Friends, let's all remember that the model does not care whether it is kit parts or built from scratch. We're splitting hairs here. 99.999% of the models here won't be judged at a model ship convention. Let's just enjoy the adventure of ship building and the community of builders here...
Seeking the scratch builders and a definition have been around for years on many forums past and present, looking for an answer to what it is all about. Each competition, museums and collectors have their own definition and rules. The subject keeps coming up maybe because scratch builders are rare, only 1% of modelers. This kind of give them a mystique a sense of special esoteric skill how do they pluck ideas out of thin air, creating something from nothing or from basic raw materials. Are the scratch builders the trend setters, the movers and shakers the magicians who see it in their heads and create it with their hands maybe, but it comes down to the "so what" as Kurt said it "the model does not care" no one is being judged or a label slapped on them. Look at it this way the hobby of model ship building is a level field with everyone moving in their own direction with the skills and knowledge they have.
There are those who develop their skills and add to their knowledge and the goal is to be part of the 1% and others not so much. It does not matter to anyone except yourself.
