Group Builds.

[Clunkmeister]

How do you guys feel about them?

Our “All of Ukraine” group build is wrapping up soon and I’d like some feedback regarding group builds.

A good idea or not? Other sites do them, and we had a modicum of interest with this, and it even brought a few new members onboard. 
It’s the first group build we’ve had in years, and one of the criticisms from the past ones is the lack of a formal end date. Well, we have one for this and it’s coming right quick.

IF you guys want another, I’m open to the idea, but understand, I’d like some ideas, we need participation, and also understand that I’m just one guy and It’s a boatload of work, so I’d like to hope that if we keep doing them, y’all will participate in them and make them a success.

The floor is yours and we’re open for comments and suggestions. 

[Peterpools]

Ernie

This was the first GB I participated in a very long time and actually enjoyed building a kit I most likely wouldn't have built otherwise. 

Some ideas for future GB's:

Fighters of WWII

Battle of Britian 

Between the War Years

 

 

 

[mark31]

i like the idee off WWII fighters a reason to build my P-51.

maybe cold war planes?

 

How long do a group build run?

Mark

[Bomber_County]

Ernie, my first GB was the D Day 75th which unfortunately Covid interfered with it but did enjoy it. I’d be up for anther, some ideas…..

Inter War Military and Civil

Korea, any genre.

Battle of the Bulge

WW2 - FAA

WW2 - IJN

[HubertB]

I have mixed feelings about GBs:

1) My record at finishing anything in a GB is simply 0. So that does not augur well for my participation in any one.

2) On the other hand, provided the subject is within my realm of interest, I enjoy participating, and they push me into subjects I would never had thought about begore, like the Japanese GB on LSP: I did not finish it but actually started my scratchbuilt "Hansa" for it. And the Ukraine GB here: I would never have bought a tram kit without this incentive. And I really enjoyed it ! I did not finish in time because all my modelling has been stalled in the last 2 months as I prioritised other life matters, but I will finsh it, one day.

Would I participate in another GB ? Most likely, depending on the subject. Some ideas that could appeal to me and hopefully to others:

The first 20 years of jets.

From the "Great one" to WWII: 20 years that changed aviation.

80 to 800 km/hour (or 800 to 8000 km/h )

Hubert

 

 

[Martinnfb]

I would suggest a “Wet Group Build”, Anything related to liquids, amphibious vehicles, tankers, float planes, you get the point. 
 

…. if your subject crashed into the water , it counts.

[Peterpools]

Martin

That's a pretty novel ideas and I never heard of any GB using it but there are a lot of possibilities I can think of. Of course, most are in the other scales I build.

[HubertB]

36 minutes ago, Peterpools said:

Martin

That's a pretty novel ideas and I never heard of any GB using it but there are a lot of possibilities I can think of. Of course, most are in the other scales I build.

Yes, I quite love the idea too. I can already think of possible options.

Hubert

[GazzaS]

I like group builds...   not that my record in completing them is stellar.

I'd prefer theater or period based group builds.  I don't always want to be strapped into one particular genre.  

[Martinnfb]

Ok , another idea " to be the first" in anything. Record and barrier breaking machines. First to attack , to achieve , to use.

So many possibilities, even more than "wet" related subjects like Navy, Coastal Comands and crop dusters

 

[BlrwestSiR]

Group builds can be fun. I know I've been pushed out of my comfort zone a couple times when participating in one. I don't always finish on time though. 

7 hours ago, Martinnfb said:

I would suggest a “Wet Group Build”, Anything related to liquids, amphibious vehicles, tankers, float planes, you get the point. 
 

…. if your subject crashed into the water , it counts.

That's a neat idea. Fairly open too. 

Carl 

[mark31]

Wet group build

Time to get my Catalina on the bench 🤔

 

Mark

[Peterpools]

Ernie

With the Ukraine GB just finishing up, may I make a suggestion of GB's being just one per year, running from January 1st through June 30th. This will allow everyone time to decide on their entry, plenty of time to work it into their build schedule and complete their entry.

I'm really liking Martin's suggestion and thinking about an entry already.

 

[GazzaS]

2 hours ago, Peterpools said:

GB's being just one per year

 

 

What's the point of one per year?   There's no obligation....     unless there is?

[Peterpools]

Gaz

I just thought it allowed ample time for anyone to participate if they wanted to, by making room in their build schedule. 

I'm not sure what the forums guidelines are for the length of a GB.  

[recon]

WW2 US Navy aircraft.

Mike

[telepatu]

Group builds are fun to follow. This time I even participated in the Ukraine build, for some I felt motivated to dig out the old model that most hate and try to build it to my satisfaction.

Themes can vary a lot, there have been many interesting suggestions already in this thread.

In our local club we have a theme for the model exhibition that we arrange every year. This year it is "Motor sports", including anything with motors and racing. I have started the Corsair "Lucky Gallon" using the old Revell, at least it will be a different Corsair.

Br, Jani

[Clunkmeister]

On 9/3/2022 at 11:04 AM, Martinnfb said:

I would suggest a “Wet Group Build”, Anything related to liquids, amphibious vehicles, tankers, float planes, you get the point. 
 

…. if your subject crashed into the water , it counts.

THIS is a GREAT idea.   Because it opens up the entire LSM realm to possibilities.  Yes, we’re mostly aircraft modelers, but some guys build armor, others build ships, or an Apollo capsule splashing down, or what have you.

I LIKE IT!

[Clunkmeister]

On 9/5/2022 at 5:01 PM, Peterpools said:

Gaz

I just thought it allowed ample time for anyone to participate if they wanted to, by making room in their build schedule. 

I'm not sure what the forums guidelines are for the length of a GB.  

I’ve always thought 6 months, simply because that’s how most other sites do it and it seemed to be an effective compromise. 
The key to me is regimented. A complaint I received upon starting the Ukraine GB was that previous LSM Group Builds had no real timeline and were ongoing forever. 
I’ve attempted to change that. I closed out old GBs and gave this one a set time, with the possibility of an extension depending on participation. 
I extended Ukraine till Sept 30th to allow those stragglers to finish up. There are a couple pieces of armor that are done except for slapping on the mud and grime, so I’ll just let it go to month end then close it out. 
If y’all want longer or shorter down the road, let me know.

One reason I have only done one GB is, simply put, the lack of staff. We all work.  We’re busy, and sometimes it’s hard to run our businesses and the site, all while maintaining a happy wife and family. We’ve added a couple Mods to help with the day to day monitoring, so hopefully we’ll be Golden.  Take a DEEP breath, Ernie! 🤣

The “Wet Works” theme sounds mighty interesting to me. So does the “First 20 years of jets” and “The first to accomplish” theme….

I remember the Japanese GB on LSP. That was a very successful GB, as was their Vietnam War GB. With HPH-Infinity due to release their Val and Kate kits very soon, a Japanese theme might be interesting as well.

Just remember, we’re here to make this entire site better for YOU, so if you think of something, stayeth thou not mute. 

[Bill_S]

Ernie, I think the Wet GB is a fantastic idea! I would be interested in the others as well. When do we start?

[Clunkmeister]

1 hour ago, Bill_S said:

Ernie, I think the Wet GB is a fantastic idea! I would be interested in the others as well. When do we start?

Thinking on that now. Let’s allow the dust to settle on the Ukraine GB, say a month or so?  Then jump in.

So I’m going to say we’ll go with the “Wet” theme, that’ll give ship and armor guys a good theme as well.  
So start planning your builds, take some before pictures, I’ll give a leeway of 25% complete, that’ll give a few SOD sitters a chance to get stalled projects dusted off.

Now I know NOBODY’S gonna  “cheat” and start early, right?  😂😂😂

Just make sure y’all take “before” pics.   So let’s do a tentative start date of Nov 1 to run 6 months. Finishing April 30, 2023. 

[GazzaS]

1 hour ago, Clunkmeister said:

Thinking on that now. Let’s allow the dust to settle on the Ukraine GB, say a month or so?  Then jump in.

So I’m going to say we’ll go with the “Wet” theme, that’ll give ship and armor guys a good theme as well.  
So start planning your builds, take some before pictures, I’ll give a leeway of 25% complete, that’ll give a few SOD sitters a chance to get stalled projects dusted off.

Now I know NOBODY’S gonna  “cheat” and start early, right?  😂😂😂

Just make sure y’all take “before” pics.   So let’s do a tentative start date of Nov 1 to run 6 months. Finishing April 30, 2023. 

I presume that ship models will be included?  1/350 is as "large" as I can go there....   Ooh...   just realized I have a 1/72 scale S-boat.  Are these scales gonna work?

[mark31]

Not yet on 2% i think

[HubertB]

4 hours ago, GazzaS said:

I presume that ship models will be included?  1/350 is as "large" as I can go there....   Ooh...   just realized I have a 1/72 scale S-boat.  Are these scales gonna work?

For me, for large ships, 1/700 is equivalent to 1/72 for aircrafts, 1/350 to 1/48 and 1/200 to 1/32.

As for other ships, like sailing ships and small boats, I'd go for anything from 1/72 and above ...

Just my

Hubert

[Peterpools]

Ernie

Well said and appreciate all the hard work you do.

I'm in for the WET GB theme if that's the decision. Any chance of pushing the start date to December 1st as I have one more 32nd scale build I can't wait to start and get going on?