Dare to be Different (more of an editorial)

[Layla's Keeper]

(Layla's Keeper, aka Octagon, would like to apologize in advance to the people he will undoubtedly insult or outrage with this post, opinions and facts are not necessarily those of any sane human being)

Well folks, I've been in amongst you for a while and while I haven't posted many of my models (especially due to recent events which have left me without a digital camera or my workbench) I've noticed that, well, not much happens around here. Oh, we see some phenomeonal craftsmanship (Hiroboy's incredible tuner models, bigfrit's sports cars, Kunta's everything) and there is incredible, god-given talent here. Much beyond that of my own, I'll freely admit.

However, there is a plague. I see many, MANY idle minds. Before people start pointing out how unfair of a statement that is, let us investigate some common cars.

R-34 Skyline: Approx. 50-60 threads.
Supra: Approx. 100 threads.
350Z: Approx. 90 threads (not bad for a car that has only been around 2 or 3 years)

And I'm sure we're well aware of the number of Integra and Civic builds.

Now, this is not a knock against these cars or their builders. I myself have a box stock Revell Integra sitting on my TV set painted Boyd's Red with the 5 spoke wheels painted metalizer aluminum. But, folks, something has to be said about redundancy.

I took a look through hlj's catalog, just to see what all else was out there. I know full well that there are a lot of lousy kits. But it still bears mentioning that HLJ has 1000 1/24th scale passenger car kits listed. Yes that includes Fujimi and Aoshima reboxes, but there are ten tons of cars there that I have never seen before.

And this also is not a plea for everyone to drop their Skylines and Supras, either. Instead, why not look a little differently at them? Instead of rushing to find wheels and wings, why not look at other things that Skylines do? There was an R34 GTR at the Nurburgring 1000km. GTR's are raced at club races on road courses. They drag race GTR's at Sendai. Those monstrous coupes have even turned up at amateur rallies. That's four different looks for the same car. And be hypothetical. What would an R34 Skyline GTR look like with classic KPC110 riveted fender flares? What would a fastback, glassback, or hatchback R34 GTR look like? What would an R34 look like with flames and 2inch side dump exhaust?

Go ahead, ask questions. Fiddle aound. Don't be afraid to say, "I like it".

C'mon folks, dare to be different. It won't hurt I swear.

[Tea]

Plz don't take my reply for an insult

People build cars that they like in ways they like the cars to be.

And huge number of the same cars makes reference photos real handy, plus I get all "know-hows" or "watch-outs" on a particular kit if I ever start building one of my own.


People post their progress and finished porjects up here to seek for suggestions that would improve their skills(which may include a little criticism sp? ) , and simply sharing his/her work with someone else for pure viewing pleasure.

I might not like the particular way someone builds his/her cars but I am in no place to tell him what to build and what not to, exactly like I should not and will not build according to anyone else's liking other than mine.


Yous point is more than legitimate, and I appericate your positive input, if you ever find my reply insulting and want to argue please take my apology in advance.

None of us is here to start arguments.


Just my little little

[Focus2000]

I certainly don't take your post as an insult. I agree that it would be great to see more conversions appearing on the forum. There certainly is some amazing talent here already and there always seems to be something we can take inspiration from. My own modelling skills are slowly improving, and as they do I'm starting to consider what else I might be able to achieve other than OOB builds. However, don't forget that not everyone has the skill/money/time to start making wild mods to their kits, and a lot of people like to do a quick and simple build and then move on to the next kit.

Also, don't go knocking the 350Z. I would say its popularity is simply down to the fact that it's one of the newest kits around, and a good looking one at that. Once upon a time you couldn't move on this forum for all of the Civics and Integras being posted. The 350Z is simply the kit of the moment and eventually something else will be released to capture everyone's imagination. Who knows, maybe AF will become full of Fujimi RX-8s and NSXs in the next couple of months. Mind you, they say that variety is the spice of life, so for those people lucky enough to have some old, rare kits - clear the dust off those old boxes and get them built!

[EMAXX]

Just my .2. I think people should just build the cars they love. Yeah, it does get kind of tring seeing the same cars over and over, but people love to build them. You just don't have to click on the thread. Like me, I would love to build a 350Z, and a Skyline right now, but I can't seem to find for cheap enough that my mom would let me buy them. Anyways, my point is that we build what we love, not what other people will love.
a quote from a wonderful builder: Build for yourself.

[levelgrape]

I do not know about everyone else or how each person chooses a car to build but at my current time I am away from the trend sort of out on my own. I took and wrote down a list of every car I would love to own and one by one I collect build and show them off. I think as of yesterday I have around 12-15 kits sitting in a line waiting to be built. None of which are the normal acuras or civics we see all to often. As I am new to the scene I am going to post each one and see if between the first and the last my skills improve as I feed of the comments and critisism.

[tonioseven]

Very eloquently written!!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I'm of the opinion that builders should build models of the cars they love. Nobody gets inspired by a model or car that they really feel indifferent towards. Many people build box stock models of late model cars because they see them on the streets and love how they look, and want to build a model of it.

I happen to love seeing real cars and models that are a bit different from the masses, so I know what you're talking about

If you really want your model to stand out, it needs that extra something for it to be noticed...whether that be a different model, different style, different body "kit", or merely different colors or wheels...just something to change the character to something unique enough to not only stand out, but to look even better than expected.

Sometimes this can mean taking a model that usually is seen modified, and making it bone stock. Basically...build for yourself while giving yourself plenty of creative room to make your models something that make them uniquely yours. If this means copying the techniques of others until you develop your own style, that's quite alright as well.

[CADguy]

Very well said.

But being different doesn't mean you have to be good at scratchbuilding bodykits and add on's either.

There is a rainbow of colors out there. Be different in that sense.
Pick an off the wall color for your model. The models that I've seen on this board and remember best are those. A pink old school syline, a metallic green Ferrari 360 spider, and a red Batmobile are just a few that really come to mind.

Blue is not the only color for a Skyline. Ferrari does paint cars colors other than red. Although they can look great in these colors, they look just as good if not better in others.

I think the best way to stand out is to be the person that someone says "I've never seen that car in that color" about their car.

And isn't that why we post pics here anyway? To be recognized, and show off a little.

'Veyron' is a great example of a builder that picks just the right color for the subject. Check out some of his cars if you haven't already.

Trying different things is the best way to learn something new.

[sugarcaddy]

Different is good. But people build what they want to build and around here its tuner stuff for the most part. There's nothing wrong with that at all, hell I do it too.
My problem is not being different but trying to build something stock from the box. I just never can build OOB, I have to add something or make it better! LOL
I like to mix up my models by making custom Hot Wheels or different kits besides cars. Oh and I do build cars besides the Skylines/Supras/flavor of the month stuff. I like all types of cars if they are pleasing to my eye. Just like everyone else I build what I like, and I like what I build.

Scott

[Layla's Keeper]

I'm glad to see good statements coming around here. Thanks all for staying calm about this.

I've seen Veyron's works, he is very good and is a good example of what you're describing, Cadguy. Another example that comes to mind is Hiroboy's cranberry red WRX. From the moment I saw it, I liked it. Why? Because, besides being a well turned out model, it was the first time I'd seen a red WRX.

Build for yourself is a great mantra, to all who said it. There's no doubt in my mind that we're all happier doing what we think is cool rather than what others like. Remember the R34.5 GTR that showed up in a thread here a few months ago? Mixed opinions on the styling all around, but the builder (whose name escapes me) just kept at it and turned out one very nice, very unique GTR. I follow it myself (silohouette formula fenderboxes and a Cosworth DFV V8 transplanted into a 1967 Mustang). I won't say people shouldn't build box stock, or build the cars they like. That'd be fairly contrary to the spirit of the hobby.

[Honoturtle]

I really think some modelers are influenced by the other modelers on this board. For example, say I see a Pink F50, and it looks so damn cool that I want to have one in my collection, so I build one not because I want to copy the other person, instead it's because I want one in my collection!

[Jay!]

I say talk is cheap. Show us.

The best way to put more variety in the forum is to put it there yourself.


I've tried to do my part. As far as I know, I've put up the only WRX Wagon and the only FB RX-7.

[dag65]

I agree 100%. I personally don't visit here as much as I did dimply because everything seems to be kinda the same, or similar themes anyhow.
I myself prefer the Rod and Custom scene as well as the Muscle cars. Don't get me wrong I love imports, I drive ( thrash ) a tuned Golf III Sport everyday.
For me personally I like to see more variety like some of the other forums such as the Hobby Heaven Board where I see everything from factory stock replicas to wild customs to motos and semis.
Tonio I keep seeing that Goat in your posts, thats what I am talking about! Is that Duplicolor Orange Mist ? Thats my new favorite color and I have several models in progress using it. Plesae post more pics.
I don't know about elsewhere but here in the US Import Drag Racing is becoming a really big deal and would make a very unique project. THose front wheel drives look really cool with big meats up front.
How about some of the touring cars, GTC or the Aussie touring cars are pretty neat.
Oh yeah BTW Ferrari did make a few cars that weren't red, so if Enzo can step out of his comfort zone>>>>>>>>>
Just my 2 cents, whatever they are everyone here has some great building skills.
D
Oh yeah and heres a little something different I have been working on

[dag65]

and one more in Orange Mist

[blueboost]

nothing wrong with trying to inspire creativity. Hell, this site is very motivational to me as a model builder period. Good points, but let me share some of mine with you also...

you see a lot of the same here, I'll agree with you on that. but I don't consider that a bad thing, for me at least. when most people here (all our regulars like.. hiroboy, primera, FOTW, me.. everyone) ,turn out Nissan models, and Skylines and Silvia's rule the earth, I am as happy as can be. But then I've been waiting a long time for Nissan to get its much due credit. We all seem to love import models and I am glad that I have a "club" of sorts with this forum, when I share a model I love, I know many others here will love to see it also because we share the same passion for them.

Personally, I am just trying to soak up anything and everything I can of a lifestyle I am too poor to live. 8 years ago when I began building models I did it to compensate for what I lack in other areas of my life ($$$ for the real cars ) and I enjoy anything that is related to these cars including being part of this forum and nissanforums, reading SCC and superstreet (and trying to weed through all the rice they print!!) modifying and driving my Nissan in real life, and going to shows etc etc..

their are plenty of creative minds on this forum and I think we will be surprised with some of the models being turned out here in the next coming months, just don't be surprised if they are Nissans!