Hobbies Thread

[ChaosphereIX]

Did not see a thread for hobbies, so I figured I would make one about mine I got back into the last couple of years. Scale modeling. Being a military history nut, it is only natural. I have focused on submarines, and particularly the Cold War, as they are most fascinating machines to me. I have amassed quite a collection, in an effort to fully document the development of the world's combat submarines from Holland-type to the brand new yet to be commissioned Taiwanese domestic submarine (I think that is my newest). I have models for just about any combat sub out there, almost. Many are in 1/700, many others in 1/350 - a couple in 1/144. I am almost done painting all the Cold War subs too, just have a few Russian boomers left to do. Welcome any questions, close up requests, or attempts to stump me lol (if there is a kit out there of the sub, I likely have it or have good reason for not having it!). Will update with finished additions not pictured here. Currently finishing the paint and decals on a Delta IV boomer and assembling a WWII IJN Type B cruiser sub.

[Johnnymac]

My question would be around which is your favourite? How long have you been making models?  Obviously subs are a big passion but have you done many other war machines outside of the navy?  I know a lot of people get into planes and tanks.

Do you have a dream model you'd love to make? 

[ChaosphereIX]

Good questions! My favourite sub is the Brit Trafalgar class, Russian Oscar II, or the Russian Victor III. Just iconic in my early days of military research. I also have a soft spot for the French Surcouf just due to how nuts it is.

Favourite kit? I am really liking the OKB Grigorov kits of their accuracy and ease of assembly (being 3d printed or resin cast with PE parts), but in terms of challenge, the AFV IJN subs are proving wonderful with accurate and endlessly frustrating photo-etch railings, cranes, radars, etc. Worst kits? Mirko-Mir by FAR. Damn, they are terrible, but I have had no choice as they were the only ones making certain subs.

I have been making models since I was a teen, but took a long, long break in my 20s and early 30s. Only got back into it in the last year or so.

As for other models currently, only a few aircraft that came with some of the sub kits, and a Hetzer tank I have yet to assemble. I have a few ship models in 1/700 I still need to assemble too, but those are low priority. I used to build any kit I could afford as a kid, aircraft, tanks, ships, Star Wars, even had a light up USS Enterprise with phaser sounds and everything. I painted it army camo, but it was a fun kit.

As for a dream kit to assemble, Tamiya's 1/350 IJN I-400 is on my dream list, but damn it is expensive.

Thanks for asking!

[Gurgie]

WOW!! That's quite the collection! Some real patience & dedication to put those together, great job!

[ChaosphereIX]

Heh thanks, it is calming and zen most of the times...and other times barely restrained rage as a PE part the size of a pinhead doesnt want to orient correctly on the model and the glue is drying fast...

It is one of the larger submarine collections out there, I think. I just wanted a couple of Canadian subs initially...and then it just went from there.

[Firm]

That's cool, I have fond memories building 1/24 scale model cars like this with my dad was a youngster, still have most of them on display in my office. I recently bought a couple to do with my son, but haven't started yet, I should though, he'd probably love it. Need to invest in some of those model paints and other supplies though, I have none of that stuff anymore.

Do any of your subs have interiors or engines? Those were always the most frustrating parts.

[Johnnymac]

I think I have only ever done one model before and it was a sports car when I was young, can't even remember which one.

I'm more of a Lego type of builder than anything else.  Not that I have some big collection or spend buckets of money.  Usually get a couple of cheap sets for Christmas that I end up putting together.  I had a lot of Lego when I was a kid and I fondly remember making guns with them to pretend I was shooting at bad guys.

I wonder if there are any big Lego subs that you can build, not that you would probably be interested in due to it not being overly accurate to history and I think that is important for you.

[ChaosphereIX]

Firm - I actually would find doing a model car very challenging, such perfect details needed for many different kinds of plastic / metal. You and your son would have a lot of fun putting one together, though, and it is a great exercise of patience, dexterity, concentration, and more patience. The paints and supplies cost as much as the models in many cases. Spray paints are especially expensive.

As for interiors, I dont have any really that have some, no. I have some that show off the inside of a conning tower through open doors, or the inside of an open torpedo tube or missile bay, but that is it. Doing the interiors would indeed be very frustrating with all the pipes, wires, etc. that are exposed on the inside of as sub - and also, most of the subs from the Cold War are still in some way classified (especially anything to do with weapons, propulsion, and sensors), so the interiors are not readily available in detail. As they get older, and some become museums, do the interiors get known to the public, but that number is very, very few.

Johnnymac - I love LEGO! Building it with the gf's kid, who is now almost 10, is a highlight of my life right now. He loves creating things from just blocks, along with putting together all his Jurassic World kits. Absolutely a blast.

I also used to make Lego guns when I was a kid. Tried to make them as accurate as possible, wrap them in electric tape (even had spare mags) and went out playing guns with my brother and friends. We even got some army surplus camo gear to wear, and painted our faces. That led to one very funny encounter with the police in my front yard one evening - they were very good natured and complimented me on my getup, but politely asked that I stop being so accurate in my portrayal of a "Spetznatz" soldier, as the neighbours had phoned them. Played guns from then on in the backyard only!

Lego kits for subs really cant do the historical models justice, so no not really ever been into that - although there are kits out there. COBI make some great historical quasi-LEGO kits, and I have been tempted once or twice.

[Bubba]

Impressive work, Chaosphere.