discussion A question for you all if I may

[Peter57]

I was a great (not necessarily good but very keen!) plastic kit modeller back about 40 years ago. But, well life and my buisness moved on but now I'm retired, which as a self employed garage owner I didn't do till I was 73 so you can't call me a quitter!, I'm beginning to think more and more about taking the hobby up again. I'm currently interested in 1/350 scale warships and I'm looking longingly at the Black Cat resin kits BUT I've never built anything other than polystyrene or used any photo etch. Also, post retirement, as further evidence of how Mother Nature feels about car mechanics I suffered a stroke. Oh nothing too bad but my vision, while perfect straight ahead or to the left has packed up totally on my right. All peripheral vision gone, in fact all awareness that is a world to my right has gone which is harder to explain! Oh, and don't panic, I can no longer drive!
But I've wittered on long enough now so my question. Is, as I suspect, a resin kit with pe going to be beyond my abilities and, if so, what manufacturer of 1.350 military ships or even what kit might make a good "come back" for me?
Thank you for listening.

 

[pjgtech]

Hi and welcome mate, enjoy the forums, lots of good peeps and some great info on here. Recently retired myself and I have received huge amount of help off the forum to get me back into the hobby. I would say just go for it, try not to worry too much about it, just get out there, buy a kit that takes your fancy, and start building, gluing, painting, etc.
What type of ships are you interested in, eg: civilian, military, etc?
Tamiya do a few 1:350 ships and are usually well regarded when it comes to a good fit, good instructions, etc. but theres plenty of manufacturers now that do 1:350 scale, Airfix, Trumpeter, Dragon, Takom, AFV Club, Border, etc......check out our very own Scale Model Shop - see link below:

SMS 1:350 ships

Keep us updated on your progress, pics are always welcomed....

 

[Peter57]

Hi and welcome mate, enjoy the forums, lots of good peeps and some great info on here. Recently retired myself and I have received huge amount of help off the forum to get me back into the hobby. I would say just go for it, try not to worry too much about it, just get out there, buy a kit that takes your fancy, and start building, gluing, painting, etc.
What type of ships are you interested in, eg: civilian, military, etc?
Tamiya do a few 1:350 ships and are usually well regarded when it comes to a good fit, good instructions, etc. but theres plenty of manufacturers now that do 1:350 scale, Airfix, Trumpeter, Dragon, Takom, AFV Club, Border, etc......check out our very own Scale Model Shop - see link below:

SMS 1:350 ships

Keep us updated on your progress, pics are always welcomed....

Thank you for the reply! I have been looking at the 1/350 scale Black Cat kits but I am beginning to think they may be a bit beyond me? So my second choice is the Trumpeter 1/350 HMS Calcutta. The fact that it's a slightly unusual and less famous ship appeals to me. And at least it's mostly plastic which I am, or at least was, used to should be a plus?
But there are some "extras" I would like so what do you use to glue resin (or even pe) to plastic?
Yes, I AM that out of touch!

 

[Jim R]

Plastic kits stick together with styrene cement but that won't stick resin or PE. For that you need CA - super glue. PVA will work but the join is much less secure. There are other glues on the market but not sure how good they are.
Trumpeter kits are usually pretty good. They often have a large parts count - lots of itty-bitty pieces to drive you mad.

 

[pjgtech]

I try to avoid PE if I'm honest, most of it is far too small and fiddly for my sausage like fingers, Lol.
But on the few occasions I have used it I have used CA (super glue) and I also bought some PE specific glue, (see pic) which is probably just CA but with a different label on the bottle!

 

[pjgtech]

You can also buy resin specific glues, eg: VMX, but it looks like they are just overpriced CA glues to me?

 

[Peter57]

Plastic kits stick together with styrene cement but that won't stick resin or PE. For that you need CA - super glue. PVA will work but the join is much less secure. There are other glues on the market but not sure how good they are.
Trumpeter kits are usually pretty good. They often have a large parts count - lots of itty-bitty pieces to drive you mad.

Maybe it's me but when I was still working (as a garage owner/mechanic) I never found the so-called super glues much help (even for internal trim)? But then again in my mcase I could usually get the MIG out! But because of the welding stuff I'm happy to admit I have very little experience of super glues.

 

[Peter57]

You can also buy resin specific glues, eg: VMX, but it looks like they are just overpriced CA glues to me?

But if they work then well (shrugs) that's fine?

 

[Peter57]

I try to avoid PE if I'm honest, most of it is far too small and fiddly for my sausage like fingers, Lol.
But on the few occasions I have used it I have used CA (super glue) and I also bought some PE specific glue, (see pic) which is probably just CA but with a different label on the bottle!
View attachment 1290792

So you don't see it as better than any other contact adhesive? Please don't see that as my being critical!
I'm honestly just a newbie trying to learn.

 

[LeytonO]

I try to avoid PE if I'm honest, most of it is far too small and fiddly for my sausage like fingers, Lol.
But on the few occasions I have used it I have used CA (super glue) and I also bought some PE specific glue, (see pic) which is probably just CA but with a different label on the bottle!
View attachment 1290792

It's actually a supercharged PVA, dries fairly quickly with a strong bond.
I use it to hold small parts in situ because its tacky.

 

[PaulTRose]

Never been a fan of pe..... Too fiddly I find and I work in 1/35......dread to think what a tiny scale ship would be like

Where's Bob when we need him lol..... He'd have all the answers

 

[stillp]

It's actually a supercharged PVA, dries fairly quickly with a strong bond.
I use it to hold small parts in situ because its tacky.

Does it stick to resin though?
Pete

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Peter, as said in your introduction post you've picked the right hobby to return to except plastic ships in the scale or below can be quite a challenge but good therapy if you have the patience, eye coordination and a pair of steady hands. In the past 40 years these plastic ships kits have gone madly detailed and with aftermarket stuff to enhance them further. I for one believe PE railings are a must for the scale you have chosen. For the rest of the PE just compare them with the original plastic part and see if needs replacing. A steady hand is a requisite when attaching these fiddly parts I'm afraid but there are tools that can help hold the part to the attachment area as you apply the glue. The choice of glue for PE is CA or PVA...these glues are basically to get a firm grip with as little applied with the rule that they never be touched again. We're all old enough not to take it into the bathtub for sea trials. CA works using capillary or placing a dot but not much room for adjusting as it latches on when the parts meet, any movement after lessens the bonding and PVA does the same except it take a while to cure depending on how thick a solution is applied so you might need to hold it in place longer. Excess glue can be cleaned off on both, besides using a CA debonder I wicker with a sharp tooth pick towards the part until it disappears. For PVA you wipe away residue carefully with a damp paint brush.
There should be a post somewhere here that shows how to apply CA or work with PVA on PE. Another aftermarket detail that will look good is rigging. That's another can of worms. There are some good stuff in the net for these.

Now all I've said depends on how far you want to test yourself. Building a ship stock standard can be satisfaction too. But I must warn you some new kit brands give you basic railing PE to either do or do without. Happy modeling.

Cheers,
Richard aka Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Does it stick to resin though?
Pete

Very small parts, yes. It may not be suitable for heavier parts that block the center areas from curing as it doesn't have chemical reactions to do it and relies on evaporation.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Peter57]

Hi Peter, as said in your introduction post you've picked the right hobby to return to except plastic ships in the scale or below can be quite a challenge but good therapy if you have the patience, eye coordination and a pair of steady hands. In the past 40 years these plastic ships kits have gone madly detailed and with aftermarket stuff to enhance them further. I for one believe PE railings are a must for the scale you have chosen. For the rest of the PE just compare them with the original plastic part and see if needs replacing. A steady hand is a requisite when attaching these fiddly parts I'm afraid but there are tools that can help hold the part to the attachment area as you apply the glue. The choice of glue for PE is CA or PVA...these glues are basically to get a firm grip with as little applied with the rule that they never be touched again. We're all old enough not to take it into the bathtub for sea trials. CA works using capillary or placing a dot but not much room for adjusting as it latches on when the parts meet, any movement after lessens the bonding and PVA does the same except it take a while to cure depending on how thick a solution is applied so you might need to hold it in place longer. Excess glue can be cleaned off on both, besides using a CA debonder I wicker with a sharp tooth pick towards the part until it disappears. For PVA you wipe away residue carefully with a damp paint brush.
There should be a post somewhere here that shows how to apply CA or work with PVA on PE. Another aftermarket detail that will look good is rigging. That's another can of worms. There are some good stuff in the net for these.

Now all I've said depends on how far you want to test yourself. Building a ship stock standard can be satisfaction too. But I must warn you some new kit brands give you basic railing PE to either do or do without. Happy modeling.

Cheers,
Richard aka Wabble

Thank you for that sensible and comprehensive reply. Your pretty much confrming some of my own fears, namely that a ship (especially a warship) model may not be ideal for a return to an old hobby! I'm afraid if I do something I always want to do it as well as possible so to make a mess of a potentially good model would annoy me.
I am still considering but thinking that perhaps a 1/48 aircraft project of something "out of the ordinary" might be a better choice. I'll let you know!

 

[John Race]

Welcome to the forum Peter 57.
Have to agree with your suggestion of building a 1/48 plane. Ship building while it might appeal but the use of resin and then plastic along with PE could put you off from modellng completely.
I have sympathy with your sight as I had a detached retina some years ago. my depth of field is reduced , but I carry on.
Something simple to begin with is the best choice, and the choice is tremendous.

John

 

[PaulTRose]

1/48 plane is a good choice.... Big enough to be easier than 1/72 yet small enough that it's too over powering

Massive choice out there from loads of suppliers..... Pick a good one and it will be an enjoyable experience

 

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Peter

I am quite well known for my battles with PE Paul kindly mentioned where I was.

If you are interested i am more than happy to explain and hopefully help you, just let me know.

Regarding ships, you could try Tamiya's lovely 1 350 Fletcher class destroyer? Good starter kit, not complex, excellent plans. You can get a Eduard PE set for it.

Happy to help if required

Bob

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Peter, didn't mean to put you off ships but I was looking at your situation and thought of an easier way to ease you back into modeling. But if you're gung ho for it then it wouldn't hurt. Bob's suggestion on the Tamiya Fletcher is great and I hadn't thought of it as a starter kit. It makes sense now having worked on one...the size is just right, parts count just enough, the fit is beautiful and the build instructions are so well planned that your sub assemblies don't interfere with the painting of decks and hull. PE railings are easily available if you want to try your hand in it. Bob was missing for a while but now he's back has offered to help. I think you will enjoy this kit.
I still think the Tamiya Panzer II is the best starter kit and very forgiving. With armour and over weathering nowadays it's hard to tell if it was done by a beginner or experienced modeler...not joking...only seam lines and bad figure painting under close scrutiny reveal the differences.
We all start somewhere. The main thing is to find what you like and build for your own enjoyment.
PS: I like your choice of "a slightly unusual and less famous ship appeals to me" of the HMS Calcutta. I like building stuff that's not always in the store front displays too.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Peter57]

Thank you all for your excellent and helpful replies! They've certainly given me a lot to think about, one thing being to allocate a "work area" to build something sensibly sized and display it afterwards (if it's worth displaying!).
At present I'm still considering the 1/350 Trumpeter HMS Calcutta but now also looking at the Tamiya Fletcher class in 1/350 or, as an more "off the wall" idea the Airfix Bristol Bulldog in 1/48.
A lot to think about and no need for me to hurry.