I was getting my AMs together for the Heart of Gold Campaign starting up in two weeks, and realized I was putting a lot into my tank. Then I thought, maybe going overboard would make a good campaign.

Just think about it. If you use metal tracks, photoetch, and a resin figure, you already have three AMs in your build. Throw in a metal barrel, rub on decals, and you are up to five AMs.

Just how far can you go "Overboard" in making a build?

I am using a 1. Verlinden interior and engine compartment, 2. Lion Roar Fenders, 3. two Ammunition Sets, 4. an Eduard Phot Etch, 5. Plastic Card, 6. Chain, 7. Archer Decals, 8. a chunk of wood for the Jack Block, 9. Decals for the Instrument Panel, 10. Interior Placards, 11. Metal Tracks, and finally, 12. two different Resin Figures. And all this to build what is already one of the finest and most complete kits on the market, the DML Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.E, Vorpanzer. Now is that going overboard or what?

So, do you all think that might be a good future campaign? How many AMs should be the minimum? What should be included as AMs? Would you enlist for an overboard campaign?

Carl,

Personally, for an Uber kit, AM is, for the most part, the way to go. Granted, today's modern-tech kits are really nice...but there is always that little bit extra one can throw in. With that, that "little bit extra" is getting to be the norm; know what I mean? I'll build a nice pre-AM kit and add a couple of things....but take an "old dog" that needs to be updated, and I may add a whole lot more.

Tamiya Panther G (steel wheel), FCM Panzerzerstoerer Panther (resin), Eduard and Aber and Voyager PE, Fruilmodel indies, wire grab handles, Warrior's resin Panther Commander, AM tow-chains, "spun-wire" tow-cables, wire for the antenna, scratch this and that, et al.

I guess what I'm saying is that there are builders that will do this for their "uber" kits; it's "normal." I'm keen to "adding" little things (mostly wire handles and such), but will add to the list. So, not sure how far this would go....some "just" do this as a "normality."

Food for thought.

Mike

It is normal for me to. I didn't even realize how much I was adding to a kit on a "day to day" basis until I looked at what I had for the HoG Campaign. That is why I started this thread. Would you be interested in a campaign like this?

Carl, from my perspective, I'd say no. And I say this only because a lot of builders will add things to a basic kit as a normal process. It's become part of the "build."

However, should there be those that normally build OOB, and have that horrible ( ) itch to "expand," then go for it. My thoughts were merely my thoughts...started OOB and quickly realized, for the most part, that if I wanted a "complete" build, I'd have to add AM.

Not knockin' it....just thinking that AM is getting to be the norm.

Mike

I have to admit that more and more AM is working its way into my builds, that being said though I've recently built two of the Cyberhobby Kubelwagens straight OOB, but then again they both do feature AM in the box so maybe that doesnt count....

My point was we are using a lot of AM whether it comes in the kit or not. I thought it might be a good campaign. Maybe I got the whole idea wrong. Campaigns are supposed to apply to a large number of builders to get them involved, but then an idea for a campaign is shut down because it "is getting to be the norm"

AM= Aftermarket, so if it comes with the kit, it wouldn't be considered AM would it?
I understand what you're saying and proposing though. A campaign to see just how much stuff we can cram into a build should we decide to go that route. If you do decide to run with it, here's my suggestion. Don't set a minimum amount of AM items that have to be used. There are a lot of folks that have never used this stuff, ie. photo etch, resin, etc..and while you or I or others might not see it as a problem, they might and be a little hesitant to join on for the build if they have to add "X" amount of aftermarket items. Maybe something along the lines of the scratchbuilders capaign where the builder can build something as simple as a tool box, or go hog wild and do a complete build. Just some food for thought. "Q"

Perhaps a better campaing idea would be a 'Super detailing' campaign. This would allow modellers to add as much AM stuff as they want and give them the chance to scratchbuild and add bits from over kits to create a truely superdetailed model. I thik it would get more members than a campaign were you just aimlessly throw as much AM stuff at a model as possible.

Heres an example of the sort of build im thinking off:
Academy M113 base kit to make an IDF Nag Man1
Fruil tracks
Eduard basic etch
Eduard Zelda armor
Blast models Nag Man 1 conversion
Verlinden replacement auxilary fuel tanks
Welds lines added from milliput
Interior extra detailed with plasti card and wiring

the basic idea here is that theres tons of AM stuff that can be added, but you can also add lots of your own scratchbuilt details. Say only use the resin conversion and etch zelda shields-then scratch the finer details. basically just a campaign where modellers have to create overly detailed models-using AM or just plain old scratch, you dont always have to use AM stuff to super detail, hell I remember seeing models years in Milmod years ago where guys had turned their own alu barrels, scratch build new armor plating etc. This also gives guys the oppertunity to build one of the newer Dragon kits with all the etch provided to make a really detailed modeller, and perhaps take it a bit further by adding fruils, AM decals etc.


What do people think?

I guess it's a matter of balance. For some it's worth putting in an extra 100 bucks into a 20 dollar kit (and change essentially everything) in every project. For others it's a matter of money, time required to build, and willingness to bog yourself down for months on a single kit.
If it's an accurate T-72, I'd be willing to spend on AM ("willing" and "can" are two different things, of course). If it's a DML Smart Panther, I'm not sure it's worth it -unless, of course you put in an interior
Most of the modelers are not that concerned with working toolclamps, and incorrect details (something's off by 2 scale mm, for example...). Most of the time you wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway.

I believe AM can come with a kit. I have seen a few kits that come with PE that has Eduard on it. The manufacturer just happened to purchase it and pass it on to the modeler.

I do like the idea of superdetailing for a campaign. That is close to what I had in mind, though better thought out. If somebody wants to take this idea and run with it, you have my blessings. I for one will enlist.

And I agree Carl.....Superdetailing is what your original proposal was. I think it took Rob to say it better than us. This IS a good idea under these auspices. It FITS with what you initially stated (why I didn't see the correlation before is beyond me). Hell, call it wording. Hell, call it UBER Detailing. The more detail (resin, PE, scratch, AM.....) the better.

With that, I’d be more than happy, as a submission, work my Panzerzerstoerer Panther for this Campaign. It is and will be the "next on the bench;" delay okay to fit the time schedule!

Hope this one gets enough input to go forward. I’ll be “in” for sure!

Mike

Carl, check your PM's.

Every once in a while I get inspired by a particular subject and pick up just about every bit of aftermarket I can find for it.

I can say with almost 100% certainty that in the last 10 years I have yet to complete any one of those super detailed overboard projects.

I do like the idea for the campaign as there is nothing I like more than seeing tons of unpainted brass, resin and styrene on a kit.

Maybe run a parallel OOB campaign too. Or make it mandatory for the participants to build an OOB kit as well, so that we have a comparison from the same builder.

There does seem to be a lot of interest in this campaign idea. I am really involved in a few things that will take up a lot of my time, and I have two campaigns as leader and quite a few others as a participant. I would really like to see somebody take this idea and submit it.