Interview with: Hugo Luyten

First off let’s start with the obligatory questions of how old you are, where you live, and how long have you been building models?  How long has it been since you really started to get involved in modeling on a more serious level? How old were you?
My name is Hugo Luyten, born in ’63 in Belgium and living now in The Netherlands. I started with modeling, like many others, at the age of 8-10 years. Then, after a long break, I started modeling again in a more serious way in 2003.

What is your favourite drink?
Whisky.

What is your favourite food?
Pasta.

How active are you in the modeling community such as frequenting the boards, going to shows, entering those shows, model club meetings, group builds, etc.
I can say very active. I joined the KMK club in 2004 and together we visit many both national as well as international shows, to promote our hobby, give demo’s and participate in contests.

Where do you see the modeling industry to be in 10 years from right now. Where are we headed?
The last 10 years we can notice that the quality of new kits, tools and paints is increasing tremendously. Also 3d-printed items become more available. I think this will go further in the future.

A lot of people are going to read this interview. That includes a lot of people who own companies in the modeling industry. Now that you have their attention, without calling them out by name, tell me in broad and respectful terms what would you like to say to the people involved with the business side of the hobby? What are they doing right? What are they doing wrong? What would you like to see them do? The floor is yours…
It’s a good thing to see some companies are daring to leave the trusted WWII German path and fill in the gap with modern vehicles, instead of announcing yet another type of Panzer.
Another aspect for me is quality. I’ve seen reputable companies who switched quality for quantity (and so profit) and I think that is bad for the hobby.

What are your general thoughts of what goes on in the forums?
To be honest I sparely visit open forums nowadays, as there is so much going on, anything but constructive and positive comments, and not always in the right and respectful way to each other…

Disagreements and debates are part of life. Having a nice healthy respectful debate with like-minded people is not necessarily a bad thing. With that being said, is there anything you’d like to say to those who can’t disagree and debate in a respectful manner on the forums and instead just try to belittle others and make them look foolish while simultaneously letting the world know just how wonderful they think they are?
I would say: Debate in a respectful way, if you can not manage that, then get yourself a life…

Do you have friends who also share a passion for modeling like you do? What percentage of your friends are modelers themselves?
I think 80%.

What is your favorite subject to model?
No specific items. I build what I like, weathering it in my own way.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most, how serious are you about modeling?
9.5

How well does the term “Modeling Nerd” apply to you? You may ask yourself what I mean by “Modeling Nerd” so let’s put it this way, when you hear the term “Naked Model” , what comes to your mind first, an unpainted Sherman showing its resin and brass or a beautiful blonde woman showing her goodies?
A beautiful blonde on a tank.

On average, how much time do you get to spend at your bench every week?
20 hours/week

Do you have anything to say to all the beginners out there who are inspired by your work but don’t think they’ll ever get to your level?
Start with an OOTB model and try different weathering techniques. One can find lots of info in magazines, books and on the internet. One can read a lot of these items, but better is to ask modeling friends for good and honest advise, visit modeling events, talk to other modelers, visit demo’s, join a local hobby club. But most of all: enjoy modeling, it will show off on your model.

Where do you buy most of your models, tools, paints, etc. Online? eBay? Local hobbyshop?
Most of the time on modeling events, as the good old shops disappeared.

What area of modeling have you struggled the most with in the past? PE? Painting? Weathering? etc.
Painting and weathering.

In your early modeling days, was there any modeler in particular whose work you really looked up to.
Of course, people like Adam Wilder, Rudi Meir, Marijn van Gils.

Every modeler has at least one part of modeling that they just plain hate to do. For me it’s cleaning up road wheels, what’s yours?
Cleaning up road wheels, polishing canopies.

Now to flip things around, what is your favorite modeling task?
Weathering, as this is the most important part (for me).

If a manufacturer were to come to you and ask what three models you would like to see them produce and add to their product line, what would you say?
A correct F-84F and Huey (1:48), more modern armour (1:35)

Now if a tool manufacturer were come to you and ask what three new tools you would want them to develop that would solve or improve a modeling problem that you and other modelers have, what would these tools be? What problem would the tools solve?
A time machine so I could spend more time on modeling.

What is you most remarkable anecdote concerning modelling?
“It’s only a hobby. Is it?”

How do describe your own style?
Weathered, used and filthy.

Which factor has the most value for you in a model kit?
Quality and accuracy.

If you must leave to an uninhabited island, which three things you take with you?
My wife, our pets and a fishing line.

Favourite movie?
Seven

Favourite music? Do you use to build with music?
’80s pop and rock.

What’s your next project?
An A-6A Intruder (1:48)