The Little World

The word to look at in the title is ” only ”  – and I would look at it askance, if I were you…

I’ve noticed that there can be quite some little hierarchy in the scale model building fraternity – based upon a number of factors:

a. Years spent doing the hobby. This is a good thing if you are getting older and people recognise that you are still active and are experienced. I respect the chaps at the Tuesday Soviet for their years of doing things and when I ask for advice about something it is always forthcoming and always good. The fact that it can be 5 different opinions is beside the point – it’s all good.

b. Money spent. This can be a pissing contest to see who can spend the most or, alternately, who can get their kits cheapest. As I do not superintend anyone else’s stash I am indifferent as to whether they have three or three hundred on the shelves. In fact, I am starting to privately doubt the tales of fabulous hoards that no-one ever sees.

c. Honours accumulated. Trophies, certificates, awards, prizes, medals, and the skulls of the enemy made into drinking vessels…it is fine for those who wish to be praised ( and can cope with not being noticed… ) but I shall stick to patting my own back after completing a build.

d. The complexity of the model. Here is where the ever-increasing supplies of aftermarket parts and kits is making the basic modelling so complex – and so expensive. Also people are choosing more complexity in their kits but then end up moaning about having to build so many subassemblies from so many parts.

e. The size of the models. Well once you see some of the 1:12 scale cars or 1:24 scale aircraft you can decide whether to be awed or dismayed at the size. Our club has a 1:35 scale German railway gun on display that dwarfs anything that anyone else has built so unless you are into 1:35 scale battleships it is not likely that you’ll be able to top it. Or lift it, for that matter.

f. The scale of the models. Here is where I find myself curling a little at the edges when I hear the 1:72 scale dismissed as a mere bagatelle. The complexity of the scale is just as great as anything bigger and the achievements equally sound when they go right. It also allows a wider scope for speculative modelling or diorama building than the larger scales and a far broader base for selection in aircraft kits.

Fortunately we have people like Phil Flory in the business who can remind us now and then that we are doing a hobby for enjoyment and for our own satisfaction – and that this means we can be independent from the opinions and rankings of others.