I was that young man, hunched over the latest Airfix magazine or Scale Models, wondering how such incredible models were possible when my bedroom table was stocked with no more than a basic Matchbox kit, a tube of glue and a few pots of enamels.
Let me make something clear from the off: I’m not against social media. I use it all the time and get a great deal from its inclusion within the tool kit of my work and wider hobby, such as it is. It’s there. I use it and in the main, find it to be a positive force that has democratised the hobby in ways unimaginable, a decade or so ago.
That said, for some, it can be a detrimental influence on their growth from a beginner new to the hobby, to a modeller able to tackle more involved projects.
So why is that?
The Interwebs are filled with all manner of models these days, thousands appearing with incredible regularity from around the globe. Unlike my path through the hobby where magazines and shows were the only way to see models and sometimes have the chance to ask questions, we now have a portal that allows us to grab a phone and examine in great detail, the very best models out there. Think of a modeller and chances are they have a their own Facebook, Instagram or TikTok pages. Some may even go so far as to have websites and YouTube channels, where static images are brought to life in video form. You want to see miniatures, you can at the press of a button, or the swipe of a finger.
That’s great, right? Well, yes and no…
The problem with seeing so many fantastic models, is that we are often seeing them without any form of context. We are only looking at the completed piece, often the best that the modeller has created to that point. Human nature is likely to reduce the amount of poor quality work to a minimum, because who after all wants to exhibit that kind of thing if you are looking for a cacophony of oohs and aahs? No, we will often see the best and will be drawn to that work like bees to a honey pot. How do I know? Because that is exactly what I do.
The problem there is that we’re only seeing the final result. We’re not privy to the work that has gone into building and painting that model, the experience that the modeller has at their fingertips and the mistakes, unfinished models and broken dreams that that modeller has faced on the way to the creation of their latest, miniature masterpiece. Instead, it all seems so easy. They can do that, why can’t I? I have the same kit, the same tools and the same paints. Heck, I’ve even bought the same airbrush! Surely, all I have to do is bring all of those things together and boom! I have the same model built to the same standard. Right? Right?!
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Well, no. Unless you are a genius who can pick up ideas and techniques as a person with a photographic memory can digest information, you are very unlikely to find that heady aspiration to be the case. Instead, you will find that the most important requirement is time at the bench and practice. Lots and lots and lots, of practice…
I understand – to a point – this need for instant gratification. It’s not surprising that budding modellers want to emulate those that they see as inspirational. I was that young man, hunched over the latest Airfix magazine or Scale Models, wondering how such incredible models were possible when my bedroom table was stocked with no more than a basic Matchbox kit, a tube of glue and a few pots of enamels. What more would I need, I’d ask myself, only to find out later on that the answer to that would not really be about the well-stocked workroom, but my desire to learn, and not be put off by the disasters that I would experience with alarming regularity.
One thing I wasn’t ever, was risk averse. In fact, I’m still not. I would happily build anything, often picking subjects that were beyond my capabilities and if they went south, that was just part of the deal. I had no one to ask and with limited resources to hand, I had to learn on the job, so to speak. It is just how it was, and I am sure that I was not alone to finding myself learning the hobby in that way.
These days, I see plenty of examples of modellers who spend more time asking how to do something, than actually doing it. The drive is to reach a high level of excellence without putting the time in to get there. They don’t want to ruin their new kit, so try as hard as possible to negate any possibility of failure along the way. That though removes a whole chunk of fun from the hobby: the learning process. If you are spending more time talking about the hobby and less time building, you are not a modelmaker, you are little more than a commentator.
I will always land on the side of doing, rather than not. To me, the hobby is about building models and the fun that that creates. Failure is part of the deal, not something that modellers should shy away from. Spend time in your kitchen and I guarantee that you will cook something that you don’t want to eat, but you still keep cooking. Same with building models. The model might not be everything an enthusiast wants it to be, but so what? At least they have a model, had fun and learned something from the process.
See you next time.
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Get involved in the discussion!
sorry the last comment was me Andrew wright but it came up as anonymous
hi Spencer, not sure if I had one reserved but can I get one please money has just been transfered…
Hi Spencer could you put me down for a copy of the phantom printed book please. I have emailed you…
Hi Spencer: Not sure if I already have, but yes please reserve a copy of your new Phantoms book for…
Yeah, whatever Spencer. Petty gripes over not a lot methinks.
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
hi Spencer , spot on , I didn’t know you knew me that well! 😂 my massive issue is I can never make my mind up re scale? One minute I want a collection of 1/72 Cold War Russian jets then I see a cracking 1/48 subject like the B-26 and I’m already arguing with myself, it won’t fit in the collection, where will I put it etc etc hey ho……..
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it’s Mark Neal not anonymous!!!
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Hi Spencer,
Yes I very much agree.
Trouble is I have gone to great lengths to explain how a model or diorama was produced, lots of pictures and explanation and yet hardly anyone seems bothered. I cannot fathom it. Honestly I get a better response in farcebook groups dedicated to terrariums and bonsai than model making. I accept that my abilities are limited but i do try my best and a small queue actually form to see my WW1 diorama back in 2018 so i must be doing something right.
This is no reflection on the hobbies popularity, I know for a certain fact that many thousands of modellers are out there but they seem very reluctant to participate. Mind you, disputes and trolling seem more prevalent in the model making universe. I have even seen normally calm people in loud vocal ‘discussions’ over a particular shade of green. Meanwhile a clump of moss, the odd stone and an asparagus fern tend to create a more relaxed appreciation.
Perhaps that’s the problem? Modellers are way more passionate than your average hobbyist?
Cheers, and thanks for all you do.
M Paul Lloyd
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what a brilliant article you have written. Its me to a “T” sadly. I am about to make a start on a build i have been “planning” for what seems ages so i will take your words to heart, and if (highly likely) it does go wrong at least i can say i tried and hopefully will have that learning to put down to experience.
regards
tony
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A very insightful post, Spencer. Thanks for putting it up.
I have always endeavored in my review/how-to articles, to be sure to put in the results of the mistakes made in the project, and how I was able to resolve them. I think it’s incumbent on those of us who people look to for advice and guidance to make certain that they understand we have feet of clay, like everyone else.
Becoming a good modeler, like becoming good at anything and everything else, involves a lot of practice and a lot of failure – since failure is the best (indeed the only) teacher. The only think I have learned from success is that I like it. But failure, and coming to undestand how that failure happened, is the only road that leads to success.
A good joke on the topic: A tourist in New York City wants to see the Juilliard School, but he’s lost. He sees a kid carrying a violin case and in hopes of help, he asks the kid how does he get to Juilliard. The kid replies, “Practice, practice practice!”
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Wise words!
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What an excellent article Spence and boy does it mirror my own journey….back in the day I just had magazines to go from + an excellent video from the States by Chris Wilson on building a Revell 32scale Mig 29…which introduced me to many things including the gap filling properties of superglue.…Now thankfully there’s so much more available and especially the video tutorials where you can glean so much….Looking forward to the Monogram B26
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Good points! I’ve got three of the B-26 kits in my stash. One is in progress with all the bells and whistles and will be done as “Flak Bait” with after-market decals. Another will be converted to the short wing A model with Mike West’s conversion set, and the third will be an as-yet decided scheme. Plus, I’ve got the ICM kit on pre-order. It’s a true modeler’s kit.
A ttip on the nose weight. You can stuff tungsten putty on either side of the wheel well under the cockpit floor and also behind the engine. I even stuffed the hollow nose wheel with weight.
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Another astute post by you, Spencer.
To paraphrase from the movie “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” – “It’s funny, the more we do the luckier we get.”
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head – people are expecting/hoping for excellent results without putting in the time to become excellent. Victim of the world we live in currently.
I look at the “better than I can do” modeling on the web as something to aspire to rather than something I can never attain.
George
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You obviously don’t follow my work very closely, Spencer!
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Excellent article. I have been amazed by the spectacular results by some famous modelers and in recent years got to talk to some of them. It was very enlightening and encouraging to hear about the problems they had with a build, things they had to redo and start over, parts broken and replaced, and even take photos for magazines specific angles to hide flaws. They are human just like me and all we see is the final results. I find now that when I start overanalyzing, I just have to make a decision to start a process and figure it out. If I have to start over or redo something that is all part of the experience of building and the more, I do the better I will get.
Brian Fowler
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I’m a member of a local Gundam builders club. Most of the members there are young, and I can’t help but notice that a few of them are wound up with anxiety. This anxiety was more than just the general novice worries of workflow, process, and proper technique, but one that appeared paralyzing. As you mentioned, there are lots of questions about technique, but never any action. From what I’ve gathered, it’s decision paralysis.
They seem to be focusing on the risks, along with comparing themselves to strangers they’ve never met who do work they can’t replicate. Not because its some superhuman feat, but because there’s a skill gap. There also appears to be a lack of understanding that they’re unique and can’t possibly do things exactly like someone else. This almost seems to be an issue rooted in self-esteem.
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