Should I ruin another kit?

[Guest]

Making mistakes is part and parcel of modelling. You should see my 'shelf of doom' of models I built but are not up to scratch for one reason or another. I try to look at the model, what went wrong and how I can ensure the same mistake happens again - usually a different one will happen!

Shelf of doom! haha, I love it.

[Miko]

Shelf of doom! haha, I love it.

An all to common situation for those with 'advanced modellers syndrome'

Miko (mostly immune)

[Guest]

So just trying to get opinions here (didn't want to make a new thread and annoy the poor mods)

I wish to build an aircraft next, not done one in 40+ years, but which to do?
Yes I bought a Lancaster yesterday but hmmm. i'm not sure I'm up to tackling that just yet, but I do own these:

1:- Airfix 1/72 Lancaster B.III Special
2:- Eduard 1/48 Bf 109G-10
3:- Hasegawa 1/72 F-4 Phantom (bought before I realised some 1/72 kits are too small for me)
4:- Eduard 1/48 Fokker D.VII
5:- Airfix 1/48 Hawker Sea Fury FB.II
6:- Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk Vb
7:- Hobbyboss 1/48 A-10 Thunderbolt 2
8:- Revell 1/32 P-51D Mustang

but which to start.. hmmm choices!

[The Smythe Meister]

So just trying to get opinions here (didn't want to make a new thread and annoy the poor mods)

I wish to build an aircraft next, not done one in 40+ years, but which to do?
Yes I bought a Lancaster yesterday but hmmm. i'm not sure I'm up to tackling that just yet, but I do own these:

1:- Airfix 1/72 Lancaster B.III Special
2:- Eduard 1/48 Bf 109G-10
3:- Hasegawa 1/72 F-4 Phantom (bought before I realised some 1/72 kits are too small for me)
4:- Eduard 1/48 Fokker D.VII
5:- Airfix 1/48 Hawker Sea Fury FB.II
6:- Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk Vb
7:- Hobbyboss 1/48 A-10 Thunderbolt 2
8:- Revell 1/32 P-51D Mustang

but which to start.. hmmm choices!

I'd say "ease yourself in gently", don't take on too much, therefore,my vote would go to the Tamiya Spitfire

[Jim R]

My approach ....
Each new model I start I try to build and paint it as well as I possibly can. I try to double check the instructions, I try to be patient and prepare and dry fit parts carefully, I try to do the best painting and weathering I can. I try to make it as good as I can.
You'll notice that I "try" but all the trying in the world doesn't prevent mistakes. This thread is testament to the fact that even really skilled and experienced modellers make many c***-ups.
Perhaps my approach can be summed up as "Do your best, put mistakes behind you and never forget it is just a hobby".
So crack open that box Steve - start cutting and glueing.

[Andy the Sheep]

First of all, Steve, enjoy building kits: it's supposed to be fun.
Do not worry too much about mistakes, mankind progress is mainly based on an incredible amount of mistakes (e.g.: me thinking I would finish a build within the time limits of a Group Build ) and some, rare, good result (e.g.: .... can't remember one :tongue-out3.
Moreover, we get enough sadness and punishment from real life; there's no need to self inflict useless pain on us through an overly critical approach about our hobbies.
Finally, to stand out from the dullness of the average mankind, we modellers try to do learn from our mistakes to positively progress in the kingdom of knowledge.:rolling::nerd::smiling4:

My more serious advice: I would try with the Sea Fury: it's Airfix 2018, so it should not be over complicated (according to the instructions sheet available on Scalemates:rolling, with good details, folded or not folded wings option, a simple painting scheme and it's a nice and impressive model when on the shelf, maybe with a small base reproducing an aircraft carrier deck.

[Guest]

3:- Hasegawa 1/72 F-4 Phantom (bought before I realised some 1/72 kits are too small for me)

Oh, then you’ll be alright with this kit — if there’s one thing Phantoms are, it’s not small

[Dozent]

Hey Steve,

If you check out my thread, you'll see I'm diving into my first kit, and yeah, I've made some mistakes along the way. At first, I'll admit, I was a little disheartened. But you know what? It turned on something in me a determination to tackle those challenges head-on and push myself to do the best I possibly can.

Best regards,
Matteo

[Ian M]

If you want an ego booster, go for the Tamiya Spitfire. They almost build themself and look good. The decals can be a bit thick though, but normally you can get them to go down well.

[Guest]

Looking at my kits yesterday, I did decide on doing my Eduard Bf 109, so got it out and started reading the instructions. only to find out that I can't do it.
all the colour schemes use the mottling effect on the fuselage and theres' no way I could paint that.

so back to square one lol

[Guest]

Looking at my kits yesterday, I did decide on doing my Eduard Bf 109, so got it out and started reading the instructions. only to find out that I can't do it.
all the colour schemes use the mottling effect on the fuselage and theres' no way I could paint that.

so back to square one lol

Yes you can paint the mottle, you use the old method -
Once you are ready to start on the mottle, you nip down into the kitchen and you steal the scouring sponge... You give it time to dry which could be during the build process...
So you now have the models painted in the relevant colours and across the spine you have the two colours of the camoflague. You will have the straight lines across the spine of the fuselage, BUT you need the mottle... So what you do here is to leave a soft edge, no masking and do not take the soft edge down to far, don't forget you are going to add the mottle.
So you pour a small amount of the colour you want first, then you take you sponge, tear of a piece about the size of a thumbnail. grip it in some tweezers, dip it into the paint (not all the way), dab it onto some tissue/kitchen towel and then when the paint has almost finished transferring to the tissue, you then dab it onto the model, with the seperate mottles being added with 'dabs'.
This method serves two purposes it provides a free and cheap way to do the mottle, but also starts you on the road to learning the chipping method used in both AFV and aircraft modelling...
Later on you can fork out some money and buy a mottle template, which you will only use once or twice, mine is still in the Eduard 109 box waiting to be built sometime in the next lifetime....

[Guest]

Yes you can paint the mottle, you use the old method -
Once you are ready to start on the mottle, you nip down into the kitchen and you steal the scouring sponge... You give it time to dry which could be during the build process...
So you now have the models painted in the relevant colours and across the spine you have the two colours of the camoflague. You will have the straight lines across the spine of the fuselage, BUT you need the mottle... So what you do here is to leave a soft edge, no masking and do not take the soft edge down to far, don't forget you are going to add the mottle.
So you pour a small amount of the colour you want first, then you take you sponge, tear of a piece about the size of a thumbnail. grip it in some tweezers, dip it into the paint (not all the way), dab it onto some tissue/kitchen towel and then when the paint has almost finished transferring to the tissue, you then dab it onto the model, with the seperate mottles being added with 'dabs'.
This method serves two purposes it provides a free and cheap way to do the mottle, but also starts you on the road to learning the chipping method used in both AFV and aircraft modelling...
Later on you can fork out some money and buy a mottle template, which you will only use once or twice, mine is still in the Eduard 109 box waiting to be built sometime in the next lifetime....

You've inspired me! I'm going to give it a go. Thanks again I really appreciate it.

[Miko]

The Tamiya Spitfire mkV, beautiful kit and subject!

I will look completely fantastic on display next to your telly, it'll give you something interesting and pretty to look at while the adverts are on!

Or you could look at the equally interesting and pretty missus SteveT, it's nice to have options! Ha!

Miko (missus Miko is prettier and more interesting that most of my builds . . . but not all! Ha!)