As a returning model-builder to the hobby of scale aircraft modeling, I have noticed that there are different classes of model-builders as well. Not all hobbyists fall into these categories. However there are some that do.

Of course, my respect is held for the Rivet Counters. Rivet counters strive for accuracy in their own projects. They’ll have a conniption fit if their own model’s hydraulic lines that they so painstakingly bent in the wire bender are 0.0025 mm off. These are the individuals whose models are so detailed it seems as if they strove to re-create an aircraft that can do all but take off. And frankly some of these rivet counters probably believe in their mind that if they could recreate a functioning Rolls-Royce Merlin in 1/48, their P-51D would more likely than not, have zoomed down the runway and flown. These are the most harmless of the obsessed. They will say “good-going” to a less experienced modeler, offer a few helpful tips and then return to their own workbench and their obsession with accuracy.

Next in rabid detailing are the Scale Model Purists. The best way to offend the tender sensibilities of a Scale Model Purist is to suggest a “What-If” Group Build. This will more often than not send the Scale Model Purist into a frothing frenzy. What-If modelers are pure anathema to a Scale Modelling Purist who likes nothing more than to have the right aircraft assigned to its proper squadron. If you do a what-if USN Aggressor F-20, you’ll hear an out-raged caterwaul to the effect of “Aggressors didn’t fly the F-20!!! The F-20 properly modeled should only be the prototype version…blah blah blah…” Scale Model Purists are annoying, but can mostly be ignored. “It’s my model and I’ll build it the way I want” is the best way to shut them up.” They’ll go back to their workbench to sulk, muttering about the idiocy of “What-Ifs” and leave you to your “ignorant ways”.

Accu-Nazis are the most rabid, annoying bunch of purists and more harmful to your existence in this hobby than gassing yourself with Tenax fumes. Their obsessive nagging has driven many a newbie away from this hobby. To satisfy a Accu-Nazi is to build nothing but properly assigned (BU-No number absolutely correct up to the minute; squadron markings purely correct for the time period up to the minute) and properly detailed aircraft up to the bomb-load that B-17G ##-#### from blah blah Bombing Squadron, 158th Bomber Group, US Army Air Corps carried on the 8th of March, 1944, 0952 hrs over Berlin. And lo and behold if you should not detail your battle damage to the exact date and hour of the battle damage. All this detail is expected on your part, despite the fact that they don’t have half as many books as your shelf contains on the subject. They expect you conjure details out of thin air out of photographs that are non-existent. These are the individuals who obsess over every detail on everyone else’s kit but their own. “Oh, you put the LAMPS pod 2 micro-mm to the left when the LAMPS pod should have been 2 micro-mm to the right of blah-blah in the right wing…you $***ed up! It is doubtful that these individuals ever finish any of their own builds because they are too busy criticizing everyone else’s builds.

Now I’m not suggesting that everyone in modeling falls into these categories. There are helpful individuals who offer critiques in a manner in which they don’t offend other people. The main difference is “attitude”. There are those individuals who are obsessive about their own work, (most rivet-counters fall into this category) who are helpful and offer help within their realm of knowledge without appearing to be over-bearing and self-aggrandizing are welcome in this hobby. They are the “gurus” of this hobby. Those who know their stuff, are willing to lend a helping hand and be able to not come off as being a “pedantic know-it-all”. These people encourage newbies to take their modeling up a notch and eventually become good at this hobby. These guys are always welcome at any group build because they are the fount of knowledge at every fingertip of every other model-builder.

So now that you know the two main groups of obsessive modelers you should avoid at all costs (SMPs and Accu-Nazis), go to your hobby and finish that project you’ve been looking forward to finishing. Now let’s cut open that weapons systems avionics equipment bay on that 1/48 Hasegawa F-14D Super Tomcat you’ve been wanting to do. Got any styrene sheets?