First Airfix models for 35 years

[Phil74891]

Inspired by a recent visit to the excellent RAF museums at Hendon and Cosford. Completed with what came in the box. Couple of tiny bits and decals missing and no weathering attempts etc.

Will aim for a WWII collecting over the winter. Quick question - will probably stick to 1/72 and kind of keen to try an airbrush. Never used one before - any suggestions or tips appreciated. Thanks!

[Eric Mc]

Welcome back to the fold.

If you plan to do more Luftwaffe models, you will need to get hold of a set of after-market generic Swastikas.

[jmorgan]

Nice. I dropped out this last year for various reasons and only just started again but keeping it with a brush at the moment as I do not have the space (I think) for an airbrush. Have a compressor though of unknown origin.


Found the wide flat stiff artists brush to be the best for large area's. Still learning as well so leaving weathering for the moment but using coatings for the first time on the Tempest about to be finished. See how the decals come out on the gloss finish.

[dr_gn]

It looks like you have made a great start already.

My advice would be to buy a good quality airbrush and compressor rather than be tempted by the cheap Chinese stuff. If you talk to Paul at Little Cars he will give you good advice, and he only sells decent stuff. Also don't neglect the safety aspect of it - buy a quality face mask with the correct filter, again, ask Paul.

I have a Harder and Steenbeck Evolution and it's very good, and not that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

There are plenty of online guides to airbrushing which you can learn a lot from, and loads of books out there too. The main thing with airbrushing is correctly thinned paint, cleanliness of equipment, and practice.

[jamieduff1981]

Matts spray easier than gloss colours but you really need a decent gloss varnish finish for decals, before sealing them in with a varnish of whatever sheen you want.

A dual action airbrush is worth the extra money over a single action every day of the week. Personally I prefer suction feed to gravity feed but that's a subjective thing.

[pmessling]

I brought cheapish ones from eBay and they are perfectly good for model making. I have both gravity and suction and the results of my models have always been good.

[pmessling]

I brought cheapish ones from eBay and they are perfectly good for model making. I have both gravity and suction and the results of my models have always been good.

[Eric Mc]

I had a cheap Chinese airbrush for a while and worked really well - when it worked. I found it failed to operate too often and required very careful disassembly and cleaning too often.

I too now use a Harder and Steenbeck and it is a joy to operate.

[Red Firecracker]

As bizarre as it sounds, the Chinese ones respond better to a hard life. I treat mine abysmally and they never fail to perform.

What are you planning on building next, Phil?

[Phil74891]

What are you planning on building next, Phil?
[/quote]

Thanks for all the useful input on air brushes. Will start researching.

However, I'm a bit limited for space at the moment plus a few other restrictions, so that's one for the future. Will concentrate on hand painting for the next few models. Currently a third of the way through a Hurricane Mk 1 and have a FW190 and JU88 ready. Also have the Airfix Dambusters Lancaster, but might try a Handley Page Hampden before that.

Any lacquers designed for brush painting out there? I'm enjoying the acrylic paints supplied with the Airfix kits. I'm sure there are much better available, but they'll do for now. Will invest in a couple of bigger brushes.

[dr_gn]

Phil74891 said:

Thanks for all the useful input on air brushes. Will start researching.

However, I'm a bit limited for space at the moment plus a few other restrictions, so that's one for the future. Will concentrate on hand painting for the next few models. Currently a third of the way through a Hurricane Mk 1 and have a FW190 and JU88 ready. Also have the Airfix Dambusters Lancaster, but might try a Handley Page Hampden before that.

Any lacquers designed for brush painting out there? I'm enjoying the acrylic paints supplied with the Airfix kits. I'm sure there are much better available, but they'll do for now. Will invest in a couple of bigger brushes.

I rarely use enamels/lacquers these days, and acrylics are more suited to spraying. The Vallejo Model Colour acrylics brush OK.

Edited by dr_gn on Tuesday 13th January 22:48