THINK: The joy of creating

2009/11/07

EDWIN WONG will share his knowledge of model-making fortnightly to get more people to enjoy the pleasure of building something from scratch.

EVER since we were little, we have been fascinated with the idea of being in the grown-up world of “running trains”, “flying airplanes” and even “dressing up”.

Although much has changed over the last 30 years, especially the affordability of using technology as a leisure activity in itself, some things still remain the same — that is, kids all over the world still continue to be fascinated with the idea of being in the grown-up world of “running trains”, “flying airplanes” and “dressing up”! Welcome to the first in a series of articles aimed at helping you to discover the wonderful world of “building hobbies”, a rewarding leisure activity encompassing the creative arts, research, planning, precision and even strategy and tactics! What are building hobbies? In simple terms, they are hobbies that involve constructing miniature replica models of either their real-life counterparts (or otherwise).

In the broadest sense, they involve designing and constructing objects for one’s own pleasure or to entertain others.

This week, we look at the various types of building hobbies, and talk about the amazing range of themes available. Believe it or not, there is something for everybody! In forthcoming weeks, we will explore each theme in detail, show you the true joys brought about by this long-standing hobby, but most importantly, how you can start, and where you can find like-minded enthusiasts.

Types of building hobbies Historically, kids have been “making” dolls and swords for play as far back as the medieval ages.

Craftsmen/women too have been “making” beautiful replicas of anything their masters/lords desired since time immemorial.

Over time, the use of replicas has certainly evolved beyond play and admiration.

They have been used as almost everything from props on stage, to museum artefacts, and even for commercial marketing purposes.

Let's just place them in three broad categories: Static builds These evolved from “collectibles” which saw enthusiasts paying high prices for fully assembled and painted miniatures that were works of art in themselves.

However, while there are still many well-to-do collectors in the market, there was a bigger market of enthusiasts who wanted the challenge of assembling and painting the miniatures themselves, some even convinced that they could do a better job than the craftsmen who produced the collectibles.

WW2 military diorama.

Enter self-assembly kits. Today, you can find kits for almost everything! Trains, airplanes, cars, ships, buildings, figures, military vehicles, and even doll houses.

They come in various materials (e.g. plastic, metal, resin, pewter), in various scales (e.g. 1/35th, 1/72nd, etc) and even complexity levels (e.g. less versus more parts).

Enthusiasts often enjoy “customising” their kits (by performing modifications so that their model looks different from others), and some of them even prefer to “scratch build” (e.g. building from scratch) instead of using pre-manufactured kits.

Architectural modelling (e.g. model buildings, towns, etc), clay sculpting and mould-making are probably the most popular among scratch building.

Whatever the preference, they are all nevertheless “static” in use — that is, after being built and painted, their only purpose is to be displayed and admired.

Dynamic builds It's one thing to admire a static model; it’s quite another matter to watch it in full, glorious motion! Enter battery/electricity-powered trains, remote control cars and airplanes.

For many, dynamic builds go well beyond mere visual beauty. They involve a fair amount of engineering, maintenance and piloting, no different from the real world.

In fact, you could say that keeping complex train lines running, tweaking the engines of your racing car to get maximum performance and piloting your airplane are simulations of the real thing.

Expensive toys, or affordable, scaled-down versions of the real thing? In most cases, one would hardly be able to tell the difference.

Take the “Blitz 1”, for example, a self-assembly kit that was designed for a complete novice to build a fully functional buggy using the good old Fiat 126 as a mechanical base! At less than £850 (about RM5,000), the Blitz 1 has sold millions of units throughout Europe and is a little flyer, offering a rear mounted 24 bhp 652cc air-cooled engine, independent front and rear suspension and a four-speed gearbox with reverse and rack and pinion steering.

The instrumentation features a speedometer, fuel gauge and warning lights, etc. Stopping power is equally impressive with dual circuit hydraulically-operated drum brakes on all four wheels.

Aside from its impressive performance, the Blitz 1 off-road kart is extremely car-like to drive, and, therefore, educational.

Not only do you save a small fortune by doing the assembling yourself, it also gives your assistant/offspring a far greater insight into the workings of motor vehicles than simply sitting in a ready made buggy and driving it.

The Blitz also teaches them the skill of gear-changing and clutch control, giving your children advance knowledge before risking them with the family pride and joy.

Enhanced builds Not satisfied with mere beauty and motion, more discerning enthusiasts have been demanding more “useful” applications of these replicas.

To this select group, admiring a static model, or watching it move around in endless circles does not seem to bring the satisfaction felt by others.

They relish the pressure that comes with head-to-head challenge. They can't wait to savour the spoils of victory. And enjoy defeat inflicted upon their fiercest rival.

Welcome to the arena of enhanced builds, where a growing fan base builds models for use in competition. Suddenly, building is no longer just about putting pieces together.

It's now a whole new dimension of what to build and which parts, variations or accessories to use in anticipation of what your rivals will build. Strategy and tactics now come into play.

Miniature war games come to mind where armchair generals plan their forces, collect, assemble and paint them, and bring them to table to face-off against their opponents.

From ancients to Napoleonic; from World War II to modern warfare; from naval battles to dogfights in the air; from fantasy to science fiction, there is a war game for every period, historical or from the figment of your imagination.

Remote control car racing also comes to mind. Giant racing tracks, complete with grand stand and chequered flag. The smell of fuel. The sound of engines revving. Last-minute engine “tweaking” by the “mechanic”. It’s all there.

On a less cut-throat note, enhanced builds also include performing arts such as magic and illusion, where performers design and build their own props to entertain audiences. Or musicians constructing their own amplifiers and speakers.

Interestingly, inventions of any sort will probably fall in this category since whatever one builds is but a means to an end.