Hello Aircraft Modellers!
Many of you post your excellent projects under the Start to Finish section but did you know that we have been hosting Group Builds since 2009? In fact, our 40th Group Build starts tomorrow, November 1st and the theme is WW2 Bombers. We'd love to have more modellers join our GBs as it's a fun way to get more from our forum through discussions with folks with a common interest. So what's a Group Build?
Group Builds involve modellers of all experience levels who start projects with a common theme at the same time and finish within a 4 month timeline. The benefits of participating in a GB include increased support from the modelling community, learning more about the interesting world of aviation history, and, most of all, having fun with like-minded people. The benefits certainly do not include prize money or trips for two to anywhere in the world! However at the end of the build, all the entries are judged by a highly esteemed, but vastly underpaid, team of judges who select a first, second, and third place entry in each skill level category. There's also a People's Choice vote where all members of the forum, modellers or not, are invited to vote on their favourite entry. Oh yeah, and all GB participants get one of those fancy little icons in their signature. Those who win, place, or show, or who get the People's Choice vote get a little ribbon on their icon too. Not that your egos need a boost.......
Our current group build schedule can be found here:
Finalised GB nominations - GBs 37 to 49. The GB schedule currently runs for a couple of years and then input is sought from members to select the next batch for the schedule.
To enter a GB, simply chose your expertise level (Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced) and create a thread under the current GB section. The first post in your thread should begin with some standard information (
The first post of each GB entry.) and then a description of the selected project. Although not mandatory, many entrants post pictures of their kit sprues before they start. Others post a story of their entry (I personally find these very interesting). The point is that no model should be started before the GB so that everyone has an equal chance of creating their best project within the 4 month period. That said, you don't have to start on the 1st day. You can post your start thread any time after that, as long as you finish before the scheduled finish date.
During your GB build, progress photos must be posted showing how your project is coming along. This is where you get constructive feedback and have the chance to ask for help from the members if you have questions or are stuck. It's not acceptable to simply post pictures of your finished model without showing us how you got there!
When your project is finished, the build thread header is modified to include the word "****DONE" (either by you or a mod) and then you will have to create a new thread that is just for showing your finished model and that will be used by the judges to score your work. The header of this new thread begins with the words "****FINISHED" and the thread contains the same basic info as the GB start thread shown in the link above and a minimum of 6
good pictures of your work of art as described here:
Group Build Photo Requirements.. Remember, the poor judges (did I say we were underpaid?) can't see your model in the flesh so rely on your pictures to score the work so the quality of the pic is very important.
And that's it! It may sound complicated but it really isn't and there are lots of friendly people here who will gladly help to get you started. Once you have one of these under your belt, you'll find that you begin looking forward to the next one, and the next one after that. It's how addictions start.
So why not go through your stash and grab that model that fits the theme of the current GB and join us today! We'd love to have you!