Doing a stock-take

[Des]

Just thought I would write down the models I have built in the last three years, all are WW1 era and all are in 1:32 scale. The list is not in the order in which the models were built.

WNW Sopwith Snipe late
Roden Siemens Schuckert  D.III
Roden Pfalz D.III
Alley Cat Bristol M1.c
WNW Junkers J.1
Roden Spad VII.c1
Roden Albatros D.III
Avis Fokker E.V
Roden Sopwith Triplane
WNW Bristol F.2b fighter
Roden DH.2
Roden Fokker Dr.1
Special Hobby Morane Saulnier Type N
Battle Axe Fokker E.III
WNW Sopwith Pup
Scratch built Voisin III
WNW Albatros D.V
Academy Sopwith Camel
Roden Spad VII.c1
WNW SE.5a
Scratch built Caudron G3
WNW DH.9
WNW Hannover CL.II
WNW Hansa-Brandenburg W.29
Scratch built Jeannin Taube
WNW LVG C.VI
WNW Pfalz D.XII
Academy Nieuport 17
WNW RE.8
Lifelike Packard Tourer 1911
T Model Ford converted to a Huck Starter
Scratch build Fokker Spinne (Spider)
Under construction scratch built Bleriot XI

Models in my stash at present.

WNW Gotha G.IV
WNW Sopwith Pup
WNW Fokker D.VII (Alb)
WNW Fokker D.VIIF
WNW Rumpler C.IV (early)
WNW Roland D.VIa
WNW Hansa-Brandenburg W.29
Academy Nieuport 17
Roden DH.2
WNW FE.2b (late)
Roden Fokker D.VI
HobbyCraft Fokker F1/Dr.1
HobbyCraft Fokker Dr.1
WNW Fokker E.1 Early
WNW Fokker E.III Late
WNW Pfalz D.IIIa
WNW Salmson 2A-2/Otsu 1
WNW AMC DH.9


And two Tamiya 1:48 scale Lancaster Bombers

Des.

[IanB]

32 in 3 years, and all to such an incredibly high standard! I've managed 13 in 1:72 in the same time span...
 Very impressive!

Ian

[uncletony]

Even for a retired person that is just incredible, given your standards, Des. Hats off.

[coyotemagic]

I've only built 28 in 1/48 scale over the same period, Des, with NO scratchbuilds.  That is a truly astonishing feat given the remarkably high standard at which you build.  Congratulations, mate!
Cheers,
Bud

[mike in calif]

That's a nice collection Des. Have you given any thought to adding a few other 1/32 planes to illustrate the development of aircraft since WWI? P-26, Spitty, F9F Panther, ( for example) , and Monogram did a 1/32 Apollo kit.
 I would like to put my Eindekker next to an F-14 someday.

[Ernie]

That is an amazing achievement, Des.  I'd call you a model-making machine, except
I don't imagine a machine would enjoy it's work nearly as much as you.  Talk about a
labour of love!  Wow.

Cheers,
Ernie

[pepperman42]

....I want your life......

Steve

Well done and all to an amazing standard.

[Dave W]

A formidable production line Des and all of those models built to a world class standard. Many here would like to know how you structure your day/ hobby time to achieve such a large number of completed models. Do you set aside a set number of hours per day/ week or just pop in and out to the model bench as time permits?

As for your scratch builts, they deserve a home in a world class museum because they are the finest quality work.

kind regards

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia

[Des]

Thanks very much for all the kind comments, they are much appreciated.

Dave - I don't have a set number of hours that I work on my models, some days I will sit at my bench and not leave until 10 - 12 hours later, other days it is only one or two hours at a time or some days none at all. I am retired so time is all mine, and I am extremely lucky to have a very supportive wife who also takes a keen interest in my hobby. But I believe the main driving force for me is the love of modeling, especially WW1 aircraft, I can model all day and never tire of it, even when the going gets tough I still thoroughly enjoy the hobby. As long as my eye sight is good and my hands are steady I will continue modeling, I have a great deal of fun building my models, once the fun factor disappears that will be the day I give up modeling.

Des.

[lcarroll]

Des,
    From my observations it will be a LOOOOOOONG time before the fun goes out of modelling for you! Your average of just short of 11 builds per year is astounding given that your incredible standard is improving even more with each subject you do. I'm 6 years "wiser" then you, and hope to get another 5-10 years of quality time out of the Hobby; at the rate technology progresses maybe more assuming the Optivisor improves with time. At your present rate you should easily do another 100+ Builds before you can't remember where the Modelling Desk is, perhaps you should consider outfitting a couple more work spaces before then just as a pre-emptive measure??
   As an aside my Mother spent her last 4 years in a retirement care facility and there was an old fellow down the hall from her room who had a tiny work space set up for his sailing ship building. In the 2 years I knew him he never progressed one step; he did, however, never tire of showing me his setup and explaining what his plans were. He seemed to spend a lot of time at the desk, touching stuff, looking at his magazines on the days of wind and sail, and trying to write notes on the "plan". He was indeed still getting a lot of pleasure out of his hobby, the fun was still there for him. It's all in how you play the game, not whether you win or lose!
Cheers, and well done!
Lance 

[mgunns]

Hello Des:

WOW!  Incredible.  I have to echo the sentiments of the others here in that your work is truly world class and inspiring.  I have often referred to one of your build logs while doing one of my builds and have found your web site and work inspirational and.......most importantly helpful.  Without modelers such as yourself and forums like this and others, I would never have delved into WWI aircraft.  Like you, as long as my eyes can focus and my hands are steady I will be at the bench.  Maybe not as prolific as you as I like to ride my motorcycle in the non winter months, but modeling always beckons.
Thanks for sharing your work, methods and maintaining this forum.

Best

Mark

[Chris Johnson]

It's only when I see the list of models you've crafted in the last three years Des that I truly recognize your love for WWI era aircraft modelling. It is truly a stunning accomplishment, especially when one considers the level of craftsmanship you've achieved.

As an aside my Mother spent her last 4 years in a retirement care facility and there was an old fellow down the hall from her room who had a tiny work space set up for his sailing ship building. In the 2 years I knew him he never progressed one step; he did, however, never tire of showing me his setup and explaining what his plans were. He seemed to spend a lot of time at the desk, touching stuff, looking at his magazines on the days of wind and sail, and trying to write notes on the "plan". He was indeed still getting a lot of pleasure out of his hobby, the fun was still there for him. It's all in how you play the game, not whether you win or lose!

That describes many a day of my modelling time Lance. I'll wander into the shop, sit down and look at the instructions and what I've done so far and then wander out to the book shelves and pull a book or two to check some feature. That leads directly to the easy chair, books in hand, and perhaps several hours of reading and browsing various other books. Then there's the inevitable trip to the computer to place yet another order for another book or kit. Before I know it, the day is done and nothing 'constructive' has occurred. And I wouldn't change it a bit.

Cheers,

Chris

[lcarroll]

It's only when I see the list of models you've crafted in the last three years Des that I truly recognize your love for WWI era aircraft modelling. It is truly a stunning accomplishment, especially when one considers the level of craftsmanship you've achieved.

As an aside my Mother spent her last 4 years in a retirement care facility and there was an old fellow down the hall from her room who had a tiny work space set up for his sailing ship building. In the 2 years I knew him he never progressed one step; he did, however, never tire of showing me his setup and explaining what his plans were. He seemed to spend a lot of time at the desk, touching stuff, looking at his magazines on the days of wind and sail, and trying to write notes on the "plan". He was indeed still getting a lot of pleasure out of his hobby, the fun was still there for him. It's all in how you play the game, not whether you win or lose!

That describes many a day of my modelling time Lance. I'll wander into the shop, sit down and look at the instructions and what I've done so far and then wander out to the book shelves and pull a book or two to check some feature. That leads directly to the easy chair, books in hand, and perhaps several hours of reading and browsing various other books. Then there's the inevitable trip to the computer to place yet another order for another book or kit. Before I know it, the day is done and nothing 'constructive' has occurred. And I wouldn't change it a bit.

Cheers,

Chris

   I recognise the pattern you describe well Chris. Probably as good an explanation as any for my slow pace of actually building but I wouldn't change it either! Well said.
Cheers,
Lance

[wunwinglow]

I am so easily distracted, although a motorcycle 'off' and a broken collar bone accounts for 8 weeks of 'down' time, I hope! Also, being a model maker by profession, I do manage to scratch the building itch in my job, and sometimes I really don't want to pick up a scalpel when I get home!! But I do have several projects under way, as well as the usual stash of best intentions, so I don't think I'm much different from anyone else here. Except Des, of course.....

Tim