The Little World

How much of either powers your scale modelling?

In my own case, less of the former in individual models but a great deal of it in major dioramas. I invent air forces and their air fields as settings for soi disant accurate models. Self deception at its finest.

What of the model car makers? I saw their work at the recent Model Car Spectacular and could detect both influences. The makers of hot rods and custom cars, of course, give themselves the greatest leeway as they sail through a kit. I remember doing precisely this as a youth before I could drive or afford a car. It was great fun to imagine what I now realise were impossible follies.

Possible follies have caused enough trouble as it is…

I find myself drawn to models of real devices, done to replicate a particular vehicle at a particular time. Even the movie cars can qualify for this badge of authenticity if they copy what was on the screen.

I do note that other vehicles – military ones in particular – are often done with as great an eye to the actuality as to the possibility. Likewise civilian machines that have actual utility.

Of course they can be cleaner on the display table than ever the real thing was on the road, but then that is personal preference. And there is always the spectre of Bill looming in the ( rusty ) shadows…