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reality vs fantasy


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I will state this up front, this is NOT a thread to rant on about what people like or dislike, this is a thread on my personal view of a really spectacular 49 merc woody build by Blair Pletcher, here is the link to the build....

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=99399&hl=

I looked at this build for what seemed to be hours, the representation of rust and weathering, wondering if I could ever get that effect even close to what Blair did. my 13 year old said "cool model, that would look awesome if it was at a real 1:1 car show?"

what?, I thought, no it wouldn't, in fact my first thought would be to get a paint job on that sucker. it would look much better painted and shiny....

why did I think that? how can I look for hours at a build, when I would walk right past it at a real show. no, I am by no means mocking these types of cars in 1:1 scale, they just don't float my boat.

I find myself viewing models in a whole different way than I do real cars. I would never build one of these in 1:1 scale, but Blair and all the others (sorry for not mentioning your names) who do the "weathered" and "rat rod" types of builds may just get me to build one or 2 of these, heck, I am already on the "semi" band wagon. why nor this.

is anyone else open to builds outside their comfort zone? and do you spend more time looking at model than you do the 1:1 shows?

thanks for reading.

Tubbs

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Same here,

I look at models that would never get my attention in 1/1 .

I think it has to do with methods and the process it takes to replicate things like this in scale as opposed to just clearing over rust on the 1/1

But I have no interest to build something like it in scale or in real life

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In modeling, even if we aren't into the subject matter, we can admire the techniques and work into a build. Take it one step further away from your comfort zone and go to an IPMS show and look at the military builds. Completely out of my area of interest, but there's a load of great work and techniques of weathering and diorama that we can bring back to our own building.

I always look at Blair's posts because we have similar interests. But even if you are into fancy Italian sports cars you can still appreciate the work that went into creating his vision for his model. And a funny thing, a fair amount of people confess that they'd like to try a rusted beater one day!

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I have to agree with what others have said, you can respect the technique and skill required to do a build while the results not being your personal taste. In modeling a finish like Blair's is far more difficult than a shiny one and the skills needed to get it that good are quite impressive so we it tends to draw our attention even if we wouldn't want one in our driveway.

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I'm not a fan of Rat Rods or rusty cars. Usually I think they would look better if painted with a smooth and shiny paint. But as models, I enjoy seeing those. Probably because I have tried to make rust in 1/25 scale and even if I knew that it is hard, it was way harder than I thought it would be. So I can appreciate the work that has been put into them. But as a builder, rusty rides usually don't interest me. I like to build the cars the way I'd like to have them in real life. And I would not want to have a rusty car.

Though I have one project planned that will need to be rusted completely. It will be a true challenge...

Modern Resto Mods or Pro Touring whatever cars with big wheels and tires scare me away each time, though. No matter what scale it is. :wacko:

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I have to agree with what others have said, you can respect the technique and skill required to do a build while the results not being your personal taste. In modeling a finish like Blair's is far more difficult than a shiny one and the skills needed to get it that good are quite impressive so we it tends to draw our attention even if we wouldn't want one in our driveway.

Well said, my thoughts exactly.

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thanks for all the replies....

you all make valid points... but, isn't the same effort put into 1:1 cars as there is models? I don't think it's just clearing over rust. why do I admire all the weathering guys talents? I know that 1:1 car had a lot of time and effort put into it, just like the model, but I don't appreciate it the same way. here's a question, will a "weathered" or "rat rod" style car ever win the ridler award? I don't know too much about that award... just saying.

I guess in reality, mother nature takes care of the rust while in the fantasy (model) world, we create everything. can you "manufacture" weather and rust on a 1:1 car?

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I like the models because of the work that goes into it to make it so real looking and ok Al your gonna hate me on this one but I also enjoy seeing these things show up at shows n such......I mean have you ever crawled around looking at some of these 1:1's? some have a ton of work into them like a few summers ago a buddy and I went to Canfield swap meet and there was an old Ford tow truck RAT there and we could not get enough of that thing,we kept going back to check out this n that and discovering other things.....I am on the same page I do like my 1:1's "well done" but like you I spend countless times looking at these models that look so real in the weathering/used look to the point I too would love to master the art in making the "old n crusty" look....like a certain 36 Ford maybe...........

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I Really admire the model and Blair's work. He can make them so realistic. I have seen some pretty crappy rat rods on television. I have not built a rat rod and its not me I enjoying seeing the models. I would rather see the models then the cars in real life... I myself am into the polished muscle cars and showroom style cars in real life and models..

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thanks for all the replies....

you all make valid points... but, isn't the same effort put into 1:1 cars as there is models? I don't think it's just clearing over rust. why do I admire all the weathering guys talents? I know that 1:1 car had a lot of time and effort put into it, just like the model, but I don't appreciate it the same way. here's a question, will a "weathered" or "rat rod" style car ever win the ridler award? I don't know too much about that award... just saying.

I guess in reality, mother nature takes care of the rust while in the fantasy (model) world, we create everything. can you "manufacture" weather and rust on a 1:1 car?

Yes they do manufacture the weathered look sometimes. They will sand down to bare metal and let it sit in the rain or water it down and let rust. Sometimes even using salt water to speed it along. Guys that have been fixing older cars that need to look original have been doing it for years(repaint this but weather it so it looks as if it has been under the hood the whole time).

As for the Ridler Award I do not think a weather car will ever win that award. Next week is the Detroit Autorama , hope to spend all day friday looking around.

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i appreciate these finishes as much as a show finish both take skill and an artist eye to achieve a realistic effect seen on 1:1 cars.I am in complete awe when i look at some of the builds here and you have to sit there and wonder it is a 1:1 or a kit . it truly is art imitating life .

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The tough part for those of us who build beaters is that many folks don't understand that these are purpose built and are a lot of work.

I've seen quips on this board saying, "if you screw up the paint job you can always make it a beater", as if the cars we build are cover up for mistakes. That's been reinforced by shifty sellers on eBay who will take glue stained old built ups, smear a bit of rust or Rustoleum primer red on it and call it a "Pro Built Beater" to make a few dollars off the unwary.

I once had a guy at a show look me right in the eye and tell me I ruined a perfectly good kit! Never mind that the model in question was winning show awards and had been in the magazines! That became a running joke in my club.

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Nothing wrong a weathered style model . it takes skill to make it look good just as a shiney one does.

To me the whole rat rad thing was a throwback to drive what have done to the show and enjoy it. Do not be ashamed that you do not have $100,000 plus build . That being said just as show rods are over the top custom/rods so are some of the rat rods.

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......many folks don't understand that these are purpose built and are a lot of work.

I've seen quips on this board saying, "if you screw up the paint job you can always make it a beater", as if the cars we build are cover up for mistakes. ....

i think any freelance form of modeling carries artistic license.

some types of weathered models show actual patterns which would occur in nature.

simply taking a model, whether ship, plane, or train, and simply slathering an even coat of goop over its entirety, is hardly a realistic rendition of a languished species.

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Any type of modelling that can produce a result that looks real is so impressive, weathering is such a cool technique because of it's realism, but yeah on a 1:1, I'd have to go mint.

I got back into model trains several years back and already gave it up, but what was most impressive about profesisional model train builders is the realism put into they put into the scenery, not the actual train and tracks.

I think in the real world, some build 1:1 cars so mint that they almost look fake.

Edited by LMDAVE
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I tend to agree with the OP that I stay in my "comfort zone".

First off, I build my models to represent cars I like "as I would like to own them". My models need a "vision" right from the get go or else I just can't even start on them. I don't really have an interest in factory stock cars, so I don't build them. I'm not that interested in semis or airplanes or boats, so I don't build them. I'm not interested in beaters or "workhorses", so I don't build them.

My builds (when I build) are usually of "day 2" or "pro-touring" style cars. I do stray from that every so often when I get a "vision" for something else, I've built everything from a Model A street rod to a stock Mini Cooper to a street-racer Integra and probably covered all the bases inbetween (I did a lot more modeling before I was 18, and I'm 32 now). However it's always been a car "the way I would want to own it".

I don't build for contests, I don't build for money. That's probably why I've only completed 5 models in the past 2-1/2 years. I build because I find it fun, and it's a release for my car-building needs when the weather is too bad to go work on my real cars.

Am I open to building something outside my "comfort zone"? Sure. But it won't be on my dime- especially now that kits are so expensive. It's easy to sink $50 into a halfway decent build. But if my buddy wanted me to build him a replica of his car, I'd do it without hesitation, and only expect him to pay for materials.

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