Flea-bay

[Guest]

Hi all,

I have been looking on flea-bay for future projects and I am overwhelmed with the choice of models available!

As someone who has gradually been returning to the hobby after many years and as a kid only ever having built Airfix and most recently Revell, I was wondering which other manufacturers are worth a try, are there any to avoid?

As yet I am still learning so not wanting anything too difficult but on the other note nothing too easy either!

As always your opinions would be most appreciated

Thanks

Rich

[AlanG]

It all depends on what scale and what level of detail you wish the model to include.

I have recently started selling my 1/72 scale kits in favor of 1/48 and 1/32 scale kits because i have problems dealing with the small scale items in 1/72 range and also i would like to see more detail in the kits i build. This in my opinion also means i have to up my standard of 'workmanship' when building said kits.

If you want models with ease of build and good levels of detail then i cannot recommend Tamiya enough. New Hasegawas for the most part are the best aircraft wise (i cannot comment for their other kits) but this comes at a price.

New toolings from Revell/Airfix/Zvezda/Trumpeter are getting there and it looks at long last like the manufacturers are starting to up their game to give consumers what they want.

Be careful on evilbay though. They are not always the cheapest option and if you ask John on here or Graham at Relish models they can sometimes get you kits cheaper.

[Guest]

If you can give an idea of the area of interest, that'd help immensely, also, scale?

Just a rough guide based on my modelling choices

Bikes - You cannot beat Tamiya for accuracy and detail

Planes, 72nd, New new tooling Airfix, very good, i've also recently discovered Academy kits in 72'nd and they're great

A lot will likely come down to what you want and who does one, i've bought obscure kits because no mainstream manufacturer does a kit of the item I want, or it's OOP (out of production, an acronym you'll see widely on eBay and modelling sites)

As Allyne says, check prices elsewhere before committing to purchasing from eBay, i've paid over the odds for several things over the years because you get into the mindset that eBay will be a bargain, I've also shaken my head in bewilderment at items being bid through the roof when the self same item, (in one case from the same seller), were listed as BIN for 30% less on there.

It's a great place to find old and OOP kits though.

As said, John at the scale models shop will always be happy to get you a quote if you have a specific request.

As an aside, i'm jumping back in to add something unrelated to the question.

It's become a pet hate of mine.

Can people not just call it eBay and type eBay? No I have no affiliation to them, (aside from spending too much on there), but it's just become irritatingly de-rigeur to call it, fleabay, evilbay and so on, almost as if theres some unwritten rule that bloggers and forum members aren't allowed to spell it correctly.

OK, that's my grumpy old man bit done for the day. Bah Humbug

[Guest]

Allyne`s advice is very good ,but with your questions - scale would be good to know what you like also what do you favour ie aircraft armour ships bikes cars etc etc , tbh anything tamiya and you can`t really go wrong if your starting out - good instuctions and paints easy to get

Richy

[AlanG]

Forgot about Academy kits.... jeez i think i'm slowly going mad lol

[Guest]

Forgot about Academy kits.... jeez i think i'm slowly going mad lol

I thought that I was the only one going mad :laughing:but you are right flounder I only build Tamiya as well.

[Guest]

A big Definate for Tamiya, followed by Dragon and Eduard.

[AlanG]

I didn't mention the Dragon and Eduard kits because of the PE inclusion. But they are very good kits

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies guys!

The scale I am currently working in is 1:72 and at present my overall interests are with anything WWII, at present aircraft but I would like to have a go at armour at some point, and having never done one not sure if to opt for the same scale or 1:32.

I really would like to have a go at a few dio's and I am wondering which scale would be better, part of me is swaying toward 1.32.

As for the manufacturer, as I thought from your replies I cant go wrong with Tamiya, and looking around they have lots of interesting kits so think I might just give them a try! I am going to finish what I am currently working on and await in anticipation for the next GB to be announced as I am up for having a go whatever it may be, I hope to also gain some more inspiration in Telford next month!

Apologies if I am going to sound a bit of a plank but Allyne what do you mean by PE inclusion in respect of the Eduard and Dragon kits?

Thanks all

Rich

[Guest]

Hi. PE is Photo Etched parts. 1/35 Scale would be better for dioramas as there is a larger selection of diorama kits. Have a look at MiniArt they have a good selection of building and other bits and bobs. John has a good selection in his ever growing shop and are well priced.

Tony..

[Guest]

PE is short for Photo Etch. This is a metal, either steel or brass sheet where the parts have been etched out , traditionally with acid, similar to the process used to create a printed circuit board in electronics. This enables a kit supplier to include some very fine and accurate details such as seat belts that are made of thin metal instead of thick plastic. The disadvantage of this is that it can be a bit tricky to work with until you have the experience to work with it. Suppliers like Eduard normally have some Photo Etch parts in their kits but they also usually have plastic parts to so the choice is yours if you want to use it or not. It really isn't that hard to use, just a different medium that requires a very careful and accurate way of working from cutting it out of the fret (like a sprue) to gluing it in place. These are skill much easier to pick up after you have a few kits under your belt and are gaining confidence in thinking a bit more 'out of the box'.

Al was right not to recommend kits like this to a newcomer as if you got one where you had no option other than to use the Photo Etch, it could be a bit troublesome and off putting. You will get there though and end up buying PE from third party manufacturers to add that extra detail to your builds.

Lastly, no you don't sound like a plank lol, never be afraid of asking questions, the only way any of us got to where we are today and will get to where we want to be tomorrow is by asking questions and learning from each other. That is what makes this forum so special, we never think of anyone as a plank, only as a fellow modeller.

[Gern]

Hi Rich,

Just a quick point about ebay. For the smaller stuff like 1/72, quite often you will find good prices for the kits themselves - but you really need to watch out for the postage costs. That can kill any savings you make on the kit when compared to the shop price. I just got a 1/72 Hurricane for the non-GB in November. The kit was £1.99 and postage £2.99! I could probably get the kit for the same price in a shop.

Gern

[Guest]

If I may add my bit.

Hi Richard. It sounds like we are both in the same situation. I have returned to modelling. Not really touched anything since I was a kid. However, I have returned via Games Workshop Warhammer minitures. So the plus with me is that Ive learnt a few techniques like using inks and drybrushing.

I love mostly US Navy aircraft (Plus Im going to be working on USAF RAF Lakenheath at a later date), but I do like the odd aircraft that dont fit in, alhough there are usually wierd and wonderful reasons for this.

However, Ive stared on 1/48 scale kits. I figured the detail would be a little better.

Anyway, on to the subject you mentioned. Flea Bay (Love it). In the las few weeks Ive bought 3 "test" kits from e-bay. Ive got a Tiger Moth, and a Hawker Fury which both cost less than £10 each including the postage and I bought a Kaman Seasprite for a touch more, but its my fave helicopter.

Even the B-25B which cost me £26 I consider a bargain once you see the level of detail.

My personal advice is that e-bay can be a wonderful thing. However, like most things, you must set a budget and stick to it. Also check the descriptions CAREFULLY. Also, and this is the most important, check where else you can purchase stuff and how much.

I know this isnt model related but Ive seen a set of used Genealogy disks sell for 3 times the price that you could purchase new.

I think the best advice I can offer is that if you have any doubt then please dont bid. By all means add to your watch list but dont bid until you are sure. I personally very rarely bid when there is more than 24 hours left to run.

Hope that helps and I didnt rabbit on too much

[Guest]

Richard

Just to add to what has already been said about eBay and the availabilty of kits on there, it sometimes does pay to ask the seller, especially if they are business sellers if they have their own website. Two or three that spring to mind are Mr Models and Panther Models, both of these have their own web pages and because of eBay fees the kits that you are after may well be cheaper purchased direct. As far as kits go, look at what you wnat to build then go for the Japanese kits. You can also try asking John to source kits for you and will probably get them at a more reasonable price. Can I also suggest that depending on what your area of interest is gong to be a trip to WH Smith may be in order to purchase a couple of magazines such as Scale Aviation Modeller International or Scale Military Modeller International, both of which I subscribe to as they are a mine of useful information and have a lot of tips in there if you cannot find what you are looking for on here.

There is a lot of experience on here and as Graham rightly said there is no such thing as a stupid question so fill your boots and ask away! Best of luck with your searching

Andy

[Guest]

I for one like dragon, but there plans are a bit complicated...