A MATTER OF TEMPERAMENT:
HOW long can you go on modelling at any onetime?... an hour, two hours, all night? Or does your temperament limit the 10b to a few minutes here and there before you lose patience? I doubt if anyone has ever studied the effect of continuous modelling on the individual and how this is linked to the quality of what he produces and his ability to concentrate. This thought came to mind the other evening when I was producing one of the review models and had already had a hard day struggling with the usual lack of time and the inevitable interruptions. At that time I was trying to paint a straight line down the side of a model which, although I had attempted it twice, would not go right. I was obviously tired but the review model had to be completed and deadlines met. The following morning I got to the office early and tried it again. Of course, it went on correctly first time. This brought my thoughts to the matter of fatigue and how personally I find that my modelling always goes better if I do it in short periodsand then leave the thing severely alone unless something simple like rubbing down is involved. Talking to others soon proved that I was not the only one who could not model effectively for more than an hour at a time when concentration on accuracy and finish was important. On the other hand I found one enthusiast who swore that he started work at about seven after the evening meal and always went on to the early hours of the morning. Needless to say he had my admiration because if I had tried that sort of thing I would have ended up by throwing the model against the wall and possibly bashing my head against it at the same time. So it seems thatthe whole business of model making is a matter of temperament. One man can concentrate for long periods whereas the maiority of us cannot put in the same amount of time without making mistakes. It also proves what a great deal of concentration is needed in th is hobby as to maintain and improve on one's standards, one has to become totally absorbed in what is being done. A possible alternative was suggested in that several models should be on the work bench at the same time but I fear that this would not alter the fact that the amount of time spent would still make the results suffer even though variety might stave off the inevitable for a short while. It would be interesting to hear from others how their experiences in the hobby equate with my own thoughts. Is modelling, being a creative subject in the same way as painting or music, so much a matter oftemperamentoristhe lack of concentration at the end of the day detrimental to the high standards we all seek?

EDITORIAL CHANGES:
Mike Keep, whose drawings in Scale Aircraft Modelling have been admired by many readers over the last two and a half years, has joined the full-time staff as editor. He will have day-to-day charge of the editorial work on the publication leaving Alan Hall with the opportunity to develop the business side and its administration.