Good first kit/links to modelling tips.

[DanGPR]

Hi all, after stumbling onto this forum by chance, I am blown away by some of your creations!

I'm interested in trying my hand at building a kit, I don't want anything too complex or hard to paint as a first kit.

Any suggestions or recommendations? The last time i tried to build a kit, it was of terrbile quality, I was about 10 years old and ended up sticking all my fingers together with glue...

Also, any links to good newbie tips, i wouldn't know wether to paint things before i assemble them, etc!

Cheers, Dan.

[dr_gn]

DanGPR said:

Hi all, after stumbling onto this forum by chance, I am blown away by some of your creations!

I'm interested in trying my hand at building a kit, I don't want anything too complex or hard to paint as a first kit.

Any suggestions or recommendations? The last time i tried to build a kit, it was of terrbile quality, I was about 10 years old and ended up sticking all my fingers together with glue...

Also, any links to good newbie tips, i wouldn't know wether to paint things before i assemble them, etc!

Cheers, Dan.

Dan,

What subject - cars, aircraft, tanks, ships?

[Eric Mc]

What type of things are you interested in? There are kits of almost anything.

(I'm into spacecraft at the moment).

[Skodaku]

Whatever topic interests you, you can do no better than start with a kit from Tamiya. Amongst the very best for fit, finish and clarity.

As for an absolute wealth of tips etc you could do worse than go here;

airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/index.php

Don't be put off by the name, the Forum is populated by great folks and the tips etc are outstanding. Free to join and you can always get great advice. Beware though, that you can easily lose an evening just browsing.

Build what you want, how you want; others' opinions on your work are fine, and very often valuable, but learn a little from each kit, don't be upset by not achieving perfection, (whatever that may be), with your first attempt and just enjoy yourself.

[Simpo Two]

Plastic Spitfire or wooden 'Ship of the Line'?

[The_Jackal]

The Airfix 1/72 Mk 1a Spitfire is a very well made kit with no need for filler.
Here is my first attempt at the age of 40 since my last model at the age of 12 lol

1/72 Airfix Mk1a Spitfire by jackaldesigned, on Flickr

1/72 Airfix Mk1a Spitfire by jackaldesigned, on Flickr

[dr_gn]

The_Jackal said:

The Airfix 1/72 Mk 1a Spitfire is a very well made kit with no need for filler.
Here is my first attempt at the age of 40 since my last model at the age of 12 lol

1/72 Airfix Mk1a Spitfire by jackaldesigned, on Flickr

1/72 Airfix Mk1a Spitfire by jackaldesigned, on Flickr

Looks like a perfectly executed OOB model. Well done.

(just needs an aerial wire IMHO!)

[Eric Mc]

Have a look at the Hobby Boss Easykit range.

[DanGPR]

Sorry, should have clarified, I'm mostly into trying my hand at cars first.

[dr_gn]

DanGPR said:

Sorry, should have clarified, I'm mostly into trying my hand at cars first.

Tamiya 1:24 series, or 1:20 if you're into F1.

Take your pick.

[Eric Mc]

Revell do some nice F1 modern cars as well.

[dr_gn]

Eric Mc said:

Revell do some nice F1 modern cars as well.

Never built a Revell F1 car, but I don't think they have engine detail - which might be a good thing for a beginner. In general the latest Revell cars look very good quality. I've got one in the stash, and the bodywork at least looks every bit as good as Tamiya.

[perdu]

Quite true of my Revell Sauber dr_gn

Engine detail is minimalist and quite invisible inside the body work

Which is a good thing because the location given on the floor layout doesnt let the exhausts fit the holes in the body panelling. I had to bodge that part, thankfully invisibly.

For the sake of the question though I was happy with my first race car model at the end of the GB

[Eric Mc]

Nice.

I think car models are quite difficult. The standard of finish required on them is high compared to camouflaged aircraft or armoured vehicles, for instance.

[SlipStream77]

Eric Mc said:

Nice.

I think car models are quite difficult. The standard of finish required on them is high compared to camouflaged aircraft or armoured vehicles, for instance.

I agree, I can never get a good enough finish when I build cars, but I'm quite happy with most of the more recent aircraft I've built.

I think some of the more important things are to take your time, don't take shortcuts and use the correct tools for the job.

A Tamiya kit is a good start because the parts will fit well, there will be no, or few, gaps to fill.
You should always 'dry-fit' parts before applying any glue to see if there are any issues that are preventing a good fit and causing gaps. Parts can be sanded to fit correctly. Also, you won't need to use much glue at all, just a tiny amount will weld the plastic very strongly.

I get most of my models from here, they have a good selection of cars.

http://www.emodels.co.uk/plastic-kits/-c-173_188.h...