Why do you build card models

[Lepercan]

It's closer to scratchbuilding; which is my first (and main) love in modelling.
Lep

[Avi8tor]

I got into paper modeling in high school. I really liked airplanes and had tried my hand at plastic models and balsa as well, but growing up in a two bedroom apartment with seven other siblings I never had my own space to leave my models so they would unavoidably get crushed, or damaged and forget about painting. I came across paper models over the internet. Fiddlersgreen and EMil Zarkov, I could then just work on a model if and keep it safe in a small cardboard box. Also it was much less expensive! Thanks you card models!!

[Desert Rat Racer]

I build cardstock to get away from boring plastic kits there is more to do with cardstock, they just seem to have the same old boring cars & trucks in plastic nothing new.

[reklein]

cardmodeling in kits is relaxing from scratchbuilding. Not so many problems to solve and no painting, just cut and glue. I also think that although my card models are not so sleek as plastic they have more "character". From looking arounf this forum it also seems to allow more freedom for scratchbuilding that can't be done in plastic. The fantasy sailing land cruiser for instance. What an imaginative piece of work. BILL

[cdavenport]

I build card models, as opposed to other types of models because of:

1. The unique range of subjects available
2. The large size of some models ( I love to hang big models from the ceiling or display them in the library)
3. The incredibly low cost for some of these models (though I recently invested over $100 for an OOP card model)
4. I got tired of putty and paint on plastic models (so what am I doing with my Hunley build? Painting the damned thing!)

No one ever said there has to be any sense or sensibility to what we do.

[TonyG2]

I've been a plastic kit builder for close to 40 years. Can still recall the mess I made building an Airfix Folland Gnat fighter when I was 6 years old.

Card modelling used to be limited to pre-cut HO scale buildings for wargame/dioramas.

Then in about 2004 I was on a 6 month sabbatical from work doing paid research (followed by 2 months sick leave). During that time, being frequently bored, I was doing a LOT of internet browsing and gaming. Looking up some details on Homeworld, I found the Paperstarships site and Gearz Taiidan frigates. Before long I was hooked and was building as many Homeworld models as I could download





I can't believe that these are 4 years old!!!

From there I was saving every file and pattern I could find (never ever get round to building them all I guess, but I can dream I suppose...)

Anyway, as previously stated, there is a huge range of models most unavailable in any other format, relatively low cost, limited mess (sanding painting etc) although I do use loads of varnish coats on the finished model to protect the finish. Flexibility is an issue as well. To be able to resize most models as you like.

[Mark Crowel]

I've always enjoyed working with cardboard. My Dad has always worked in the printing industry, and when I was very young, he would bring home scrap cardboard for me to play with. By the age of ten (in 1962), I was designing and building my own cardboard model airplanes. In 1980, after 17 years of building plastic model cars, I started making my cars from cardboard. I enjoy cardboard much more than plastic. It is a very inexpensive, versatile, and forgiving material.

[Boris]

I just love the process of plain paper becoming full blown 3D model