Gents --
Interesting discussion of parts vs. kits. In my opinion, it takes a very savvy
vendor to figure out how to approach the market. This is because of a variety
of factors:
Most modelers will not build a kit. This is because they are afraid to start
because they have no such experience. (But they will stockpile kits.)
The modelers who will tackle a kit will not attempt to modify it. This is
because they cannot visualize what to change.
Most modelers will not attempt to scratch-build a structure because, even
though
all the components (windows, doors, siding, gingerbread) are commercially
available. This is because, again, they cannot visualize how to put all of
these components together.
I can remember our club putting together a diorama for the 1971 NMRA Convention
in Seattle. It was designed to show off commercially-available S products.
There was a very small engine-servicing facility that featured an IESGAPN
sandhouse kit, built up, of course. The scene needed an auxiliary
out-building. So I spent about 20 minutes putting one together with some spare
wood siding, sandpaper for roofing, some wire for hatch hand-holds, then
painting it. One of my club members was absolutely astounded that I could do
this -- He couldn't figure out how I knew what to do. The answer, of course,
is
that all of our brains are wired differently. While some of us are very
visual,
others are very verbal. Some of us can follow written instructions perfectly
while others are baffled by them. I have met people who can read maps
perfectly
but cannot relate them to reality. And I have known people who can describe a
process in great detail but are not able to write down any of it.
The point is that what many of us think is second nature just isn't.
It takes an eye for proportion together with the ability to visualize in 3-D to
jump into scratch-building and kit-bashing. In my opinion, the best that a
vendor can do is to offer a complete kit that fills a bona fide need, or -- not
yet tried in S -- offer a completely built-up model of pretty much anything.
Dick Karnes
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