I'm in awe!

[Pete J.]

And don't forget another simple fact: just like any other human activity, some people just have more talent than others. The level of talent of the builders here varies just like the level of talent varies among people everywhere. As others have said, there is always going to be someone who is way better than you at model building, piano playing, playing baseball, singing... whatever. Don't let that inevitable fact affect you. If you don't want to show your work, that's fine, that's your decision. But don't base that decision on feeling inferior to others. Because even the best builders here are inferior to someone else out there somewhere.

Ditto, especially the part about showing your work. As good as some of the builders here are, you can always find models models that make you feel pretty good about your builds.

[mikevillena]

While on the subject of skill, no matter how good you get, there will always be someone out there who can make your jaw drop. Here is an example.http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/Chenot001.jpg This is a fully operational(running) 1:8 scale Duisenberg. It is in a museum about 8 miles from me here in SoCal. Any time I am feeling pretty cocky about my skills, I stop by and get a good dose of humility. It does a body good!

Yes, that Duesnberg is a knock out! There's also this guy:

Note that the flat 12 cylinder works.

There's also this build (as posted on an Italian forum):

http://amgmodels.mastertopforum.com/alfa-romeo-33-2-1-8-by-stephane-dufrene-vt5855.html

Note that it's in the Masterpiece sub-forum

There was a german modeler who fabricated a 1/8th scale Porsche 908 out of styrene.

There are a so many variables that it is foolish to compare one model to another. Some folks work entirely in metal and have a complete tool room at their disposal. Others choose to spend a lot of money on aftermarket goodies. There are others who simply enjoy building stuff from whatever material they have on hand or can afford while there are others who choose to build the model strictly out of the box but strive to do it masterfully. Another variable is time. Some folks only have a few hours a week while others have the luxury of spending thousands of hours on a single project. But all have these two things in common: the drive for perfection and attention to detail.

Edited June 5, 2014 by mikevillena

[Tom Geiger]

Agreed with most of the sentiments posted above!

I got back into this hobby some 25 years ago to work on my model car bucket list from when I was a kid. Once I went to a show and joined a club I was hooked. I discovered that my fellow club members were all better builders than I, but they were all eager to help the new guy. I soon found the answers to a lot of things I was struggling with, those things that made my models suck! And I found that a lot of it wasn't sheer talent that I didn't have, but just tips and tricks that I hadn't discovered yet. Soon my model building exceeded what I originally thought capable, and I achieved those childhood dreams of winning awards at model shows.

Since then, the cutting edge has moved ever so far forward! I don't believe I can compete with the big dogs anymore. And ya know, I don't want to. I found a comfortable niche for my building in weathered and light commercial vehicles, and have honed my skills and presentation to the point that I'm happy with. Not first place winners, but nice shelf models that get my idea across. I decided early on that I wasn't going to buy a lathe or use an airbrush. It just doesn't interest me and doesn't look fun. At least for me.

So today I build to get the images out of my head and into the 3D world, to satisfy myself and the small band of crazies I call my friends. It's more about having fun and relaxing than hitting that cutting edge. There will always be that guy who is doing something way beyond your talents or maybe just beyond your interest. And it will only get worse with 3D printing technologies. So just have fun. Today I go to shows to have fun, look at the models, buy a few things, see my friends and have a good lunch. I'm especially good at lunch!