Detail sets for models

[Guest]

I just was wondering, with the huge amount of detail sets and conversion bits now available to us, has it seen a drop off of the scratch building skills that we used to posess? I for one was looking at a cockpit detail set for our group build Spit and i was thinking why spend the cash i can do that with a bit of plastic card and some putty! even the p.e is not out of bounds! is it just that its easier for us to buy off the shelf or are we willingly losing the skills that we used to posess or even worse not trying to aquire those skills???:thinking:

[Guest]

Totally agree Nigel it is making things a bit too easy to people like us but there again it may also be attracting people to modelling that we may have otherwise lost if they can achieve results beyond what they are really capable of.

[Guest]

I think its born out of necessity. There are a lot of people that just do not have the time to scratch build. Also by saving us time with ready made items it gives us more time to build more stuff. I get the biggest buzz from making things that simply arent available to purchase. Having just got back into modelling, i have noticed that quality/realism and the inclusion of quite high end electronics in modelling are astounding. There have always been scratch built transmitters and recievers etc, but todays stuff you really need a degree in electronics if you were to scratch build the controller for the Tam KT or any other modern R/C vehicle.

[Guest]

Terry i agree when it comes to customised electronics my point is that 10 years ago we were all making cockpits engines and stuff from scratch. and if you have a look at some back issue mags the quality was astounding

[wonwinglo]

I still prefer to make things from scrap,today for example I ripped a pizza dish apart for the foil,saved a jam jar,sorted out my sprue stock,dropped a load more bits and pieces into my scrap salvage box,call me the old school but I just like making the detail bits from these materials,its a challenge and keeps the old grey matter alive,I have no objection to people using them,but they are far too expensive for me,thats why I am a modelling scrimper ! and proud of it Nigel.

[Guest]

I think it is also horses for courses.

The PE set I bought for the U-Boat has an amazing level of detail that I don't think copuld be replicated in any other way. Such things as mesh for radar screens and other such levels of detail have top be added with this medium.

Some things I agree are an easier way out but in this day and age time does play a part as well.

I well remember my father telling me how much he though that plastic kits were cheating and not "proper" modelling so it all goes around the same circles!

[Guest]

I am very much in Barry's school of modelling in seeing the potential use of everyday objects in modelling use...and it does work and at a fraction of the cost of buying same items already made.

Eg, The Plastic flash eliminator on my Panzer V broke years ago...i did try and make this bit up from plumbing fittings but it lacked the realism in the thickness on the metal walls. Cue one dog walk on the beach, found broken washed up plastic oar...tube thickness perfect...took home...cut to size and shape and bingo...perfect barrel on the end of my tank...the end round bit is a modified B&Q pipe fitting but looks very convincing.

Regards.......Mark