Hey Michael,
I understand some of what you are saying, but it is important to remember that this is a "community" which is defined by people who share common interests. Read the caption that defines what Studio Scale is about. This is why these particular members are here.
"to replicate the models that were used in the film"
I understand that is not easy to do, when I was growing up, my parents took me to a show to see the filming models in person, and as a kid, I realized that the actual models were not as impressive as what I saw on the film. Though I was impressed with the Galactica, CETK mother-ship, and the police station from Blade Runner.
I guess I fall in between the lines, because I want to make the models appear as they are in the movie or what I would like them to be, that is how "I" enjoy this hobby, but you have to respect what the community is about.
As for the figures in the book; you need to look at the purpose of the author, to "sell a book" it is not a guide for building anything. The post figures to give you an idea of what size it is. If you look at any engineering drawing, it defines the scale and gives you tolerances to follow. I always look at the book as a ruff estimate at best.
If you want to find out about scale, you have been told by long time members of the community how to do just that - extrapolate from existing model parts. It is not easy, but that is what most people do.
If you know about the motion picture industry, everybody is under time pressure to get the job done. These models were built 30 years ago. That is a long time, I was trying to remember what happened to me 30 years ago. These models were built for the film, that's all. If you see anything original, it is mainly just bits. There is little documentation so as far as accurate dimensions... we are just out of luck.
The other thing you mention, does not fit in the SS category, which is "design". If you want to create something new, I am sorry to say, does not fit into this category by the previously stated definition. There is nothing to stop you from doing it, I myself have thought about doing a project that is "inspired" by these films, but I believe it must be placed in the general modeling category. Anyone can correct me if I am wrong.
As for talent, I guess that depends on what "your" definition of talent is. If you mean that they can do some things better than others, then that includes a lot of people. I have been impressed with many guys dedication to this subject. I do not have the patients to poke through all of those model kits to "find" that "correct" part. You could attribute it to effort, but I do believe that some people are better at it than others, therefore they are "talented" at doing it. Shaping material, molding, painting, electronics, many of the things that make up model building could be "learned" true, but some will do it better, therefore they possess "talent"
I understand that you enjoy building models, that is why you are here, but if you want to be part of the "community", you have to respect the community rules, but nothing is stopping you from doing what you want to do in your free time.
Dave
