The Little World

An expression taken from the military – it is the quick analysis of some exercise or battle that has just taken place. It’s related to the cold wash-up, which is a more detailed discussion of the event undertaken later when more information is to hand…and blame can be laid more accurately.

In the Little World it is similar  – we look at what we have just finished and either praise or blame ourselves quickly. But it takes time to see the real good and bad of what we have made, and we need to wait a bit before we make a definitive study. Often we need other people to help us with this – they have eyes that may not be as biased as our own.

Of course, this outside point of view may not see the good in what we have done, nor understand what the unseen portions of the model contain. That is a good thing – if we want pride and praise for the intensely detailed interior of something we need to think how other people can share this. No good building the finest hidden tomb chamber if no explorer ever sees it.

The hot wash up that we do should be done after we have finally finished the model. Too often we are tempted to it prematurely…in which case it is not a wash-up but a continuation of the building process. This may be a good thing for some as they keep on improving the particular piece, but at some stage of the game you gotta stop! Unless you are a model engineer who takes 25 years to build a working steam engine, there are practical limits to the time that you can keep any subject in your mind.

Here’s a list of HWU questions that actually help, rather than hinder:

a. Am I finished? Can I stand to ding on this wretched thing one minute longer?

b. Can I put it on the shelf or in the case? And finally clean the glue off the workbench, my trousers, my fingers, and the cat?

c. Is it as good as I can do now, with my level of skill?

Be honest with yourself but don’t compare yourself to other modellers. Be self-centred enough to look at yourself alone this time.

d. Is it as good as the maker of the kit/materials/plans would allow?

Again be honest. If you were trying to build a 1950’s Aurora Famous Fighters model into an award-winner in the IPSMS contest using period paints and decals, you may have run into the Styrene Wall early in the piece. If you made it as good now as anyone could have in 1956, you have accomplished all that any of us could have asked of you. Be proud.

e. Did it cost too much money or time to do? Did I overspend on tempting aftermarket baubles or terribly specific paints? Was I a sucker to myself?

f. Should I have spent more time or money? Is the result good value for either of those commodities?

g. Is it an accurate depiction of whatever it is supposed to be? Should I have gotten a kit from a different maker?

h. Is this the last one of these that I’ll build? Do I want variations on equipment and paint job?

i. Does it fit in with my other models or is it starting a new line?

j. The big ones. The questions that the whole thing hinge upon…

What did I learn? DId I have fun?

You’ll need to supply your own answers to yourself, but be honest and listen to them. Then go back to the hobby shop or the stash and grab another box…