26 replies to this topic

[Futurabat]

First off let me apologise for plageurising "The Lorax" movie in the title. I made a post in "What did you get today" and once again...it got me thinking.

I have been grabbing up some 1/43rd scale 'Starter of France'/'Provence Moulage' kits lately. Yeah they aren't the most accurate nor detailed kits, but they make me happy. Now this topic might just spark a lively debate (I hope so anyway) between the "I'm just happy to have it" crowd, and the rivet counters.

Before going any further I would like to point out that I don't want to see either side of this debate villified so...keep it civil.

It is fairly well known by now, that there are several of us inside my head. Some of us want to see a most accurate, down to the last bolt, over-the-top too cool kit! Then...there's the other half of us (and i'm referring to the "us" inside my own head) that just doesn't care. Just happy to see something CLOSE...something that when you look at it you can see what's supposed to be.

That's the part of me in between. The part of me that says..."Okay, it's only about 88.88% accurate...and I can live with that. I'm good.

I guess what i'm asking here is, how bad does a kit have to be before you say "Great day in the morning!"* and put it back on the shelf, never to see the light of day again? Photographic examples are appreciated, and please consider scale in your replies.


* (I never did understand that expression by the way!)

Edited by Futurabat, 15 November 2012 - 02:54 PM.

[Scale-Master]

It has to be pretty awful for me. In many cases (like the PM & Starter kit examples you cite) I know the kit is not correct and may have fit issues, but that does not automatically eliminate the enjoyability or challenge of building it, (depending on what I what to get out of it). Things like mold release permeated plastic/resin and defective parts so bad that I don't have the desire to fix are about all that come to mind for kits I would shelve.

[Futurabat]

It has to be pretty awful for me. In many cases (like the PM & Starter kit examples you cite) I know the kit is not correct and may have fit issues, but that does not automatically eliminate the enjoyability or challenge of building it, (depending on what I what to get out of it). Things like mold release permeated plastic/resin and defective parts so bad that I don't have the desire to fix are about all that come to mind for kits I would shelve.

I know it's only the first one, but I LIKE that answer!

[Scuderia]

For me since i only build for decoration around the house, and because i love cars; the body mostly has to look right. I can't tell visually if there's an imperfect slope in a roofline or a side-window. So everything i've tried, i've finished and it looks fine on the shelf. So i guess i'm no help here lol

[Futurabat]

Lawrence, I value your opinion as much as anyone elses. It's just as valid a point.

[signguy2108]

There are 2 old sayings "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." and "You can only say it can't be done if you have never tried it!" Those 2 can also be applied to model building. IF you can fix the problems with a kit, then you have learned from it, thus making you a better modeller. If you have tried to fix it, but couldn't, then you learn what your limits are. It is a kit, so it will never be perfect out of the box. I've built 1:1 kit cars where NOTHING fit out of the box without alot of work, and when finished, depending on who was looking at it determined to what extent it was perfect. It comes to a point where it is no longer a hobby, but instead a job just trying to please others! I say if your happy with it, put it on the shelf!

[Futurabat]

There are 2 old sayings "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." and "You can only say it can't be done if you have never tried it!" Those 2 can also be applied to model building. IF you can fix the problems with a kit, then you have learned from it, thus making you a better modeller. If you have tried to fix it, but couldn't, then you learn what your limits are. It is a kit, so it will never be perfect out of the box. I've built 1:1 kit cars where NOTHING fit out of the box without alot of work, and when finished, depending on who was looking at it determined to what extent it was perfect. It comes to a point where it is no longer a hobby, but instead a job just trying to please others! I say if your happy with it, put it on the shelf!

I...am...LOVING the answers i'm getting here! So far they are all VERY kojent paradigms! Applause! I pray this thread doesn't devolve.

[bbowser]

For me since i only build for decoration around the house, and because i love cars; the body mostly has to look right. I can't tell visually if there's an imperfect slope in a roofline or a side-window. So everything i've tried, i've finished and it looks fine on the shelf. So i guess i'm no help here lol

I'm right there with this. I build for the shelf, so if it looks right it is right. I almost gave up on a Polar Lights Dodge stock car, the absolute worst fitting kit I've ever built. But I wrestled it into a fairly OK looking shelf model and learned from the experience. I do a lot more test fitting now than I used to .

[Futurabat]

I'm right there with this. I build for the shelf, so if it looks right it is right. I almost gave up on a Polar Lights Dodge stock car, the absolute worst fitting kit I've ever built. But I wrestled it into a fairly OK looking shelf model and learned from the experience. I do a lot more test fitting now than I used to .

Alot more test fitting! THAT tickles me! I tell ya, having had to wrestle those kits into submission myself, I truly get what you're sayin. Those are probably some of the most argumentative kits ever produced!

[1930fordpickup]

You only have to make yourself happy . I just keep trying to tell myself that anyway . Someday I might listen.

Edited by 1930fordpickup, 15 November 2012 - 05:36 PM.

[Fat Brian]

I guess it all depends on how bad I want a certain subject on my shelf. If it is something I really want I can either tolerate minor flaws or justify the time spent to make a kit more correct but if it's something I can live without it needs to go together pretty easy and be fairly correct or it will wind at the end of a very long "to do" list.

[Tonioseven]

My builds are primarily to satisfy me; if it looks the part then I'm alright with it. The MPC Daytona isn't the best kit by a longshot but I don't want to go all out on a Revell kit because I know it will end up stalled like countless other projects I have. The MPC kit has its inaccuracies but it looks like a '69 Daytona to me and I'm pleased with that.

[mikemodeler]

For me since i only build for decoration around the house, and because i love cars; the body mostly has to look right. I can't tell visually if there's an imperfect slope in a roofline or a side-window. So everything i've tried, i've finished and it looks fine on the shelf. So i guess i'm no help here lol

I am in the same boat as Lawrence, although I will avoid a model if the obvious flaws have been previously pointed out and I have determined that they are not worth the hassle. Case in point- the resin 72 Ford pickup truck model that has been around for years. I have wanted to build one but after seeing and hearing the issues others have had, I decided not to try my luck at it. Now comes word that a kit manufacturer will offer that truck and I can fulfill my desire to build one.

[zot]

I can't really say that it affects my choices. Monogram's Rampage '69 Camaro is a good example. The body is completely messed up but I have one in my build que because it is a model that I built as a kid while spending time with my favorite aunt and uncle. I have it more for the memory value even though there are much better options if I want a '69 Camaro,

[kurth]

The only time I avoid a kit is if there is some kind of horrible shape problem. Aircraft modelers are really finicky about this. I build airplanes sometimes, and a new kit will come out and it is panned as being having terrible issues and I usually can not see it. The only time I notice is when the canopy/ or glass is chunky. With cars the one thing that will turn me off is the grill or headlights being wrong. It is very difficult to fix a grill, and some old tool car kits have headlights that that are too small and chromed over blobs, like the amt 59 vette. Then the AMT nascar kits from the early 80s... the thunderbird does not resemble any known car. They also had a fairly creative interpretation of the 89 and up t bird. I have the original Revell 69 Charger which has been said to have an inaccurate roof, but that is another one I could not tell the difference on. I guess I am in the "just happy to have it" crowd, but if I notice a shape issue, it must be really bad.

Edited by kurth, 16 November 2012 - 02:44 AM.

[gtx6970]

Other than trying my best to keep everything on the shelf in the same scale. I can't think of any mass produced styrene kit thats bad enough for me not to buy / build. Provided it fits within my interests line.
So I guess I am of the glad to have hit crowd as well .

I am of the crowd if it looks like the example I'm trying to represent, I'm good . Although the droopy rear end on the revell 1967 Coronet bothers me enough I plan to try the recent suggestion/ideas on how to fix my next one( when ever that is )

Edited by gtx6970, 16 November 2012 - 05:15 AM.

[Johnny]

Most that I have out are only viewed from a distance. (thank goodness for that ) So small inaccuracies do not bother me although some I do try to fix if too evident and if I have the skills to.
For the most part I just enjoy the build and do the best I can with what I have to work with.
Sometimes it is the only representation of a car or truck that you want so you are just happy to have it even with issues.
I find most people that look at my built models do not know the differences between the 1:1 and the kit anyway.
But then bet that is true about a large number of builders too.

[jaydar]

I do everything within my skill and technique repetoire and in my budget to bring accuracy to the kit, but after that....it is what it is!!

joe.

[Jantrix]

Usually a kit that is poor quality or terribly inaccurate will get the post apocalyptic or deathracer treatment. So it still gets built and enjoyed despite the issues.

[johnbuzzed]

There are a few kits out there with some questionable problems or "issues" which I'll stay away from but for the most part, if a kit floats my boat, I'll buy it with all plans to one day build it. I know that some, if not all of the kits that I have in my stash have inaccuracies or faults of one type or another but unless it's on a Palmer Plastics scale, it doesn't bother me. Odd rooflines, shallow interiors, missing under hood items...no big deal.