Does detailing the cockpit make sense? Building a 1/72 scale Spitfire. 

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My short comment would be: Just give me decent safetybelts and a nice instrument panel. I find that when my friends visit me and politely look at my modelshelf they miss everything else. But they typically say "Cool you can even see the seatbealts! Such detail, I don't know how you do it." It can really leave you crestfallen, ha ha.

Truth be told, details that will never be seen are simply for the model builders own enjoyment. Even when people look at models on display in a hobby shop or a model contest, in someone’s home, they look at the model overall and that’s it. They’re not going to look in the cockpit for all of the details. A lot of aircraft models wouldn’t allow that to happen even if someone did try to look inside. A B-17 for instance. It can be tricked out as much as possible, but once it’s together those details are gone forever. So like I said, adding all the details is simply for the person building the model.

It's all about the building fun, the creation. I no longer think about it, whether it will be visible or not, though I will not go to great extremes over something that gets hidden, I still enjoy the end result before I tuck it in the fuselage, is how I get my satisfaction.

I normally paint and weather enclosed spaces - let's me practice techniques without worrying about mistakes 👍 As for the cockpit, it is the one area that will draw people's attention so, I always spend a little extra time painting and detailing it (for a Spitfire, I always drop the small access door under the canopy to open it up).

I don´t have the fine motor skills for some microdetails. I have started to dryfit the fuselage with the cockpit. That allows me to cut some corners. But I just love building larger kits and really dive in and add details on the cockpit and motor. Even if I am the only one knowing about the extra work done, I love looking at it. The fockewulf from Hasegawa that I build in that scale recently was an old kit with abysmal detail. I spent two weeks on the net looking for motor pictures and cockpit pictures. Then I made additional details from scratch. I just love that! Some parts was so brittle from age that they kept breaking when I cut them from the spruces. The exhaustpipes were unusable. After some thinking I got to a hobbyshop and bought two component modelclay, I then modelled out two sets of pipes and finished the engine. The underwing gunbays with their large canons were plastic and had bent from the heat in the attic. (I had put away my kits over 20 years ago and rediscovered them during covid). I made new gunbarrels of different sized brass pipes. It took a lot of work to get the kit together. In the end I rebuilt half the kit but what started as a disaster is now my most priced jewel in the bookshelf. I would not have had the skill or inspiration to get through this project by myself. I learned SO much from you and your videos and I thank you for your generosity, there are many out on youtube building fantastic models. I find your videos special because you take the time to explain what you do, and more important, you tells us why. Great work!

In the 1980s francois verlinden said a detailed seat and good paint job was the way to go

Siempre hay que detallar la cabina

A fine job. I have had this debate with myself a few times. In the end it comes down to "but I KNOW all the detail is there". And after all...that's kinda why we build models isn't it. I'm always impressed by your work.

I've build aircraft models in 1/72 and 1/48 scale - and always painted the cockpit... 1) it looks good 2) just for the fun of it

Just seeing this September 27th 2021… I like building 1/72 1/76 models , I add details , photo etch or whatever I can find out of the scrap box… I think it’s challenging and fun… I KNOW ITS THERE !!!!!!! I enjoyed watching this… Chris from Ohio USA 🇺🇸

As to your question of how do you tell how much detail will be seen, a quick test fit with with the fuselage and some of the larger parts of the cockpit will give you a good idea of what will be seen. The Spitfire should be a great candidate to do a little bit of saw work and open up the side door and display more of your hard work. I too struggle with the urge to do the interior details while I know it will only be my satisfaction that is the pay off for this. I take detailed pictures before I assemble kit and have those pictures to admire my work later. Thank you for your great videos, I always learn a lot and enjoy watching them.

This video poses a very interesting point, when is enough enough? When I'm limited on time detailing the cockpit it depends on the subject and scale of the model. A bf 109 or a spitfire , not so much. Instrument panel and seat belts are a good place to focus your attention. An A-6 intruder cockpit , go to town!

G'day MM, When I was younger I used to build 1/72 models of smaller aircraft. Now, my fingers and eyesight are not what they used to be so I stay away from 1/72 unless it's for an aircraft that is big, in reality. Back then, I used to do all the interior detailing because I knew it was there and that the model was properly finished. It also gave me a good way to hone my skills and practice the way I used brushes (no airbrushing back then). It also gives one good experience on working with small parts. Even the biggest models have small parts and one needs to do them as well as one can. I like the way you pay attention to detail and add to it from scratch, if you can. It's the real fun of our hobby, problem solving and learning. I couldn't do a small 1/72 aircraft now but I enjoy watching you do one. It helps me keep my old skills fresh in my mind. I really like your work and thank you for your videos. Cheers, Bill Hobart Tasmania

Unless the cockpit is literally just the seat floor and instrument panel I don’t bother adding any new detail to the cockpit, just not worth the time if you can’t see it. I just paint what comes with the kit, on some aircraft it’s more visible than others, like a Dornier Do17, so I painted just about every dial, but most fighter aircraft I don’t bother

This is an attitude of modelling. Although we know it won't be visible once finished, we still make it because we know it exists there.

Looks lovely. I'm glad that you brought up the issue of doing work that gets hidden. I'm no expert but seems like life's too short to go spending hours fiddling with something that you'll never see 😜

If you think it is worth the time, it is. If you do not think it is worth the time, it is. As long as you enjoy it that's the main thing. Each person has a standard of what is acceptable. I have slogged through joyless builds that looked great but never felt a sense of accomplishment when I was done, I was just glad to be done with it. It's all a matter of what you are seeking to get out of a build.

I only do the cockpit because its fun

Very nice progress my friend 😊👍

I was looking forward to seeing how you install those PE seat belts!

Thé cockpit is there and I feel obliged to super detail it. And then I close the body and you see nothing! I’ve tried to skip certain steps but I can’t ! I think I’ve a problem 😁

Great skills here....I wouldn't be able to achieve this in 1/72. Even 1/48 I tend to keep the canopy closed!

If ot makes you feel good...🤗

I have tried 2 weekend editions and neither was finished in 16 hrs. And I tried with ambition. I would love to see you make a video on one 😊

I think it's more for practising and honing your skills even though you're probably not going to see most of it. It's more effective if you're doing a motorbike kit or a car because everything is exposed.

Vast majority of the planes I build are 1/72. I usually build and paint & decal the cockpits out of the box per instructions or references. If the kit has no details at all; usually just a very plain chair; then I’ll scratch build at least minimal details. Depends on how much you can see. Although on my E-2A, put quite a bit of work in an enclosed cockpit with no canopy. At least I know it’s in there. 🤷🏼

Greetings my good friend, that was a fantastic tutorial, I would think the smaller the aircraft ie 1/72nd scale the less westhering would be required, but then it would be up to the individual modeller, take and keep safe mate.

Why didn't you ask me first before you started 😃 I would have said don't bother! I don't even do much weathering in the cockpit any more . I devote all the my on the exterior.

i think using PE details on 1/72nd scale models is a good, cheap method to practice for larger projects. If you can fit details that small properly onto 1/72nd scale planes then 1/48 and 1/32 scale PE parts shouldn't be a problem. Plus, if you screw something up in 1/72nd scale then chances are no one will notice or even see it!

No, but we do it nevertheless. Because we know that somewhere deep inside that plane we have really nice interior details that even though can't be seen they are there. :-D

I usually just worry about painting skills when I work on 72nd scale models...The rest is just too much work for such a small scale...

Heck. I sometimes paint the whole canopy clear part dark blue

I detail the cockpits on WW1 in 1/72 scale as they will be visible. If I have an open cockpits on WW2 or later, then detail is essential. It is a model of an aircraft, you see.

For myself I Have this NEED to detail a cockpit!!!! I will add, cut, snip, glue all the Small bits in 1/72nd scale... Almost somewhere during the "Detail" process in 1/72 scale the part I'm about to glue goes flying out of either my tweezers or hand.....I Stop and Try to "Listen" where the Tiny part bounces off a floor etc...To give me a point to start looking for it.. Yep with Optivsor on and down on my knees I'm Looking for a part that is 10mm in length!!! Do I find the Part....Sometimes...But mostly I invent New Words to the Modeler Vocabulary!!!! This chapter I totally Agree..I Omit parts that are not Seen and I Will not PAY extra $$$$$ money for a "Weekend Kit" to test the Sanity of Me...... Whew!!! But a model 1/72 that is of good quality not loaded with the "Norm" PE/Resin bits.... Is to Me Relaxing and Good!! Now 1/48, 1/32, 1/24, GAME ON!!! Don't Throw away any Detail parts!!!! At least when a part goes flying it makes a bigger sound and you'll usually find it.... Blessings Darrell Killingsworth

I am new to this, and wondering if it's worth it to saw off the side so we can see inside. Thoughts ?

I like basic easy to do detailing on interiors for aircraft since it further allows you to understand the way the aircraft felt to the pilot and how it was operated. We are trying to reproduce that machine and see what it was like. However, I would never get extreme detail photo edge kits for 1/72, that is really too much for me

Probably worth it with canopy open otherwise I don't go overboard with detailing if it can't be seen.

I think 48 is a minimum scale where you actually need to work really hard on cockpit, especially if it is modern jet. They tend to have Big canopies, even if closed ones, this makes interior visible pretty good. But in 72nd scale... Seatbelts, gauges and some simple paint is totally worth it, but not photo etched 6-layered compasses and so on.

Hyper-detailing a 1/72 scale cockpit is mostly a waste of time. I do it anyway (though not as exquisitely as you). The process itself is what gives me satisfaction. Hard to explain, but true.

Just a comment for the algorithm.

Una de mis preocupaciones a 1/72 es que la cabina tenga un detallado respetable

its a passion it doesnt have to make sense

Déjà, je me pose la question pour le 32ième (alors pour le 72 pfff !?). Après un gros boulot qui ne fera plaisir qu'au modéliste, 80 % du travail sera invisible au badaud de base, c'est un triste fait certain ! Je me dis aussi, que les détails, si l'on ne les voit pas, on les ressent :o)

Yeah... I'll think you're right, something is wasted of time😅

I think... it depends on the scale! 1/72 too small! 1/48 and greater should be a nice improvement to the final build...

G'day MM, again. I forgot to tell you about my 'WEEKEND' kit build of a 1/48 Hellcat by Eduard. I'm in my 60s and I'm retired so I have a lot of spare time, this is great for my modelling obsession and bringing myself up to date with new technologies like airbrushing etc. Even though I have a lot of spare time I know that I could not have done this entire build in a two day period. I think Eduard are using some wishful thinking in their marketing. If you add up all the time for paint layers to dry plus all the other, routine steps in a good build, one's time for eating, sleeping and doing other things in that two day period begin to rapidly disappear. I don't think this WEEKEND label should be taken too literally. However, it might make for an interesting video if you could pick a challenging WEEKEND model from Eduard (Hint, hint, Mr Eduard... send this good man a free kit!). This video would show other modellers, perhaps, not to be too ambitious or to deliberately rush a build when there is no reason to do so. Enjoyment is the main thing, not speed. Cheers, and thanks again. BH

the solution, perhaps, is to make the model on a scale of 1/32 ? :o)))

It’s your model….detail as you see fit…or not. I enjoy the process of detailing the cockpit even in 1/72. I know it’s there and gives me pleasure. Never used PE in 1/72 though.

I only do the cockpit details for fun in 1/72 pe is a waste of time. And what's with pedals? What a waste of time if you cant see it there's no point. If you want to that's fine too I know I have.

Way TOOOOO Small for that much detail

I don’t think it worth the efforts, 99% of work disappears.

No tiene sentido nadie lo va a ver