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Automodeler Group Build Themes
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2019 - 05:14 PM UTC
Hi everybody.

I would like to begin arranging a "library" of themes for future Group Builds here on Automodeler. It would be great to keep the current increase in activity and interest rolling, and I believe that in order to do that we should agree on themes of high interest. I don't want to overload us with Group Builds as it can result in a level of incomplete builds and frustration that is counter-productive. My thought is to have an annual "Garage Queens" Group Build running for the calendar year, and along side that one "Themed" Group Build, possibly also running for 12 months, or shorter if agreed. This will also give us all the opportunity to run our own builds, hopefully with personal Build Log threads.

Some ideas that I came up with initially:

The Blue Oval - anything Ford
Land of the Rising Sun - anything of Japanese manufacture
Big Rigs - Trucks rigid or articulated
The Early Years of Auto - anything manufactured prior to the start of WWII
Strip. Track and Trail - Drag, Race or Rally cars
When Two or Three will do - Bikes and Trikes
Ragtop Rules - Anything convertible or Soft Top

Always open to other suggestions so lets get some discussion going and see what we can agree on as the next Group Build once the Porsche is completed.

Cheers, D

EDIT: I will keep a running list of Group Build themes here and add confirmed dates to them as we go.

1. Chopped and Changed - Modified kits, kitbash builds or scratchbuilding projects.

2. Dirty, Dusty and Rusty - Dirty, badly weathered or fully rusted out "barn find" cars.

3. White Challenge - any vehicle painted white (or derivatives) - to challenge the skill of the modeler with most difficult finish.

4. Bad Taste - for ugly custom build, restoration partly finished or finished in mismatching color cars.

5. Heart of the beast - animal manufacturers, any manufacturer with an animal as a badge (Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Holden, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, etc) (April-September 2020)

6. A bit of muscle - American muscle cars.

7. The Big Three - Country of Origin (as listed in post below by Andy)

8. The Blue Oval - anything Ford (October 2019 - March 2020) - COMPLETED

9. Land of the Rising Sun - anything of Japanese manufacture

10. Big Rigs - Trucks rigid or articulated (Perpetual annual event Jan-Dec)

11. The Early Years of Auto - anything manufactured prior to the start of WWII

12. Strip, Track and Trail - Drag strip, Race circuit or Rally track cars, bikes and trucks (April - September 2020)

13. When Two or Three will do - Bikes and Trikes

14. Ragtop Rules - Anything convertible or Soft Top

15. Flame On - Decals, mask or freehand, put the flames on!

16. Union Jack & Tricolore - Commonwealth and French Manufacturers showcase

17. Work and delivery - Those light commercial vehicles, pick-ups (Utes), panel vans, mini-buses

18. Emergency Services - Police, Fire, Ambulance, Rescue, Coast Guard etc

19. Stars of the Screen! - Vehicles that have featured in Movies or TV shows.

20. Dreams are Free! - Follow your dreams, build the car, bike or truck that you would love to have sitting in the garage!(October 2020 - March 2021)
md72
#439
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Washington, United States
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Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2019 - 05:40 PM UTC
You don't have Bowtie Build listed
Seriously, outside of nameplate builds, you've got a fairly comprehensive list there.

And yes only a few builds per year helps. I think I have at least one build 'due' every month until September. That may be more than I can chew.
betheyn
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#019
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, February 02, 2019 - 10:35 PM UTC
You have it pretty well covered, but a couple I can think of off the top of my head would be,
A bit of muscle - American muscle cars.
The Big Three -
The United States' Big Three are General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler (FCA US).
Germany's Big Three are Volkswagen AG, Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) and BMW.
Japan's Big Three are Toyota, Nissan, and Honda.
France's Big Three are Renault, Peugeot and Citroën, although both Peugeot and Citroën are a part of the PSA Group.
Italy's Big Three are Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Fiat.
This would include cars from the 1950s; where the big chrome monsters lurked.
(Big three info from Wiki)
Also you could run two campaigns per year, with a 6 month run time alongside the year long hanger queen build.
Andy
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 12:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

You don't have Bowtie Build listed



I was tempted Mark, but with all of the Chevy builds I have lined up, I didn't want to overload the system and cause a meltdown.


Quoted Text

Also you could run two campaigns per year, with a 6 month run time alongside the year long hanger queen build.


That is what I would like to aim for Andy, I just want to confirm with the folks here whether 6 months for a build is achievable. A lot of the builders here have Campaign commitments on the other pages.

"A bit of muscle" and "The Big Three" work very well as themes, added to the list and thanks for your input. BTW, when are we going to see you putting your skills to good use here?

Cheers, D
Littorio
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 12:08 AM UTC
Think you got it covered D, could I also suggest:
Heart of the beast - animal manufacturers, any manufacturer with an animal as a badge (Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Holden, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, from the top of my head but sure to be more)
betheyn
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#019
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 09:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

BTW, when are we going to see you putting your skills to good use here?


Soon, just waiting for an easier kit then I have in the stash to arrive. Don't think I'm quite ready to deal with the Simil R Ford Focus RS WRC 2010 car or the Toyota GT-One just yet.
Andy
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 11:39 AM UTC
Hi!

D., all the themes are acceptable for me, including the ones suggested by the others.
Garage Queens it's going to be always a problem for me, because I'm not letting loose ends all that often.

The suggested program is good I think, with two parallel asynchronous GBs.

In addition to the GBs based on manufacturer or country of origin, I will like to suggest other two, based on finish:
White Challenge - any vehicle painted white (or derivatives) - to challenge the skill of the modeler with most difficult finish;
Bad Taste - for ugly custom build or finished in mismatching color cars.

Haha! That will make some ten campaigns - we have 10 years work ahead

Gabriel
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 03:27 PM UTC
Great feedback everybody, plenty to think about for all of us now.

Luciano, yes, I like that theme. Animal logos would be cool, even down to the SsangYong Musso (Rhino), but I'm not sure if there's been a kit of a few of the options out there.

Gabriel, I think that You and Joel might be the only 2 among us who don't really qualify for the Garage Queens theme. I really like your White Challenge idea, I struggle with that every time. The Bad Taste theme would definitely get us all thinking "out of the square" for a scheme for our builds.

I have come up with a couple more during my work wanderings today:

Chopped and Changed - Modified kits such as my current Nomad/El Camino conversion or Jesper's current Nomad build where he had to rebuild the rear end to take the wider wheels and lower the stance. Also would include Kitbash builds such as Gavin's current SambaStein, or just plain scratchbuilding insanity (looking at you Nick).

Dirty, Dusty and Rusty - Dirty, badly weathered or fully rusted out "barn find" cars, stretch our skills beyond the shiny showroom.

Lets start with that list and decide on something to prepare for when the Porsche Group Build comes to a conclusion.

Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
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Posted: Sunday, February 03, 2019 - 06:41 PM UTC
Lots of great campaign ideas. I was just about to suggest a daily rusty dirty beater campaign, but you beat me to it Damian Plenty to chose from now. Looking forward to seeing what the first campaign will be.
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2019 - 12:49 PM UTC
I have been thinking about how to encourage more "traffic" here on AutoModeler as we really only have a handful of active builders, and aside the news and reviews, and from each of us creating and regularly updating individual build logs for our current works, really the only way is to actively promote and participate in our Group Builds.

To that end, I am thinking that we should start a new themed Group Build on July 1, running for 6 months, but we need to choose a theme that will encourage as many participants as possible so I need some feedback from the crowd.

Below is a summary of the themes that have been put forward, in no particular order, so please let me know your thoughts on where we start

1. Chopped and Changed - Modified kits such as my current Nomad/El Camino conversion or Jesper's current Nomad build where he had to rebuild the rear end to take the wider wheels and lower the stance. Also would include Kitbash builds such as Gavin's current SambaStein, or just plain scratchbuilding insanity (looking at you Nick).

2. Dirty, Dusty and Rusty - Dirty, badly weathered or fully rusted out "barn find" cars, stretch our skills beyond the shiny showroom.

3. White Challenge - any vehicle painted white (or derivatives) - to challenge the skill of the modeler with most difficult finish.

4. Bad Taste - for ugly custom build or finished in mismatching color cars.

5. Heart of the beast - animal manufacturers, any manufacturer with an animal as a badge (Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Holden, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, etc)

6. A bit of muscle - American muscle cars.

7. The Big Three - Country of Origin (as listed by Andy)

8. The Blue Oval - anything Ford

9. Land of the Rising Sun - anything of Japanese manufacture

10. Big Rigs - Trucks rigid or articulated

11. The Early Years of Auto - anything manufactured prior to the start of WWII

12. Strip, Track and Trail - Drag, Race or Rally cars

13. When Two or Three will do - Bikes and Trikes

14. Ragtop Rules - Anything convertible or Soft Top

I'm looking forward to your ideas and feedback on this. Alternatively I could put the numbers in a hat and draw at random

Cheers, D
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2019 - 01:48 PM UTC
Hi, D.!

I agree with the principles of sustaining GB's and I am in.
July 1st should be OK for me - I will be still in Europe, but packing my stuff.

Personal Observations:
I cannot participate to "Chopped... " campaign, because I have a long list of commissioned stock builds ahead of me.
The "Big Rig" campaign is interesting, but we just finished one and had all of us exhausted with frustrating crappy MPC and AMT kits - perhaps is too soon to start another one.

Other than that, I'll be head on in any campaign of the ones proposed.

P.S. There is random.org that can randomly make a pick in case is difficult for us to establish one.

Cheers!
Gabriel
md72
#439
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Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2019 - 05:44 PM UTC
Well, I'm stocked to handle Blue Oval (about 4 Mustangs, a Model A, an F-100 and a 49 Tudor), Muscle (4 mustangs, bits of 2 Camaros, Firebird, Challenger and a Hemi Cuda), and Strip & Track (3 NASCARS, a Formula 1, Corvette Indy Car, Corvette Roadster and a dragster). Oh look there's even a Ferrari.

So one vote for Blue Oval!
Littorio
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Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2019 - 06:50 PM UTC
D, good ideas all, however for me I'd have nothing for the Chopped and Changed build unless the conversion set I just got for the Opel Manta rally car counts but all it is, is a change of wheels, headlights and decals. The Bad taste I'd most likely have to go and buy something for and the same for the pre WWII but that's not a hardship as I've already been looking for a 1920's or 30's car (Alfa Romeo).

All the rest I have something in the stash that will work and looking forward to doing a white (Pearl) Lamborghini!
Dixon66
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Posted: Friday, February 08, 2019 - 12:52 AM UTC
While I am not up to the skills of all of you, I could be in for Blue Oval, Ragtop, Dirty, or Street & Strip.
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
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Posted: Friday, February 08, 2019 - 01:31 AM UTC
I have a couple of kits that fit the Blue Oval theme that I would like to build as well, so it seems that we are leaning in that direction at this point.

Next question, does anybody want to put their hand up to lead the Group Build? I am always happy to do it but anybody with a particular fondness for the Blue Oval marque might like to take the reins if that is the concensus.

Cheers, D
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, February 08, 2019 - 01:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text

While I am not up to the skills of all of you, I could be in for Blue Oval, Ragtop, Dirty, or Street & Strip.



David, thanks for checking in here. It's not about the skills you have now, it's about enjoying the hobby and the camaraderie, and improving your skills as you go.

Cheers, D
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
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Posted: Friday, February 08, 2019 - 01:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

While I am not up to the skills of all of you, I could be in for Blue Oval, Ragtop, Dirty, or Street & Strip.



David, thanks for checking in here. It's not about the skills you have now, it's about enjoying the hobby and the camaraderie, and improving your skills as you go.

Cheers, D



Wise and true
Gabriel
Dixon66
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Posted: Friday, February 08, 2019 - 05:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

While I am not up to the skills of all of you, I could be in for Blue Oval, Ragtop, Dirty, or Street & Strip.



David, thanks for checking in here. It's not about the skills you have now, it's about enjoying the hobby and the camaraderie, and improving your skills as you go.

Cheers, D



Wise and true
Gabriel



True it is.

I've been at it for nearly 40 years now. Eyesight and hand steadiness are the failing factors. But, I'll never stop trying.
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, February 22, 2019 - 10:36 PM UTC
Hi all.

Once again I have been pondering the best way to maintain momentum and increase traffic in the Group Builds here on Automodeler. I am actually thinking that it might be better to "offset" the start and finish dates of the themed Group Builds against the "Garage Queens" 12-month calendar year Group Build.

I would propose that the themed Group Builds run Oct-Mar and Apr-Sept. This also fits with the finish of the current Porsche Group Build in September.

If there are no objections, I think we might run with the "Blue Oval" theme commencing on October 1, this gives us plenty of time to line up kits and materials and a lengthy lead-up thread always generates ideas and interest (and frustration because we just want to get started).

Please let me know your thoughts folks.

Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 03:54 AM UTC
Sounds like a good plan, to me.
Littorio
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 04:34 AM UTC
Sounds good to me as well D, should have a few late 60's 'stangs in the stash by then and may be a pickup.
md72
#439
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 05:25 AM UTC
Blue Oval?
OK, let's see what I've got:
'49 Custom Coupe
F350
'56 F-100
'30 Coupe
'68 Shelby GT-350H
'70 Mustang Boss 302
'67 Mustang GT Fastback
'68 Mustang GT
3 litre GT
Valvoline Thunderbird
Motorcraft Thunderbird
and starts on a Ford GPA and a Mutt

Yep, there's a chance I'm ready to be part of this build. Done at least 10 minutes of research on the '67 GT Fastback, so I might start there. But the Model A and the 3 Litre are calling...
Dixon66
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New Hampshire, United States
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 07:49 AM UTC
Sounds like a good plan here too.

Possibles include:
1971 Classic Bronco
1972-3 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
1979 Bronco
IMSA Mustang
Couple of NASCAR Thunderbirds
Zakspeed Capri
2003(?) F-350
Couple of Mustangs

Probably more buried in the stash, need to inventory it when I pack them away in the new workshop.
betheyn
Staff MemberSenior Editor
AEROSCALE
#019
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: October 14, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 08:41 AM UTC
Well I have a SimilR Ford Focus RS WRC 2010 in the stash, that's been there for 9 years, which fits the Blue Oval theme.
Just need to get a couple of easier car builds under me before I attempt that one though lol.
Andy
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
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Posted: Saturday, February 23, 2019 - 04:04 PM UTC
Sounds like a plan, D.!

I guess I have some five Ford in the stash, but I'm leaning towards an early one from '30s of '40s.

Gabriel
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