jazzchip

Thanks for the review. I look forward to adding Bond to my reading list. Jazzchip

Mikiek, I've compared the experience to being put in a foreign country with no language skills and no knowledge of where you are. There feels as if there is no "step 1." When I read "squaring the sternpost" or "establish the fore and aft centerline" there are long moments of staring at the page followed by doing something else besides modeling. I guess that I can't expect the writer of instructions to write down to my level but without basic knowledge or someone nearby with that knowledge I don't know how one advances. You were gutsy to take on that model. I'm looking for a model consisting of two pieces that need gluing and hoping I don't have it stuck to my chest at the end of the process.

Nic, Thanks. My dealing with you has been quite pleasant so far. I appreciate your comments. My concern is for Mr. Cook's sanity. I fear that a few calls from me and he may want to leave the country. I will say that his not having a computer makes sending him anything far more time consuming. Thank you again for your interest. I hope the new modelers notice that the owner of BlueJacket took the time to contact me. This shows a level of customer service that most companies don't offer. Warmest regards, Jazzchip

That's outstanding. You are doing more to increase interest in modeling than anyone I know. I wish you great success. I hope you will let us know how the class went. Jazzchip

That's great. I was not aware of that. Is that shown in a prominent place?

my experience with adults in learning situations is that they are hesitant to display their lack of knowledge. Given that, saying "just ask" is ineffective. Ask yourself how you react in situations in which you lack knowledge. This is not unique to modelers. Very young children who do not yet have a sense of self are far more apt to acknowledge their lack of understanding but once the ego begins development there is a growing hesitancy to admit not knowing or understanding.

I thought of something last evening and I'd like to offer it up for discussion. The idea will not help me because, if it is adopted, by the time it is I will have either left out of frustration or acquired the entry level skills that one would need to complete the easier models. I assume that there are many new members who lack the skills necessary to be successful at modeling. We will never know because they don't share this information but I assume that you can understand why someone may not want to admit a lack of basic knowledge to a population of 20K+ members. If you've ever taught a class of adults, you know that rarely will you get one of them to admit a lack of understanding of what you've said and that's in front of a relatively few people. How about creating a squad of volunteers who make themselves available to newbies? Communication would be through personal mail rather than through the larger forums. -I believe that we would get more new members staying longer because they will have more success. -New members will form closer and more trusting relationships will select members and will be less hesitant about asking questions. -I believe that it will bring the overall group even closer. Volunteer members should be individuals who enjoy teaching, a more patient than most and really want to mentor others.Perhaps there could be a listing of volunteers to the squad will their expertise and why they want to help others. There is much more to work out in terms of details but I wanted to offer this idea to see if there is interest. Jazzchip

John, Your thoughts and comments on much appreciated. Forgive the frustrated ranting. I'm sure it will pass. I'll keep you posted. Jazzchip

Jack, I appreciate that. I really do. For me this is like going to a foreign country where I don't know the language, the culture or the geography. I may not even know enough to know what to ask. I want to do this because I'm interested in the subject and because I believe one should enter areas where they notice discomfort. However, I didn't say I was going to enjoy it. I might do best to find a group to work with. A group who once they stopped laughing at what I did could direct my efforts, at least for the first project. I do thank you for your comments. Jazzchip

John, thank you so much for your thoughts on the matter. One problem for me is that at the basic level where I currently reside, the questions become quite basic. It's not "how do you open the box?" but it's close. BlueJacket provides someone connected with the company who will answer questions but in truth it's a bit uncomfortable for me to have to ask extremely basic questions. Plus, I'm afraid at some point he'll stop taking my calls. My frustration not withstanding, I really appreciate your wise advice. I'm not giving up but it will take a lot longer than I originally thought to complete this. Jazzchip

Maybe it's because I am so new and unskilled in this but I need very clear, step by step instructions in order to attempt to build anything. Those of you who can build the Queen Mary out of matchsticks won't understand this but for those of us with limited skills anything not explained or shown is a mystery that has to be solved. It's quite frustrating. It would seem, especially for entry level kits, that instructions would be even more basic and explicit. I have a entry level piece and the instructions are clear but when they don't show what something should look like after a step is accomplished how does one know if it was done correctly? The few extra $ it might cost to make instructions more helpful seems a small price given the probability that the modeler, experiencing success, will build another model. Jazzchip

which company provides the most complete and explicit instructions? NRG has 20K+ members. We ought to do a poll of the model manufacturers. It would reward those who are offering value and it would call attention to those companies not customer focused.

I envy your skills taking on that model. Never having made anything before (does toast count) it looks very intimidating. I look forward to watching the progress. Jazzchip

That's the kind of stuff that scares the hell out of me too. I fear that I'll be scratching my head with my wrist if I ever start working with power saws. Thanks for the good advice, Crowe. I hope this gets a few more people looking at ways to work safer. Jazzchip

I've known many guys who wouldn't wear ear protection or gloves as a sign of being macho. We're not the smartest of genders sometimes.