Well I will add my view to the GB rate.
As Joel highlighted, I am one of those who have been guilty of committing to too many campaigns and therefore not completing, or not even starting because too much going on. I found though the campaigns would appeal as something new for me to try I tended to bury myself with complexity e.g. my Flattops build of Enterprise. Ambition ahead of talent!
So I will try and only commit to the GB's that actually appeal and no more than one at a time. Otherwise I'll build what I am interested. If they intersect that's great, if not there is still plenty of room for the traditional build logs like most do.
On the other points that Joel makes around number of GBs and in particular the number of participants are all true for Automodeler. I guess the best way to find out is try for a year, say 2020, and see what the participation is like, both in enlistment and building.
cheers
Michael
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Automodeler Group Build Themes
Cosimodo
#335
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 12, 2019 - 01:08 PM UTC
AussieReg
Associate Editor
#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 12, 2019 - 09:36 PM UTC
Joel, this is your comment from back on May 11, which is what my little sketch-plan represents:
And this is May 12, which is in effect our current plan:
Kind of contradictory?
In my opinion, I honestly think that the current plan would be best for the small core group of builders we have currently:
Garage Queens - 12 Month duration January to December
Group Build 1 - 6 Month duration April to September
Group Build 2 - 6 Month duration October to March
This will provide a couple of themed options for us to enter each year if the subject matter is of interest, and also more scope for our own builds and individual build logs.
As Mark so eloquently put it, I am a compulsive "assembler" and I jump from one build to another way too frequently for my own good at times, but this year I have been able to focus more and make some serious progress. BTW Mark, only one ship on the bench! The other two in the series aren't started (YET!!).
The floor is open, I'm just here to help lubricate the wheels, not to put up road blocks!
Cheers, D
Quoted Text
I do see the need to have more then one GB every 6 months as not everyone wanting to be in a GB is interested in the subject matter. So how about start a single GB every 3 months? That gives us 3 GBS per year. More then enough to vary subject so that everyone's interests are included.
And this is May 12, which is in effect our current plan:
Quoted Text
As I said before, I think it's a wiser and more constructive venue to start off with a single GB of 6 months, and the 2nd one of the year after that. Then see where the membership of the list stands.
Kind of contradictory?
In my opinion, I honestly think that the current plan would be best for the small core group of builders we have currently:
Garage Queens - 12 Month duration January to December
Group Build 1 - 6 Month duration April to September
Group Build 2 - 6 Month duration October to March
This will provide a couple of themed options for us to enter each year if the subject matter is of interest, and also more scope for our own builds and individual build logs.
As Mark so eloquently put it, I am a compulsive "assembler" and I jump from one build to another way too frequently for my own good at times, but this year I have been able to focus more and make some serious progress. BTW Mark, only one ship on the bench! The other two in the series aren't started (YET!!).
The floor is open, I'm just here to help lubricate the wheels, not to put up road blocks!
Cheers, D
Joel_W
Associate Editor
Joined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 12:58 AM UTC
D.
Excellent decision for sure.
So the next contest will be the Ford Blue Oval running Oct-March, that also will put us on the correct time frame?
And I have the exact opposite compulsivity, where I can only concentrate and focus on a single build, including on going research these days as I'm continually running into one issue after another.
Joel
Excellent decision for sure.
So the next contest will be the Ford Blue Oval running Oct-March, that also will put us on the correct time frame?
And I have the exact opposite compulsivity, where I can only concentrate and focus on a single build, including on going research these days as I'm continually running into one issue after another.
Joel
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Auto Modeler: 555 posts
Posted: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 06:44 AM UTC
LOL guys. I went ahead on Friday and order the '56 T Bird, just to get the Marilyn Monroe bumpers for the Blue Oval Build. 
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 08:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
LOL guys. I went ahead on Friday and order the '56 T Bird, just to get the Marilyn Monroe bumpers for the Blue Oval Build.
WTG Mark. I just love it.
Joel
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Auto Modeler: 555 posts
Posted: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 09:04 AM UTC
Settle down Joel, I'm actually targeting a 51 Tudor with flat midnight blue paint.
A lot like this but not glossy, with the kind of failed Earl Scheib paint job that leaves a blue-black residue on your hands when you touch it.
I'm actually targeting a 51 Tudor with flat midnight blue paint.A lot like this but not glossy, with the kind of failed Earl Scheib paint job that leaves a blue-black residue on your hands when you touch it.
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Monday, May 13, 2019 - 09:40 AM UTC
Mark,
Well, it certainly has the Marylin Monroe Bumpers too.
Being a Ford kind of guy, I do love the '51 Tudor. My families 1st car was a 54 Customline four door Flat Blue with a white top. I never remember seeing the car have a shine. 3 speed manual on the column, and I just loved Old Betsy as we called her. Dad Traded it in way before I was old enough to drive. a real sad day as far as I was concerned.
Joel
Well, it certainly has the Marylin Monroe Bumpers too.
Being a Ford kind of guy, I do love the '51 Tudor. My families 1st car was a 54 Customline four door Flat Blue with a white top. I never remember seeing the car have a shine. 3 speed manual on the column, and I just loved Old Betsy as we called her. Dad Traded it in way before I was old enough to drive. a real sad day as far as I was concerned.
Joel
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,405 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - 03:34 AM UTC
"Marilyn Monroe Bumpers"? 
Never heard that term before.
Jim
Never heard that term before.Jim
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - 04:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
"Marilyn Monroe Bumpers"?
Jim
Jim,
Mark used it in his thread for the 56 T'Bird. I'm assuming he was referring to the two bumper bullets. It's not a term that I've heard before either. But we generally refer to cars with female names as if they have a gender, so one can say that it's an extrapolation of the Gender nomenclature.
Like I said, every car my father owned was named with a female name. Old Betsy was the best of the best. I wanted that car so bad for my 1st car, as I dreamed of a million things to upgrade it. But Dad traded it in, and crushed my world.
Joel
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Auto Modeler: 555 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - 04:38 AM UTC
I hadn't heard the Marilyn Monroe bumpers term until a few years ago myself. I was sharing with my dad that I had picked up a '49 Ford Coupe model and was going to try to recreate our '51 Tudor.
That's when he said that for obvious reasons it was called the Marilyn Monroe bumper. Hadn't heard it before, haven't heard it since. Dad won't see me finish the kit, but, ever onward.
That's when he said that for obvious reasons it was called the Marilyn Monroe bumper. Hadn't heard it before, haven't heard it since. Dad won't see me finish the kit, but, ever onward.
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,405 posts
Posted: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 - 06:25 AM UTC
That's kind of what I figured. More like Jayne Mansfield, though.
Jim
Jim
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 03:24 AM UTC
Ok folks, with the current Porsche Group Build about a month away from winding up, and the Blue Oval Group Build firing up in 2 months, I thought that it might be time to take some input on the next Group Build so that we can get a nice long lead-in thread started.
For me, I'm leaning towards on the following:
Strip, Track and Trail - Drag Strip, Race Track, Rally and Off-Road cars and motorcycles (even trucks if you're keen!).
With the huge number of recent releases in the Rally Car field, and the popularity of the F1, Indy, Nascar and Drag Strip (Rail and Funny Car) genres, I'm sure that we could get a good level of interest and participation.
This Group Build will run from April 1 2020 for 6 months.
Please give us some feedback for this proposal, or any others, and we will get the ball (or wheels) rolling!
Cheers, D
For me, I'm leaning towards on the following:
Strip, Track and Trail - Drag Strip, Race Track, Rally and Off-Road cars and motorcycles (even trucks if you're keen!).
With the huge number of recent releases in the Rally Car field, and the popularity of the F1, Indy, Nascar and Drag Strip (Rail and Funny Car) genres, I'm sure that we could get a good level of interest and participation.
This Group Build will run from April 1 2020 for 6 months.
Please give us some feedback for this proposal, or any others, and we will get the ball (or wheels) rolling!
Cheers, D
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 04:07 AM UTC
D,
I'm all for any racing type campaign. Like you said, there's so many types of racing these days, with most on tv that I've never experienced before.
The only venue that I barely see except occasionally over the winter is Rally racing. Yet the Asian manufactures have just exploded that resource. Maybe keeping Rally a separate campaign might be the way to go.
No matter what, I'm ready to sign up.
Joel
I'm all for any racing type campaign. Like you said, there's so many types of racing these days, with most on tv that I've never experienced before.
The only venue that I barely see except occasionally over the winter is Rally racing. Yet the Asian manufactures have just exploded that resource. Maybe keeping Rally a separate campaign might be the way to go.
No matter what, I'm ready to sign up.
Joel
Szmann
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,371 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 04:46 AM UTC
I'm good also with racing theme. I just got couple of NASCAR in my stash.
Gabriel
Gabriel
PasiAhopelto
Joined: October 01, 2016
KitMaker: 514 posts
Auto Modeler: 44 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 06:57 AM UTC
I have F1, Rally and sports cars (as in Le Mans) in stash, so would join any of those group builds.
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,405 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 07:25 AM UTC
No race cars currently in the stash. 
Might have to sit this one out.
Jim
Might have to sit this one out.Jim
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 09:07 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have F1, Rally and sports cars (as in Le Mans) in stash, so would join any of those group builds.
Pasi,
Damian's original concept was any type of racing car, bike, or even truck. My modification suggestion was just to keep Rally separate, so either way you've got car kits to choose from.
BTW, welcome to our AutoModeler site, we're thrilled to have you as part of the "family"
Joel
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 09:09 AM UTC
Quoted Text
No race cars currently in the stash.
Jim
Jim,
Hopefully, you'll find a kit that interests you enough, and you'll join us. Check out ebay, as there's a ton of old race cars of all types at great prices. I should know as I keep on finding a gem here and there, and buying it.
Joel
Cosimodo
#335
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 11:10 AM UTC
My thoughts for what their worth but I think the theme is too broad. I get race prepared cars for strip, track or rally but anything that goes off road as well, including trucks and motorbikes?
We've gone from the narrow - Porsche and Ford - to almost anything somebody has ever stuck a number on! I would prefer a more focused group build but I'll wait until the rules are set.
cheers
Michael
We've gone from the narrow - Porsche and Ford - to almost anything somebody has ever stuck a number on! I would prefer a more focused group build but I'll wait until the rules are set.
cheers
Michael
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 11:54 AM UTC
Hi guys.
Thanks for the feedback so far. Don't forget that this was just my suggestion, please put forward any others either from the list on page one, or a new suggestion.
The main reason I was trying to keep a broader theme is to try to generate more participation. We rarely get more than 10 enlisted in the Automodeler Group Builds, and never get close to a full completion list. My fear is that if we narrow the field down to say "Street, Strip and Track - Hard Top Racing" and then "Rally - Dirt, Mud and Sand" subjects the numbers will be even lower. In saying that, I'm more than happy to be proven wrong and if the concensus from the contributors here is to go that way, we shall make it so.
Like I've said before, I'm here to help make the site run smoother and be a more enjoyable place for us to share our hobby, so please keep the feedback coming!
Cheers, D
Thanks for the feedback so far. Don't forget that this was just my suggestion, please put forward any others either from the list on page one, or a new suggestion.
The main reason I was trying to keep a broader theme is to try to generate more participation. We rarely get more than 10 enlisted in the Automodeler Group Builds, and never get close to a full completion list. My fear is that if we narrow the field down to say "Street, Strip and Track - Hard Top Racing" and then "Rally - Dirt, Mud and Sand" subjects the numbers will be even lower. In saying that, I'm more than happy to be proven wrong and if the concensus from the contributors here is to go that way, we shall make it so.
Like I've said before, I'm here to help make the site run smoother and be a more enjoyable place for us to share our hobby, so please keep the feedback coming!
Cheers, D
md72
#439
Joined: November 05, 2005
KitMaker: 4,950 posts
Auto Modeler: 555 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 12:36 PM UTC
Well FWIW, I consider myself to be an airplane guy and for some reason I've ended up with 4 NASCAR racers, 2 road racers, a stock car (not NASCAR) and one open wheel racer in the stash. And a number of Mustangs and Chargers in the mix that could be weekend racers, including a Hertz Shelby Mustang 350H.
And a number of Mustangs and Chargers in the mix that could be weekend racers, including a Hertz Shelby Mustang 350H.jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Auto Modeler: 1,405 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 01:55 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Jim,
Hopefully, you'll find a kit that interests you enough, and you'll join us. Check out ebay, as there's a ton of old race cars of all types at great prices. I should know as I keep on finding a gem here and there, and buying it.
Joel
I still want to do a 1990s era Indy/CART car; so I'll keep my eyes open.
Damian, I'm kind of with you on this one. I, too, think that if we narrow it down too much (Racing - Open Wheel; or Racing - Stock Cars) we probably won't get the participation. Says the guy who might not be participating!
Jim
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 12:46 AM UTC
FWIW, I've been a life long road & oval track racing fan, and even raced myself (a true one way ticket to the Poor House). I had little interest in the 1/8 & 1/4 mile drag strip cars that develop as much HP as humanely possible.
Over the years of being on several real racing forums, and visiting many racing sites, a few things slowly came into focus is that the interests of gearheads varies greatly by where they grew up and currently live. My point is that it would be rather difficult to narrow down what series for a campaign without loosing members who have no interest in those series. Yet I do see the point of a theme of just Racing as being to wide open.
We're never going to be able to make everyone happy with the chosen general subject matter, so maybe we should focus more on narrowing down the various types.
Open Wheel, Closed wheel, Drag & Strip, Rally, or even Vintage and or time period are a few that come to mind.
Joel
Over the years of being on several real racing forums, and visiting many racing sites, a few things slowly came into focus is that the interests of gearheads varies greatly by where they grew up and currently live. My point is that it would be rather difficult to narrow down what series for a campaign without loosing members who have no interest in those series. Yet I do see the point of a theme of just Racing as being to wide open.
We're never going to be able to make everyone happy with the chosen general subject matter, so maybe we should focus more on narrowing down the various types.
Open Wheel, Closed wheel, Drag & Strip, Rally, or even Vintage and or time period are a few that come to mind.
Joel
AussieReg
Associate Editor#007
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Monday, August 12, 2019 - 12:02 AM UTC
Hi guys.
I've been thinking about the pros and cons of narrowing down the field for a "Racing" themed Group Build, and I really can't see the advantage in it. I just keep going back to the low numbers that we have enlisting in the Group Builds, and the even lower numbers completing their builds, and all I can see is fewer again taking part in a narrow-focus Group Build.
I honestly believe that if we base the Group Build around an all-encompassing history and variety of racing vehicles theme we would encourage more to join in. We could stipulate a "No What-If" rule so that all entries are genuine historical or current race vehicles. If there is enough participation and further demand we can always follow up with further chapters.
I could also see a narrower definition possibly causing some argument. For example if we take "Open-Wheelers" as a theme, we automatically gravitate to the F1 and Indy cars, but what about the dune buggies, dragsters and sprint cars?
As always, all input and ideas welcome.
Cheers, D
I've been thinking about the pros and cons of narrowing down the field for a "Racing" themed Group Build, and I really can't see the advantage in it. I just keep going back to the low numbers that we have enlisting in the Group Builds, and the even lower numbers completing their builds, and all I can see is fewer again taking part in a narrow-focus Group Build.
I honestly believe that if we base the Group Build around an all-encompassing history and variety of racing vehicles theme we would encourage more to join in. We could stipulate a "No What-If" rule so that all entries are genuine historical or current race vehicles. If there is enough participation and further demand we can always follow up with further chapters.
I could also see a narrower definition possibly causing some argument. For example if we take "Open-Wheelers" as a theme, we automatically gravitate to the F1 and Indy cars, but what about the dune buggies, dragsters and sprint cars?
As always, all input and ideas welcome.
Cheers, D
Joel_W
Associate EditorJoined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Monday, August 12, 2019 - 04:13 AM UTC
D,
Your points are well taken, and I can see where my thoughts on various types of racing should be separate from each other, is in reality counter productive as it just further limits the number of enlistees per type.
So I'm fine with all types and classes of racing, and even including Fantasy for the 1 or 2 guys that would enter if that option was available to them. Just look at Charles's Ford GT as to what can be accomplished as a fantasy car.
Joel
Your points are well taken, and I can see where my thoughts on various types of racing should be separate from each other, is in reality counter productive as it just further limits the number of enlistees per type.
So I'm fine with all types and classes of racing, and even including Fantasy for the 1 or 2 guys that would enter if that option was available to them. Just look at Charles's Ford GT as to what can be accomplished as a fantasy car.
Joel
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