Good model?

[no-worries88]

Evening folks,used to do a bit of modelling,but i was only in my early teens. Now (21) im looking into getting back into it again,after seeing the pictures on here that you guys have made,well done by the way, its impossible not to want to get a piece of the action.
Can anyone suggest a good kit to begin on,but not too basic.
Cheers guys.

[Shar2]

A very open question. What sort of models do you like, ships, planes, military, si-fi? What scale, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 etc?

Aircraft, I suppose you can't go too far wrong with a Tamiya 1/48 kit, say a Spitfire or F-4U Corsair to start with. The newest Aifix kits seem to be coming up to the Far East manufacturers standards. Their 1/72 Hurricane is getting good reviews apart from a couple of inaccuracies and the Me-109E in 1/48 is also pretty good.

[Eric Mc]

If you want something REALLY simple to get started on - especially if you want to get to the painting and decalling stage quickly, have a look at the Hobbyboss Easykit range. Cheap (less than £6.00) and really crisply moulded. Reasonably accurate (some of the kits have some oddball aspects) but will allow you to finish something really quickly.

[dr_gn]

Shar2 said:

A very open question. What sort of models do you like, ships, planes, military, si-fi? What scale, 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 etc?

Aircraft, I suppose you can't go too far wrong with a Tamiya 1/48 kit, say a Spitfire or F-4U Corsair to start with. The newest Aifix kits seem to be coming up to the Far East manufacturers standards. Their 1/72 Hurricane is getting good reviews apart from a couple of inaccuracies and the Me-109E in 1/48 is also pretty good.

I agree. You won't go far wrong with Tamiya. Spend a bit more than the cost of Airfix and save yourself a load of hassle, plus the end result (which after all is what you see) is worth the extra cost IMHO. For example the panel lines on the latest Airfix Spitfire PR are significantly worse than on a 1970's Matchbox model.

[Eric Mc]

I disagree.

For starting, spend less so that it all goes wrong you don't feel like you've lost a lot.

But, then again, I'm an accountant.

And I will always defend Airfix (up to a point).

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

I disagree.

For starting, spend less so that it all goes wrong you don't feel like you've lost a lot.

But, then again, I'm an accountant.

And I will always defend Airfix (up to a point).

Which bit do you disagree with Eric? The O/P said he didn't want a 'basic' kit (Airfix are *definitely* basic).

In addition, initially at least, he'll be spending a significant proportion of his total outlay on materials. Surely it's better to use them on a decent model?

And finally: As a beginner he'd surely find it easier to buld a model that at least fits together without any hassle. With Airfix you can spend hours just getting the fuselage halves to line up. Ask me how I know...

[Eric Mc]

How do you develop your modellin skills if all models are prefect?

There are some pretty decent Airfix kits out there (as I have said many times). The danger is buying one of their old clunkers - which is a hazard with some other manufacturers too. However, I agree that Tamiya have very few "old clunkers" . Even their old models were of a standard that was close to what we expect today - but at a price.

I'd still go with my Hobbyboss suggestion.

Cheap.

Go together well.

Go together quickly.

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

How do you develop your modellin skills if all models are prefect?

There are some pretty decent Airfix kits out there (as I have said many times). The danger is buying one of their old clunkers - which is a hazard with some other manufacturers too. However, I agree that Tamiya have very few "old clunkers" . Even their old models were of a standard that was close to what we expect today - but at a price.

I'd still go with my Hobbyboss suggestion.

Cheap.

Go together well.

Go together quickly.

Hmmm, as far as develping skills goes, surely you'd start with a straightforward model, and progress to something more challenging, not the other way around?

I think there's a big difference between developing modelling skills (which let's face it is mostly painting skill) and corrective surgery on a fundamentally flawed kit.

As far as Hobbyboss goes, I've never seen or built one so I don't know. Of course theres a danger it's *too* simple: I got the impression the O/P wanted a bit of complexitiy ?

[Eric Mc]

Maybe. Perhaps he can enlighten us.

You would be surprised how often Airfix get their outline accuracy correct. Even Tamiya, depite the ease of build, camn get it wrong.

I've seen Mr Tamiya publicly apologise for some basic errors on their beautiful 1/48 Lancaster.

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

Maybe. Perhaps he can enlighten us.

You would be surprised how often Airfix get their outline accuracy correct. Even Tamiya, depite the ease of build, camn get it wrong.

I've seen Mr Tamiya publicly apologise for some basic errors on their beautiful 1/48 Lancaster.

Yes you mentioned the Lancaster before. Personally I wouldn't be able to tell whether an aircraft outline or cross-section is wrong or not (unless it was grossly out).

[Eric Mc]

Apparently the cross section IS grossly out - much to Mr Tamiya's annoyance.

Tamiya models always look good - even when they're wrong.