Modeler Hall of Fame?

[Tankerdog]

I'm throwing this out there for the sake of it. I did this a few years ago on an armor forum and was surprised at the responses. In the end I felt sad after the miles of postings. As modelers we have no organization that recognizes people for their extensive contributions to the hobby. Other than interview bits and pieces in magazines or websites we have nothing of significant archive, a Hall of Fame, if you will.

What I found was geography played a major roll in the lack of exposure of those who have contributed a large piece of their lives for our benefit. Every country or region has modeling greats from the past and present. We still have to tell new modelers about the greats via conversation. With the internet, at our disposal, I find this seriously lacking. Oh we go out and connect with other modelers and learn who is current and making a difference through websites, forums and publications, but not so much as a wimper after they are gone.

On the armor side I was saddened by the military modelers the UK produced decades ago before Shep Paine got our attention. All these 'fathers' of Airfix British military modeling are gone now and very few are still alive to even remember who they were.

We modeler's are suffering the same fate. Some motivated, energetic group of caring individuals would be needed to take on such a task. The 'board' of people to decide, would need to be varied, fairly extensive, and completely objective. Perhaps seperated by modeling subject.

I hope this could spark such and individual.

If experience serves me, a battery of postings will follow and include personal nominees. Well, we have no organized Hall of Fame yet, but a shout out for our modeling heros never hurts, and never fails to get the fingers typing. And for those, on this forum, that get a 'Ah shucks' shout out, accept it, you probably earned it.

Who are your car modeling heros?

[Danno]

Kent,

Your basic premise is faulty. There already is a museum and a "hall of fame."

You are apparently unaware of the International Model Car Builders Museum and Education Foundation, based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Check it out: http://themodelcarmuseum.org/

Edited November 28, 2013 by Danno

[Terry Jessee]

Yep, there already is one.

Look under "Programs" in the menu on the left side of the page. That'll show the Hall of Fame listing that was established about 20 years ago.

TJ

[Austin T]

The model Museum is really cool but do they have any builders who got big from the last 10 years? All I remember from last time I looked was just guys from the 60's to the 90's. Nothing really noting our current builders. I hate to say it but the website is very archaic, I feel like I'm opening a scale auto enthusiast from 1992.

[Danno]

The model Museum is really cool but do they have any builders who got big from the last 10 years? All I remember from last time I looked was just guys from the 60's to the 90's. Nothing really noting our current builders. I hate to say it but the website is very archaic, I feel like I'm opening a scale auto enthusiast from 1992.

Museums and Halls of Fame are all about history and evolution. They're not about what's happening today at the mall, the arcade, the skateboard park, or the phantasy world of cyber-gaming. That's just how it is.

The "big" builders of all eras are represented there.

The "big" builders of today and tomorrow will be there.

Patience, Grasshopper.

[Harry P.]

The model Museum is really cool but do they have any builders who got big from the last 10 years? All I remember from last time I looked was just guys from the 60's to the 90's. Nothing really noting our current builders.

How does a current builder belong in a Hall of Fame?

How many current players are in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Nobody can be enshrined in a Hall of Fame, whether it's baseball, football, modeling, or anything else, until their "career" is over and that person's body of work or accomplishments can be evaluated in total. Then you can see how that person stacks up against previous HOF members, and whether or not that person deserves a place in the Hall.

[Deano]

How does a current builder belong in a Hall of Fame?

How many current players are in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Nobody can be enshrined in a Hall of Fame, whether it's baseball, football, modeling, or anything else, until their "career" is over and that person's body of work or accomplishments can be evaluated in total. Then you can see how that person stacks up against previous HOF members, and whether or not that

person deserves a place in the Hall.

So ... how many in this following list are no longer active? Sure, some are no longer with us but I'm sure those who ARE active would be interested in knowing that their "Careers" are over. Not saying that the latest "greatest builder" belongs in the HoF, but many of these modelers are far from retired.

2000

Gary Schmidt – Industry Insider

Augie Hiscano – Builder/Writer

2001

John Mueller – Industry Insider

Tim Boyd – Builder/Writer

2002

Jim Keeler – Industry Insider

Mark S. Gustavson – Builder/Writer

2003

Roger Harney – Industry Insider

Dennis Doty – Builder/Writer

2004

Bob Johnson – Industry Insider

Terry Jessee – Builder/Writer

2005

Hank Borger – Builder/Writer, Appointed

Bob McLeod – Industry Insider, Appointed

2006

Bill Coulter – Builder/Writer

Don Holthaus – Industry Insider

2007

Ken Hamilton –Builder/Writer

Dave Vander Wal – Industry Insider

2008

Tom Carter – Industry Insider

Juha Airio – Builder/Writer

2009

Tom West – Industry Insider

Dave Cummins – Builder

2010

Norm Veber – Industry Insider

Tom Kirn – Builder

[Harry P.]

I don't agree that people who are still active in their field should be in a Hall of Fame. Not any disrespect meant to the people, they didn't induct themselves, and I'm not saying they don't deserve to be there... I just don't like the concept of a "Hall of Fame" that includes people who are still at it. Just my personal opinion. I like the way that pro sports Halls of Fame do it.

BTW... in your list, nothing since 2010?

[Art Anderson]

How does a current builder belong in a Hall of Fame?

How many current players are in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Nobody can be enshrined in a Hall of Fame, whether it's baseball, football, modeling, or anything else, until their "career" is over and that person's body of work or accomplishments can be evaluated in total. Then you can see how that person stacks up against previous HOF members, and whether or not that person deserves a place in the Hall.

The major problem with installing someone currently "on top of it" as a model builder is simply that in any sort of HOF environment, that person may not be considered "on top of it" ten-fifteen-twenty years out.

Note that the HOF in Salt Lake City has ensconced not just model builders, but people from the industry, both major model companies and aftermarket, who by the time they were voted in and inducted, had made major contributions to our hobby--not simply just someone who happened to have won some "Best of Show" awards in the past say, 10 years or so. In my mind's eye, there is a good deal of difference between that and someone who's really moved the hobby forward over a longer period of time.

Of course, it is almost a given that any "Hall of Fame" anywhere, be it MLB, NFL, NBA, NHA, or any of the major motorsports leagues, even the auto industry itself, can be very subjective in how nominees are selected--all one need do is pay attention to the sports pages during the "Hot Stove Season" (meaning now, going into winter, until the snow stops flying) and read the articles and commentary about who should or should not be considered for the upcoming respective Halls of Fame Take baseball for example: How many great players, managers or other long-time personalities get ignored due to their alleged or actual transgressions either on or off the diamond?

So, any such recognition in the model car fraternity likely will always be at least somewhat subjective, but in any case, that is an honor which should not be accorded lightly or likewise rejected simply "out of hand". And to my way of thinking, if one looks at the list of inductees into the Model Car Builders Hall of Fame, and takes a bit of time to read up on, or otherwise find out about who these people were/are, and what their contribution to our hobby has been (and some are still making those contributions to the growth, excitement and pleasure I'd like to think we all appreciate!).

Art

[Craig Irwin]

I don't agree that people who are still active in their field should be in a Hall of Fame.

I agree, now if we can only get you on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before they give Justin Beiber a lifetime achievement award!

[Harry P.]

I agree that the whole idea of a "Hall of Fame" that's not based in numbers and production (unlike the baseball HOF, where you can really judge a given player's career against his peers) is completely subjective.

Again, I am NOT saying that any of the people listed above are unworthy. I make no judgements on those already inducted, But looking at the list, I have to wonder why people like George Totef or John Hanley or Bud Andersen, just to name a few, are not included. Or even Tom Daniel, a person who had a huge impact on the hobby. And doesn't a guy like Gerald Wingrove deserve a spot among the builders listed?

[Harry P.]

I agree, now if we can only get you on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before they give Justin Beiber a lifetime achievement award!

Or Miley Cyrus!

[uncle potts]

I agree!

[Lunajammer]

I have to wonder why people like .... are not included.

Perhaps there's more room in the HOF to honor more than two people a year (and none since 2010).

I have to notice that most of those inducted are familiar names for reasons beyond being HOF builders. I think people like John Teresi should have his day, but he's not a writer or columnist or industry insider and so he may not have as much popular vote as those with name recognition associated with mass media or business. Is there room in the HOF for folks who stand alone as artists of the hobby?

[Dragline]

The Model Car Museum is NOT a Hall Of Fame. It's primary goal [from what i can glean] is to show the Industry as a whole and its progress through the years. As such, there should not be any limits [and none I could see] as to who is represented there. We lost Augie too early so his being there is really a no brainer considering his many accomplishments..But Juha Airio is probably the most competent builder on the planet. His inclusion is also a welcomed idea, and he seems FAR from retired. Were I inclined to tell TMCM how to go about their business [i am not] I would suggest a "Leading Lights" type feature showing the movers and shakers of the current time. Builders and writers alike. But it is a MUSEUM and as such, is constrained only by how it's board chooses to move. Museums can and often show current exhibits of modern works as a way to keep current and showcase things that will IN TIME, be permanent fixture worthy.

What the OP seemed to suggest was an outright HOF. A completely different set of criteria and ultimately worthy of discussion.

Bob

[Kaleb]

The Problem of recognizing our modern day and even those who have passed on is that no one will reconize them. Outside of the model building community who knows these guys? There are great ship and airplane builders but I have no idea who they are. A model car museum would be nothing more than a air conditioned car show.

[Austin T]

Museums and Halls of Fame are all about history and evolution. They're not about what's happening today at the mall, the arcade, the skateboard park, or the phantasy world of cyber-gaming. That's just how it is.

That's basically saying that the model industry has not evolved in the last ten years which is a huge understatement. I my opinion I think that if a museum is going to be there for the history of something it should try and be fairly up to date. For example Moebius released a kit of the Hudson Hornet, whether it will change the entirety or the model industry or not is up to debate but it still should be noted in a historic moment in the history of model car kit's.

[Harry P.]

The Model Car Museum is NOT a Hall Of Fame.

But a Hall of Fame is part of the museum.

http://www.themodelcarmuseum.org/Programs/Hallofame/hallofame.html

[Casey]

That's basically saying that the model industry has not evolved in the last ten years which is a huge understatement. I my opinion I think that if a museum is going to be there for the history of something it should try and be fairly up to date. For example Moebius released a kit of the Hudson Hornet, whether it will change the entirety or the model industry or not is up to debate but it still should be noted in a historic moment in the history of model car kit's.

The very nature of most HOF's is that they are not easy to get into. They only accept the best of the best so to speak, those who represent the highest level of building, or have a profound or wide-reaching impact on the hobby as a whole. Just building nice models which take home a blue ribbon at a local or national event isn't good enough. Lots of people do that, regardless if they are "known" or have their work published and or shown online.

The passage of time also helps to put things into a clearer perspective, and tends to even out the peaks and valleys of perception, so that's another reason they don't induct anyone who's new or come onto the scene in that last five years. If that person's work and contributions are worthy of induction into the HOF, they will get there. Any list is subjective and based upon the voter's opinions, but so far, I think the MCBM's choices have been very good, and the inductees all worthy.

[Austin T]

I think were on two entirely different trains of thought. I'm talking about the Museum, not the "Hall of fame". From what I've seen online the Hall of fame isn't the main attraction to the museum, but more of an exhibit per say. Say what you want about the HOF I just think the Museum should be a tad bit more updated.

[Art Anderson]

That's basically saying that the model industry has not evolved in the last ten years which is a huge understatement. I my opinion I think that if a museum is going to be there for the history of something it should try and be fairly up to date. For example Moebius released a kit of the Hudson Hornet, whether it will change the entirety or the model industry or not is up to debate but it still should be noted in a historic moment in the history of model car kit's.

However, just as it is out in the real, 1:1 World, the effect of anything newly or recently introduced (and that includes everything we modelers deal with, from kits to supplies, to concepts/ideas, even to the people with whom we interface in the hobby) seldom is ever really known the instant that such happens. Rather, it can take years before the true effects of anything or anyone significant at a given moment in time to be known, along a range line from "ho-hum" to a true, significant "game changer".

Art

[southpier]

I didn't realize those guys had passed on. we've lost some great ones in the past 10 years. my condolences to their families.

Edited November 30, 2013 by southpier

[Scale-Master]

Yeah, it does appear that they need to update the GSL HOF part of the site to reflect some of the recent inductees...

[Harry P.]

Does anyone know exactly how it's decided who gets into the HOF? Are potential inductees nominated by someone? By whom? Are there any criteria for nomination? Are potential inductees voted on by a panel, like the baseball HOF? If so, who is on that panel, and how did they get on it? In other words, who is deciding which people are worthy of the HOF, and what are their qualifications for making that decision? A lot of the integrity and validity of any HOF depends on the process involved in the induction of persons into the hall, who is doing the inducting, and why.

I am NOT casting aspersions here... I simply have no idea what the process is, but I would like to find out, so maybe I can better understand how and why the people in the HOF got there.

[tim boyd]

Does anyone know exactly how it's decided who gets into the HOF? Are potential inductees nominated by someone? By whom? Are there any criteria for nomination? Are potential inductees voted on by a panel, like the baseball HOF? If so, who is on that panel, and how did they get on it? In other words, who is deciding which people are worthy of the HOF, and what are their qualifications for making that decision? A lot of the integrity and validity of any HOF depends on the process involved in the induction of persons into the hall, who is doing the inducting, and why.

I am NOT casting aspersions here... I simply have no idea what the process is, but I would like to find out, so maybe I can better understand how and why the people in the HOF got there.

Harry...the Hall of Fame is administered by Mark Gustavson and his Board who are responsibible for the GSL contest...I've forwarded this thread to him and hopefully he will respond and provide some answers to your questions. I know the answers exist, as Mark has thought through this very completely.

All - Mark is always interested in getting nominations for the Hall of Fame...if you have some, you should send them to him directly.

Best regards....TIM