Model Misattribution in MCM #142, July 2009

[Chillyb1]

While I'm happy to see one of my models in the magazine, I'm a little less happy to see it attributed to someone else. A friend told me about this recently and I just today got a chance to see for myself. If you look at page 29 in the July issue you'll see at the top left my Hasegawa Ferrari 250 TR. Yes, there's a story behind all of this, but for now I'd just like it to be known I'm the builder of that model, which took second place in its class at the GSL show this year. I'm proud of both the model and the second-place finish, and I realize that probably only one other person might care. Nonetheless, my fellow modelers, I ask your indulgence at this blatant self-back-patting.

Thanks for your time.

[E St. Kruiser50]

While I'm happy to see one of my models in the magazine, I'm a little less happy to see it attributed to someone else. A friend told me about this recently and I just today got a chance to see for myself. If you look at page 29 in the July issue you'll see at the top left my Hasegawa Ferrari 250 TR. Yes, there's a story behind all of this, but for now I'd just like it to be known I'm the builder of that model, which took second place in its class at the GSL show this year. I'm proud of both the model and the second-place finish, and I realize that probably only one other person might care. Nonetheless, my fellow modelers, I ask your indulgence at this blatant self-back-patting.

Thanks for your time.

What's wrong with " Back-Patting" yourself .

Just about everybody here does it - even the 'BIGGIES" .

So you're proud of your work and accomplishment - YOU SHOULD BE !!

Glad you mentioned it. I'll take another look - and congrats on your win at the GSL - dave

[Zoom Zoom]

Oops! Congrats on your win. I was a bit surprised that the modeler attributed to the Ferrari had built it, as it's not his normal style of build.

Gregg's online photos from the show are no longer able to be accessed by us mere mortals; I looked at Dave Lindsay's photos, and the model is on an information card that lists Robert's name. I guess there's more to the story...

Edited July 24, 2009 by Zoom Zoom

[Nick F40]

very well built, tasty.

[Gregg]

My photos are still there

I don't delete them.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/GSL09/Site/GSL_Photos.html

I don't get this.

Someone enters a model that they didn't build, under their own name?

Please explain this rational to me.

I print what is written on the forms.

[Zoom Zoom]

My photos are still there

I don't delete them.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/GSL09/Site/GSL_Photos.html

I don't get this.

Someone enters a model that they didn't build, under their own name?

Please explain this rational to me.

I print what is written on the forms.

Gregg, sorry for confusion, your link is broken/incorrect in the thread from back then.

GSL Photo Thread

URL from thread that doesn't work

Different URL than what you just posted. When I saw the Ferrari I went back using the search function to find your GSL album and got "page not found" from that thread.

I certainly hope someone isn't buying other people's models and presenting them as their own without giving the builder credit. I do remember him entering a model at the NNL East I attended where he mentioned that someone else painted it (I think he won the Mustang class with it as well, painted w/Flames by Brian Nehring).

Edited July 25, 2009 by Zoom Zoom

[Gregg]

Thanks, Bob.

Fixed the link

So, when you coming over to the Dark Side?

[MikeMc]

So, when you coming over to the Dark Side?

SOON ????????????????

[MikeMc]

While I'm happy to see one of my models in the magazine, I'm a little less happy to see it attributed to someone else. A friend told me about this recently and I just today got a chance to see for myself. If you look at page 29 in the July issue you'll see at the top left my Hasegawa Ferrari 250 TR. Yes, there's a story behind all of this, but for now I'd just like it to be known I'm the builder of that model, which took second place in its class at the GSL show this year. I'm proud of both the model and the second-place finish, and I realize that probably only one other person might care. Nonetheless, my fellow modelers, I ask your indulgence at this blatant self-back-patting.

Thanks for your time.

Chilly we need facts....and you would be the source.....

[Harry P.]

While I'm happy to see one of my models in the magazine, I'm a little less happy to see it attributed to someone else...Yes, there's a story behind all of this...

So... are you going to tell us the story?

[Chillyb1]

No, but I'll add fuel to the fire. It would seem that my Ferrari also made an appearance at the NNL East this year. The photos in the current magazine were taken then and can be seen here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/NNLEast09/index17.htm

I think that explains the misattribution in this instance. I believe Gregg was given my name as the builder when he took photos at the GSL (after the fact, and as a "correction"), but since this Ferrari is apparently well traveled, it may show up elsewhere under another person's name. I guess if MCM includes GSL coverage my model will appear again but with my name under it.

The brighter pennies among you ought to be able to solve the equation 2 + 2 = X correctly with the information in this thread. I don't really want to spell it all out clearly or name names.

[Zoom Zoom]

Well, at least we know who built the model and we know who has been showing it around the country with their own name on the model description card.

I just do not get the mentality of people that would pass off someone else's work as their own, especially in a community like ours that isn't very big. There aren't many corners to hide in...

[The Creative Explorer]

So... are you going to tell us the story?

No, but I'll add fuel to the fire.

What is the whole point of just adding fuel to the fire and not explain the story, IMHO you either don't say anything or go the whole nine yards.

Don't just add fuel to the fire and point your finger.

[Scalefinishes]

This is why I don't let other people use their name on my models.

Jameston

[Gregg]

If I had known that the model was not built by the person who entered it, and was led to believe that it was, I would not run the photo.

Sorry, that's my stand on this.

My good friend Dave of Mini-Dreams gave me a hard time once when his models started showing up in show coverages, under the name of the person that bought them.

That's a quick way to get on my black list... forever.

I know this may upset some, but heh, this is my sandbox, right?

Okay, I pau...

[RodBurNeR]

If I had known that the model was not built by the person who entered it, and was led to believe that it was, I would not run the photo.

Sorry, that's my stand on this.

My good friend Dave of Mini-Dreams gave me a hard time once when his models started showing up in show coverages, under the name of the person that bought them.

That's a quick way to get on my black list... forever.

I know this may upset some, but heh, this is my sandbox, right?

Okay, I pau...

Doesn't upset me a bit! I applaud you for that! I never take anyone else's models to shows...in fact I only own two models not built by me and they stay in my case. I don't understand why anyone would take a model that's not theirs to a show and not even have the courtesy to put an explanation on the card? ....why take a model unless it's yours or the owner asks you to do it for them?

I saw some of Dave's models in magazine coverage before and the wrong name....

I have seen people win at contests with models they bought off ebay....that just boils my buttocks! again...the WHY?...cheat others out of their rightful place in a contest just to get the award....ahh well I am about to start ranting sorry...

Back to the subject here....what happened? was the model stolen or sold or?

[Chillyb1]

Back to the subject here....what happened? was the model stolen or sold or?

I sell all my built models on eBay as soon as I'm done with them. There may be others making their way around regional contest circuits, for all I know (or at least I'd like to flatter myself that it is possible). Actually, it had never occurred to me that someone might enter one of my builds in a contest. Most buyers have expressed much gratitude for my models and claim they'll be sitting on a shelf with other models (and have even sent photos of the models as displayed). And I know that some of my buyers have been fellow modelers because they participate on the various model-related fora and are easily identified. This category of buyer I thought would surely never be so dishonest as to purport to be the builder. As Bob pointed out above, this is a fairly small (insular, I'd say) community. I found out about this because a modeling friend from Puerto Rico (Simon Rivera-Torres, himself a very fine modeler) posted photos he took, and while glancing through them I saw a very familiar little redhead. But I hadn't seen any photos of the NNL East 2009, so I didn't know the car was there also. I checked NickF40's photoalbum of the event and, sure enough, there are several photos he took of it. I suppose there are other online photoalbums posted by other modelers that include my car.

Let's call this a consciousness-raising experience. No, I don't think all contest entrants should have to provide notarized statements of provenance, but I do wonder about self-policing mechanisms in the model-competition world. It might could be that my experience, now shared, will stand as a kind of warning: people are watching and it isn't worth the aggravation of getting caught. However, I did try to get a couple of "authority figures" involved in a more widespread (less scattershot, that is) effort to raise awareness of this particular type of misdemeanor, but was rebuffed. I'm not angry or bitter, but more nonplussed. As several of you have said, "why would someone enter a model not his or her own in a contest and be able morally to accept that it was okay?"

[Harry P.]

...people are watching and it isn't worth the aggravation of getting caught.

And if you do get caught, your name will be known to all as a "cheater" in no time. Why would anyone risk that?

[RodBurNeR]

Thanks for the explanation. That's lame...entering other peoples builds at shows unless asked to do so or as "display only" with an explanation crediting the real builder.....just lame...then taking credit for the build in a magazine knowing how many people will see it....is like not caring about anything other than having your name in the magazine and allowing others to think you are something greater because of it...guess what?....there's probably 5,000 more Jimmy Joe's within 10,000 miles!....so unless the work is yours, your name doesn't mean much either.

Better luck to you on this, but I wouldn't doubt if it keeps happening....I see it a lot.

[E St. Kruiser50]

I think this answer's Harry's question on another thread he started about "money for awards at contests".

SOME PEOPLE WILL CHEAT ANY WAY THEY CAN TO WIN. NO INTEGRITY AT ALL!!!!

[Chas SCR]

Curtis do did get the win at the GSL, was you there as I know there was so many people and meeting every one I can not remember every one. Maybe if you let every one know who bought that model that is starting up all the fuse so people will watch for him. The bad thing about some models is that every one that builds in the same class (box stock, Racing and Factory Stock) normaly build the same car and it is hard to tell who's is who.

[Gregg]

I have seen a lot of entry forms at shows where there is a disclaimer, or at least in the rules, that the model must be built solely by the entrant.

So now, yes, I will have to police a bit.

I will ask: "Did you build this model?"

If the answer is no, then I will not shoot it.

I do get a lot of models brought in by friends of the builder, who couldn't make the show.

That a I applaud, and commend.

I think that is what friends are all about.

It's a lot of work to bring someone else's model to show with you, especially when you travel great distances.

I remember when I brought Greg Nichol's incredible VW Bug GT car to shows around the country with me.

That was a pleasure and honor to do. It was not always the easiest thing to do, but it was worth it.

To let others see the great work he did which graced the cover of MCM years ago.

Okay, I almost pau...