Enjoying the hobby despite the cynics.


  I have long despised the cynics in the hobby. The unfortunate side-effect of the wonder of the internet when it comes to our hobby, are those rank pillecks who feel they have all the answers as to how we all should be building our model kits.

 We are pursuing a hobby that started when we were children. There is nothing more pure than the pleasure we derive from making models of the subjects that fascinate us. We spent years of our youth making models to fight massive conflicts in our backyards, fighting pitched battles in the sandbox and dogfights that would rival the film the Battle of Britain.

 However, at some point the internet took over. Strangers from some land far away started giving us the impression that we had some responsibility to them, or even history, to build models that they felt represented the subject matter as they felt was appropriate. Why, is my question.

 When did this all become so deadly serious? Personally, I gave up on all of the modelling forums about four years ago. I used to engage people in arguments on the forums about seriously silly shit. I was engaging guys who have nothing better to do than argue with strangers anonymously. Why would anyone with a sense of self worth argue the toss with someone who does not even use their real name on an internet forum? I have made many great friends though the internet forums, and still have some of the best friendships I can hold dear to my heart as a result, however I spent so much time arguing the toss with complete strangers and wasted so much time scrolling through endless amounts of pointless babble looking for something to talk about. For what purpose?

 I cut myself off totally. One day I woke up and decided I would never participate in a forum discussion again. I am not saying everyone needs to do this, but for my own piece of mind it has served me well. I have not missed anything and am no worse off for it. I spend more time modelling and more importantly, I spend more time with my family. Have I missed anything in not arguing about how accurate Revell's Bf 109 is? Nah... I have just spent a few enjoyable nights building the kit and adding the detail I want to.

 Do I need to add detail or correct any perceived deficiencies to please anyone who will potentially read my article? No.  Not a chance. If you want to read my take on the model, you will read it and hopefully enjoy it. If not, buy another mag.

 My perspective on this entire modelling lark is that this hobby is a hobby. I feel no responsibility to anyone with my models, I am not responsible for recreating history, that is the job of the real aviation magazines. Let Aeroplane or Air Force Monthly report historical accuracy. Scale Aircraft Modelling is about a hobby. It is about artists building models. It is about guys who love building models producing fantastic articles and interesting projects. And about guys reading articles that inspire great modelling, regardless of what level they are personally at. This hobby is just that. A hobby. Buy SAM if you want, or don't. This magazine does very well on the back of an approach that appeals to people who love building models. And it works. There is no elite concept and nothing non accessible about what we do, just some great modelling.

I love the Blue Jays and I do not care who knows it...

What I just posted to the Toronto Star website:


Why not trade Bautista? Some of the comments here have been left by the typical fairweather Blue Jays fans with no appreciation for the beautiful game, however trading Bautista is the best thing the club could do. Despite the fact that all they could get for him now is a bat bag and a gatorade bucket. To any intelligent GM that is. What we so poorly lack.
 The first thing the franchise needs to do though is shed itself of Anthopolus. Do I need to say anything more than the Aaron Hill trade? Or Jan Gomes? If I had been raped so badly by the rest of the league I could not hold my head up at team meetings.
 Imagine an infield of Lawrie, Reyes, Hill and either Lind or Eddie? With Gomes behind the plate. Sorry JP, you are a very nice guy, but .209 is not good enough and not being able to throw out the trash is not good enough. Arencebia is a second string catcher at best.

 What is wrong with Rajai Davis? In the second spot in the order with the Raj, we have a legitimate every day outfielder... Give the guy a chance to play. Colby Rasmus is the best centre fielder to play for the Jays since Devon White. He has the tools, he just needs to be given the affirmation of hitting in the 3 spot on a regular basis. The team does not need the negative malcontent that is Jose. Rajai in left, Colby in centre and Sierra in right. With Gose as the fourth. He has had enough time in the minors, make him the fourth! If he cannot do it now, then the time has come to make a serious decision. We have watched him toy with the bigs for three years now.
 The franchise seems to overlook the importance of a positive clubhouse influence. The Red Sox are so good this year because they have chemistry. Up and down the lineup they know the guy behind them knows the basics of the game. Fundamental baseball is what we lack... not passion. Errors are a problem. Because John Gibbons is clueless. How can you expect a team to play small ball when they cannot execute? If you do not do the drills and do not have a concept, how can you win those close games?
 The Jays need to do a couple of things. Get rid of the GM, get rid of his pal Gibbons and find a new catcher.  The rotation will be strong next year, the outfiled is not a problem and Goins (if he can maintain the progress so far) is the answer at second. With Kawasasockittome providing the clubhouse presence and skills that we have lacked since Mac was traded...

 Sorry Dad, I know you like Jose.

Good Decisions / Bad Decisions

I was glad I decided to watch the Bills game this afternoon rather than the Blue Jays, as the Bills came back to win in spectacular fashion in the dying seconds of the game. The Blue Jays on the other hand...

 I am a creature of habit and in order to save myself the effort of creating a Word document for the Bf 109 article from scratch, I went back to find a previous article to work from. At first I was a bit startled as it seemed I had not done any modelling since the Airfix Vampire in the April issue, however I had overlooked the Airfix Typhoon in July. July... not as bad as it could be, although in reality it means I have not touched any plastic in about three months.

 No more excuses, it is time to get set up and start this thing rolling. All I need to do now is figure out which version I am going to make and what parts match which version. Revell's instructions do not help things much, as both markings options feature Black Chevrons, although the early version has a white tail, which will add a splash of colour. Yes, I know the 109 experten will be rolling their eyes, but at least I know the early uses the Revi 12 and not the Revi 16... I hope.

Perhaps I will have a look at the decal options available at Hannants first. I'll have a beer and watch the Dodgers Giants game first, then I will crack on with some modelling after that...really...

First Blog

  I figured it was about time that I joined the 21st century and create myself a blog. Not that I have anything significant to add to the plethora of discussion populating the internet, however I hope that there will be at least a few people interested in what I have to say, if for no other reason than to save the embarrassment of talking to myself. This blog will most likely consist primarily of my reflections on my modelling and the industry as a whole, peppered with my thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays from time to time. 

Time to get back to modelling

  For no particular reason, I've been putting it off for ages. Not necessarily a lack of interest in modelling, I have sudden bursts of inspiration where I picture some spectacular modelling. I envision heaps of intricate detail along the lines of what some of the guys I most admire do with ease, however the thoughts quickly pass as one form of distraction or another pops up and I find myself busy with something else.
  I have had this magnificent Revell 32nd Bf 109G-6 sitting around, languishing in the "To Do" pile for a couple months now and with the assembly line quickly backing up, I have decided there is no time like the present to get cracking with it.
  Modelling is like baseball I guess and hopefully my skills have not deteriorated through inactivity. I am going to give this a proper go and see how much additional detail I can add in a short time frame, as this article needs to be finished in the next 10 days, if I am to get it into the November issue of SAM as planned...

Right after the Bills game that is...