May day... May day... New Modeler Looking For Help!

[mrhenniger]

I just receieved 1:24 P-51D model for Christmas. I haven't done any modeling since I was a kid, and even then I wasn't very good. Any tips on some good modelers web sites with tips for beginners?

I think I am going to have some fun. I feel a whole new addiction coming on!

Mike

Last edited by mrhenniger on Sat Dec 25, 2004 10:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

get some firecrackers?.......................

[mrhenniger]

Seriously though... I know there are some veteran modelers on WIX. I would like to know what tools are best to have around. Knives, brushes, sanding/grinding tools, etc... So answer the question... What do you use to do your modeling. Give me details.

My wife, Catherine, gave me this and I just reasoned that she must be giving me permission to go out and get stuff to put it together as well... right?... (help me along with the logic here)... Basicially I know I will need stuff to put together this kit, and hopefully others, so tell me what I will need so I don't buy things that are useless.

Looking for details and advice and lots of them!

Mike (an enthusiastic new modeler that likes to get things right the first time)

[TimAPNY]

Take your time, enjoy painting and building it. There is no rule saying it hasa to get done in a few days.

[Don Martin]

Mike, try Fine Scale Modeler, http://www.finescale.com. I've been reading it for 15 yrs and I've learned a lot! And By the way, The 5 Foot Rule is my favorite(If it looks good from 5', it's good enough for me ). And I'm no expert, but feel free to ask specifics. Someone out there will know!
Don

[Tony C]

Hi Mike,
I find the following websites to be of use from time to time...

http://www.hyperscale.com/
http://www.internetmodeler.com/
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/
http://www.largescaleplanes.com/
http://aircraftwalkaround.hobbyvista.com/

...and hopefully they will be of use to you

Magazine-wise I take Scale Aviation Modeller International (http://www.sampublications.com/samfront_a.htm and Scale Aircraft Modelling (http://www.samnet.co.uk/. Both are UK based but I believe that they are also available internationally.

As for tools, I believe this to be down to personal preference but would say that a selection of good quality brushes is a must while if money will allow, a good airbrush and compressor will be handy for the larger scale kits.

A good selection of adhesives including superglue for resin and Photo Etched components. My personal preference here is Revells' Contacta range (sorry for the advertising) but again, many will have their own favourite.

For filling gaps I'm currently using Green Putty but have had good results with Humbrol's own filler.

As for paints, I use Humbrol enamels and acrylics, Life Color Acrylics and Tamiya Acrylics.

But most of all, just enjoy the modelling experience, it can have a soothing effect but similarly the number of kits that I've lost by putting my fist through them when things go wrong, currenty numbers' about 10.

Enjoy[/b]

[Ollie]

The best modeling site is : http://modelingmadness.com



And I mean it. Just drop in the forum there and fire your questions away.

BTW, check this page out, it should get you started : http://modelingmadness.com/howdoi.htm

[tom d. friedman]

hello, & happy new year. i've built models for decades. i'm now 43, started as a kid. i've built good ones & crappy ones over the years. some are on my shelf, & some have caught intense flak via bb guns, fire crackers etc over the years!!!! i have always been a stickler for detail. i have found a dremel moto tool as a valuable & versatile right arm, might set you back 60 to 85 bucks depending on model. also dental tools (yes!!! DENTAL TOOLS!!) THESE ARE FABULOUS FOR A VARIETY OF MODEL JOBS FROM GLUEING, SCRAPING, ETC. they are probably my favorite accessory. i sell them at my dept. store for 2 bucks a piece & will ship anywhere via ups. they come in a variety of shapes, all made of stainless steel. distributed by enkay corp. of howard beach n.y., they will not sell to private consumers. email me & i'll hook up any model enthusiast with some. if you want an assortment it will probably set you back around 20 bucks + shipping. let me know. i also have tons of old scale modeller magazines from the 60's to 80's, all in great shape. $1.00 each + shipping, by 1 or buy 100. excellent reference material on long gone or forgotten kits, techniques, accessories, etc. again, email me for further details etc. thanks tom

[ronolsen]

Like Mike, I am trying to get back into building plastic kits and so I have been following this thread with interest.

I have been experimenting with masking canopy frames with Parma Liquid Mask #701. Am to the cutting the mask with the knife stage but am not sure how to proceed so I will try the sites Ollie and Tony suggested and the others.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[mrhenniger]

Thanks to everyone. I just may stop by the hobby store tomorrow to see what they have. I haven't done anything yet other than read the instructions. I may get started in a week or two.

Expect more questions!

Mike

[Don Martin]

For general masking, Mike, try Para-Film "M". I've used it for years. You just stretch it out, press it down on your canopy or whatever, cut out what needs to be painted and spray. peals off with a toothpick when your done!

[tom d. friedman]

hi, i was at work today & had a brain fart!! before i got divorced, & lost my free time for model building, i used to deal with a company out of texas called squadron signal publishing. not sure of their web address, but www.squadronsignal.com is a sure bet!! they have it all!!!!! models, accessories, reference material, everything from a to z. i dealt with them when the internet didn't even exist. they must have an enormous selection now, & i thought it was that way 12 years ago. remember though, if you want a selection of dental tools which i mentioned are a great accessory for fine detail work, get them from me, nobody has more for a better price. also keep in mind my old scale modeler magazines from the 60's to the 80's too, your choice a buck a piece + shipping. i used to love just cruising through their monthly catalogs for grins!! now that i remembered it, i may re-up my subscription after all these years. look into this, you won't be sorry!! regards, tom

[AirJimL2]

I have been experimenting with masking canopy frames with Parma Liquid Mask #701. Am to the cutting the mask with the knife stage but am not sure how to proceed so I will try the sites Ollie and Tony suggested and the others.

Ron,

The bad news is there is no easy way. Liquid Masks are ok if they will cut cleanly. You can hand paint the frames as best as you can and then remove the excess paint off the "glass" with a toothpick. You can also try Bare Metal Foil which is a self stick foil that you apply and then cut the frames off with a knife leaving a nice mask. The last make you own option is to cut small pieces of tape out. One of the easiest options is to buy masks made for the kit you are building. Masks are made by companies such as Eduard, EZ Mask, and Black Magic.

HTH,

Jim

[AirJimL2]

Seriously though... I know there are some veteran modelers on WIX. I would like to know what tools are best to have around. Knives, brushes, sanding/grinding tools, etc... So answer the question... What do you use to do your modeling. Give me details.

Mike,

I would pic up an X-acto style knife with lots of blades. Forget the tube glue go with the liquid stuff in the bottle (I use Testors). Apply it with a brush. You also need standing sticks and paint brushes. I go most of my filling with Mr. Surfaces which is a thick primer, but you can also use Canadian Tire red Auto Body Putty (Which I would use if I could get it down here.) For something in 1/24 I would spray paint the exterior colours with spray cans (Tamiya makes good spray cans.) (If you continue on with the hobby it is best to get an airbrush.) For bottled paint...I use it all. (I like Humbrol the best, but it can be hard to find.)

Jim

For general masking, Mike, try Para-Film "M". I've used it for years. You just stretch it out, press it down on your canopy or whatever, cut out what needs to be painted and spray. peals off with a toothpick when your done!

For masking, I have found that electrical tape also works well....especially if you like to brushpaint everything on, like me, but want to get nice hard lines around your canopies. Just make sure that you get the tape burnished down real good when you put it on.

Eventually, if you get really hooked on the hobby, you may want to invest in an airbrush, this will enable you to produce much more complex paint schemes, and lots of other cool effects.

Also, make sure you check out, aircraftresourcecenter.com, it is an awesome website, and i am currently a member on the forums over there. It is entirely devoted to aircraft modeling, and the people there are really nice. The forum, is especially good, and I would highly recommend it to you.

And for kits and supplies, you may want to check, squadron.com They have just about everything you could possibly dream about for model building. There are also some great reviews there, too.

Hope this helps,
Ace