Are we being too nice?

[Mackem]

Hi All,

There are some extremely talented modellers among the membership of this forum and there are also quite a few beginners. So, when someone presents photo's of a brand new out of the box HL tank why are we making comments such as, nice work, excellent job etc, instead of telling them that the tracks are on backwards, or the gun mantlet needs to be flipped?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that anyone should be ridiculed, but I am suggesting that they could be steered in the right direction by some of the more expeienced modellers.

After all, the majority of us are here to learn more about modelling. If nobody is prepared to advise or criticise none of us are going to learn anything new.

So, are we being too nice?

John



 

[oztruck]

Please pick me to pieces, I am here to learn. Most all of us need help to stay on the "RIGHT?" track so please point me in the "RITE" direction

[Mackem]

Don't get me wrong, I'm here to learn aswell. So feel free to criticise or advise on my work.

John

[fv432]

where as i agree
its a fine line between constructive critiscm and pulling someones work apart IMHO
seen lots of fights started over that lol

but yes some more helpfull advice is needed

just dont criticise mine or ill scream and scream till im sick

[Matdragon]

hey guys,

ill just poke in my view for what its worth

i think that constructive criticism is needed for begginers, such as in mackems example of the tracks , but people are worried that they might offend somebody, because they might take it to heart. but just saying that everything is great when really it isnt going to help them, so i think a fine balance must be struck.

for example, (using the track backwards idea) , you could say "i really like that bit, great job and keep up the good work! however your tracks appear to be on the wrong way round, so it may be a good idea to swap them over" or something similar, just to even the sides of well done and constructive criticism ,

cheers,

Matt

[Mackem]

Totally agree Matt.

John

[fv432]

one thing i have noticed here is the lack of guys coming forward with problems and help needed

1of 2 things spring to mind they may have all the info needed on there tanks and fix it due to the quality of the explanations posted here

we scare the hell out of new guys 
hope not as we were all new once but have the benefit of a couple of years building/ destroying and trying again  ::) ::)

maybe an outakes section were we show just how easy we screw up as well and the final build isnt always as perfect as the build thread/final take

[Rivetcounter]

If some one is wrong then telling them so is the correct way to go as others reading the posts may believe and copy the inaccuracy's, as for tracks being on the wrong way well there are many pictures of Panthers with the tracks fitted the wrong way think like this your tank is in maintenance one or more of the tracks are off the enemy is advancing on your position it's cold raining and muddy when you notice that the tracks are the wrong way or one is wrong the other is right but the tank will run with the track facing either way what do you do as these things are very heavy even for a Panzer IV and would require a lot of work to get them the right way do you fit them and go on your way or do you spend several hours turning them around in this case either way is correct.

[oz]

i think its a bit of a double edged sword john, some people will try new things others don't want to risk ruining their new expensive tank, some will find peoples scrutiny of their models OK but some will find it annoying and nothing more than a soapbox expert telling you how to do things.
if someone asks generally or directly for help i.ll do it if i can but i wont point out areas for improvement all the time too the guys on their models or the things they say.
i think it comes down to what you or me or they consider to be a finished tank i have seen some great paint jobs on here that need one-more final step to make it a bit better and thats washes, but you are right there hasn't been much in the way of constructive criticism maybe we are just all too nice to say anything..........

[FireflyKeith]

Maybe we should add some information on each of the tanks in production (Tamiya & Heng Long) in the Tips & Tricks section to state what is inaccurate on a new tank, then it is up to the individual if they would like to correct it,

i.e Heng Long Tiger I
Mantlet needs spinning 180 degrees
Gun barrel need extending
etc.....

Maybe worth adding a child board for the different tanks, what do you think