Group Build Entries.

[A4K]

I 'd like to be in on this if I can.
I haven't done much modelmaking for a while, as there are still a few urgent matters that need my attention, but I'm hoping to enter an Fw 190D-9 atleast, one of my favourite aircraft.

My skill level is somewhere round the 'intermediate' stage -I'm not a beginner, but I'm far from professional, and I still brush paint.

The dates and conditions of the build sound good to me.

[lesofprimus]

The dates and conditions of the build sound good to me.

Same here A4...

[Airframes]

Aw, Catch! You gotta try get something in, if you can! Even if it's a teeny weeny little thing!
Yep, I agree so far with the 'rules'; I've already stated that I'll 'enter' but not compete, so I don't mind assisting with some of the judging. I think that, as Wayne is currently up to speed with comp rules etc, maybe he can finalise the 'rules' for this scheme, if that's OK Wayne?
As I see it, this is not only a group-build 'competition', but an incentive and tutorial, where modellers on the forum, whatever their skill level, can participate, contribute and gain knowledge/experience/hints/inspiration etc, thereby furthering the enjoyment and sense of achievement whilst at the same time broadening skills and education. Already, the research sparked off has provided valuable historical information that has been shared by all - great stuff!
Perhaps it might be a good idea to have an historical specialist on board? (Don't like the term 'expert' - 'Ex' means 'has been' and 'Spurt' is a drip under pressure!) It could help in adjudication, and in the case of a tie, or split decisions. Of course, I'm thinking of Erich here! If you fancy it that is Erich!?
Again, comments/opinions/views welcomed.
Terry.

[lesofprimus]

I think that the Judges need to be decided after everyone who are going to participate have declared themselves...

As I see it, Erich, Eric and u Terry are the first 3 Judges to pick.... Wayne could be another Judge if he doesnt "compete"...

[Njaco]

Guess I 'll throw my two bits in here. I'm just gonna do one as I don't know what I have just yet - have to open a few big boxes to see. But I'm no beginner and far from professional - like Evan. Time constraints will keep mine to one entry. Tommorrow I'll go rooting around for what I have.

[Airframes]

Fine by me Dan. As you say, the next thing is to get all the names in; actual entries, and the numbers of same, can be sorted later. Can I suggest that, as soon as the rules and 'categories/classes' are finalised, that those wishing to, or intending to enter, lodge their details on a separate post?
I don't mind taking and recording the details, as I probably have more free time than most. When the above is sorted, perhaps a register under the comp title can be posted, so that all concerned can register, question, clarify etc. I'll keep a file on all correspondance, to be shared or disrtributed to the relevant parties, if it's thought that would be useful?

[Wayne Little]

As I said earlier I would rather judge than compete...I may throw something in just to contribute to the build....

It would seem that for the most part, from the posts so far, that we have beginner/novice and Intermediate classes of modellers putting their hands up, sound about right?

So how do YOU fit?.....keeping the description simple.....

Category/Class 1 : Experienced Modeller with very good skills.
Category/Class 2 : General Medium level modeller with reasonable skills and good grasp on the basics.
Category/Class 3 : Beginner/Novice Minimal experience and learning the ropes.

Does this provide a fair and reasonable description?

[lesofprimus]

Sounds good Terry... I like the name of the Group Build as well.... Unfortunatly, I cant get the word Operation to translate into German....

Air Bridge translated is Luftbrücke... Operation translates to Operation... We need Chris or Erich in here...

[lesofprimus]

Sounds good Wayne, although by ur descriptions, Im not sure if Im a Class 3 or 2....

[Catch22]

I WILL try to sneak one in Terry, but we'll have to see how it goes. I'd probably do the Tamiya Dora OOB.

Yeah, I'm not sure either. I'm experienced as I've been doing it a while, and I know what I'm doing, but somebody like Wayne would be in Class 3, and I'm nowhere near him.

[lesofprimus]

Since Ive only seriously attempted to build the 190A-8 and the Panther Tank in the last 20 years, I would assume Im a Class 3 participant...

[Matt308]

Your a Class 2, Les. And for the record, Wayne isn't a Class 3 Catch. He's Class 1 buddy.

[Matt308]

Can I suggest that to keep the intimidation factor to a minimum for the Class 3 participants that we just keep the build requirements to:

1) Beginning and ending dates for completion.

2) Scale 1/72nd to 1/24th

3) Any German Reich Defense airplane made Out Of Box (OOB). No scratch built parts or modifications other than directly contained in the OOB instruction sheet.

4) Judging shall not be made based upon accuracy of OOB decals/marking, but rather on modeling skill of the kit in question.

My fear is the technical accuracy discussions may steer many interested beginner modelers away (e.g., pages and pages of discussion on proper JG markings, colors, and times can become quite complex). They can learn from the upper Class 2 and Class 1 discussions. Modeling is intimidating enough for a beginner just learning the colors, build and painting techniques.

Just my thoughts, gents.

I would also suggest that we solicit names...SOON of whom is going to participate. Late comers should be welcome.

I'll draft up some rules for folks to edit here in a the next hour. Where's my beer...

[Catch22]

Originally Posted by Matt308

Your a Class 2, Les. And for the record, Wayne isn't a Class 3 Catch. He's Class 1 buddy.

There's no possible way he could be good enough to get into Class 1!



And Matt, I agree with what you said. It'll keep it simpler. Perhaps they would be able to change the paint colours if they were completely wrong, but otherwise, I agree.

Should we also perhaps have different categories within the categories, such as in say Class 2: OOB and Class 2: Enhanced?

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by Airframes

As I see it, this is not only a group-build 'competition', but an incentive and tutorial, where modellers on the forum, whatever their skill level, can participate, contribute and gain knowledge/experience/hints/inspiration etc, thereby furthering the enjoyment and sense of achievement whilst at the same time broadening skills and education. Already, the research sparked off has provided valuable historical information that has been shared by all - great stuff!
Perhaps it might be a good idea to have an historical specialist on board? (Don't like the term 'expert' - 'Ex' means 'has been' and 'Spurt' is a drip under pressure!) It could help in adjudication, and in the case of a tie, or split decisions. Of course, I'm thinking of Erich here! If you fancy it that is Erich!?
Again, comments/opinions/views welcomed.
Terry.

That's my thought exactly...what greater way than to build and learn at the same time. These won't just be models to me, but also smaller pieces of history with sometimes a tragic story to tell...pilot and crew or just pilot has been KIA or was and some maybe STILL am MIA. That's one of the reasons that I want to try my fingers on Heinrich Bartels last machine Bf 109G-10 "Yellow 13" W.Nr. 130 359. So far by the small amount that I've found out about him, he loved to dogfight and that he took off on his last flight at 11:00 On 23 December, with his flight and that his wingman was Oberfähnrich Rolf Brand.... Also that he was famous for pranks and drinking, but after getting his Knight's cross, he apparently went a bit too far.
In Petsamo, November 1942:
First he woke up Schuck, and made him drink Cognac, each time pouring the liquor over his new Knight's cross, to "baptize" it. Meanwhile Kurt Dylewski, his inseparable Wingman (also very drunk) started playing the guitar extremely loud and extremely false.
After leaving Schuck (and three empty cognac bottles) Bartels went on a drunken rampage:
First, he tried to steal a truck, but the driver had taken the key. The driver woke up and pulled the drunken Bartels out of the cabin and started beating him up.
After realizing whom he was beating up, the driver panicked and ran into the enlisted quarters, went to bed and pretended to sleep.
Bartels followed him and searched the barracks for the drivers wet boots, finally finding them and promptly beating the crap out of the guy in the bed next to the boots.
The original culprit meanwhile had the upper bed and hid successfully...
After that, Bartels and Dylewski went to the civilian quarters and invaded the billet of the lapland women who were employed in cleaning and washing duties in Petsamo.
He lifted every blanket and each time he shouted (in broad austrian dialect):
"Pfui Teifi, A so a brutaler Wahnsinn, s'stinkt furchtbor noch Kas! Ois Kas, gonz a oiter Kas!"
(roughly translated "wow, it really smells like cheese under here, terrible old cheese!")
The semi-nomadic laplanders had a bit of a strong smell apparently.
Still not ready to call it a night, Bartels went into the stables, and pulled out one of the mules.
He led the mule to the billet of the "Spieß" (Company Sergeant) of his staffel, made it stand halfly on the sleeping man's bed. As Bartels was a Butcher in Civilian life, he knew how to treat animals and the poor mule emptied its bowels over the sleeping Feldwebel, covering him and the entire bed with #%&*$#... After that, Bartels finally went to sleep.

Soooo, beside the building I really look forward to learn more about him and other pilots and aircraft and also to gain some experience building!

Originally Posted by Wayne Little

So how do YOU fit?.....keeping the description simple.....

Category/Class 1 : Experienced Modeller with very good skills.
Category/Class 2 : General Medium level modeller with reasonable skills and good grasp on the basics.
Category/Class 3 : Beginner/Novice Minimal experience and learning the ropes.

I'm deffo a Class 3 after 20+ years away from the front....