Another newbie asking for advise....please

[Stubod]

Hi all, not made a model for around 40+ years when it was mainly Airfix, Airfix, or Airfix.

I am looking for something to do during the continuing lockdown and really fancy having another attempt as I now have a lot more time and patience than I did in my "youth".

Just looking for some general advice about where to start really. eg, are Airfix still considered a good bet? What type of "paint" is the best type to get, (always used to be the small Humbrol tins).

Do I really need to get a spray gun, or are brushes still OK to use? (I have googled all the various types available and it seems it is better to spend more and get a quality product).

..and finally, what would be considered a reasonable kit to (re) start with. My preference was always 2nd WW aircraft and tanks.

I have been looking on line at all the various options but would like to hear somebody else's thoughts?

Many thanks for any help...

 

[AlanG]

Welcome to the forum Stu

Firstly. What is your budget and what scale of kit do you want to make?

Secondly. You don't need an airbrush (unless you want to) as you can get very nice results with a hairy stick (paint brush). Paint wise i would personally stick with acrylics. Much 'safer' for the most part.

 

[JR]

Welcome Stu.
Agree with Alans reply about the budget and scale.
If you chose 1/35 think I would suggest Tamiya, because they fit so well.
As to brush or AB, well there are plenty on here that only use a brush and achieve some great finishes. AB choice is a minefield, can soon eat up any budget, yes the more you pay the better the ab. I'd suggest a look at Y Tube to see the types and how they perform.
As to paint , again there the enamels or there acrylic types, again Y Tube is a good start, you can see, which is easier that trying to describe in print.
Look fwd to see what you think.

 

[scottie3158]

Stu,
A warm welcome to the forum. As to your question, where to begin. Modelling has come a long way in the time you have been away with a vast array of choices. It is so difficult to recommend things as everyone has their own preferences. One thing I would say that most people use acrylic paints as they are easy to use and clean with water. I personally use Vallejo but there are many other brands. As to kits Airfix are still a popular brand. What scale are you looking at doing. For simple armour Tamyia are very good and reasonably priced other brands are very detailed but complicated with dubious instructions.

I would suggest start with some cheap kits and a few paints from various suppliers and see which ones you get on with. Practice your techniques and as you get more comfortable spend more. HTH.

 

[Stubod]

Hi all, and many thanks for the prompt replies!

Ref budget, I would rather spend more and get something "good quality", initialy happy to spend anything up to £30/40 for a first model, and as for size I guess it depends on what the model will be. I mainly used to do 1/72 stuff, but concerned that unless it is a "larger" type model in this category I may not be able to see it with my failing eyesight! So I guess my preference would be for a "larger" 1/72 model or a "smaller" 1/35 which I guess would offer more detail.

As you say, I am probably better starting off with something "lower end" as i expect some early failures!

I will have a look at some Tamyia stuff as I seem to remember I once had one of their larger Panzer tanks when I was a boy in short trousers....happy days.

it looks like acrylic is the way to go, are there any "standard" sets of paints you can get, or is it just a case of buying what you need for each model and build up a collection?


..and many thanks again for the great feedback.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Stu
Welcome to the forum fella....
As the others have said, what’s your approximate budget and what’s your interest? That pretty much dictates your kit choice.....
You will need a basic tool kit as well But I wouldn’t spend too much on specialist tools in case you decide this isn’t for up you. Stick with brush painting to start with as well, buy a mixed pack of brushes to start with. You will wreck them (we all do) so don’t buy good ones until you’ve learned how to clean and condition them properly. I would also recommend starting with acrylics, but definitely not Tamiya paint. They are awful to brush paint with .......Vallejo are easily available and have a huge range.
Have a good look around the forum shop, John’s prices and delivery are up with the best....
Most of all, have fun. The only person you have to please is yourself and this forum will give you nothing but support.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi again, our posts crossed.....and you’ve answered a couple of my questions.
From what you’ve said, Tamiya 1/35 kits would be a good fit for you I think, fit and finish are excellent .... once you’ve chosen your kit ask again for paint and tool recommendations.....

 

[Ian M]

Welcome aboard!
Some of the newer Airfix aircraft in 1/48 scale are rather nice (as some of the not so new).

 

[PaulTRose]

for 1/35 armour you cant go wrong with Tamiya to dip your toe back in the water
stuff like the Panther or Panzer IV are redicoulsy cheap......might not be the latest all singing all dancing kits but they built perfectly fine with no drama which is what you want when getting back in to it............trick with buying cheap kits to learn on is to buy cheap kits that dont have problems so that dosnt put you off the hobby

as for paint, thats one of those subjects where everyone swears by a brand.......i like revell aqua or vallejo model for brush work but mr hobby aqua for airbrushing

 

[Jim R]

Welcome Stu. I'm sure you'll enjoy both the forum and the hobby. Sound advice from the guys. Whatever you decide to build the main thing is "have fun."
Jim

 

[adt70hk]

Welcome aboard Stu.

The guys have covered the basics.... And besides they're much better modellers than me.....

The are some things i learnt when I came back to the hobby six or so years ago....

1. Take your time!
2. Take your time!!
3. Double check the instructions at each step.
4. Think ahead a little bit on the build process. Tamiya are pretty good on the instructions front but not all manufacturers are...
5. Dry fit before you glue.
6. Don't expect perfection first time out. Look at the first kit as the first step on a long journey. Even now I look back at my earliest kits and think whilst they're not great, you've got to start somewhere.
7. As Jim said above, this is meant to be FUN!!! If your not enjoying it take a step back and have a break!
8. Oh and take your time!!

Oh and welcome to the mad house!!!

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Stubod]

..brill replies, thank you all very much....I will start looking!

 

[Mini Me]

Glad you are with us Stu, You have hit the Jack pot in the advice dept......all good stuff from very reliable sources. I'm afraid I don't have much to offer as I work in a sub Braille scale and use smelly enamel and lacquer paint squirted through a Hissy Stick (airbrush). I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a warm welcome and I look forward to watching you turn into a first class modeler. Rick H.

 

[Dave Ward]

Stu,
welcome to the forum! A bit bewildering, all that advice!! All I can say is - you're making a model to please yourself, not everybody else! - so pitch in, post pictures - you'll make mistakes, but so what? Was the Mona Lisa Da Vinci's first painting? - I think not! Any questions, you'll be sure to get an answer - above all enjoy yourself!
Dave

 

[spanner570]

A warm welcome from me too Stu.

Nothing to add to all the great advise from my buddies on here, just a couple of agreements.

Perfectly acceptable results can be obtained using brushes. There is no need to purchase an A.B. straight off. Perhaps wait a bit and spend your saved wonga on kits?

As mentioned in other comments. The main thing is to have fun and don't get up tight. It's just a bit of plastic........

Try and do your best with a kit, but keep in mind it's your model, no one else's.

So muck in and have fun!

Ron

 

[Gern]

What they said! I would add a couple of things though.

Whatever you do, DON'T buy any of those Airfix kits you had as a kid! You'll find they're still using the same moulds for a lot of them, so you'll find the quality awful! From what I've seen, the new mould stuff can be pretty good though. The Scalemates website has lots of useful information on kit release dates, upgrades and mouldings.

If you want to find how good a kit is, model review sites can be really useful but some are sponsored by the manufacturers so may not be totally impartial. Others may load their builds with so many aftermarket parts that they're effectively building a different kit to the one you will find in the box! It's worth comparing different reviews to get a clearer picture.

The guys here will certainly be able to help with info about most kits, I should think between us all we've built or seen just about everything out there!

You mentioned standard sets of paint. They've got to be worth considering if you're going to do lots of similar builds - a set of panzer colours for a collection of WWII German armour say - but probably not if you're only building one kit from that era/nationality/type.

It's worth checking ebay for paints as modellers tend to change brands and will often put up for sale the old paints they no longer use. Some suppliers also offer discounts for multiple purchases. That's a cheaper way of starting a collection of colours. You can also get kits at bargain prices but you will need to check the feedback before buying. I suspect most of us have bought kits advertised as complete or new only to find parts missing or the kit has been started and poorly built.

 

[Stubod]

Hi all, and many thanks for the continuing useful advice...appreciated...

..and just added Scalemates to my favourites....brill website!

 

[Bortig the Viking]

Welcome

 

[Stubod]

..again thanks for the feedback...

...currently looking at the Tamiya tiger on Amazon...

...any recommendations regarding the best glue... ....?

 

[Tim Marlow]

Revell Contacta will get you started.