discussion New to Scale Models

[Steve Ski]

Howdy, Paul. Welcome.

I'm a newbie here too, so jump right in, the water is warm. Your first build I recon would be that SR-71 you mentioned, because it has inspired you, so I say go for it. The list of tools the Gents have mentioned you'll need, and you'll figure out what else as you go along. Like I've said before, nobody was ever born with a brush in their hands, so learn as you go. Main thing, have fun, that's what this is all about.

Cheers, Ski.

 

[Waspie]

Welcome Paul. I've been here just over a year now, a newbie like yourself. After a considerable absence from the hobby I must add.
It's all been said - enjoyment is the main thing to aim for.
As for tools, I started with a seriously basic setup I bought off Amazon, clamps, cutters, smoothing boards etc. Every birthday, Xmas I upgrade to something better.
The thing I noticed most about returning was how much kits have evolved, detail and the additional after market bibs and bobs that are available. Depending of course just how accurate and 'real' you want to make em look.
Anyway, jump in, enjoy and hope to hear of your first returning build.
Doug

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Welcome aboard

Essential items have been covered above, excepting possibly the optional extra of a simple face mask if you're sanding or spraying.
Oh and a good light source
Perhaps also a small but wide box when you're cutting small parts so they don't ping into oblivion. Or blu-tack

Oh yeah. Dry fitting parts, ie putting them together before gluing is a definite must to learn

Oh, also, start with an up-to-date, well-engineered, kit

 

[Guest]

I've been here just over a year now

I’m sure it feels much longer

 

[papa 695]

Hi and welcome to the forum Paul.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

I’m sure it feels much longer

Yeah, especially with that Wasp build! :disappointed:

 

[Madstacks83]

Thanks guys :thumb2: I have purchased my first kits, I was all set to get a SR-71 @Steve Ski, But when I started looking at various instruction manuals on scalemates I found it pretty overwhelming trying to make heads or tails of things!

So I have decided to go as simple as I can to start, I picked up the Airfix f-35 starter kit and the Revel F-117A Nighthawk.

At a mere 37 parts It looks about as simple as I can find without being a easyfit kit - The theme fits in nicely with the SR-71 Kit I will find and do once I have a bit more experience under my belt.

I just need to get some files and tweezers and I think I'm ready to start.

Note to self... Don't make the mistakes 10 year old me made of always sticking the cockpit cover on without painting the inside first:tears-of-joy:

 

[Waspie]

Yeah, especially with that Wasp build! :disappointed:

Ain't that the truth????

 

[Steve Ski]

Sounds good, Paul. Start out slow and build up to that SR71, it ain't goin nowheres, lol. Sounds like you're off to a good start.

 

[Ian M]

Welcome Paul. Look forward to seeing your work.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

Ooh, just thought of a build advice. That I don't always follow
Whatever fiddly bits a kit has, aerials, undecarriage, that sort, don't necessarily stick them on when the instructions tell you to. Because, no matter how careful you are, they do get knocked off very easily if you're still handling the larger parts
Of course, if they fit inside other bits, do do as it says

And now, we'll look forward to your builds

 

[Madstacks83]

Thats a great tip @Steve-the-Duck , will take on board :thumb2:

Well yesterday I started the nighthawk, I am still waiting for some modelling supplies to arrive so I thought why not get the pilot done, have to admit it was pretty difficult due to the small size but I did manage to pick out some features and I'm pretty satisfied with the result, spent about an hour on him so far, though I do want to give another thin coat of paint to his flight suit and try and tidy up his face a bit. I tried to paint an eye black but it wasn't happening so Will paint flesh tone and give it a wash with a darker wash.
I am lucky that I have tons of stuff left over from Warhammer painting, I only painted two models but bought quite a bit of gear - so I have a good selection on paint and brushes plus a magnifying head thing that really came in handy for this.

Oh I some how managed to spike my finger with a scalpel, I was being very respectful of it as well because I know how share they are, it has a pen cap lid and some how i missed it! Nothing a plaster wont fix though. Might watch some tutorials on how to safely use tools, I assume it mostly common sense but then I still managed to spike myself!

Oh yes, after researching airbrushes more (and seeing the cost) I will be going the old fashioned way of brush for the foreseeable. Lots of thin coats to try and get a smooth surface.

Here is the pilot so far, small adjustments to be made later, might try and add a hint of red and blue dot on his arm to try and represent a patch.

 

[Ian M]

Well I think you are well and truly introduced by now.
Have you considered becoming a supporter of the forum. The best tenner you will ever spend. Also you have a fair shot at getting it back in discount at the shop!

 

[Madstacks83]

Well I think you are well and truly introduced by now.
Have you considered becoming a supporter of the forum. The best tenner you will ever spend. Also you have a fair shot at getting it back in discount at the shop!

Its a fair deal I think :thumb2:

 

[Jim R]

Best £10 you'll spend on the hobby.
Pilot looks very good. You're having fun and drawn blood. You're one of us now. To move up to advanced level you need to super glue your fingers together and spill paint/glue/thinners onto your best trousers. Be assured it WILL happen:smiling3:
Keep up the good work.

 

[Jim R]

Just a thought Paul. This section is intended for modellers to introduce themselves on the forum. Perhaps it would be better to start a build thread for your F-117A Nighthawk in the "aeroplanes under construction" section. It would make it easy to find and follow. I'm sure a lot of us would be interested to see how you get on.

 

[Waspie]

Best £10 you'll spend on the hobby.
Pilot looks very good. You're having fun and drawn blood. You're one of us now. To move up to advanced level you need to super glue your fingers together and spill paint/glue/thinners onto your best trousers. Be assured it WILL happen:smiling3:
Keep up the good work.

By eck!! It looks like I am already an advanced modeller and I didn't know it. I had already super glued my digits and I spilt TET yonks ago!! (SWMBO still doesn't let me forget I ruined my best shorts!!!) And just the other week I managed to stab myself with a scalpel.

 

[Steve-the-Duck]

This will NOT be the last time you will stick a scalpel into your finger. Y'know, in some hobbies, like playing guitar, people build up calluses on their fingers...

Model making, not so much...

Oh, oh, just remembered something else. Some of the stuff we work with, if not exactly toxic, isn't pleasant. Do NOT drink the paint that you put your mug of tea next to...
Or wash your brushes in your tea...

Hmm. Maybe there should be a thread of (un)avoidable modelling mishaps...

Pilot looks a pretty good start to your build

 

[boatman]

WELL Chris have you actually stirred your brushes in your tea or drank any paint when not thinkin of what you are doin so far in in nr 60 odd yrs of modeling i havnt yet lol but yes you are right some of the stuff we work with is pretty toxic an horrible so its just think of what you are doin lol
chrisb

 

[Madstacks83]

Cheers for the warm welcome and advice everyone I will be making a new build log soon, see you all on the forums .