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Archive for Editorial – Page 3

Make It Bigger!

by Gerald Voigt
November 29th, 2011

For some modelers BIGGER is better! I like big models, I have a 1:18 scale F-104 Starfighter hanging in the stairway leading down into the Man Space. I also have a F-86 Sabre in the same scale on display elsewhere in the room. (Both are from 21st Century Toys) There are other large models in the Man Space…some in 1:24th and others in 1:32nd. Big models are great if you have the display space for them.

In this case however I am referring to not the models themselves but other aspects of the hobby…two specifically. Instructions being one. Recently I acquired a short run production kit which had a one page instruction sheet. It didn’t have a great deal of parts but the detailed illustrations were critical to proper assembly.  When and if I ever get to meet the producer of this kit I’m going to ask…”Why did you go cheap on the printing of the instructions?”

A single sheet of 8″x10″ paper has two sides…why not use both sides! Reducing the illustrations down to squeeze them into the confines of one side of the sheet requires one to use some serious magnification to read it. Had they used both sides, splitting the illustrations apart to create a second page, it would have been much easier on the eyes and made the project all the more enjoyable. BIGGER IS BETTER!

This notion of saving paper to save a tree is fine, but it also creates eyestrain. The second area of concern is some of the information I receive in the mail promoting various events and products…again many of these are squeezed onto a single piece of paper. Trying to read a books worth of information on one sheet of paper isn’t fun nor effective at conveying your message. The message gets lost in the clutter.

REMEMBER who your audience is! A bunch of middle aged folks who don’t see as well as they once did. ;0)  I for one can’t lace a piece of thread through a sewing needle from a yard away as I once could. Just make it BIGGER! Using larger print, bigger illustrations and printing on both sides shouldn’t break the budget.

Now how about some bigger models of such subjects as C-131, C-123, T-28, C-141…my list is lengthy!   Seriously a 1:32 (or larger) AT-6/SNJ/Harvard or T-28 Trojan would be scooped off store shelves in the blink of an eye.

 

Categories Editorial, Just For Fun!
Comments (1)

Putting It All Together

by Gerald Voigt
November 27th, 2011

It doesn’t matter if you are building a plastic scale model or trying to launch a new radio program the outcome is better when you can put all of the pieces together and have the proper adhesive. Some scale modeling kits are easier to build than others. Same holds true for my scale modeling related projects. Sometimes I decide to tackle the tough ones instead of those which are easy…such as just building scale models!

As a modeler I was fortunate to turn towards resources that could help me over the difficult challenges. Since launching the first Test Shot episode of The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour I have received similar support from my fellow modelers as well as friends within the industry. Recently Model Retailer stepped up to the plate to help spread the word about my new radio program. Hal Miller as I have reported previously is joining me this coming Monday (Nov 28th @ 8PM Eastern) to talk about the industry and answer questions. Had he not seen the benefits of such a program, I doubt I would have seen the effort put forth by him and those at Model Retailer, a sister publication of FineScale Modeler Magazine published by Kalmbach Publishing.

That effort being an ARTICLE to spread the word around the industry to plant the seed about The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour and how it can help promote the hobby. I hope this is successful at putting it all together to make the program a huge success! Thanks Hal and Model Retailer for your support!

Also I want to express my THANKS to the many of you who have called and emailed to express your support for the new show!

Categories Editorial, The Plastic Scale Modeling Hour, Warbird Radio
Comments (1)

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Gerald Voigt
November 24th, 2011

The tradition of Thanksgiving or so it has been told began in 1621 when the Colonists and the local Native Americans joined together to celebrate the harvest. For the Colonists it was not just a celebration of having a successful harvest but one of the beginning of a free society. However complete freedom took a while longer to be achieved.

It wasn’t until the Revolutionary War ended that the United States was able to shed the King of England’s reign over this country. Thanksgiving festival and feasts were held each year to give thanks to the harvest and the freedoms we as a nation had been blessed with. President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 proclaimed that this day in November would be set as a day to give thanks. Something this country needed as it was once again in the middle of conflict. This time not with a foreign enemy but with its own citizens…The Civil War.

Please take time to reflect on what you have to be thankful for. Look beyond the material things, look at the blessings in your life.  Remember family and friends whether they are… close by or far away. A call or a quick message will make their day knowing that you remember and are thankful for them being a part of your life.

Remember too…the more turkey you eat today…the fewer turkey leftovers you have to eat later!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Categories Editorial
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