This is nothing new. Over the years I’ve wrestled with the idea that it’s not always the process that I enjoy, but the finished model.
26th March 2025
Today has definitely been one of those why can’t this be finished, kind of days. Let me explain…
As we speak I’m trying to finish my new Skyhawk so that I can finally complete the book that I revealed a month ago. You’d think that was an easy thing to do, and I would agree with you. The bulk of the model is done, so now it’s all about the smaller details. Problem is, there seems to be an endless collection of the damned things and I have far from an endless supply of patience. In fact, by the end of the day I had almost none, a far from ideal situation I am sure you would agree.
Part of the problem is that with every build I complete, I reach a stage where I just want the model finished. I want to see a replica on my desk and I get frustrated that I’m being held up by the need to finish off what I know are important details, but often feel like an inconvenience!
This is nothing new. Over the years I’ve wrestled with the idea that it’s not always the process that I enjoy, but the finished model. Don’t get me wrong, I love building and painting models, but most of the time (perhaps driven by the fact that I’m so embedded within the professional world, rather than hobby) I just want the models finished so I can move on to the next project.
Maybe I’m just feeling a bit down today and tomorrow will be better. Maybe. It’s late now so I’m going to call it a day and see what tomorrow brings. I’m sure I’ll be able to break the back of the Skyhawk so that it can be finished by the weekend, something that I’d planned to do before going away. Fingers crossed, eh?
See you tomorrow.
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
I’m the same, I know exactly how you feel wanting the model off the bench. Having to deal with all those tiny final details and parts can seem like a herculean effort that overshadows the entire build and painting. It is what I call a “high risk” zone where lack of patience wants us to rush through them, which is where mistakes can easily be made. I generally need to step away for a while, then go back and get it done.
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Absolutely agree! It’s always those final bits that are the most tiny / trickiest / time-consuming. So patience is indeed a virtue.
Hence some things get left on the shelf 😦
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I have those same feelings, but I think from the opposite side of the coin. I love starting new projects, and thus I tend to have way too many in various stages around the hobby room. Right now their are several scale models, some Garland terrain and cars, two or three model railroad projects that are stalled, and then their is all the solo gaming I had/have planned that I still feel Like I need to build more terrain for!
Let’s not even start on non-modeling hobbies that are just leering at me from the corner of the room. I really need a swift kick in the rear to just make me finish a couple of projects this weekend.
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I think every Modeller reaches this stage. I’m there at the moment with my current project. In fact every model probably has a lifespan of interest. The secret is to finish it before that lifespan of interest finishes, or as Matt McDougal so eloquently puts it “you run out of fucks”
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I have a similar issue. For my taste most model kits don’t contain enough detail and I feel I need to put it there, eg. wheel bay interiors. The jet aircraft are loaded with hydraulic, electrical, and even fuel and cooling lines/plumbing. If it’s and older kit even the landing gear may need correction. This can lead to frustration and disappointment with multiple re-dos. Perseverance for the most part pays off, but darn, the time consumed adds up. I’ll have to admit, I’ve actually given up and actually trashed 2 kits, over the span of 4 decades I guess that’s not bad, but still. So many kits in my stash, so little time, not wanting to rush, wanting presentation quality, I have to learn to accept the results. I built an Edward Royal class FW190 and putting the cowling on gave the engine a very slight downward tilt, no one in the model club noticed till I mentioned it, not a contest item but otherwise came out well
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Same. I try to prepare all the fiddly bits ahead of time so by the time I’ve got the main stuff done I race through the final sticking the bits on phase.
More accurately I race through until I found I’ve lost something vital and it goes onto the waiting till I 3d print a replacement shelf. A very different shelf to the Shelf of Doom. In my mind…
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