I want to get started with modeling...

[Red October1984]

Any helpful hints or advice is welcome.

I'm thinking I want to start with an Airplane and then move on to ships/subs.

I like the R/C stuff that nikimcbee is doing too. Problem is....I have no experience ( or money :O: )

I'm open to suggestions, recommendations, guidance, etc. This looks like some cool stuff.... A bit of a step up from the legos of my childhood. :smug:

( I think I want my first one to either be a Bf-109 or an A-10 Warthog :hmmm: )

[Sailor Steve]

I could give so much advice all at once you'd feel overwhelmed. Probably so could more than a few others. So I'll start simple.

1. What do you want to do? Throw some plastic together and slap some paint on it? Try to make a work of art? Somewhere in between?

My first recommendation would be to go online and see what's there. There are several popular scales, and you can make some pretty small models with just a few parts, or you can build a big plane with more than 100 parts just for the engine. Of course you want to start easy. I'm just telling you what the possibilities are. There are books available that give you good instructions on what to do and how to do it.

2. Supplies: There are actually several different kinds of glue to choose from. Not just different brands, but actual different types for different jobs. For a simple plastic model plain old Testor's plastic cement is a good place to start. Not the kind in a tube, but in a glass bottle with a brush. There are several kinds of paint to choose from. It takes great practice and skill to get good with a paint brush, and no matter how good you are it's never going to equal the results obtained with an airbrush. On the other hand airbrushes and compressors are expensive and also require a lot of patience and practice.

I'm not trying to scare you off, just make you aware of what the future can hold if you decide you really like building models. Really you should just ignore me. Find a model that looks good to you, buy some cement and an X-Acto Knife (a #11 X-Acto is the most valuable tool you'll use, and they're cheap), do a little research into paints and then have fun.

I, and several others, will be glad to answer any questions along the way, and to give specific help for problems that arise. :sunny:

[TLAM Strike]

Not sure what scale and such you want to work with but I make mostly 1/72 scale tanks and aircraft, 1/700 scale ships, and have built a few 1/144 scale U-Boats and aircraft.

Trumpeter and Dragon make great models. Hasegawa is also a great manufacturer although I think a lot of their stuff was made more in the 1990s. Revell of Germany also tends to be good (although I don't like a lot of their models have individual link tank tracks at 1/72 scale).

Academy and Italeri also make good kits (I have a 109 and Spit kit from those companies but never got around to building them, but the parts look good).

Stay away from companies like ERTL (in older boxes you find a lot around), UM, Airfix (sometimes), anything Korean or Eastern European.

Tools, your going to need some. I recommend an extendable ex-acto knife. Tweezers are a must. A "Third Hand" holder with a maganify glass is nice and can be gotten cheap at places like Harbor Freight (in the US), A very fine paint bush like a 00 or 0 sized one, plus some others, toothpicks, Micro Cristal Klear (for bonding transparent parts to normal ones, since normal model glue ruins the transparency), super glue, fast drying white putty (for filling gaps, this stuff is made by companies like Squadron), a set of small files and or a cheap dremel like tool (I have an engraver that runs on 2xAA batts I got for a $1 and it works great for model making). Boxes for paints and tools are a must, you mentioned Legos, use some to build a holder with six or so slots for holding your tools you use a lot.

Oh and get a quart of enamel paint thinner from the home store, you will waste a lot of money on the little jars of the stuff from the hobby store, just to clean your bushes.

[Cybermat47]

You can look here for some good models: http://www.airfix.com/

Personally, I'd recommend starting with 1/72 aircraft, then going on to 1/350 submarines, then perhaps some capital ships in 1/570 scale.

[nikimcbee]

You could start here:
http://www.wilhelmina.com/

oh wait....


:har::har::har:

[TLAM Strike]

You can look here for some good models: http://www.airfix.com/
^just make sure it's something they released in the past few years. There are some of their older stuff is of poor quality.

Example: Their 1/72 Beaufighter and Gladiator come in boxes that look alike, the Beaufighter is great recently made mold but the Gladiator looks like it came from a mold made in the 70's.

[Cybermat47]

You could start here:
http://www.wilhelmina.com/

:haha: Good one!

Reminds me if something Alexei Sayle said in his show: I've got a girlfriend, yeah. She's a model, yeah. She's an Airfix Stuka dive bomber.

[nikimcbee]

I'd say, start with an easy kit to learn skills and build your confidence.

Pretty much what Steve and TLAM said. What do you like?

If you are a beginner, stay the hell away from photo-etched kits; First they are waaaaaay more expensive and they are not for beginners. I personally find them very frustrating to work with, but they do look cool though.


Note: the r/c kits are a totally different beast.

[nikimcbee]

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/3013/3611077.jpg
1/48 scale

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1724/p1030054qu8.jpg

My pride and joy. 1/35 scale. I had a lot of fun building this diorama.


http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/2342/p1030087ay3.jpg

1/32 scale. I scratch built the wall and the moss is real!

[Red October1984]

Cool! I'd love to make this a good post...but I'm halfway out the door.

No time right now....but I'll be back later. :hmmm: Sounds like I have a good resource here.

[captgeo]

start easy or you will get scared off, brush's for paint ,use tamiya paints (water base), glue like above mentioned (one with brush), 1/72 scale aircraft are easy to build, make sure its a simple kit not a couple hundred parts, and dont expect it to look great the first try.

Tanks(1/35 th scale) are forgiving to make also, if you mess it up a bit,you can say it's battle damage:yeah:

[Herr-Berbunch]

I'd say, start with an easy kit to learn skills and build your confidence.

Pretty much what Steve and TLAM said. What do you like?


start easy or you will get scared off,

+1

Start cheap, even if it is an old Airfix one for now - do it, take your time over it - paint what needs painting when it need painting, you can't do it all when it's finished!

Once you have finished then walk away, go out, grab a drink. When you come back to it have a good look, see where there are mistakes - too much glue? Too much paint or not enough? Fingerprints? Decal not straight? Wobbly undercarriage or snapped stanchion? - Make a list. Next time you make a model pay more attention to whatever areas went wrong*

I'd also recommend doing the same kit again for a better comparison.

*No offence intended, but things will go wrong no matter how careful - It took me a couple of years before I got just one spot-on first time.

[Sailor Steve]

You could start here:
http://www.wilhelmina.com/

oh wait....


:har::har::har:
Many years ago, when I was working for Utah's only hobby distributor, I told a friend I worked for Douglas Models. He immediately said "Cool! Can you get me a date?"

"Umm..."

Once you have finished then walk away, go out, grab a drink. When you come back to it have a good look, see where there are mistakes - too much glue? Too much paint or not enough? Fingerprints? Decal not straight? Wobbly undercarriage or snapped stanchion? - Make a list. Next time you make a model pay more attention to whatever areas went wrong*.
Also take your time.

When I worked at Douglas I picked up a favorite old modelbuilders' saying: "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"

One of our regular customers was a New Zealander import who built some beautiful stuff. One day he came into the shop with his latest build, a beautiful Monogram 1/48 T-33 trainer. I was admiring it when I noticed something he had missed. "Umm, Willis? Did you know you have the stars upside down?" I've never seen a face so red. He practically ran out of the store. It only took him one night, and he came in the next day with everything perfect, including a complete refinish of the clear coat.

There are different ways to build. For my B-17 prototype that sits in the Hill AFB museum I paid great attention to detail, especially in the markings. On the other hand, while I worked at Douglas I was given several of Revell's and Monograms big bomber kits - 1/48 B-17-F an -G, B-24-D and -J, B-29 and the 1/72 B-52 and B-36 - just to build stuff to hang from the ceiling. I didn't do any fine finishing or much sanding; just put them together and paint them. One of the funny things that happened was the B-17F. On a model that big I took a shortcut, and rather than use the airbrush for the underside I just used a spray can and called it good. We didn't have any WW2 underside gray in stock, so used a can of Light Gull Gray. One day a customer came in, said he had been a B-17 gunner during the war and that was the first model he'd ever seen with the gray exactly he right color.

The lesson is, never trust your memory. When you can, use photographs.

[Herr-Berbunch]

The lesson is, never trust your memory. When you can, buy diecast.


Fixed that for Jim. :03:

[Sailor Steve]

LOL

[nikimcbee]

Fixed that for Jim. :03:

:har::haha::up::salute:
I was going to post that. If you want to skip the fun part, go the Buna route.:D

[Red October1984]

Anybody know good a good site to find a relatively cheap sub?

I'm looking for one to put up on my shelf....I want to build one.

I'll go for one of these:


Typhoon
Los Angeles
Any of the US Fleet Boats but preferably a Gato or Balao
German U-boats
Virginia
Akula
Kilo


Any other links to other boats would be appreciated but I'm just hunting for a good deal. I'd prefer one of the boats I listed...but if there's a nice T-Class or Type 212A or something like that...go ahead and tell me about it and i'll look at it. I'm looking on Amazon and I took a peek at Revell's web store. I'd like some recommendations. :sunny:

[Cybermat47]

^^^^

Try Revell 1/350 WWII U-boats.

[Red October1984]

^^^^

Try Revell 1/350 WWII U-boats.

I saw those...

I didn't know what to think about those. I'd really actually prefer an American Boat at this point. A WW2 one or a newer one. The only exception being the Seawolf. I don't like the Seawolf. :hmmm:

[TLAM Strike]

Anybody know good a good site to find a relatively cheap sub?
Well what is cheap here? :hmmm:

Spruebrothers is a good site.

These are in the $20 range
1:350 688(i):
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/hbs83531.htm

1:350 Akula II mod:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/bncn5020.htm

1:350 Kilo Imp
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/bncn5011.htm

These are in the $10 range

1:700 688:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/hbs87014.htm

1:700 Akula:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/hbs87005.htm

Kinda of depends on what scale you want to work with. I like 1:700 scale for modern ships (sub and surface). The 1:144 scale is nice for diesel boats like the Revell U-Boat kits. The 1:700 is nice for just starting out stuff, the 1st kits I built when I took up the hobby again were the 1:700 Kilo and Akula.

I would say the 1:700 is a nice desk model size
the 1:350, and 1:144 is more of a shelf item
the 1:72 is something you live in. :)

[Red October1984]

Well what is cheap here? :hmmm:

Well...0-30$ I'd say.

I would say the 1:700 is a nice desk model size
the 1:350, and 1:144 is more of a shelf item
the 1:72 is something you live in. :)

Okay so it looks like somewhere around 1:350 and 1:144 is what I need. 1:700 would be good too. I'll look at those links and see what I think. :hmmm:

[TLAM Strike]

Well...0-30$ I'd say.



Okay so it looks like somewhere around 1:350 and 1:144 is what I need. 1:700 would be good too. I'll look at those links and see what I think. :hmmm:

This photo I made might help you figure out what scale you wish to work with. The coin is a US Penny for reference.
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7198/p1030061e.jpg

[Red October1984]

The size of that Type VII is about what I want.

That's almost perfect size. :up:

[TLAM Strike]

The size of that Type VII is about what I want.

That's almost perfect size. :up:
This is the kit:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/rvg05038.htm

:salute:

[Red October1984]

This is the kit:
http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/rvg05038.htm

:salute:

Well...I'm still deciding if I want a VII. That scale is perfect...but I'd like to find a Los Angeles, Gato, or Akula in that scale...

I did see that there was, at one point, a VII/D kit. If I were to get a VII, it'd be the D. Just to have a unique one... :yep:


EDIT: Look at this guy's VII/D U-boat VII/D 1/144 Model (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf-1OpQsN18)

[Sailor Steve]

1/144 Gato 1941
http://www.freetimehobbies.com/TRP5905/

1/144 Gato 1944
http://www.freetimehobbies.com/TRP5906/

[TLAM Strike]

I should mention this store. I've purchased from them before and they have good prices, a good selection, and an easy to navigate store.

http://www.scalehobbyist.com/

You will find Gatos at 1/144, but the only other modern stuff you will find is Chinese stuff, and the Kilo. (also the Seawolf which you said you didn't like). They make 1/144 scale Akulas but that is RC kits starting at about $500.

[Red October1984]

Thanks for the links guys! :D

I'll get looking. :rock:

[Red October1984]

Okay...after a fair amount of looking....

These are what I have decided on. :ping:

Soviet Hotel Class "K-19" (http://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Ship_Models/ZVE00009025/product.php?micr=2364)

American Los Angeles Class 688/VLS/688i (http://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Ship_Models/HBB00083530/product.php?s=0&t=1&u=10&micr=2295&pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&e=0&era=0,7,8)

USS Lionfish American Fleet Boat (http://www.scalehobbyist.com/catagories/Ship_Models/RMX00005228/product.php?s=0&t=1&u=10&micr=2300&pg=1&ppp=48&sb=stocknumber&so=a&e=0&ct=1)


These look good to me. I saw the K-19 kit and had to jump right on it. That or the Lionfish will be the first one I do. I'm wondering about difficulty levels...

[TLAM Strike]

The Hobby Boss 688 would be a good place to start as would the K-19 from Zvezda. The Lionfish would be a little more difficult if you wanted to get it right, I've seen pics of what some parts of that kit look like and I would try and remake the railings on the conning tower with small gauge wire, dremmel the limberholes and put some backing material behind them to simulate the inner hull.

[Red October1984]

The Hobby Boss 688 would be a good place to start as would the K-19 from Zvezda. The Lionfish would be a little more difficult if you wanted to get it right, I've seen pics of what some parts of that kit look like and I would try and remake the railings on the conning tower with small gauge wire, dremmel the limberholes and put some backing material behind them to simulate the inner hull.

The K-19 would be good. That was the first one that caught my eye. Ever since the movie, I've loved the Hotel Class. I want one on my shelf. I think I'll go for that one since you say the Lionfish will be harder.

Just got to raise some funds now... :arrgh!: I like the selection on that web store. They've got more options than the other model sites. :yeah:

[ajrimmer42]

Always good to see someone interested in getting into the hobby!

I've been modelling for probably 15 years and I think its one of the best hobbies you can have!


Just thought I'd add my couple of tips:

1: Always cut parts off the sprue (plastic tree) don't bend them off, and leave a bit on the part to be cut off with a sharp knife when it has been removed from the sprue. This ensures that you don't cut anything important off, or take a slice out of the part. Though rest assured I still do that from time to time lol.

2: Use a sanding stick, either a proper modelling one, or even a cheap nail emery board to remove any rough plastic, bits left behind from sprues etc. It will ensure the parts fit better and is a really easy way to improve the look of your model.

3: Always dry fit parts before you glue them. Again, this just ensures the bits fit right and you can do any adjustments before it's permanent. Some glues, like Tamiya extra thin and Mr Cement allow you to actually put the parts together dry and run the glue around the join meaning the capillary action will draw the thin glue into the gap. This cuts down on sanding and generally gives a neater join.

4: As has already been said, Tamiya acrylic paints are a good starting point. In fact they are pretty much all I use. They offer a great range, and are very forgiving, even when brush painting. As for a brush, best thing you can do is spend as much as you can on a few really good ones. Get a smallish one for details, a larger round one for camo work, and maybe a wider flat one for covering larger surfaces.

5: Don't be worried about messing it up! We've all done it, we've all broke bits, missed bits out, put the wrong part on, stuck our fingers to bits, got fingerprints everywhere, spilled paint all over the model. Just last week I dripped paint out of my airbrush all down the side of my freshly painted FW190 lol. Practice makes perfect.

I bought myself an airbrush off amazon just over a year ago for around £100 and it's the best thing I ever bought. My modelling has improved beyond all recognition since then. However, that isn't say you can't get a good finish with a brush, tbh, if you thin the paint slightly and use a wide brush you can get a finish on par with an airbrush.

Seriously though, just have fun damnit! :arrgh!:

This is my latest model, a 1/48 scale FW190D-9 by Eduard. The culmination of 15 years modelling as it's by far the best I've ever done, I was very pleased with how it turned out, especially the mottled camo.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r131/ajrimmer42/IMAG0446_zps5e52c924.jpg

[Jimbuna]

A good source of submarine models:

http://www.themotorpool.net/Easy-Model-Submarines-and-Warships-Series-s/1013.htm

[Red October1984]

This is my latest model, a 1/48 scale FW190D-9 by Eduard. The culmination of 15 years modelling as it's by far the best I've ever done, I was very pleased with how it turned out, especially the mottled camo.

That's a darn good model right there. I love it! :up: :yep:


Thanks for the tips too! I'll be sure to remember those. :know:

[captgeo]

damn fine FW-190:salute: