I’ve been pondering this question over the last month and there are some feelings that modellers in general only get. On my latest build for example I went into the painting process with a good deal of trepidation. Now, as most of you know, I’m not the greatest fan of painting as there are so many ways it can go horribly wrong. Sometimes however, all that sanding, preparation and airbrush work seem to come together in seamless unison to produce a result that, in your own mind, just works and you say to yourself, “Gee, that went well”.
In my case that doesn’t happen often and it’s one of those golden moments - it’s a good feeling. The other is putting on that first initial coat of paint and seeing all those little details you have added just come together in complete harmony. It is one of my great joys.
Another comes to mind - opening a kit for the first time and looking at the contents. Even for a somewhat jaded reviewer, you sometimes get that feeling also. You kind of know that any recent Tamiya kit is going to be good, so you don’t always get that “wow” feeling it’s more like “You did a good job with this kit… again”, but there are others that smack you in the head in a good way and you think to yourself “wow, this is so good”. It takes you back a little. Recent examples include the Gas Patch Models diminutive Scheuch-Schlepper and the little Japanese Type 95 tank by Overlard Miniatures (reviewed below). On both, I honestly was not expecting much but I was excited when reviewing the content of each it. Admittedly, I have a love of Japanese Armour and that may have clouded my initial reaction somewhat but it’s still a nice feeling.
The last one is going to a model shop. Admittedly, there are not as many of these any more, which in itself is a great shame. Even now, rational purchasing seems to go out the door when I visit one. I can’t for the life of me leave without buying something. I like the feeling I get when I go to a hobby shop, surrounded by all these plastic things that bring me joy. I really miss them, as I do a wellstocked book, record and even DVD store. I guess that’s the state of play we find ourselves today and I find this new normal of buying online to be somewhat soulless.