Category: Miniature Philosophy
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Do You Budget?

No, that wasn’t a typo. And yes, I know I’m writing to scale modellers. But do you? Is your hobby under control? Can you say that it does not take the bread out of your children’s mouths? Or out of your own? Or does the bank have a jug of red ink with your name…
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Scale Model Builders And Savages

The two basic divisions of the world. You are either one or the other. This is a precise and exclusive border and easy to police. You either show your kits, builds, or stash, and are admitted to civil society, or scorn models and are pushed into the cultural wasteland to be forgotten. There is a…
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What Would I Do With An Inventory Of Russian Products Right Now?

If I was a retailer with shelves full of Russian products right now, I would be worried. There is a war on in Europe between Russia and Ukraine and both sides are killing each other daily. People in the rest of the world are taking sides ( And isn’t it interesting which countries have decided…
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Alphabet Modelling

Or, how to classify your hobby. Nathan Robinson, the schoolteacher on the Flory forum, mentioned an idea several episodes ago that is interesting and valid. He was counselling Flory forum members not to become discouraged in their modelling when they encounter problems that are going to affect the outcome of the build. He said that…
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Nicer To Build ‘Em Than Stash ‘Em.

I like having cake, but I’ve long since realised that particular pleasure is surpassed by eating it. Thus my attitude to my stash. I like to see it building up, but I love to see it building down. Construction is a fulfilment of the actual purpose of the kit, and of all the design, manufacture,…
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Fairey Swordfish Mk I – Part Two – Quo Vadis?

Redirect your mind from the old religious movie – this is serious. What version of this plane do I make? There are always a number of questions about any new build. What are my criteria for choosing a kit and then choosing a scheme? a. It is a kit. I have enough money to buy…
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The Rhythm Of The Stash

If you are a model builder with one kit, you have no trouble deciding what your next build will be. Most of us who built models as children were in just this position all the time. The only occasion when you might have had a multiplicity of kits was on a birthday or holiday. But…
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Dirt Rich

As a kid I encountered the term ” dirt poor “. A lot of you know it as well – though we probably wouldn’t describe ourselves as such if we are building scale model kits or reading this on a computer screen. I would like to introduce a new phrase: ” Dirt Rich “. It…
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Fat Dogs On A Gut Pile

I mean, look at us; elderly enthusiasts devoting as much time as we wish to a subject that rewards us handsomely. Retired people who are model builders are the luckiest creatures on the planet. Consider: a. We are past the age when someone expects us to be: Sober. If you are in your own home…
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Now Available In The Convenient Can

There’s an advantage to be had by sticking to one brand of paint – every bottle is somewhat related to every other bottle. You can generally apply something onto something else without a flash and a bang. You might have to wait until layer A dries completely before you apply layer B but most times…
