Model Forum / General / Models / May 2006

I don't think the new aircraft themselves are uninteresting - but the
limited number of  finishes and markings that can be applied limit their
appeal.  In the real world this is probably a good thing - but for modeling
it makes for dull subjects.  My $.02 worth.

Jack G.

I remember when the F-4 Phantom II was first in service.  Most model makers
thought it was too ugly to ever make a good model.  Of course, the wide
variety of markings certainly helped, but to a generation who were brought
up on the P-51D, the Spitfire, the Bf-109 and the F-86....  And one of the
best looking aircraft of the period, the F-8, took forever to be produced as
a really good model.  Not to mention the F-4D.

Anyway, beauty is as beauty does, as they say.  When the F-22 and the F-35
see action, we'll want models.

Just two very old cents....

Don H.

In my shop there is a virtual cut off at F4 Phantom era. Almost
nothing sells that is later than that - except the Gripen!
David
SBX Model Shop
http://www.sbxmodelshop.co.uk
Suppliers of Montex Masks to the world!

I think we like to model something with a bit of history so down the track
somewhere I imagine those topics will get more attractive. The JSF I think
has been ordered by a few different countries NAVY / Airforce etc so with
different color schemes etc it should attract a bit of attention as time
goes on.   I agree Phantoms are a popular subject  but look at the variety
marking and color schemes you could do so no wonder.    For me I am
currently working on a Mk9 Spitty, Loire-Nieuport LN40 and have just lashed
out and picked up a He177 all in 1/48. so for me you are right in that I
have not gone for the modern subjects but there will others that will.
regards  JimboD

I'm beginning to think model builders spend a bit too much time worrying
about form and forgetting about function.  These things are built for
the express purpose of being efficient killing machines.  Period.  Not
so we can have neat looking models sitting on our shelves and in our
stashes.  Maybe if one looked at them from that view point, they'd
become more attractive.

...either that, or we'd all start building cars.

What about the F-4 Phantom.  A lot of us, even at MDC, thought it was
butt-ugly, but powerful looking with a lot of character.  There have
been HOW many F-4 kits offered?

I think that these things called jet fighters of recent vintage are
more like computer controlled projectiles rather than aircraft.
Perhaps uninteresting because they lack history and individuality. And
yes these are killing machines which does not speak well of humanity at
all.

Tony

Whether or not the F-22 or JSF become "coveted" would depend on the
personal interests of any given modeler, as is the case with anything
else.  In a general sense I don't see them becoming the 'gotta have' kits
anytime soon for a myriad of reasons.  Think about yourself, or other
modelers you know, here or in person.  Why do you/they build models at
all, and why pick the genre that you have?  There are cool paint schemes,
interesting nose art, historical significance, the pilot was a great ace,
etc, etc ad nauseum.  In one aircraft you can have all the above.  Then
take into account all the versions of that one aircraft, all the different
squadrons and widely varying paint schemes, and you can have a lifetime of
building nothing but 109's or Mustangs or B-17's or....  Build NOTHING but
US Naval aircraft designed and built from 1940 to 1945.  Just from that
five year period you could spend truckloads of money and time because of
the variety.  Now, build only US Navy aircraft designed and built from
1990 until now.  In FIFTEEN years whatcha got? A couple different versions
of the F-18, a different A-6 that's already retired, the JSF that may or
may not go into real production, and, and hmmmm.  Adding to the lack of
variety is the lack of personal exploits.  There will be no more
Richtofens, Boelckes, Rickenbackers, Gabreskis or Yeagers.  Can anyone,
off the top of their head, name a pilot from the last thirty-five years,
other than maybe Cunningham?  War has become very unpopular.  By virtue of
that, there are no glory stories, no heroes or aces, or brightly painted
chariots of battle.  I don't know of anyone who gets terribly excited
about paint schemes anymore; WOW, look at the great low-vis gray on that
F-whatever (yawn).  That's part of the reason I don't build modern jets.
The exception to that is a few F-14's I'll build for the squadrons I was
in, but they won't be the low-vis that we had, they'll be from the days
when they had some color.  A hundred years from now, when/if we have
spacefighter pilots, there may be a turnaround in all that, which leads to
an idea.  Anyone who's a fan of Babylon 5 knows the Starfuries had some
killer paint schemes.  As ugly as the Raptor and JSF may be in current
attire, they could be some great 'what-if's for future space squadrons.
Who will care how garish the paint schemes may be in space?  Maybe then we
can go back to the individuality of days gone by.  Maybe a descendant of
Yeager, Richtofen or Rickenbacker will come along.  Until then,
yawwwwnnnnnn.