Collaborative project idea

[Supertom]

Hey everyone, Deathjester had an idea that might be interesting to discuss.  Where it goes from there I don't know, but here it is.

Deathjester?

[Old Wombat]

Sigh of wind; tumbling tumble weed; eery Western music (probably involving tin whistle, hat-muted trumpet, banjo &/or steel-string guitar)

[deathjester]

Sigh of wind; tumbling tumble weed; eery Western music (probably involving tin whistle, hat-muted trumpet, banjo &/or steel-string guitar)

Yeah, but that's usually when Clint Eastwood wanders into shot with his mule, and his pet cigar...

My idea is this:  Recently, I was looking through one of my old modelling books (Encyclopedia of Military Modelling, by Vic Smeed), when it suddenly struck me that I hadn't seen a book like this on bookstore shelves for years.  So, I was thinking that with all the incredible talent, maybe WE could put together the book(s) ourselves.  I've asked Tom if he could look into possible help from IPMS, and here I am, canvassing for help from your good selves!

The book(s) would take the form of a 'how to' guide to various aspescts of modelling, with the accent on conversions, and using our Whiffs as inspirations for the articles.  We can even put in backstories, Games Workshop style - I mean, surely at least the saga of the PR19 should make it back into print - and inspire a whole new generation of modellers!

What say you?

[Weaver]

Arn't there loads of Osprey-style books that cover various aspects of modelling? I know Hobbycraft had a fair range of them until recently....

I agree that I've never seen a Whiff-modelling book though, although some of the sci-fi/conversions ones will cover most of the relevent techniques. The real thrust of such a book should therefore be to introduce the concepts and various levels of whiffery, from paint jobs, through kitbashes to scratchbuilds and from real-but-unbuilt projects to pure flights of fancy and humor.

One point though: does the "next generation of modellers", presumably kids, get inspired by anything in a bookshop these days? Websites like this have transformed modelling and may well be the best ambassadors for it........

[deathjester]

Arn't there loads of Osprey-style books that cover various aspects of modelling? I know Hobbycraft had a fair range of them until recently....

I agree that I've never seen a Whiff-modelling book though, although some of the sci-fi/conversions ones will cover most of the relevent techniques. The real thrust of such a book should therefore be to introduce the concepts and various levels of whiffery, from paint jobs, through kitbashes to scratchbuilds and from real-but-unbuilt projects to pure flights of fancy and humor.

One point though: does the "next generation of modellers", presumably kids, get inspired by anything in a bookshop these days? Websites like this have transformed modelling and may well be the best ambassadors for it........

That is true, but a lot of folks still buy reference books, and birthday presents...and if Osprey, and all the magazine folks still print their stuff, there's a market for it!

[scooter]

One point though: does the "next generation of modellers", presumably kids, get inspired by anything in a bookshop these days? Websites like this have transformed modelling and may well be the best ambassadors for it........

Do kids today get inspired by anything, period? 

Actually, hardcopy is, like Weaver said, still around.  But if its cheap enough to press a CD with images so that those of us who like to plan our build, or at least the paint scheme, aren't coloring up the book....

[Weaver]

and if Osprey, and all the magazine folks still print their stuff, there's a market for it!

Yes, but isn't that market experienced and, dare I say it, older modellers, i.e. the people who are serious enough to care about advanced techniques or careful research? You could argue that such books are "modelling accessories" and people who've built a dozen £30 kits per year for a few years are more likely to regard them as £20 well-spent than someone's who's on their third £6.99 Airfix job.

[deathjester]

and if Osprey, and all the magazine folks still print their stuff, there's a market for it!

Yes, but isn't that market experienced and, dare I say it, older modellers, i.e. the people who are serious enough to care about advanced techniques or careful research? You could argue that such books are "modelling accessories" and people who've built a dozen £30 kits per year for a few years are more likely to regard them as £20 well-spent than someone's who's on their third £6.99 Airfix job.

Yes, but from personal experience, people buy you the most amazing things that they percieve to be to do with 'your' hobby!


Do you fancy contributing?

[PR19_Kit]

- I mean, surely at least the saga of the PR19 should make it back into print - and inspire a whole new generation of modellers!

Oh gawd, here we go again...........!

[deathjester]

Is that a yes, then!?!

[raafif]

nice idea but I would consult a publisher as to its merits first.  I only buy one magazine every 2yrs & only bought 2 reference books in 5yrs due to price of those that interest me.  I do think that a format like the small softcover Osprey books on Whiffing + a few Secret Projects to introduce the ideas would work if it included a CD.  Not sure how you would retail it as the target audience is very select (read open-minded) & therefore small -- perhaps mail-order thru selected Internet hobbyshops & forums like us, Hyperscale, Secret Projects etc - definately not thru newsagents.

[deathjester]

Yes, excellent points!  I really like the idea of the maybe two/three books, and I definetly agree about not selling in newsagents!

[Weaver]

If you don't market it through bookshops though, you automatically exclude the "present from auntie" market who wouldn't know which websites to go on even if they're on-line.

I'm not trying to be overly negative here and I'm sorry if I came across that way. I do think such a book has merit, but I don't see it working as "inspiration for kids" since I don't think enough of them would get to see it to make a difference. Where I do see it selling is to experienced hobbyists who are looking for something different. These are the folks who look in the right places (modelling websites, hobby shops etc...), who would seriously consider forking out upto £20 for a "hobby accessory" book since they're already heavily invested in the hobby, and who are probably a bit weary when confronted with yet another "rivet-by-rivet Spitfire/Sherman/Bismark" book.

One trap that you shouldn't fall into is only featuring show-quality models. I got given the same book as Deathjester, but far from inspiring me, it actually demoralised me because I took one look at it and realised I had a huge mountain to climb if that was the "respectable" standard. One of the liberating things about Whiffery is that the quality of your concept is meritorious in itself, independent of the quality of the actual model of it that you build.

[deathjester]

Well, that is an interesting take on that book - we will have to ensure that it isn't off-putting to the inexperienced / casual modeller.

BTW - selling in bookstores = yes.   Selling in high street newsagents = nope!

As to the 'inspiration for kids' bit?  Well, I can but hope!

[philp]

I would be willing to contribute to such an effort but my skills are no where near what most of you put up.

My usual whiff is more a markings change into a "what could/should have been" like my Israeli S 92 and South Korean F-47 (and if I ever finish it, Swiss He 100).

But there are a few in mind that will need a bit of work to pull off (S-3 Viking Firebomber, Hawker Henneway, JagdSherman all come to mind).

One other thing to think about is photography.  I am much better at taking pics at a show then getting decent how to pics.  Consistent pics could be difficult if you have several modelers from around the globe contributing.