My point is that the viewpoint of copied works requiring more skill and talent than AU builds is completely wrong.
So you're telling me that drawing AU superbattleships is more meritous than drawing, say,
BB-61 USS Iowa in 1943? If I'm reading you correctly, you're saying that all my research, my assembly of sources, my long hours perfecting each drawing, and my time spent are worth less to you than this thread?
AU drawings made by someone like RP1, an experienced naval architect who does it for a living, take more skill and talent than drawing real life ships. The other stuff doesn't. Simple as that.
I've been at this a long time and I know how it works from both directions, and in this case you are 100% incorrect.
edit: Wait a minute, now I get what you're saying. You're saying that the people who design actual ships have more skill and talent than I do. In that point I definitely agree -- those people work for naval architecture and shipbuilding firms. I'd damn well hope they're more skilled and talented than a college kid from Texas who draws MSPaint ships! :p