Sharing of my old model

Imperial Japanese Navy Type-0 Observation Seaplane （零觀）

1. Introduction:

The main objective of an observation seaplane is to remain in mid air between the friend and enemy fleets and to spot and report the fall of friend shots by radio in order to lead the gun fight favourable to the friend fleet.

Before the emergence of the Type-Zero observation seaplane, the reconnaissance ship-plane served both purposes of observation and reconnaissance. However, due to the progress of carrier-based aircraft, it had become common knowledge that a fleet escorted by an aircraft carrier from which numerous defense fighter could fly out. As a result, a reconnaissance ship-plane which lacking of speed and easy maneuverability could not carry out its observational duty against the enemies’ fast moving carrier fighters.

2. Development of the Type-0 seaplane:

In the 1930s, the Japanese Navy felt the need of development of a particular kind of aircraft specialized solely in observational duty with superior climbing power, fighting ability and high speed. In 1934, The Navy asked the three aircraft manufacturing companies of Kawanishi, Aichi and Mitsubishi to start on trial manufacture of this particular kind of airplane.

Before starting the work on this plane, Mitsubishi company studied the pros and cons of mono and bi-planes and also mono and twin-floats with a view to decide which type of plane should be adopted as the best. The co9mpany concluded that fighting capability should first of all, be stressed even at the cost of speed to some degree and thus, a biplane structure is more favourable because of its small wing loading and also that the single-float type is much better when its fast maneuverability is considered.

In order to lessen harmful resistance tendency due to the biplane structure, an elliptical instead of an oblong-shaped wing was preferred. When mass produced, it was further decided that the latter wing, should be changed into a trapezium-shaped, thin wing and props between upper and lower wings were to be a single one type.

Base on these decisions, Mitsubishi began its design work. The trial-plane was completed and passed the flying test by the Navy in March, 1937, and its type was officially adopted by the latter in preference to those of the two rival companies, Kawanishi and Aichi. The plane was named as Type-Zero Observation Seaplane in October, 1939, and mass-produced as the 1st bi-seaplane for the Japanese Navy.

Equipped with the 780 HP Zuisei-13 engine, the plane could fly along at 320 km/h, considered the fastest maximum for any seaplane throughout the world at tat time. It was armed with two 7.7 mm fixed machine guns and a single flexible machine gun at the rear of its fuselage.

Its war records were outstanding, sometimes fighting even with enemy fighters in the air battle thanks to its superior circling capability, while going out far to destroy enemy submarines under the sea with its two 30kg bombs. Thus, the plane was very widely used not only in the normal activities but also serve other multi-purposes role as well.

3. Specifications:

Overall length : 9.5 m
Overall width : 11 m
Overall height : 4 m
Engine : Zuisei-13 type of 780 HP
Number of crew : 2
Maximum speed : 320 km/h at 5000 ft.
Crusing distance : 400 nautical mile
Armament : Two 7.7 fixed machine guns, one flexible machine gun
and two 30 kg bombs.
Number of production : 988

4. All About this Model:

I built this model with no intention of cherish Fascist but to present to you a seaplane that has been built during the WW2 era. In fact, I think it is important to educate our younger generation to know and understand this period of history so that same mistake will not happen again. Modeling may be a good means to it.

This model represents one of the observation seaplane carried by the IJN battleship Musashi.（武藏） Musashi is the second Yamato class （大和級）battleship that took parts in numerous battles during World War Two in the Pacific. Since this plane was carried by the second Yamato class battleship, the marking on its tail was numbered as AI-2 in yellow colour.

This 1/50 scale model kit is first produced by Tamiya, Japan in 1967. Although it is an old model kit, the high quality of the kit is still acceptable by today’s standard. However, there are some mistakes in this kit. Therefore I had made some amendments to this model. In 2009, Hasegawa has released this plane in 1/48 scale and the quality is surely to be better, however, the price will be 3.5 times of the Tamiya price.

I do not use any after market photo etched (PE) or resin upgrade set in this model. I only use simple plastic stripes, putty and sewing threads as riggings to make this kit be more accurate and add details. I always believe that by using the simplest materials to add detail to my model is the most creative and fun way to exercise my mind. It is also a good example for new and young modelers who are unable to afford expensive PE or resin upgrade sets that modeling may not necessary be expensive and difficult.

I used post shading method instead of pre-shading method to paint the plane. Oil washes, filtering and paint chippings were followed as the usual stuff for weathering the model.

Since this is a seaplane, therefore I decided to add sea wave as the base of this model. I used paper clay to make the water and painted it using airbrush. However, I also decided to show the sea wave partially to create the movement feel of this aircraft. When look at my completed model after a 7 days struggle, I think my only regret is that I couldn’t make it fly.

I hope you enjoy reading my notes as well as my model, modelers and non modelers alike. Thank you and happy modeling.

二战日本帝国海军三菱F1M2零式水上观测机11型

1．历史简介：
　　零式水上观测机是日本海军在二战前围绕着在以战列舰为主力的舰队遂行舰队决战任务时为己方舰艇提供弹着点观测，修正目的而研制的一型专用水上飞机。当时，信奉大舰巨炮主义的日本海军依然寄希望于以舰队决战方式取得未来海战的胜利。
　　为了适应远洋作战的需要，零式水上观测机的设计思路及生产技术较此前的几种日军水上飞机有了较大的提高。它采用了全金属蒙皮承力钢管机身的双翼方式，结构牢固，驾驶性能好，且具有一定的空战格斗能力，可以满足执行多重任务的需要，被飞行员喻为“万能水上机”。
　　零式水上观测机在二战空中也有一定的战果，其中日军的水上机母舰“千岁”号上搭载的23号零式水观曾于1942年10月4日，在为瓜达尔卡纳尔运送物资的“日进”号船队护航时，创下以撞击方式击落美军B17E轰炸机编队长机的惊人记录，飞行员甲木清实也以击落7架战的战绩成为了为数不多的水上飞机王牌飞行员。（此款飞机在二战时的总击落数为16架）

2．模型简介：
　　我这次制作的是田宫于1967年上市的1／50比例套件。当时飞机模型比例尚未如现在固定在1／32，1／48或者是1／72的比例上。1／50和1／100等公制倍数比例是包括日本及美国模型厂商的主流产品。在缺乏资料及先进加工技术的六十年代，田宫在这款模型飞机上投下了不少精力：准确的外形尺寸，机翼及机身上整齐排列的铆钉和刻线的精致感，舵面上极具质感的布蒙皮表现即使以目前的标准来衡量，也几乎毫无瑕疵，各种细节甚至比目前市场一些主流的1／48比例飞机还要显得细致。今年（2009年）长谷川推出了1／48比例的零观，还加上了蚀刻片，当然精细度会比较好，但是如果从开发年代来说，田宫的这套模型也不算逊色，况且价钱方面只是长谷川的三分之一，如果钱袋不够饱满的话，田宫零观还是有动手一做的价值，。
　　可能是开发年代久远的关系，在我制作此款模型时，还是发现了一些小缺点，于是动用简单的补土，胶条，铁丝和缝纫线加以纠正或修改。我一般上不太喜欢用蚀刻片（Photo etched）或树脂(Resin)改装套件，因为我觉得使用这些套件无法发挥个人创意和动脑筋，将会失去许多制作模型的乐趣。此外，我也想借此机会向许多刚开始接触模型的朋友传达一个讯息：那就是制作模型不一定需要购买昂贵的改装套件。以免他们因为不知如何使用改装套件而对制作模型感到却步。时至今日，看到身边许多制作模型的多数是中年或老年人士，如果我们使年轻的一代觉得制作模型是件昂贵与痛苦的事，恐怕这门艺术就真是“夕阳无限好，只是近黄昏”了。

3．后记：
　　
　　我这次所制作的零观，是战舰武藏号的搭载机。武藏号是二战时日本的第二艘大和级战舰，因此其搭载机的番号是AI-2，并以黄色漆在飞机的垂直尾翼上。
　　我制作这件模型并不是要歌颂法西斯主义，相反的，我们应该谴责发动侵略战争的法西斯分子。不过在制作二战武器时，也是一个好机会让年轻的一代认识和了解这段历史，希望他们不要忘记这段人类史上惨痛的过去，并以历史为鉴，不要让这种历史有机会重演。
　　其实个人认为模型不失为一种很好的教育媒介，可让不同年龄层的朋友在享受制作乐趣之余也顺便学到了一些额外的知识，真是一举两得。
　　希望与大家分享这次制作的模型的经验之余，也为您的生活增添一丝乐趣。由于日常生活忙碌，在这次制作的考据方面如有不足之处，还望各位不吝赐教。
　　谢谢。

Sharing of my new model

WW2 German Type XXIII U-Boat

There were 61 German Type XXIII U-boats commissioned during World War 2. The first XXIII, U-2321, was launched on 17 April, 1944. The development of the Type XXIII was given very high priority. To reduce development time, Dr Walter designed the new boat based on the previous Type XXII prototype.
By June 1943, the initial design was ready and construction began in parallel at several shipyards in Germany, France, Italy and German occupied USSR. The Type XXIII had an all welded hull design, and was the first submarine in the world to use a single hull design. For the power plant, the Type XXIII used the MWM RS-348 diesel engine, which was already in use as a diesel generator aboard the Type IXDs. The electric motor was the AEG GU 4463/8, which was a simplified version of the electric motors employed on the Type VIIs. Handling wise, the Type XXIII proved to be an excellent boat, which was highly maneuverable both on the surface and underwater. Crash dive time was a quick 9 seconds.
Construction of this advanced submarine faced many disruptions caused by Allied land advances, constant aerial bombings, materials and manpower shortages. Therefore, by the end of the war, out of 280 submarines ordered, only 61 had entered service.
At the end of World War 2, more than 20 of Type XXIII submarines surrendered to the Allies and only 3 remained in use after the war. (U-2326, U-2353 and U-4706)

德国U23型潜艇

　　在第二次世界大战期间德国共有61艘U23型潜艇服役，首舰是U2321,于1944年4月17日下水。在战争后期，德国给予U23型潜艇的研发优先权，为了缩短研发的时间，沃尔特博士在U22型潜艇的基础上进行U23的研发工作。
　　U23潜艇的初始设计在1943才完成，接着建造工作在德、法、意和苏联占领区的造船厂进行。U23型潜艇采用焊接船体，而且是世界上第一艘采用单层船体设计的潜艇。在动力方面，该艇采用MWM RS-348型柴油引擎，该引擎在U9D型潜艇上已经作为柴电发电机使用。电动机为AEG GU4463/8型，是U7型潜艇上使用的电动机的简化型号。该舰性能非常优秀，无论是在水面还是在水底均具有极好的机动性，紧急下潜速度仅有9秒。
　　在U23型潜艇的建造工作上德军面对极其严重的后勤问题，主要是面对盟军在地面上的推进和持续不断的轰炸、原料和劳动力的缺乏。所以到了战争末期，原本建造280艘的计划，仅完成了61艘。　　

二战结束时，共有20多艘U23潜艇向盟军投降，只有U236，U2353和U4706三艘保存至战后。

Chapter 3: How accurate/ detail you want your models to be? Only one right way to build it?

Chapter 3: How accurate/ detail you want your models to be? Only one right way to build it?

Many modelers would like to build their models as accurate as possible, so much so that if it is possible, make it 100% accurate in terms of details, colours, accessories, etc.

However, it is sad to say that in reality, it is quite unlikely that their dreams can be fulfilled 100%. In our view, the only way to have 100% accuracy may be to buy (if your country’s law premise) the 1:1 scale real machine.

It is easy to understand why absolute 100% accuracy is almost impossible to obtain if you are a car driver for instance. You probably would noticed that your car’s colour will fade after some time, under different lighting conditions, the colour of your car will be different perceived by your naked eyes. You may add some accessories or stickers to your car and it looks different from its original look. Therefore, same principle applies to models. Same machine will look different in different time and under different condition and not to mention same type of machine under different users.

I am not saying that you should totally forget about accuracy when you are building a model. What I mean is that if you are only focus on absolute accuracy, you may be missing many fun aspects in model building.

I think the same principle may be beneficial to new modelers as a guideline when learning skills and techniques in model building. Some experienced modelers may stress that certain way of making your model is the only “RIGHT” way to the new modelers. We hope that it is right. However, I would want to say that if there is only one right way, then we as modelers do not need to experiment and discover any new techniques in modeling at all. As we know, many current modeling techniques are discovered through experiments by many modelers, so why restrict ourselves to the mindset of “there is only one right way”? We should experiments, discover and have fun.

要模型的精确度达到和实物百分百的一样是不可能的，除非你有能力象历史上第一位伟大的实物模型收藏家――秦始皇一样，去搞1：1比例的模型――兵马俑。呵呵。

Absolute 100% accuracy is almost impossible to obtain in your models unless you can afford to buy the real thing or just like the first and greatest life size model collector in history; Emperor Qin Shi Huang in China. His collection is the 1:1 scale terracotta warriors.

第3章：你要多精确的模型呢？只有一种制作模型的正确方法吗？

许多模型玩家都希望他们所制作的模型越精确越好，如果可能的话，最好是每个细节，颜色，配件等等都是百分之百地与实物一样。

不幸的是，在现实中这种要求几乎是不可能达到的，我们认为要达到这种百分之百精确的要求，如果你所属的国家法律许可的情况下，唯一的方法是去购买1比1比例的实物。

让我来打个比方说明一下要模型达到绝对精确是不可能的事：如果你拥有一部车子，你会发觉你的车子的颜色在经过一段时间后会褪色，再不同光线底下，你所看到的颜色也不会有些不同。你也可能为你的车子添加一些额外配件或可能加上一些胶贴纸，因此车子的外观就有所改变了。这个道理也适用在模型和实物的关系上，同一样实物，在不同的光线、环境、气候和不同的使用者等条件下，看起来都不太一样，试问一下，我们怎么可能要求模型能达到绝对的百分百精确呢？

不过请大家不要误解我要表达的意思，我并不是说我们制作模型时可以完全不理会精确度，我的意思是：如果我们在制作模型时过于专注于追求模型的百分百的精确度，是否会失去了制作模型应有的一部分乐趣呢？

我想上述的道理可以成为初学者在学习制作模型技巧时的一个参考原则。有些经验老到的模型玩家可能会对初学者说某些方法才是唯一正确的制作方法，我们也希望情形是这样的，但是如果假设制作模型只有一种正确方法，那么是否意味着模型玩家就再也不需要再去尝试或发现新的制作技巧和方法了？我们都知道今天我们所掌握的模型技巧都是前辈们经过试验和尝试后才出现的，所以为什么我们要画地为牢地将自己绑死在“只有一种正确方法”的思维模式里呢？我们应该不断地去尝试，去发现新的技巧，同时享受制作模型的乐趣。

这些是我学生所制作的模型，有些是初学者的初次尝试，有几件作品在学生组的比赛中幸运地得了奖。虽然我在开始的阶段教导他们基本的技巧，但是我认为也应该鼓励他们去尝试新的制作方法和技巧，希望在将来，他们可以建立起自己的制作风格。

These are some of my students’ work, some of them are new to miniature models. Fortunately some of them managed to win prizes in a competition. Although I guided them at the beginning, however, I would want them to explore and discover new techniques as well as build up their styles in future if possible.

Sharing of our modeling journet 6

这是我二十多年前的一件作品，虽然制作得不算很好，但是对我具有深刻的意义。原本对旧化模型技巧一窍不通的我，经过一位朋友无私的指点后，好象是被打通任督二脉一样地开窍了。这件作品也因此在一次比赛中得了个小奖。

虽然目前我的制作水平和当时相比已经超前了，但是直到今天，我还是收藏着这件作品，因为它很好的提醒我，我是从很基本的水平开始的。还有更重要的是它提醒我，尽量给予对模型有兴趣的初学者提供帮助。要不是当年朋友的提点，我可能早已放弃制作模型了。

This model was compelted more than 20 years ago. It is very meaningful to me and I am still keeping it until today. This is because before this, one of my friend selfishlessly taught me the skill of weathering. After that, this model transformed into wonders and this tank won a consolation prize in a competition.

I would like to thank my friend's kindness and had selfishlessly taught me the skill to keep me remain in the modeling hobby world. This model also reminds me that we all started from the basic and always be helpful to the new comers. 　　

Sharing of our modeling journey 5

人物模型可说是我的最爱，可能是因为这个世界始终是由人来主宰吧。另一个原因或许是一件模型如果要使它显得有生气，人物是必不可少的配件，然而各种人物的神情和姿态也是令我着迷和投入的主要原因。

I love to paint figures. It is one of my favorite subjects in modeling. This is because human beings make the world coplourful. (well, may be sinful as well?) Anyway, I do always like to add one or two figures to my AFV, plane, ships, etc to provide a sense of scale as well as to make the model more realistic and lively.

Sharing of our modeling journey 4

这是笔者较偏爱制作的模型体裁――情景。大概是好多年前制作的一个二战情景，当时还算是比较满意的，不过在今天看来，还是有许多需要改进的地方。现在笔者的理解是在制作情景方面，最好的作品永远都应该是下一件作品。呵呵。

This is one of my favorite form, diorama. This work was completed many years ago and I were quite satisfied with it. However, as my skills and tecniques are improving, I would say that many parts need to be tidy up. Therefore, my thinking is that our best model work should always be our next peice coming alone the way, don't you agree?

Sharing of our modeling journey 3

模型坦克应该是模型世界里的常青树之一吧！笔者最早接触的模型虽然是船舰，但是坦克却在不知不觉中渐渐取代了模型船舰在我心目中的地位，曾有一段时期只集中精力专门制作坦克。

Sharing our Modeling Journey 2

我们觉得制作模型的新手或玩家不妨多尝试不同的题材，虽然笔者较偏好制作人物和情景，但有时改变一下制作题材，可能会有意想不到的结果。笔者制作的这艘前苏联基洛潜艇只能算是一般，曾送去参加过2007年的香港的模型赛，虽没得奖，但是内心所获得的成就感和满足感是不需要获得什么奖项的。后来该模型被某位伯乐购买了，成了他公司里的一件摆设。

Sharing of our modeling journey 1

一般模型玩家喜欢制作比较干净的飞机，但是在现实生活中，不是每一架飞机都是干净溜溜的，偶尔制作一架肮脏的、漏油的、有污垢的飞机也不错，也能使您的模型显得和别人不太一样，有点个人风格。

恐龙在一般模型玩家的心目中是比较冷门的题材，一般来说，可供选择的塑料模型种类不是太多，可能是这类模型题材和模型情景要制作得比较好，需要符合史实，还要做些功课，因而让一些玩家却步吧。不过让我感到可惜的是，这类对小朋友极有教育意义、又有市场发展潜能的模型题材，似乎无法取得多数模型商的青睐。

模型不一定需要正经八百地制作现实的东西，偶尔改换一下口味，做些超现实的题材也不错，同时也能增加生活的乐趣。比如这只原本就已经是超现实的二战蛋机，经过一些改装后，就变成一架超极超现实的一战飞机了。

第二章：我们都是从基础水平开始的，挑战自我吧！

没有人天生就是天才或专家。就如初生的幼儿不晓得玩具或物件的用途，但是通过接触，学习的经验，他们最终会知道如何玩玩具或物件的使用方法。我们都是从基础水平开始的，好比我们先学习走路再学会奔跑。

　　每次孩子在玩他们所喜爱的玩具时，比如积木，过程是重复的，他们会不断地进步。我们认为他们是在挑战自我，他们从错误中学习，不断求进步。制作模型也是同一个道理，不断挑战自我吧！这样我们的技巧将会不断进步的。

　　所有的模型玩家虽然接触模型的年龄各异，但都是从基础阶段开始的。有些进步的比较快，这取决于他们所花的时间和学习模型技巧的能力。初学者不必因为觉得比不上经验老道的模型玩家而有挫折感，只要记住他们也曾经是新手，就不会觉得丧气了。现今的初学者是很幸运的，因为有关模型技巧的资讯在互联网上俯拾皆是，而且许多是免费的，因此只要保有热忱、不断努力，他日你可能是模型大师也说不定。但是当您成为模型大师之后，请记得任何人都是从基础水平开始的，不妨也将您的心得与大家分享吧！

Chapter 2 : We all started from somewhere, Please compete with yourself

Human beings are not born experts. A child will not know what the toy or object can or cannot do. In time, through interaction and experiment, the child will gain experience on how to get the best pleasure from it. We all started from somewhere. We need to learn to walk before we can run.

Every time a child plays with his favorite toy e.g. building blocks or Lego construction sets, the build process is not only repeated, the child will improve on the original goals and objectives. The child is competing with him or herself. The child learns from mistakes and strives to improve. Please compete with yourself. By doing so we will strive to improve ourselves.

All modelers began at the same humble starting point although at different ages. Some progress faster depending on the amount of time they have for this hobby as well as their ability to learn the various modeling techniques. Nowadays, beginners in this hobby are very fortunate as scale modeling articles and techniques are freely available on the Internet. We believe that every scale model or project we create will be better than the previous one. This is because we are passionate about this hobby and constantly competing with ourselves to improve our skills and techniques.

模型，不仅是玩具

本博客的目的:

1．与模型同好分享我们的模型制作之旅。

2．与模型同好分享我们对模型艺术的理念。

3．把欢乐带给所有有兴趣阅读本博客的朋友。

张允振　与　廖今华　敬启

一：玩具仅仅是玩具吗？模型仅仅是玩具吗？

　　玩具的定义是什么？一般上来说，它是陪伴孩童成长，满足玩乐需要的物件。随着孩子的年龄增长，玩玩具是对知识、经验和技能的需求会远超过玩乐的内容。当他们所玩的玩具变得更复杂，成长中的孩子将需要掌握更多的知识、经验和技能。但是对多数的成年人来说，孩子们还是在玩一件玩具，因为这个物件满足了孩子玩乐的需求需求。

　　玩具仅仅是为了给孩子提供玩乐吗？我们不认为是如此。只要是玩具需要玩家有更多的知识，经验和更高的技能，那它就不仅是玩具而已了。我们不妨以魔术方块为例，对年幼的孩童，它是一件有彩色、让他扭转的玩具，可是对年龄较大的孩子，青少年甚至是成人来说，它是一个考验解决问题能力的复杂谜题。你必须懂得分析，记得方程式和步骤，考验你的逻辑思维和扭转魔术方块的速度等等，如此以来魔术方块就不仅是玩具那么简单了。

　　不同的玩具有不同的功能和复杂程度，一套积木可让幼儿抓在手里、敲打、堆积、排列、抛掷、甚至咬嚼。幼儿通过玩积木来加强感官功能。这样的玩具当然是容易玩的，因为它不需要什么知识和较高的技能，父母都同意这是给予幼儿提供乐趣的一种玩具。

　　随着孩子逐渐地成长，父母希望孩子能通过玩具来刺激他们学习和发展多于纯玩乐的功能。较大的孩子会玩比较复杂的玩具，家长和教育家将这类之归类为益智教具，已不算是玩具了，玩具好像只是让婴儿和幼童玩的东西。怎样区分玩具和教具是个见仁见智的问题，我们也会经常见到家长为了他们年长的孩子玩玩具而大动肝火，认为孩子把时间浪费在毫无意义，非学习的活动上，夸张一点的说就是几乎等同罪恶了。

　　有些家长或成人觉得孩子玩的模型是玩具，成人和孩子不应该把时间浪费在制作模型上面。情况或许与他们认为的恰恰相反，如果孩子喜欢制作模型，父母是应该给予鼓励的。因为它比玩积木复杂多了，它包含了研究，策划和制作技巧，而逻辑思维和耐性更是不可或缺的。模型不是简单的玩具，如果制作得好，其结果将是一个如真似幻的实物缩影、历史场景或对未来世界的憧憬。你的想象力和技巧将使它具有无限的发挥空间。 模型还牵涉到精准的问题。初学者或许满足于依照模型说明书制作，不加考究、中级和高级模型玩家可能要追加蚀刻片，树脂改装配件以求十全十美。其实选择完全决定于你。你要获得的是制作乐趣还是完成精准模型的满足感，完全是由你来决定。没错！完全是由你来决定，不要管其他人的评论。玩物不丧志，也不是浪费时间，因为你有权决定怎样使用你空余的时间。

　　有句话说：“千里之行始于足下”，没有人天生就是专家或天才，我们都是从一个基本的原点开始的。不同的模型玩家开始接触模型的年龄肯定是不同的，但都应该是从最基本的开始。个人的进展程度取决于所花的时间和精力、对各种技巧的认识和掌握以及所拥有的参考资料。幸运的是，现在我们能较轻易地通过图书，杂志或网络，获得许多有关模型制作技巧和相关资料。我们相信，任何人只要对模型保有热忱，他所制作的模型将会一个比一个好。

　　
　　但是值得注意的是，当我们在制作模型的世界里不断前进时，我们必然有机会接触到有经验的模型玩家或大师级模型家的作品，我们常会有一种要模仿他们的作品的冲动或是参加模型比赛。具有进取心和竞争的精神固然可取，但更重要的应该是挑战自我而不是要战胜别人。只要抱着不断地挑战自我的心态，按照自己的能力和所能接受的进度，必能在技巧上循序渐进地提升自己。如此不但可避免因欲速不达而产生的挫折感，也能避免出现一些有经验的模型家对模型精准度过于苛求的现象。（有关现象将会在较后的篇章中加以探讨）

MORE THAN A TOY.......

Purpose of this blog:

1. To share our modeling journey with fellow modelers.
2. To share our ideas and philosophies about this art form.
3. To give fun to every friend who enjoys reading this blog.

BY: Mr Chong YC and Mr Liow KW

What is the definition of the word toy? In general, it simply means an object that a child interacts with. The toy provides the child with carefree happiness or pleasure. It is a toy! As the child grows older, knowledge, experience and skills takes on a bigger role on top of the pleasure content. Furthermore as the toy becomes more complex, it requires more knowledge, experience and skill from the growing child. However, for most adults and parents, the perception is that these objects are still toys because it still gives the child pleasure.
Is it not a toy? We disagree! As long as these objects require a higher degree of knowledge, experience and skill content, it is more than a toy. Take for instance a Rubik’s Cube. To a young child, it is probably just a toy for him or her to will twist and turn the colorful sides of the cube. To an older child, teenager or an adult it becomes a complex puzzle. It will require analytical skills, memory for formulas and dexterity and eye coordination. The Rubik’s Cube is more than a toy.
Toys differ in complexity and purposes. A simple set of building blocks permits a toddler to hold, knock together, stack, arrange, throw, and even chew on. The toddler plays blocks while developing his or her new found senses. Is it easy to play such a toy? Yes, it is because very low levels of skills are required from the child. As far as the parents are concerned, the use of the toy is justified as it provides their child with carefree pleasure.
In time, parents expect the process of learning and goal achievements to take over the role of playtime. The older child is expected to move onto more complex toys that educate more than the pleasure it gives. Parents and educators will conveniently classify these as non-toys. It seems that toys are meant only for the infant and young. What is a toy or not a toy in our opinion is very subjective. Parents often frown or even become upset at the mere thought of their adolescent child playing with a toy. To the parents, it is a sin to play such a toy and waste their time without harvesting any knowledge or skills from it.
Some parents and adults consider scale modeling as child’s play and models kits merely toys. Adults and children should not be involved with it or waste their time on it. Absolutely not! In fact parents should encourage it. Unlike building blocks or Lego, scale modeling can be much more complex. It involves research, planning, execution, logic and patience. A scale model is not a toy. If executed well, the result would be a very convincing scaled representation of a real object or historical event. Furthermore, with imagination, it can also represent futuristic objects and what-if scenarios.. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination and skills. Then there is also the question of accuracy. Construct an Out-Of-Box kit (for the beginner) and be satisfied or go to the extreme end by adding photo etch or resin conversion parts for very accurate models (for intermediate and advance modeler). The choice is yours. Happiness and satisfaction plays an important part in making this decision. You decide…. not others. Is it a sin or a waste of time? NO! It is your choice of how you spend your free time.
There is an old idiom that says “Learn to walk before you start running”. No one is born an expert or skilled. We all started from somewhere. Modelers may start off the hobby at different ages but all from the same humble skill level. Progression will depend on the availability of time for the hobby and exposure to the various modeling techniques and references. Fortunately, scale modeling articles and techniques are readily available on the Internet, books and magazines. As long as the passion exists for the hobby, we believe that every scale model or project created will be better than the previous one.
Caution is the word here. As our journey into the modeling world goes on, we will have plentiful opportunities to view models and projects constructed by advanced modelers or Master-class modelers. There will always be the urge to replicate those master-class pieces or compete in scale model competitions. No doubt, the competitive spirit is good but please compete with yourself rather than trying to out-do other modelers. By doing so we will strive to improve our modeling skills and techniques gradually within our own capability and timescale. Modeling Burn-out Syndrome or Advance Modeler’s Syndrome is thus avoided. This will be explained in later chapters