Dave Branum, Bob Werre et al --
Dave --
Instructions are a big part of it. Sadly, most instructions aren't worth much.
I think this is because the kind of brain that can imagineer structure kits
doesn't identify with the modeler who opens the box and sees just so much
pretty
lumber. One of our well-known list members who's an expert structure-builder
(not me) commented once on a poorly-written set of instructions from one of our
prolific but erstwhile vendors. The vendor simply replied "just build it."
My personal belief is that good instructions are as important as the good kit
they accompany. I have offered several times to write/edit instructions for
vendors' new offerings, but was taken up on this offer only once. I was
furnished the vendor's instruction draft but no sample model. So I did the
rewrite blind. Upon seeing the result -- the production instruction booklet
along with the production hardware -- the combination would have been more
accurate had I been furnished with both.
When I write articles for the model press, I try to take the point of view that
I am writing instructions for the entire spectrum of modelers, not just the
small number who are expert. I hope I have succeeded. (No one ever tells me!)
Bob--
As for bashing laser-cut kits and resin kits -- Well, I must disagree with
brother Werre. I have resectioned and spliced two Classic Miniature citrus
shed
kits to create a fully three-dimensional building. Because I am a visual
thinker, I did not find it particularly difficult. But I can surely understand
why one with a different set of cranial neurons would "see" it differently. My
interlocking tower on the cover of the latest "1:64 Modeling Guide" (Vol. 11
No.
3) is comprised of components of two elevated crossing shanty kits from Banta
Modelworks, a scratchbuilt cardstock roof, BTS shingles, and various plastic
structural members. Similarly, cutting and splicing resin kits doesn't bother
me either. See my upcoming "S Curves" in the April 2011 issue of "Model
Railroad News" for examples.
But again, there is no substitute for, nor any excuse for not providing, good
illustrated step-by-step instructions. If more vendors understood the need,
then we'd be halfway there. To get all the way there, we need modelers who are
willing to jump in!
To conclude, I'll give you two examples. The BTS "Orbisona Station" kit had
one
of the best sets of instructions I have ever seen. Billy Wade went far beyond
what most vendors would ever consider in order to create good instructions.
The
worst one I have ever tried to follow was the instructions for the B&O
interlocking tower. I don't remember who manufactured this excellent kit, but
Jettie Padgett had what I believe were the exclusive retail rights to the kit.
The kit itself is top-notch. Everything goes together properly, and the result
can be outstanding. But for the life of me, I could not figure out whether the
structure was to be built up in stackable 3-D tiers or fabricated as four
separate sides that were then to be glued together. As I recall, I did some of
both, with great difficulty. For those of you with unbuilt versions of this
structure, my recommendation is to construct each side, then glue the sides
together. You'll still do some gnashing of teeth when it comes to matching
adjacent shingled sides.
Dick Karnes
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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