Modelling Doldrums

[Copperhead]

Hey all! I'm at rock bottom right now. I'm still on 2nd shift at Champ, and life is rough (read I'm a day person!). I'm trying to get back into the Nieu. 28 that I started, but, with family, work, and other stuff, I haven't had time to do anything since July, when I reshaped the prop. I've had about 5 hours I could have devoted to it in the last week and a half. Instead, when I get near it, I just stare at the instructions, or hold the cage in one hand and the feuselage half in the other, and eventually put both back on the bench and stare at them. I really do want to do some modelling, but lately when I get a chance, my mind goes numb. Has anyone else ever had this problem? If so, what did you do to cure it? Antibiotics? JW

[PeterL]

I suffer from the same problem. All I can do is wait for a subject to suggest itself.

The current project is supposed to be a Nieuport 29, but I put it aside two or three months ago before going on holiday and domestic pressures have prevented my picking it up again since. But I think I may be about to come out of my slump and oddly enough it's a Niuport 28 (actually two of them) that's getting me there. The trigger was watching "Dawn Patrol" on video, in particular the squadron line up of Nieuports and Tommys rocking from side to side as the engines are started up. That led to e-mail exchanges with forumite modelers, the WWI Modeling Mailing List and some others coming in off the side. All had great enthusiasm for the subject and I find that infectious. As a result I am currently modeling not one but two "Dawn Patrol" Nieuports of differing configurations and frantically searching the loft for a missing Vacform Tommy, with the obect of putting all three on a common base. After that the Nieuport 29 may get another shot.

Inspiration, that's what's needed. *Join a club, sub to a mailing list, buy a book, do a web search, ask more questions here, whatever, but get it where you can.

Me too,

I walk thru the house.....stacks of unbuilt models. No motivation since putting the BA 1/32 DVII back in the box.

Part of my problem is no more room for built kits.

But there is hope....My daughter cleaned out of her room. The new shelves will be up soon...the measurements are complete. Cutting and mounting of new shelves follow as soon as it cools here.

[Barker]

JW, what they said.
Here's an add: All you can do is all you can do.
Do your best.
Every other day someone comes out with something that just smokes everything that's been seen. "I can't do that!"
Well, couse not!
8)

Now, about that lack of room....hmm.
My son moved out, had built a room for him downstairs...hey! that's it!.



JW, build one, show it to us if you can, bet most people love seeing it and seeing you sharing it around.

[StephenLawson]

May I offer a reference to a lauded thread right here on the Aerodrme site. Quite possibly the answer to all your doldrums!!! Pause here and whip out your notes.

...broken YABB link...

I have had this problem of late, although it mainly related to work getting in the way and consuming all my time.
Another problem is that I am able to do far more construction than painting with the air brush. As a result I find myself working on sub assemblies and getting those ready for the future when I will have time. My list of models with built sub assemblies, basically together aeroplanes, and tanks is very large. To give a little hint at the level of this, I have around 10 aircraft, ranging from jets, through prop's, 6 tanks (one awaits the diorama base) and some figures. All virtually built, but needing camo', decals, weathering etc. The thing I find most difficult due to time.
When I do get time, hopefully soon, I will have quite a few completed kits in a very short time indeed.
However, I decided to simply ignore this situation and make time availible to complete my Roland CII. My first biplane since I was a little kid.
Happily work is progressing well and all the PE is attatched, the cockpit painted and assembled awaiting the fuselage join.
All I had to do was remember just how much I love modelling. I then set about being selfish.
Lo and behold, it worked !!
A visit to the model shop also helped, even though at the time all I bought were three tins of paint.
Good luck.

Just for interests sake I had a look at the kits in the above description, ie that they are virtually complete awaiting camo', weathering, and final assembly. I need to stress that this is only due to work and where I model and a lack of time.
Warning, none are WWI. From now on when beginning new kits I am exclusively building WWI subjects, something I ignored for far too long.

Here we go, beginning with tanks. All 1/35. All models built for competition in 2004. They will all be ready in time. *;D Hopefully.

SturmTiger. Built awaiting camo and weathering.
Panther. As above.
Japanese self propelled gun. As above.
Panzer I. As above.
Marder III self propelled gun. As above.
T34. Built camo'd, weathered, awaiting diorama base and figures.
King Tiger. Awaits weathering and diorama base.
88 mm Flak gun. Awaiting painting and weathering. Will be part of Tiger diorama.

Aircraft. Here we go, hang on. All packed away in boxes patiently waiting. All 1/48.

Bf109 G6. All sub assemblies built and painted. Body and wings complete awaiting camo', weathering etc.
Bf109 G10. Built camo'd, weathered, awaits final completion. Soon to be finished.
P51 B. Constructed, awaiting camo' weathering, decals and final assembly.
Su27. As above.
"Val" Built, sub assemblies built. Awaits paint, decals weathering. (very pleased with this build)
Dewotine D520. Built, super detailed. Awaits camo', decals, weathering and final assembly.
Early "George" built, camo'd, decaled, weathered. Awaits sub assemblies only. (Very very happy with this kit)
Su15. Sub assemblies built only. Engines painted and constructed. Under carriage built and painted. Awaits proper literature on subject before I continue.
Bf108. All sub assemblies, cockpit built. Re-packaged for a future project.
Roland CII. Current project for completion within three weeks. Hopefully.

Figures.
17 Russian soldiers for T34 diorama. Nearly complete.
Tiger diorama base. Base assembled, out post scratch built, command tent fashioned from tissue, tables, stove and various equipment awaiting painting and weathering.

Bases for all aircraft above. Most of these are complete with just a few things needed.

So you see, I mean what I say when I say I will have loads of kits ready around the same time.

The last kit I completed was a late model George with marble base (very nice base with marble contrasting grass and dirt above) awaiting client to pick it up.

[stringbags4ever2]

Here's a little story..... I have a 1:72 Mosquito, Tamiya brand, that I started over two years ago. Got it free from a webmaster for a review. Well, today it's half-built, unprimed. Between work and house and family duties, I don't have the time, and when I do, I'm too worn out to work on it. I think the key is to have patience, and wait out the doldrums. The spark of inspiration will come.
Stephen, thanks for the reminder thread. I think we should keep it nailed to our workbenches. (fortunately for me, aforementioned webmaster is a very patient man. Heck, I haven't even used my new double-action airbrush yet, and I got it several months ago.)
To all in the modeling doldrums, hang in there.... I suffer along with you. This too shall pass.... Did I hear someone say retirement?? :

[Lufbery]

Here ya go, Copperhead. This is one of the coolest aviation paintings I've ever seen. I asked on this board about the artist, and sombody posted his name. I found his web site, contacted him, and his assistant said that this particular paint would not be made into a print.

So, here's what we've got. I think this is based on a still from a movie. Dawn Patrol, maybe? ???

Regards,

-Drew

Barker,

My daughter's room is on the way.....

Book shelves for references.....

Book shelves to get all the unbuilt kits out of the livingroom

Display shelves to get the uncut shelving out of the livingroom.

And just a small firecracker to get rid of the BA DVII out of everything...