, they are not intended for him as they will fall on deaf ears.

 

 

I do appreciate honest criticism. For me, that is not the issue. In fact, the critique offered on MM showpieces is quite useful to anyone who looks through the thread.

My problem lies with predictable comments like, "same ol' MM: it's crap." That does nothing to help out the OP or anyone reading the thread. Further, if you're going to post something like that, which by your own admission is not even directed to the poster himself, then why even bother? I'll agree with Jester, and say that those comments do nothing but take a reader's focus away from the builds.

That's another great comment that you've made, Jon! 

But none of you MM supporters have said anything about how even in this post he has IGNORED any of the criticisms given on the models, just said thank you to his "supporters" for defending him. In not one reply has he even acknowledged anything that was not said by his support group.

As I have stated in another post, if you will look back through his threads there have been multiple occasions where he as acknowledged advice that was posted and noted that he would pass it on to his builders. But you tell me, why would anyone want to respond to the garbage that you and others post in his threads?? I would ignore you and the "others" as well. I mean face it, your initial post was pure junk and contributed aboslutely nothing to anything did it not???

Jester75

As I have stated in another post, if you will look back through his threads there have been multiple occasions where he as acknowledged advice that was posted and noted that he would pass it on to his builders. But you tell me, why would anyone want to respond to the garbage that you and others post in his threads?? I would ignore you and the "others" as well. I mean face it, your initial post was pure junk and contributed aboslutely nothing to anything did it not???

I reckon that my posts contributed as much as yours have.  Perhaps MM would want to respond for the same reasons that you seem to feel the need to defend him?  Or perhaps because we (those that post the so called "garbage") might just have an idea what we are talking about?  I post what I do about the "builds" so other can learn from them, and maybe in the hope the information would get forwarded to the builders so they can improve?

OMG, don't you guys get it?? It's not about MM, its about anyone that would be treated they way you guys treat him! So because someone knows what they are talking about gives them the right to be complete jerks to another??? And besides that, there has been no argument about what you and the others point out in every build as flaws. It has nothing to do with criticizing his builds, but everything to do with how you guys are treating a fellow forum member  whos only "crime" in your eyes is not listening to your advice.

So how is someone treating him bad by not liking a model and point out ways to improve his purchases?   I guess in this PC world of today anything besides blowing smoke at someone is treating them bad.

As Gino said in the other thread we will jsut have to agree to disagree. I could care less if you like his work or not but I dont think your opinion of his work warrants being an ***hole. Especially when he has shown absolutely no ill will towards anyone here.

Alright, i've been watching this thread for a while and I feel that it is appropriate time for me to weigh in with some inside knowledge on Russian special forces and American ground forces in World War 2. Firstly the Spetnaz diorama makes no sense. A relative of mine was Ukrainian Naval Spetnaz  and after a phone call to him, Spetnaz Sniper teams work alone. IN TWO'S, not fours like the diorama. The two other guys look oblivious  to the snipers. They look as if they are on a separate unrelated mission and have no place being there. Secondly the Marines on Guam are Army, and if anything that camouflage looks more like some kinda SS camo smock not like USMC camo. Also in the Anti Tank team in Berlin vignette if you were assigned as the assistant gunner to a bazooka grunt you would never have a grenade launcher mounted on your rifle, because if you did and you were attacked your both practically useless against fast infantry with those weapons. Now onto the Russian spec-ops guys. The positions on the figures are none sensical, if you have two guys in cover, shooting at multiple enemies i doubt a operator would be stupid enough to stand in the middle of the combat zone and look through his bino's. He would be a bullet magnet, and more then likely get shwacked. I'm not going to pick sides, but in my opinion as a historian and modeler I have to take Gino's side in this argument. The figures are poorly done, poorly researched and don't make a lick of sense. But thats just my

Better watch out Hellcat man, you're going to get yourself labeled an ***hole with the rest of us that don't like MM's models.

Guys Guys Cool it.

I told myself not to get involved, but...

First, MM, although I'm not a fan of your acquired builds, you have the right to post whatever you have.

With the constant barrage of the same poor(for the lack of a better word) standard of finish even after many good advise can be somewhat irritating to others in this forum. Expect criticisms ... ignore them if you like ... reply if you can defend. I'd rather you defend yourself than have others do it for you as it has stirred a hornets nest.

There are instances where there is minute improvements in the builds which have been commended. Your group of builders can post their creations themselves although I'm assuming they don't speak the language and are afraid of being ridiculed on both counts. I hope you are conveying the advise from the forumers to your builders diligently. I would suggest you offer reference material to your builders to further improve their skill. They're not bad... it just needs that something extra... "effort" is the word I'm looking for rather than "you give me box, I build what's in the box, I follow picture in the box". Were those the instructions you gave your builders? 

I don't know AI but I think he has lost his passion building for you. Ask him what he would do if he was building it for himself.

I'm starting to believe the vignettes(not dios) are reviews of the contents of each box. It can be improved. Show it to us in the next build. Better to concentrate on one than many diluted builds. If quality hurts AI's rice bowl then ignore what I've just said. I don't want to come between his basic source of income.

Now can we get back to the light banter that we're accustomed to?

Cheers,

Richard

Oops! the 8 vignettes are done by Joh?

Well they're slightly better than Ai's builds but lack the reference and composition to pull it off convincingly. Please convey the remarks from Hellcat to Joh for him to improve. Please leave out "Nonsensical" in the interpretation.

Hope to see better ones from your guys. If they're the same then I've wasted my time. Life goes on.

Cheers,

Richard