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Before starting a build project there are a few things to consider, sometimes it’s difficult to separate the different elements, as one will have a direct relationship to the outcome of another.
Before starting a build project there are a few things to consider, sometimes it’s difficult to separate the different elements, as one will have a direct relationship to the outcome of another.
Accuracy
Accuracy
You can have a direct influence over the accuracy of the end product from the moment you make the choice of model you buy. The longer you are involved with modelling you come to realise that certain manufacturers produce more accurate representations than others. If accuracy is a prime concern of yours then knowing which manufacturer produces the more accurate model can help right from the start. Another aspect of accuracy to think about is once you have chosen your model how much time, effort and money are you prepared to invest in the process to achieve the results you want. There are several avenues to go down if you have bought a “stock” model to achieve greater accuracy. They include buying 3d printed parts, Photo-etch sets, Resin sets, also by scratch building. I have seen some models built with amazingly accurate and detailed interiors that will never see the light of day once the model is all “glued” together. This comes down to personal preference, as so much of modelling should do.
You can have a direct influence over the accuracy of the end product from the moment you make the choice of model you buy. The longer you are involved with modelling you come to realise that certain manufacturers produce more accurate representations than others. If accuracy is a prime concern of yours then knowing which manufacturer produces the more accurate model can help right from the start. Another aspect of accuracy to think about is once you have chosen your model how much time, effort and money are you prepared to invest in the process to achieve the results you want. There are several avenues to go down if you have bought a “stock” model to achieve greater accuracy. They include buying 3d printed parts, Photo-etch sets, Resin sets, also by scratch building. I have seen some models built with amazingly accurate and detailed interiors that will never see the light of day once the model is all “glued” together. This comes down to personal preference, as so much of modelling should do.
Budget
Budget
This goes hand in glove with accuracy, if you are going to further accurise your model by the addition of aftermarket items then the price is going to increase. When I first started modelling I didn't really think about such things such as, will I need to buy any extra tools, paints, plastics. The list can go on, that is why now I try to have a reasonably clear idea of what I will need and how much it will cost. The cost of the aftermarket goodies can rapidly exceed the cost of the model itself. I suppose you can say that the space modeling genre is quite a niche market, that in mind the “mass” produced models are not kept in production by the manufacturers all the time. They tend to re-issue the kits for anniversaries of events. This will usually involve a new box, filled with the same old kit that has been on the market for many a year. In between these sporadic reissues you will be able to find kits for sale on e-bay, and on the whole the prices just go up and up. But there is always an exception to the rule and if you are patient a bargain may come your way. If a re issue is coming and if you can wait you may find yourself pleasantly surprised that you can pay a lot less for a re-boxed model than a twenty year old one that has been sat in some ones loft going mouldy.
This goes hand in glove with accuracy, if you are going to further accurise your model by the addition of aftermarket items then the price is going to increase. When I first started modelling I didn't really think about such things such as, will I need to buy any extra tools, paints, plastics. The list can go on, that is why now I try to have a reasonably clear idea of what I will need and how much it will cost. The cost of the aftermarket goodies can rapidly exceed the cost of the model itself. I suppose you can say that the space modeling genre is quite a niche market, that in mind the “mass” produced models are not kept in production by the manufacturers all the time. They tend to re-issue the kits for anniversaries of events. This will usually involve a new box, filled with the same old kit that has been on the market for many a year. In between these sporadic reissues you will be able to find kits for sale on e-bay, and on the whole the prices just go up and up. But there is always an exception to the rule and if you are patient a bargain may come your way. If a re issue is coming and if you can wait you may find yourself pleasantly surprised that you can pay a lot less for a re-boxed model than a twenty year old one that has been sat in some ones loft going mouldy.
Research
Research
This is an aspect of modeling that I have come to enjoy nearly as much as actually building the model itself. As mentioned above the research starts right from the moment you decide which model you want to build. The first port of call is to make a choice of which kit you buy based on your required accuracy, and of course, how much you are prepared to pay for it. With the Space modelling market being quite a narrow field compared with other genres sometimes your choice is quite limited. One classic example I can quote is of the choice between a Revell & Airfix 1-144th scale Saturn V. Without going into detail the Airfix, whilst it has its’ errors, is streets ahead of the Revell in terms of accuracy. If you are of a mind to go for a highly accurate representation of the real thing this is where some deeper digging about comes into play. One of the first go to places has got to be Mike Makowski’s website, Space in Miniature. Mike has written a series of booklets, and in his own words they are about “How to build accurate models of real spacecraft”. They are very reasonably priced, and contain an absolute wealth of invaluable information. If you are attempting big modifications, and or scratch building another vital resource is a series of drawings that are penned by David Weeks. These can be found for sale at RealSpace Models, the sets cover most of the major US manned space programs. I have singled out these two sources as they have become my two bedrocks, or as I like to call them a stable platform. Another highly important type of reference has got to be photographical evidence, and in this day and age we are fortunate that the internet abounds with images that can be used as references for your build.
This is an aspect of modeling that I have come to enjoy nearly as much as actually building the model itself. As mentioned above the research starts right from the moment you decide which model you want to build. The first port of call is to make a choice of which kit you buy based on your required accuracy, and of course, how much you are prepared to pay for it. With the Space modelling market being quite a narrow field compared with other genres sometimes your choice is quite limited. One classic example I can quote is of the choice between a Revell & Airfix 1-144th scale Saturn V. Without going into detail the Airfix, whilst it has its’ errors, is streets ahead of the Revell in terms of accuracy. If you are of a mind to go for a highly accurate representation of the real thing this is where some deeper digging about comes into play. One of the first go to places has got to be Mike Makowski’s website, Space in Miniature. Mike has written a series of booklets, and in his own words they are about “How to build accurate models of real spacecraft”. They are very reasonably priced, and contain an absolute wealth of invaluable information. If you are attempting big modifications, and or scratch building another vital resource is a series of drawings that are penned by David Weeks. These can be found for sale at RealSpace Models, the sets cover most of the major US manned space programs. I have singled out these two sources as they have become my two bedrocks, or as I like to call them a stable platform. Another highly important type of reference has got to be photographical evidence, and in this day and age we are fortunate that the internet abounds with images that can be used as references for your build.
Display
Display
What do you intend to do with your finished work, where will you put it, in a cabinet, out in the open on a shelf, hanging from the ceiling? Do you have enough room for it, can you make room for it. These are some of the questions that need thinking about during the planning stage. Most “mass produced” models come with a stand of some sort, but if you don’t want to use the supplied stand or it doesn’t come with one then thought must be given to the design of a bespoke item. Encasing your model in a custom-built case, or in a display cabinet will certainly prolong the life of it, and will also cut down future maintenance and cleaning. As with many of the other decisions that are made when planning your build how you intend to display your model can make a fair difference to the final cost of your project.
What do you intend to do with your finished work, where will you put it, in a cabinet, out in the open on a shelf, hanging from the ceiling? Do you have enough room for it, can you make room for it. These are some of the questions that need thinking about during the planning stage. Most “mass produced” models come with a stand of some sort, but if you don’t want to use the supplied stand or it doesn’t come with one then thought must be given to the design of a bespoke item. Encasing your model in a custom-built case, or in a display cabinet will certainly prolong the life of it, and will also cut down future maintenance and cleaning. As with many of the other decisions that are made when planning your build how you intend to display your model can make a fair difference to the final cost of your project.
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