CB's 2026 Modeling Goals

[cbaltrin]

Congratulations on such a wide variety of projects in different scales, too. I’ve seen some tempting pieces from Arma in 1/72 starting with their P-51, and P-36. What I see here is a great collection of projects all in progress by a single creator. Time as we all know is the deciding factor. With John Eaton’s passing, I imagine all of us took a moment to reflect on how many kits he bought as well as how many he built. It looks like he was building an entire aircraft base, complete with ground crews and vehicles. I think about my own patchwork attempts at completions and feel there is something greater at work, some force of existence maybe, I’m not sure.

Thanks for the kind words Bruce. I have been pondering time for several years now and trying to determine what good enough looks like and how much time spent on a build is to much. Questions we all have to ponder eventually… then there is the question of stash size…

[BorgR3mc0]

I have some stages of modelling which can be bottlenecks for me: putty/sanding and airbrushing. That is why I use the “farthest first” guideline . If I have modelling time then I work on the kit that is farthest along unless paint/putty/etc has to dry. Then I can switch to a different model. And no more then two at the same time. Each time I try more I get totally lost in my builds.

[Stuart]

It sounds like you've got a similar ambition to me Chris - I think I have something like x7 1/35 kits in wip, x3 1/48 Aircraft, x2 in 1/72 and a 1/700 ship I'd like to get them all finished over the course of 2026.

My problem's not the search for perfection though, but rather too many ideas and not enough time.

[speedgraflex]

Chris, I think this post is a very good one. I’ve been thinking about what my modeling “intentions” are; and I’m a bit puzzled. I rarely end up finishing anything unless it’s a subject I’m just absolutely burning to see complete. I don’t have shelves except for books, and frankly if I didn’t have my buddy in Utah storing my unbuilt and built kits I’m not sure if I would have too many. What is important to me is simply to build, to suffer and to succeed when building, to learn from my fellow compatriots in this hobby and to get transported to another era.

[cbaltrin]

Chris, I think this post is a very good one. I’ve been thinking about what my modeling “intentions” are; and I’m a bit puzzled. I rarely end up finishing anything unless it’s a subject I’m just absolutely burning to see complete. I don’t have shelves except for books, and frankly if I didn’t have my buddy in Utah storing my unbuilt and built kits I’m not sure if I would have too many. What is important to me is simply to build, to suffer and to succeed when building, to learn from my fellow compatriots in this hobby and to get transported to another era.

Hi Bruce. I understand what you are saying. It's a hobby and hobbies are supposed to provide relaxation/enjoyment, so I would do what you want to do that allows you to achieve those two goals. If you ever listen to podcasts, check out Plastic Model Mojo podcast, in particular and recent episode where they interviewed Paul Budzik. Paul discusses how the hobby has changed form him with age. I think you would find it entertaining and informative!

[speedgraflex]

Thanks for the advice, Chris. I’m reluctant to post anything that may seem counterintuitive to what the hobby may be about for most—which is the completion and display element—which to me makes this more of a sport like game hunting or fishing. I’m most interested in the interior results which come from interacting with sculpture. As an illustrator I get the need to build in three dimensions and not have to use any perspective tricks.

[Medicman71]

Your list is just as bad as mine!