The Little World

If you are going to make a model of something – whether it is an aircraft, a car, a train, or a house – you are going to have to answer some unasked questions. Exactly who asks these and what your answer should be is up to you…

a. Why am I building this? Dive as deeply into your psyche as you wish but remember that your mental pool may have a shallow end and a hard bottom.

If there is no apparent reason for you to build the model…but you really, really do want to build it…you have a hidden reason. That will be the most interesting thing to discover. Go ahead and start on the model and maybe you’ll find out why as you go.

b. What will I build it out of?

Money. That’s what ALL models are built of. Maybe not a lot, but there’ll be some in there somewhere. And rest assured – even if you are Rockefeller, there will be some price tags on stuff in the hobby shop that will make you turn pale and shaky.

c. Where will I build it?

If you’ve got a modelling room and most of your models are smaller than a breadbox, you’ll be fine. If you only have a tea-tray balanced on your lap in front of television, you can still build little models or paint figures. If you’ve got a shed, you can get more ambitious. Remember that some people build model battleships that they climb into and sail around in lakes. Sounds noble but it’s not much fun because you can’t see the model if you’re inside it.

d. Do I need official permission for it?

If you need official permission from your spouse or partner, you need different advice from the stuff I can give you. Talk to your religious adviser, lawyer, or psychiatrist.

If you need a permit from the town council, shire offices, or police station, by all means go and ask for it – but be aware that people in power love to exercise it by saying ” No “. Better to be forgiven than forbidden. Build whatever you want to build anyway.

e. Is it morally right?

Don’t look too puzzled. You can sit there and think now of a number of things that would make horrible modelling projects. I’ll not supply a list as it might give you worse ideas than you already have. But the basic thing is to look at your plan and see if it is actually crass, immoral, and hurtful. If so, put that idea aside.

f. Does it have to be exact?

Exactly how exact do you mean, exactly…? You can model any thing to look like a historical object that is entirely specific as to date, time, colour, atmosphere, etc…but you have to have the precise information about all those factors. Sometimes you can get this – most times you cannot. All you generally get is an old photo and a colourful description.

Most times, extreme detail isn’t necessary. You can convey an impression or a mood or an idea with less rather than more. I leave off some inscriptions and markings from my models to de-specify them. They can become general without becoming generic. Later – if I locate decals or details that can be added, bare patches can be filled in. And then again, weathering covers a multitude of sins…and if you are not careful it also covers tabletops, upholstery, and visible portions of your clothing.

g. What do I do with it once I’ve built it?

This depends upon what the model is – if it is a flyable aircraft you can go and do just that until you stack it into the local oval. If it is a model boat you can sail it until the park ranger comes over and tells you to go away or until the propeller shaft corrodes and seizes. If it is a model train layout you can play trains to your heart’s content.

A collection is always good, if you have space and dust protection. Mind you, if you build Afrika Corps tank models you don’t need to worry about dust…

Selling your models is also possible – sometimes a collector’s or builder’s swap meet means you’ll have customers for what you have made…but be realistic. No-one wants what you make quite as much as you do, so don’t expect them to pay as much as you think it’s worth. And if all you want to do is import things to on-sell at twice the price, remember to strap your dorsal fin down so as not to alert the victims and don’t circle in blood-filled water…