The Backyard – Go Build a Model Kit!

Greetings all and Happy Friday! Welcome to The Backyard!

This week, I’m going to suggest something a little different to my fellow RC enthusiasts. If you’ve been spending all your hobby time working on RC vehicles, or maybe you haven’t had much motivation to work on anything lately, I’ve got an idea for you.

Go build a plastic model kit!

Yep, I’m talking about good old-fashioned static models. Cars, trucks, airplanes, military vehicles, you name it. The kind of stuff you find in the plastic model aisle at your local hobby shop. No radio system, no batteries, and no worrying about whether the thing is going to survive its first trip outside. Just you, a bunch of plastic parts, some glue, and hopefully a pretty cool finished model.

I’ve enjoyed building plastic models for years, and while RC has always been a major part of my hobby life, I’ve never really stopped dabbling in the static side of things. In fact, I’ve found that the two hobbies complement each other quite nicely.

One of the biggest reasons I enjoy building static models is that they help me keep the axe sharp when it comes to my building skills. I might not be installing electronics, setting gear mesh, or worrying about differential tension, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges. Getting parts to fit correctly, working with tiny details, painting, applying decals, and generally making everything look presentable all require skills that translate directly to building RC vehicles.

And depending on what you’re working on, some of that stuff can be more difficult on a static model than it is on an RC truck!

I also enjoy the fact that there’s no performance aspect to worry about. I’m not trying to make something faster, more durable, or better handling. I’m just trying to build something that looks good. There’s a certain satisfaction in having a project with a pretty clearly defined finish line. Once it’s built and painted, you can put it on the shelf and enjoy it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean every model I build is some kind of award-winning masterpiece. Far from it! Sometimes I just want to glue some plastic together, throw some paint on it, and have a good time. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Another thing I love about static modeling is the sheer variety of subjects available. Companies like Revell, Tamiya, AMT, and plenty of others offer everything from classic muscle cars and race cars to tanks, aircraft, ships, and all kinds of other interesting subjects. And that’s before you even get into science fiction, fantasy, and gaming miniatures.

I’ve included a picture of some of my own unbuilt model stash (and my built but still needs some paint stash), which should give you an idea of just how varied my interests are. There are trucks, military vehicles, and even some Warhammer and StarCraft kits in there. Apparently, my habit of accumulating projects faster than I can finish them isn’t exclusive to RC!

And while it’s easy to joke about having a pile of unbuilt kits, I do actually finish some of them from time to time. I’ve also included a picture of a few completed models on display in my workshop. That’s another aspect of the hobby I really enjoy. Once a model is finished, it becomes something you can appreciate every time you walk into the room.

I’ve talked about my enjoyment of static modeling here before, so this isn’t exactly a new revelation. But I think it’s worth bringing up again, especially for anybody who enjoys the building side of RC and might be looking for something a little different to work on especially as we head into the holidays/winter.

And if you’ve never built a plastic model before, don’t feel like you need to dive into some enormous, complicated kit or invest in a bunch of expensive equipment. Grab something that interests you, pick up a few basic supplies (Tamiya Quick Setting Cement, a pair of sprue nippers, and a small file) and give it a shot. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it.

At the very least, it’s a fun way to spend some time at the workbench without having to worry about charging batteries or fixing something you broke the last time you drove it.

And who knows? You might even pick up a few new tricks that make your next RC build that much better.

Alright, that’s it for me this week. Until next time, keep it on all 4’s!