Talking Shop with Mike and Kentucky Dave: Episode 136

What makes the modeling community so special? In this
engaging episode, Mike and Kentucky Dave explore the bonds that
form when scale modelers connect beyond their workbenches. After
sharing updates about plumbing troubles and work challenges that
impact their hobby time (and budget!), the conversation shifts to
exciting news about HeritageCon, where modeling friends from
across the US and Canada will converge. Mike's unexpected
schedule change means he'll make the event after all, leading to
plans for a Michigan Toy Soldier Company visit with their
Minnesota and Canadian modeling buddies.

The heart of this episode features three thought-provoking
Shop Talk segments. First, the hosts share their plans for skill
improvement in 2025, with Dave committing to finally finishing
those 90%-complete builds and Mike vowing to dedicate more
consistent bench time. Their different approaches to modeling
shine through in the discussion about "crappy kits" – Dave
preferring well-engineered modern kits that bring joy during
assembly, while Mike views kits as merely "boxes of parts" that
might be useful for creating his vision, sometimes finding that
older, supposedly inferior kits offer better pathways to his
desired result.

Book lovers will especially appreciate the hosts'
recommendations for essential modeling references, from the
comprehensive Detail and Scale series to specialized works like
KV Technical History from Tanko Grad Publishing and Son of
Sherman 2. These conversations reveal how reference materials
dramatically improve model accuracy while deepening appreciation
for the subjects we build.

Whether you're drawn to the technical discussions, the
camaraderie between longtime friends, or the global modeling
community represented through listener mail from four continents,
this episode reminds us that scale modeling connects us in ways
that transcend the workbench. What reference books have
transformed your modeling? We'd love to hear about them!

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Bump Riffs Graciously Provided by Ed Baroth
Ad Reads Generously Provided by Bob "The Voice of Bob"
Bair
Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for
participating on this journey with us.