Why I'll always build Cars and Bikes!

[robrex]

I recently took a break from building Cars and Bikes and started on a P-51D Mustang. I'd always liked these planes and having never built a plane before I thought I'd give it a go. I added an engine, full cockpit details, opened the wing to reveal the machine guns, etc...
Anyway, during the build I occasionally took it to our monthly meetings to show everyone the progress. To cut a long story short, I finished the kit and entered it into our State championships on Friday. To my suprise I was met by some of the local IPMS members who gleefully revealed that one of my decals was upside down on a wing. Now this happens, I know mistakes occur, but they also revealed that they had noticed this mistake a few months ago but didn't tell me until it was too late! Is this just me or is that pathetic!!! It seems that aircraft modellers take pleasure from picking up on mistakes and desperately trying to hide their techniques from each other! I think Auto modellers are the exact opposite. Everyone I've met likes to share techniques and would certainly let me know if I made a mistake so I could have the opportunity to fix it????
As a side note I really enjoyed building something different although my passion is for Cars and Bikes. I'll post some pics of the Mustang If anyones interested when I get back from the show tonight?

[mike@af]

Dont go to the IPMS nationals though. Those guys arent supportive at all, they rip each other to shreads. When I was there walking through the model room this is what I seriously heard:

"Those shoelaces are the wrong color"

"That isnt the right camoflauge"

"That color is two shades off"

"His wheels are too shiney"

"His glasses are the wrong color"

"That decal is off about 1/16"

"Those tires are too scrubbed"

"Those tires have too much meat on them"

"His boots are the wrong color"

"Nobody with that rank was in a tank batallion"

"The pilots suit is the wrong color"

"His rivets are not the right size"

"That barrel is not long enough"

"that barrel is too short"

"That insignia is the wrong shade"

"That belt is the wrong color"

I could go on and on.

[Whumbachumba]

I should show them my subby. I would get such a kick out of that. Also, I think we could use a non-automotive model section to post other stuff like ships and planes.

[gasman03]

IPMS guys are MAJOR nerds. They know every little detail and the history of the military model. Trekkies are'nt even that bad. they will criticise the littist thing. then will rip you to schreds if you say somthing bad about there model

cars modelers are the complete opposite. most of us will bend over backwards to help people. and we rarely criticise other for inaccuarcies on there models. we build for the fun, there so worried about inaccuracies that there can be no fun in what there building, it would seem like more of a job then a hobby.

[willimo]

I have to say, some auto builders do strive for the perfection and accuracy that armour, plane, etc modelers do, but I have to agree that in general, auto modelers are more helpful than the other varieties, except for model railroad folks. They are the least competitive the lot, as far as I can tell. I have no idea why this is, except to say that even 1:1 car guys tend to help each other out, and it's rare to see one guy not help another out, except at the top levels of professional racing. Maybe these IPMS folks think they're that good?

And I, for one, would love to see your P-51.

[Nobbys Nuts]

"one of my decals was upside down on a wing"!
Well unless it is an exact replica of a lets say, specific plane then the rivet counting w...ers have nothing to complain or smirk about as in the heat of the moment when repairs were being done - repaints etc, who is to say that the emblem was not painted on back to front on the real plane. As for the wrong shade of paint in the Military situation, what a load of s..t! Its not like they could go to their local paint store to order a specific shade of grey or green. They took what they could get and mixed it in with whatever they had left from before and the shade that came out was what they got.
I went to one meeting only when I was trying to find out what the correct colour was to paint a model of the Yamato battleship and the IPMS guys told me one thing and a panel of so called experts on the net told me the complete opposite. I sent an Email off to the Japanese Embassy not really expecting to be given the time of day and was surprised when I got a reply back with a list of websites re the Yamato with photographs and a note from the Japanese Navy that there was no specific colour as if was what ever they could get hold of. They suggested 2 or 3 shades of Grey mixed.
So much for the Rivet Counters Information.
Cheers
Tony

[robrex]

Thank guys!
Err... the mistake was an obvious one (the star on the left wing!) but my point was.. why didn't they tell me?? As soon as I had entered the kit they rushed over to gloat about the mistake!
Anyway....I'll show them. I'll enter another plane next year and show them what 'car modellers' are capable of!!!

[Nobbys Nuts]

Hi Rob. Sorry I missed you at the show. I didn't stay long (an hour)as I got annoyed with the old Fa.ts wandering around (and I am 43) in a bunch criticizing all the models that weren't entered by their group. I got even more annoyed when one passed comment on your West Honda. What is so special about that, that puts it in this class? I pointed out the detail you put in and just got a Hufff! Big deal you should see so and so's tank on our stand. I asked what a tank had to do with it as they were 2 totally different models and got told that I obviously don't know much about modelling. I just replied that I know enough not to join the IPMS and left but not before I picked up some bits and pieces from Modellers Choice in front of the Sunshine Coast stand and The Parts Box down the other end. Great display on the Tweed modellers stand. Took aheap of pics of both yours and Stumps models.
Would have liked to have caught up with both you and Dwayne but couldn't even ask if you were there as no one was on the stand whenever I returned to it. I asked the lady doing the announcing if the Sunshine Coast Club members were there as she kept calling out for them and she said probably outside sucking on a cigarette as that was where she kept finding them. I had a look but didn't see anyone I knew except a guy with shoulder length curly brown hair and a goaty that looked vaguely familiar for some reason. Looking forward to pics of the Mustang and of your 80s project.
Cheers
Tony

[mikemechanic]

I agree with you robrex. But like I say to people "prove me wrong". There could have been one day,week or month where that star was upside down. If they don't like it don't look at it.
Look forward to seeing some pics.

[MidMazar]

Sorry to hear that rob, yeh some modellers can get a little picky. Conceited bastards, that's why i switched to making cars. All you gotta think is you make better cars than them! Post some pics of the plane, im eager to see it, i was in the plane phase a couple years back.

[D_LaMz]

Well, most of the guys that build war vehicles are old and grumpy men.

[blubaja]

If I ever do my WWII models, I think they'll all be in gray scale like a black and white pic. If you wanna show up the armor guys and still do a carmodel, make the hase Kubelwagon in 1:24. Yea, I can see if you are making an exact of a 1:1, but otherwise..WGAF...

[RallyRaider]

Being a rivet counter is one thing and to be respected in some ways, but you’re right in this instance Rob. Deliberately keeping that titbit of information from you, to use as a weapon at the a comp, is a very low act. Just shows the guys insecurity I guess.

Besides, who's to say the panel wasn't installed upside down by mistake? Or during field battle repairs a template was applied somehow other than by the book? If I where you I'd photoshop a picture proving your mistake is authentic. Be good for a laugh!

Lets see that Mustang. Lovely aircraft, I wouldn't mind building one in 1/24th, but life is too damn short.

[mickbench]

That is just so pathetic, talk about being pedantic. To make it even worse, they knew about it and did nothing to tell you until it was too late. That is totally un-acceptable, A quick “hi, sorry to tell you, that decal is placed the wrong way around” would have been OK. Just how hard is that? I mean just what is the harm in that?

In-security and jealousy as far as I can see here. They are so pre-conceived with building their little WW2 military models that they perhaps think no one else can build them to the accuracy of what they can. OK, accuracy is important, but so is the same with a model car, and to be honest does it really matter.

It’s only a hobby.. The time you start building just solely to win a competition, is in my mind, the time to step back and think – “man it’s only a hobby”..!!

Sorry to all those who read that and think – “well only losers say that”. But it’s like sport, it’s only a game, and it’s only a hobby. I wouldn’t sweat it, leave them to their deprived little life’s, as they grow into grumpy old men, who spend all their hours in a little room building these models, because their wife’s hate them now, and they hate the married life, just waiting for the pension cheque to roll in.. As they do this, you can be building the next modern, ultra cool and impressive model car, that 20 year olds can say, “wow I saw one of those at the latest motor show, or whatever”.

I mean, a WW2 Tank, or a Modern sleek Ferrari Enzo or 550 or 2005 resin kit of the winning Renault F1.. Hmmm know which one I’d be impressed with. I car of beauty to entertain us, to show off creativity against a thing of total destruction, war and misery..!!

Sorry to rant on, that really pissed me off.

[rsxse240]

I TRIED to join an IPMS club here in Oklahoma City, and basically got shunned! I went in and showed my stuff, and subsequently they did just as you all have said...picked at it untill it was a festering sore in my heart! I was so hurt that I just left WITHOUT MY MODELS!!! of course this was when I was only about 10 or so...what a way to welcome the youth into the hobby! luckily, the kid that brought me to the meeting stayed and he brought my models later.

I have only gone to one IPMS event since...I was about 25 and still recieved the same "WELCOME" as when I was only 10. so IPMS can suck a fat one for all I care!!

I wanna see that mustang. the only nicer planes than the mustang were the P38 lightning, and B25 Mitchell, but they were in a totally different class, so comparison is feutile.