Kostucha Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I found myself this morning staring at the kits and projects on the go in the basement, and, what can I say, I went, grabbed a beer, and started to contemplate... I'm frustrated. Very frustrated with myself and the predicament I find myself in. So far I've got this: 1/24 Airfix Mosquito - not started 1/24 Airfix Hurricane Mk. I - not started 1/24 Airfix Fw 190 - we all know where this one's at... broken back, and wotherwise, much work needed still 1/24 Airfix Ju 87, converted to a B-1 - frankly, I hate looking at this kit 1/48 B-25 being converted to a Nav Trainer - Working on 1/48 Dash-8 that will be converted to a CT-142 Gonzo - not started 3 x 1/48 B-17's - some started, but will be a kit-bash to make a super detailed B-17G... 1/48 P-61 Black Widow - Not started There is a short list of other kits that I want to build, 1/24 Spitfire amongst one of them, but those are for later... much later. The frustration comes from being unable to complete any of them for any number of reasons. I know a lot of us have been through this, but good golly, what did you do? The Mosquito will be made into a typical FB, with the markings of a Polish bomber squadron. My frustration comes from wanting to do so much with this kit, as it has so much potential, but then again, at the same time, I would like to make it simply closed up, minus the bomb-bay, and leave the engine panels closed up, with one of the merlins completed and on a display stand infront of it, all sitting on a piece of mirror. The Hurricane, well, I want to get this one done... it'll be my 3rd attempt at this kit. The first one was destroyed part way through the build when I moved back in 2002. The second had a plan of being build with all panels off, unfortunately, that one as well was crushed nearly completed back in 2004, and out of frustration, was tossed. This time, I want to do much the same as the Mossie's second idea, all closed up, sitting on mirror, with the merlin done up and on a display stand infront of it. The 190 will be one from Sturmstaffel 1, White-1. A lot of work is needed to get the fuselage lines done up, and many other things like the wheel wells, the back end of the BMW 801, as it'll be sitting with all engine panels off showing off the power plant. I still shudder at the thought of how much needs to go into it... another reason why I don't want to look at it right now. The Stuka, well, what can be said, it's going along well, but needs a lot of work to get the pop rivets and flush rivets onto the fuselage around the tail plane. Once that's done, it's all the other minor things of painting, weathering, mounting the Jumo 211 on it... etc., etc., etc... These 1/24's are great with what can be done with the kits... a lot of scratch building fun involved with them, but I'm guilty of opening up the proverbial pandora's box of detail... something I didn't see dragging a build like the Stuka out to almost a year now... The good side of things, is the B-25, a quick build and fun in that it's being a conversion from the J to the Nav Trainer. Should have this one wrapped up in no time. The B-17G... ahhh, yes. Initially these were planned to go up in the little mans room. Though one is, they were really getting in the way of things, so, agreeing with my wife, we kept it to 1 B-17 hanging up there. This leaves me with 3 kits in the basement. There are enough untouched parts to make one right now, as the kits were modified for the most part in certain ways to hang them up. What I'd like to do is make one that is... well, done to the 9's. Either a cut away kit, or something, that shows the workings of the B-17. As much fun as this would be right now, I don't want to touch it until I get the others done. The Gonzo is what it is - I got my wings flying on it, so I'd like to make myself a desk model of the one I passed my checkrides on. The -61 has a lot of extras with it, but I haven't touched it yet, as the 1/24's are taking up the work bench right now. So, what does this vent of mine come down to? I've found myself suddenly working on almost 4 giant projects at once, and it's just looking at everything and feeling a bit ticked at the fact that none of them can seem to be finished anytime soon. When you guys work on a big project - not just scale wise - what do you do to keep yourselves focused? Or having fun? I mean, sure, it's just a hobby at the end of the day, but hobby or not, I'm growing tired of watching the boxes collect dust. Ideas? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
B-17 guy Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 My answer is a very simple one. I used to find myself in this same predicament. I did the same thing, I'd start one, get burned out on it, start something else, before I knew it I had many builds going on. I found that I hated that because I'd parts and half built kits every where, and things got lost leading to more anger and frustration. I finally said the hell with this, packed all but ONE and ONE build only. Been doing this ever since with much less problems. My only exceptions are when I'm building more than one of the same type, such as right now, I have 4 mustangs sitting on my bench right now, but that was the point, I wanted those 4 at once as ONE project. So that's my advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jester292 Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I feel that frustration sometimes as well. My personal solution is to pack up and put away the ones furthest away from being finished. This leaves me with one kit I can focus on. Sometimes I pack up everything in general and take a few weeks off. Aaron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
moofles Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 personally i only ever get up to 3 kits on the go at any one-time, i find that i can quite happily spend a few hours on the weekend just moddling. For you however i would do like the other guys have suggested and just work on one kit. Personally i would work on the Ju-87 as its your least fav kit, get it done, and im sure that once the kit starts to come alive you will love it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phantom Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I never start a kit until the last one is done. Unless a commission build comes up. Thats different. OK, the Gonzo, build that. You know it, get it done. Its got a place ready on your desk. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rick in Maine Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 Kostucha: I hit a wall like that a few months ago. Several models were in progress but the Trumpeter 1/32 F4U-4 was dragging me down...down...down. A couple of modeling friends told me (rather forcefully) to put it aside and build an easy and quick one. Ahhhhh. Logjam ended. Still haven't returned to the Corsair yet, but I will. I just needed to break away and get the fun back. Which is what happened. This next one might put the fear in you! Back in the mid-80s I was in a hole model-wise, job-wise, marriage-wise, etc. Got diagnosed with major depression and spent 6 1/2 months in the hospital and a few more months in a sort of 1/2-way house, but not for addictions or crimes. Near the end of all that, I built a Hasegawa 1/48 F-4J and it moved right along and looked darn nice. Another logjam broken. I don't recommend this path or suggest that you may be in the same hole. Just made me think of it. Cheers Rick in Maine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peebeep Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 I think you need to focus on something - anything - to complete, even if it means lowering your sights on what you want to achieve with the build. Personally I'd go with the usual AMS buster of picking a model subject outside your usual modelling genres and build it strictly out of the box, kit decals etc etc. Put the fun back into your hobby and get the satisfaction of finishing a build. With so many big projects on the go simultaneously it's hardly surprising you've hit the wall. peebeep Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Prop Duster Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 ... I'm frustrated. Very frustrated with myself and the predicament I find myself in.So far I've got this: 1/24 Airfix Mosquito - not started 1/24 Airfix Hurricane Mk. I - not started 1/24 Airfix Fw 190 - we all know where this one's at... broken back, and wotherwise, much work needed still 1/24 Airfix Ju 87, converted to a B-1 - frankly, I hate looking at this kit 1/48 B-25 being converted to a Nav Trainer - Working on 1/48 Dash-8 that will be converted to a CT-142 Gonzo - not started 3 x 1/48 B-17's - some started, but will be a kit-bash to make a super detailed B-17G... = NOT STARTED 1/48 P-61 Black Widow - Not started... There is a short list of other kits that I want to build, 1/24 Spitfire amongst one of them, but those are for later... much later. ...The frustration comes from being unable to complete any of them for any number of reasons. I know a lot of us have been through this, but good golly, what did you do? So, what does this vent of mine come down to? I've found myself suddenly working on almost 4 giant projects at once, and it's just looking at everything and feeling a bit ticked at the fact that none of them can seem to be finished anytime soon. When you guys work on a big project - not just scale wise - what do you do to keep yourselves focused? Or having fun? I mean, sure, it's just a hobby at the end of the day, but hobby or not, I'm growing tired of watching the boxes collect dust. Ideas? IMHO you could just compile the not started and/or not ready to resume (in red) and put "them away" either physically or mentally cover them with a sheet-what ever. Now you are left with only a view of, and can focus on, the blue one. after thats done, pick another one. Looking at the entire stash and partial models can cause a case of model freeze; a condition rampant at the Prop Duster hanger. There for, I have found that when I get too wound up, I simply go on the internet to ARC and read other peoples problems ---I don't get any thing done--I feel bad --I didn't get any work done --so I go on the internet............ darn I'm here again sigh Good Luck ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Old Blind Dog Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 (edited) These things run in cycles; interest and indifference, satisfaction and frustration. Sometimes the desire to build is like a poweful biological imperative, and the results you get from day to day only inspire and drive you along. Other times, something akin to lethargy sets in, and--as the Stones put it--you "can't get no satisfaction" no matter what you do. First; don't let your temporary frustration influence any long-term decisions. Put things aside, do something else, wait for inspiration to return--which it will, eventually, and probably with a vengenace. I'd also suggest concentrating on one project at a time; 1/24 is a big and very involved scale to work in, and I can't imagine dividing my attention with more than one kit at a time. cheers Old Blind Dog Edited July 18, 2010 by Old Blind Dog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted July 19, 2010 Author Share Posted July 19, 2010 Thank you everyone for your help. I'm glad to know that yes, I'm not the only one who goes through with this. I hope that my plan works. After reading all your helpful replies, I feel it's important to put the B-17's, Mosquito, Hurricane, and blackwidow 'out of sight and out of mind.' Finish the B-25, which in itself is going very well, get the 'Gonzo' finished and sitting on my desk, and then, take a good long hard look at the -190 and Stuka. Ask myself then if it's the right time or not to finish them. If any, it's the Stuka first, to get 'er done and finished finally. The kits will be there until I finish them. But I will say this much though, until that list is complete, that being everything listed, I'm not going to dwell into another kit. I hate the feeling of biting off more than I can chew. Again, thank you very much. ARC saves my sanity yet again. Cheers! Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Kev Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Mark, my advice would be to bang out something quick, easy and enjoyable. Just grab one of those 1/48 Tamiya shake'n'bake wunderkits and knock it together without thinking. Even better if it's something you normally wouldn't build - whatever stops you from fixating on details and feeling desperate to get it 'right'. A nice little modelling holiday like that can work wonders. Kev Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GPaulC Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Another suggestion, which you may find helpful, would be to join a local, FRIENDLY and RELAXED modelling club where ordinary joes are happy to put their latest build on the table for all to see regardless of how good they really are because they feel they belong. Where being one of the guys is more important than being top dog. Nothing but nothing will kill the fun of what is supposed to be just a hobby like striving for absolute perfection every time. At our last club meeting on the Twelth of July we had a themed competition "Finished in Orange" (you probably need to be Irish or Scottish to appreciate the irony of the reference). On the table were three Bell X-1s in various scales, a bright orange Hurricane used for radar ranging studies, a Japanese "Spruce" trainer, a Storch in South Veitnam colours with big orange roundels and a peeled-in-one orange peel on a plinth. For a while it looked like the orange peel was going to win. All good fun as no-one takes it too seriously but it is easier to be happy with your own builds when you see what others think of them and what their own modelling standards are. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Kev, Paul, you both make a whole heck of a lot of sense! Thank you kindly. Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.