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As for people complaining about "too much" historical accuracy, all I can say is, the information is there if you want to use it …. There are no "model police" out there enforcing some arbitrary standard of accuracy.
That's true Gerald, there isn't a "model police".
But there are the "experten" - a group with a presence on pretty much every modelling forum that I've ever joined or lurked at.
Sure, historical research is part of the hobby, and it can be an interesting and fulfilling one. And if immersing yourself in Waffenamt directives and such like in your spare time is what floats your boat, then who am I to argue?
Similarly, if someone enquires about a specific detail on a tank, the accuracy & merits of such and such a kit, or what can be done to either improve a particular kit or convert it to an earlier / later / export / import / shampooed / blow-dried / shaken & stirred version, then by all means let's discuss it.
But when all's said and done, this is first and foremost a
modelling forum. You know - a corner of the Web where folks drop by to share with kindred spirits their built (or in-progress)
models and to exchange tips and experiences relating to
models.
Some guys here do have the "expert knowledge", but at the same time they back it up with some really fine builds and "how to" explanations. I have a tremendous amount of respect for these guys, and have learned a lot from them.
Other guys have neither the expert knowledge nor the modelling skills - but they step up to the plate and share their work anyway, in the hope of getting some useful tips to improve. I have even more respect for them.
What I don't have any respect for however are the resident "experten".
These are the guys who constantly pick holes in kits and waffle on at every opportunity about minutiae, just to show how "knowledgeable" they are -
but who never post up any of their own work. The guys who - when someone shows off one of their finished models - make comments like
"Nice build, but Dragon (or whoever) screwed up and the antenna mount on the engine deck should be 6 scale inches further forward" -
but who never post up any of their own work.The guys who pass snide remarks like
"well why not just paint it pink then" in response to others saying that "historical accuracy" isn't their top priority -
but who never post up any of their own work.The guys who make a song and dance about tiny, obscure details, or "errors" that are virtually impossible to notice unless you crawl all over the thing with blueprints, callipers and micrometers (in which case they're not really errors as far as I'm concerned) -
but who never post up any of their own work.The guys who take it upon themselves to give the rest of us unsolicited "history lessons" (not infrequently delivered in a patronising, condescending tone) -
but who never post up any of their own work.The guys who simply learn and recite Zaloga and other references parrot-fashion (thus proving that any fool can read a book) -
but who never post up any of their own work.In short, the guys who just generally try to impress (maybe in some cases even intimidate) others with their "wealth of knowledge" -
but who never post up any of their own work.I have no problem with the pursuit of historical accuracy, Gerald. None at all. But I for one think that the constant ramblings of these resident "experten" about "historical accuracy" would have much more credibility if they were to show us some of the fruits of all that encyclopaedic knowledge in the form a selection of their builds. Don't you?
Because otherwise - let's face it - it's all just hot air isn't it? All red hat and no trousers.
- Steve
