'Airfix' kits - where to start?
Discussion
I've been lurking around this section for a couple of weeks now having wandered in during an idle moment at work (of which I have too many!)
Seeing the builds here has reminded me that I used to love making 'airfix' (and when I say Airfix i mean plastic-plane kits not necessarily airfix) kits when i was a lad.
I fancy starting again.
But, where do you start? What equipment do you need? What are the basic foundations of a modelling kit? Do I need an airbrush, or does that come later after many ham fisted painting attempts? Paints, paint thinners etc, little clamps, magnifying glasses?
Oh and what do adults do with their completed models, in a wife-friendly manner?
Lastly, EricMc if you read this - I know you're local to (i'm in fleet) where do you go shopping for this sort of thing or is it all online nowadays?
Seeing the builds here has reminded me that I used to love making 'airfix' (and when I say Airfix i mean plastic-plane kits not necessarily airfix) kits when i was a lad.
I fancy starting again.
But, where do you start? What equipment do you need? What are the basic foundations of a modelling kit? Do I need an airbrush, or does that come later after many ham fisted painting attempts? Paints, paint thinners etc, little clamps, magnifying glasses?
Oh and what do adults do with their completed models, in a wife-friendly manner?
Lastly, EricMc if you read this - I know you're local to (i'm in fleet) where do you go shopping for this sort of thing or is it all online nowadays?
JungleJim said:
I've been lurking around this section for a couple of weeks now having wandered in during an idle moment at work (of which I have too many!)
Seeing the builds here has reminded me that I used to love making 'airfix' (and when I say Airfix i mean plastic-plane kits not necessarily airfix) kits when i was a lad.
I fancy starting again.
But, where do you start? What equipment do you need? What are the basic foundations of a modelling kit? Do I need an airbrush, or does that come later after many ham fisted painting attempts? Paints, paint thinners etc, little clamps, magnifying glasses?
Oh and what do adults do with their completed models, in a wife-friendly manner?
Lastly, EricMc if you read this - I know you're local to (i'm in fleet) where do you go shopping for this sort of thing or is it all online nowadays?
There is some info and a good link in RedFirecracker's post here:Seeing the builds here has reminded me that I used to love making 'airfix' (and when I say Airfix i mean plastic-plane kits not necessarily airfix) kits when i was a lad.
I fancy starting again.
But, where do you start? What equipment do you need? What are the basic foundations of a modelling kit? Do I need an airbrush, or does that come later after many ham fisted painting attempts? Paints, paint thinners etc, little clamps, magnifying glasses?
Oh and what do adults do with their completed models, in a wife-friendly manner?
Lastly, EricMc if you read this - I know you're local to (i'm in fleet) where do you go shopping for this sort of thing or is it all online nowadays?
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
...And read a review of whatever kit you fancy *before* you buy it! Could be the difference between you enjoying the process or never wanting to see a kit again.
The number of model shops in our area has diminished over the past few years. Currently, we have Morningstar Hobbies in Camberley, the toy shop on Fleet High Street and Modelzone in Guildford. There is also a Modelzone in Basingstoke.
I also attend the local IPMS meetings in Farnborough.
Here's a link to their website
http://www.ipms-farnborough.co.uk/
Feel free to pop along to the next meeting and introduce yourself to me. Shar2 is also a regular attendee.
As regarding buying models, the choice is huge and the standards of kits varies massively. For beginners (or returnees to the hobby), you are better off looking for a model that goes together easilly without the need to reshape, fill, file, sand, cut and/or otherwise fettle.
For 1/72 I would recommend almost anything new from Revell.
The danger is not knowing whether a kit is the latest rendition from a manufacturer or one of their old "classics" which will be crude and maybe not the best fitting model around.
The one company that has consistently made good fitting kits is Tamiya. Almost anything from them, no mater how old, will go together well. They are relatively expensive in comparison to Revell or Airfix, however. Avoid old Airfix or old Revell stuff (i.e. dating from the late 1950s or 1960).
I also attend the local IPMS meetings in Farnborough.
Here's a link to their website
http://www.ipms-farnborough.co.uk/
Feel free to pop along to the next meeting and introduce yourself to me. Shar2 is also a regular attendee.
As regarding buying models, the choice is huge and the standards of kits varies massively. For beginners (or returnees to the hobby), you are better off looking for a model that goes together easilly without the need to reshape, fill, file, sand, cut and/or otherwise fettle.
For 1/72 I would recommend almost anything new from Revell.
The danger is not knowing whether a kit is the latest rendition from a manufacturer or one of their old "classics" which will be crude and maybe not the best fitting model around.
The one company that has consistently made good fitting kits is Tamiya. Almost anything from them, no mater how old, will go together well. They are relatively expensive in comparison to Revell or Airfix, however. Avoid old Airfix or old Revell stuff (i.e. dating from the late 1950s or 1960).
I popped into the Alton model shop a while ago. Alton is, of course, the home of the heritage "Watercress Railway Line" so the model shop mainly caters for railway modellers. He does have some kits though and plenty of paints, tools and eccessories.
There is also a small model shop in Farnham (Models of Distinction).
There is also a small model shop in Farnham (Models of Distinction).
Well i went into Model Zone in Basingstoke today for a little look. They had many more kits and paints than I had previously imagined, having thought them to mostly sell battery operated stuff and train sets.
Couldn't really spend very long looking as I had my wife and 1 year old son in tow, so looks like I'll be buying a few supplies online instead.
Couldn't really spend very long looking as I had my wife and 1 year old son in tow, so looks like I'll be buying a few supplies online instead.
JungleJim said:
Well i went into Model Zone in Basingstoke today for a little look. They had many more kits and paints than I had previously imagined, having thought them to mostly sell battery operated stuff and train sets.
Couldn't really spend very long looking as I had my wife and 1 year old son in tow, so looks like I'll be buying a few supplies online instead.
Shame - Modelzone sometimes have some bargains. I got a 1:72 Academy Thunderjet and a 1:32 Revell ASK21 Glider IIRC for less than £10 for the pair. Couldn't really spend very long looking as I had my wife and 1 year old son in tow, so looks like I'll be buying a few supplies online instead.
Eric Mc said:
Overwhelmed by choice 
I'd had my eye on a Revell glider for a while, and anything by Academy in 1:72 is usually pretty good so I bought the Thunderjet just to try out bare metal foiling. They had a load of other stuff too, but those were the two that caught my eye. If you just want to practice it's a cheap way of ending up with a decent model if your experiments work.I can only echo what Eric has already said about Farnborough. Just pop in and see what goes on, even if it's only for half an hour. Oh! and don't be put off by the quality of the models on show, as the standard is pretty high. It gives me something to aim for. As they say,everyone has to start somewhere.
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