Post by Allied-Eric on Jul 12, 2013 17:57:34 GMT -5
Over the past several years I have given much thought as to why I partake in this hobby and what do I seek from it. I came
up with a little list which has gown and shrunk over time. You may agree with all of them or only some or with none of them
at all..and that’s Kool too! I thought I would share it with you all here so that as this awesome new forum grows and as I make
posts here you will at least have an idea where I’m coming from.
Number 7: Accuracy Is Overrated. Often many people get to wrapped around the axle about some little factoid, tid-bit or
knickknack that while no doubt interesting has virtually no impact. I even see on other forums where people will not build a kit
because the turret is 2mm to narrow…give me a break! Another common one is the discussion regarding the “correct” shade,
tone…or whatever of over olive drab (OD). I mean really what does it matter. We all understand that OD is a shade of brown
with some greenish tones in. But that is dependent on the environment and lighting… I don’t have a degree in color theory but
it looks like there is a little green in it to me and that’s all I need to know. And these so call experts on OD are anything but
experts and fail to consider two things;
a) OD during WWII was manufacture by several different companies who interpreted the Federal Standard (FS) for OD a little
bit differently and since the FS OD was NOT strongly enforced we ended up with several different shades, hues and colors of OD.
b) The vast majority of these experts where neither alive during the time OD was produced in great quantities nor did they partake
in the manufacture of OD at any point in there life….so they really don’t know but are only making an assumption. Granted some
more educated then others.
The Bottomline is this; don’t worry about which paint brand has the most accurate OD or get yourself lost in the minutia of some
model kit turret being 2mm to narrow. Because when your model is completed and looks totally awesome, no body will even notice
that horribly narrow turret or that messed up OD. Just build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 6: Never say ‘Never’. Model Builders and Historians should avoid thinking in absolutes. In the chaos of combat and the
drive to repair and return to the field of action equipment that is needed as quickly as possible short cuts and quick fixes where
employed more often then one would think. Given the modular design of the Sherman, which is one of its greatest strengths,
components and parts can be mixed and matched quit easily and in unexpected ways. Just look at a Sherman in any museum or
park monument and you will see numerous examples of this. So build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 5: Think in Layers. This is more technical in nature then philosophical but I use this approach extensively. In recent
years the “Spanish School” of painting and wreathing has gown in popularity. One of the fundamental aspects of the “Spanish
Schools” is that of working in layers to build depth and visual interest. Apply this process of layers to the construction phase
of a model build. View each sub-assembly and little component as a model unto its self. Each little bit and part is researched,
constructed and detailed individually but yet as part of the whole. When completed it adds to the over all model, thus building
up the layers and depth of the construction which are enhanced during the finishing phase. For myself the more layers and
depth there are the more visually interesting the finished subject will be. So put as many layers on your Sherman as YOU want
and have a blast!!
Number 4: Challenge Yourself A Little. The Drive to improve oneself is a trait of human nature. Either be it in our professions,
personal life or even in the hobbies we undertake for relaxation and enjoyment. Set goals for each new build you undertake,
but keep the goals realistic. Try some construction technique or a different painting method with each new project. It doesn't
have to be some overly complicated thing, unless that is what you want to do. Don’t over think it, just come up with some little
new thing you never have done before and give it a try and build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 3: Build For Yourself. Do you often ask yourself sitting at the bench; “ok what will the judges (or whoever) be looking
for or would like to see?”. If you do ask this question then that means your not building for yourself but are building for someone
else. While many of us enjoy building in that fashion it can lead to frustration and disappointment for others thus ruining the
enjoyment of the hobby. This is one I have to continuously refer back to as I get stuck asking that question. I often refer to
the AMPS judging criteria while I build and finish a project. I do this not so I can get a perfect score or win that gold medal, I’m
not driven by that sort of thing. But because the AMPS judging criteria is a great little check list of construction and finishing
points to work toward(see No.4). But it can also trap me into thinking I have to address each item listed in the criteria. Remember
why you first started building models to begin with. You are the only one that needs to be happy with the results so build that
Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 2: The Golden Rule. Treat EVERYONE with respect and be humble . Not everyone partakes in this hobbies for the same
reasons. Some love to build, many enjoy the painting and weathering, For others researching and counting rivets is where the
fun lies. Each these aspects adds to the over all enjoyment of the hobby in its own way. Proved positive and constructive comments
that prove helpful or informative. Humility can serve one far longer then egotism. No knows everything and others know things
you do not (see No.6) and let that person build that Sherman the way THEY want too!!
Number 1: Have FUN…This Is Only A Hobby After All, So Relax!....what more needs to be said other then...build that Sherman
the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
And that is the model philosophy I try to apply as I sit at my work bench playing with my little plastic tanks. So let me know
your thoughts and what “Philosophies” you use…I might even adopt some of them!!
up with a little list which has gown and shrunk over time. You may agree with all of them or only some or with none of them
at all..and that’s Kool too! I thought I would share it with you all here so that as this awesome new forum grows and as I make
posts here you will at least have an idea where I’m coming from.
Number 7: Accuracy Is Overrated. Often many people get to wrapped around the axle about some little factoid, tid-bit or
knickknack that while no doubt interesting has virtually no impact. I even see on other forums where people will not build a kit
because the turret is 2mm to narrow…give me a break! Another common one is the discussion regarding the “correct” shade,
tone…or whatever of over olive drab (OD). I mean really what does it matter. We all understand that OD is a shade of brown
with some greenish tones in. But that is dependent on the environment and lighting… I don’t have a degree in color theory but
it looks like there is a little green in it to me and that’s all I need to know. And these so call experts on OD are anything but
experts and fail to consider two things;
a) OD during WWII was manufacture by several different companies who interpreted the Federal Standard (FS) for OD a little
bit differently and since the FS OD was NOT strongly enforced we ended up with several different shades, hues and colors of OD.
b) The vast majority of these experts where neither alive during the time OD was produced in great quantities nor did they partake
in the manufacture of OD at any point in there life….so they really don’t know but are only making an assumption. Granted some
more educated then others.
The Bottomline is this; don’t worry about which paint brand has the most accurate OD or get yourself lost in the minutia of some
model kit turret being 2mm to narrow. Because when your model is completed and looks totally awesome, no body will even notice
that horribly narrow turret or that messed up OD. Just build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 6: Never say ‘Never’. Model Builders and Historians should avoid thinking in absolutes. In the chaos of combat and the
drive to repair and return to the field of action equipment that is needed as quickly as possible short cuts and quick fixes where
employed more often then one would think. Given the modular design of the Sherman, which is one of its greatest strengths,
components and parts can be mixed and matched quit easily and in unexpected ways. Just look at a Sherman in any museum or
park monument and you will see numerous examples of this. So build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 5: Think in Layers. This is more technical in nature then philosophical but I use this approach extensively. In recent
years the “Spanish School” of painting and wreathing has gown in popularity. One of the fundamental aspects of the “Spanish
Schools” is that of working in layers to build depth and visual interest. Apply this process of layers to the construction phase
of a model build. View each sub-assembly and little component as a model unto its self. Each little bit and part is researched,
constructed and detailed individually but yet as part of the whole. When completed it adds to the over all model, thus building
up the layers and depth of the construction which are enhanced during the finishing phase. For myself the more layers and
depth there are the more visually interesting the finished subject will be. So put as many layers on your Sherman as YOU want
and have a blast!!
Number 4: Challenge Yourself A Little. The Drive to improve oneself is a trait of human nature. Either be it in our professions,
personal life or even in the hobbies we undertake for relaxation and enjoyment. Set goals for each new build you undertake,
but keep the goals realistic. Try some construction technique or a different painting method with each new project. It doesn't
have to be some overly complicated thing, unless that is what you want to do. Don’t over think it, just come up with some little
new thing you never have done before and give it a try and build that Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 3: Build For Yourself. Do you often ask yourself sitting at the bench; “ok what will the judges (or whoever) be looking
for or would like to see?”. If you do ask this question then that means your not building for yourself but are building for someone
else. While many of us enjoy building in that fashion it can lead to frustration and disappointment for others thus ruining the
enjoyment of the hobby. This is one I have to continuously refer back to as I get stuck asking that question. I often refer to
the AMPS judging criteria while I build and finish a project. I do this not so I can get a perfect score or win that gold medal, I’m
not driven by that sort of thing. But because the AMPS judging criteria is a great little check list of construction and finishing
points to work toward(see No.4). But it can also trap me into thinking I have to address each item listed in the criteria. Remember
why you first started building models to begin with. You are the only one that needs to be happy with the results so build that
Sherman the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
Number 2: The Golden Rule. Treat EVERYONE with respect and be humble . Not everyone partakes in this hobbies for the same
reasons. Some love to build, many enjoy the painting and weathering, For others researching and counting rivets is where the
fun lies. Each these aspects adds to the over all enjoyment of the hobby in its own way. Proved positive and constructive comments
that prove helpful or informative. Humility can serve one far longer then egotism. No knows everything and others know things
you do not (see No.6) and let that person build that Sherman the way THEY want too!!
Number 1: Have FUN…This Is Only A Hobby After All, So Relax!....what more needs to be said other then...build that Sherman
the way YOU want to and have a blast!!
And that is the model philosophy I try to apply as I sit at my work bench playing with my little plastic tanks. So let me know
your thoughts and what “Philosophies” you use…I might even adopt some of them!!