Hello to everyone:

As it is clear that the AFV Club Sdkfz. 251 is almost upon us, and that we might actually have kits available on our official Group Build launch date of February 1st, I would like to encourage everyone to join in the fun, and start posting over on The Assembly Line.

The object of a group build is to have FUN. It is designed to encourage you to join in with your fellow 48th modelers from around the planet, and display your work. If you don't build half tracks, well, shoot, try one for the first time! You might find you actually like it!

I have heard over the years, when I ask people why they don't display models at our local model shows, "Oh, my work isn't good enough" to win. Well, first off, here at Track48, just by posting a photo of your work, you have WON. We have all won whenever someone shares their passion with the rest of us. A photo of your latest project might just provide the needed spark to get another forum member going with their project.

It CAN be a bit intimidating as you view the superb work of Luciano Rodriguez, Pat Johnston, Spencer Pollard, Domingo Hernández, Miguel Jimenez or Rick Lawler say over on Missing Lynx as they toil away with their MarderMania group build. I know for a fact that my current work isn't up to their standards, but I am CHARGED to see their stuff, and my goal is to slowly work my way up to reach their proficiency.

NEVER rate yourself against others, but instead use the work of others to inspire you to greater things. You should, in my opinion, be rating yourself against, yourself. If you geninuely wish for improvement, then set yourself some goals, and work away patiently until you reach them. But don't bite off more than you can chew at one time. Perhaps set the goal of trying one new technique that takes your fancy, and try it on your next project. Then when the project is done, analyze with your own critical eye as to how things turned out. Post your pictures, and if you aren't happy with the results, ask for comments as to how to improve. Seek out someone at your local hobby club and ask for guidance. This is what I have always done, and it works a treat. Find a mentor, someone whose work you admire, and ask them for "tips".

But NEVER believe your work isn't worth posting on The Assembly Line! If you have been viewing this site for long, you will know that it is filled with very helpful and pleasant folk who love the hobby.

So come on, and start to post your work on the site on a regular basis. The moment I get my AFV Club 251, you will be seeing regular postings from me! I encourage you all to join me, so that it isn't a party of one.

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Andrew , you have hit the nail on the head with your post. It IS supposed to be all about enjoyment of a hobby that you are interested in being a part of. Tooooo many people get caught up in "model-freeze" when they see a really well done model. Its almost as if they become paralyzed from the neck down when they see other modellers work- only able to visualize their own model in their head but not able to realize it in reality because they are comparing models.
That improving part comes with practice and a willingness to show what you have done. if you are not happy then as you say ask for pointers - people will only be too happy to help.

I have been "AWOL" from actually making models for 5+ years - in that time I have seen many inspiring models on various forums but it was the work of those lads you mentioned above that actually got me back in a NEW scale that had not got 100's or 1000's of parts ( in effect the fact that I have attic and room full of unmade 1/35th kits stopped me cold as I was looking at DECADES of work ).

Now I have rediscovered the fun of making a model and I hope that I can make at least 4 kits year , rather than maybe 1 x 35th a year.
My major aim is to improve my painting skills - if I can see that that I will be rightly pleased.

So come on - pile in and lets build & paint our way to happiness ( time to put the cap on the paint bottle me thinks )

I near jumped for joy when I seen that the AFV 251 is out - I cannot wait to have mine arrive on the door step

Best

Paul

Hi Andrew;

I could not have said it better, 1/48 is a small, but growing scale, and I am thrilled to be a small part of it.

And you are too right, Andrew, to all the quarter-scaler's, please don't hesitate to post your work, and if you like, ask millions of questions, this is a great little community of modellers, drawn together by the love of 48th, and the passion for the hobby in general.

I consider myself NO expert at this (or anything), and I am still learning as much as I can, one kit at a time. And i feel I still have a long way to go.

And to Andrew, is this group build limited to the 251, or will any German half-track be OK?

Cheers Lads, from a hard-core 48'er, Pat

Just as a reminder, the topic for the Group Build is "Half Tracks", with the feature kit being the AFV Club 251. American half tracks, Russian half tracks, German half tracks, French half tracks, any half track vehicle you can think of, either kit, scratch built, or somewhere in between. Out of the box, or detailed to death with scratch built items. Just BUILD SOMETHING, and HAVE FUN

I personally plan to do the AFV Club kit first, then come back with the Tamiya Sdkfz. 250/3 which I have partially started.

Officially the event starts February 1st, and ends April 30th

Cheers,
Andrew

I think I'll watch from the side lines for this one. I am still pretty new to the 1/48 armor and while I will post up pictures of my builds, Recent financial difficulties have me cutting back on purchases.
That said, I must go to the bench and begin my Tamiya Sherman. . .

Mac