Hello All,
What is scratchbuilding and how does one do it, what does one need for it ???

Tanks, Komet

Scratch building is building something that is not in kit form, or you just want to make it from scratch. This can be buildings, vehicles, figures, walls, streets, etc. Once you have your reference done and have pics of what you want to do you can start building. You also need a "blueprint" with all the dimentions on it. You can find this is your reference or you might have to draw it up one your own.
For materials it all depends on what you want to build. For starters here is some stuff you use on most all scratchbuilding::Plastic card and plastic stock, balsa wood, bass wood, plastic glue, wood glue, super(CA) glue.....etc.
Hope this helps you out....
Matrix

Building from scratch means assembling something without the benefit of a kit. Materials may include sheet styrene, styrene strips and rods, as well as various odds and ends from practically any source. I suppose some may consider converting parts from other kits scratchbuilding, but I also imagine that scratchbuilding 'purists' may scoff at that (I would probably call that kitbashing, rather than scratchbuilding).

Scratchbuilding is the art of creating a model of a subject for which there is no commercial kit using extensive research, from original prototypes, blueprints, photos and scale drawings, requiring drafting skills or a CAD program and access, ideally, to calipers, micrometers, drill presses, lathes, many types of blades, sheet styrene, casting resin and other raw materials a week before a highly detailed model is released by a half dozen companies in the scale you wanted.

Hello komet!
Here is an article I recently wrote about scratchbuilding.
I hope it answers your questions, but if you have any more, ask away!
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/394

It's insanity and I love it - come and join the party
seriously the guys before answered it.

You're killin' me. That is just too funny. Reminds me of Bob Collignon's DUWK model. That thing is still mighty impressive because he took a thousand photos and scratched it. Then the Italeri kit came out...

Shaun

And I think it's still a sore subject with him......

Thanks all! :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

also I consider making parts for your kit that don't come with them Scratchbuilding..... like building interiers or adding anything you make out of plastic stock or other materials you have on hand to enhance the model..

check this link for my fav scrathbuilt model.. the fellow here had way to much time on his hands..

M21 Half-Track 1/11 scale

**Scratchbuilding is beginning with nothing and ending with a piece of art** Lord Q