Posted: 10/27/2010 9:38:12 AM EDT
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Well ARFCOM, I caught a thread earlier today about someone asking how to mask off a scale model to paint. I used to build models when I was younger, 12ish or so. I'm now 24 and have not built a scale model in at least 7 years or so. My girlfriend had gotten me a F/A 18-E Super Hornet made by Revell for my birthday. I have a ton of models in my basement that are still in boxes. Anyway, I was curious to know who builds models, if there were good resources online, and if people had any suggestions. I remember some things but I don't recall a lot about building models, any tips, thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated. I look forward to getting back into a relaxing activity that I used to enjoy and this time being able to do it with more patience and detail as I am older.
Also post pictures of models you have built! |
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Check out Fine Scale Modeler magazine - usually at any major bookstore. Lots of good tips and techniques. I haven't built models in quite a few years, last go around was with a 1/48 AV-8B, F-117, and a 1/32 AH-64A. Fun times. I used to have a subscription to it. Still have a bunch on them. |
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I used to use masking tape, an exacto knife, and of course Testors paints. Airbrush was the only way to get anything to look good. I also kept some nail polish remover around (removed excess paint but too much and it could bleach the plastic). If you use an airbrush enough and use different tip options you can do so much with it. Oh, and don't forget to sand a little at the joints and use some plastic filler. Masking was the most important IMO and it took longer than the painting. I wish I had pictures but damn near everything is on film and I really need to scan. |
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Tamiya masking tape from the hobby store is pretty good. If you really need to mask something curvy and fine, 3M (go figure) blue flexible pinstriping tape from the auto paint store rocks. It is expensive though.
If you're airbrushing, there are a lot of tricks. Damp paper towel in wheel wells and intakes work great. I also use Silly Putty sometimes for masking although mostly on figures. |
I have recently gotten back into modeling as well. Did some when I was 10-15 and am now 31. Life has settled down, I have more disposable income, and need some use for my huge aviation book collection. Read up online for around 90 days before I made the decision and started buying supplies. Since I had the money and patience now I decided to do it right. Each supply is cheap but there are tons for different affects and techniques. I think I spent around 100 all together for supplies not including paints. Found an airbrush on CL for 40 and a compressor at Harbor Freight for 50 and I was in business. So, around 200-250 got me every last thing I could possibly need and did it in style. I rarely hurt for anything. There are all sorts of online resources now and depending on your model you can actually find specific step by steps for varying levels of detail. It has all been a big help. Decided to take my time and several days may go past before I work on it and even then only for 30 minutes or so. Working on a Tamiya P-51D now. About two months in and still working on the cockpit! I should have it finished one of these days. |
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits.
Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. |
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits. Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. You think that's bad... 
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits. Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. You think that's bad... http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/Aiden80013/IMG_0882.jpg That P-40 looks about the same scale as my Dad's F4U that I've got upstairs. Still too scated to fly it! eta: nice pic. That is one heautiful bird. |
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits. Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. You think that's bad... http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/Aiden80013/IMG_0882.jpg That P-40 looks about the same scale as my Dad's F4U that I've got upstairs. Still too scated to fly it! eta: nice pic. That is one heautiful bird. Fly it, if you crash...fix it.  I plan on flying the hell out of this when I'm done, but I'll start out with a sim and a trainer again first.
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| I made a F-15 model a few years ago for my wife before she went in as a navigator. I have no tips for you as I did it the same way I've done for years but it came out like a museum piece. Matter of fact one of my F/A-15D models is a museum piece at VMI. I will tell you this: I don't use model glue, I use super glue. |
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits. Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. You think that's bad... http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/Aiden80013/IMG_0882.jpg That P-40 looks about the same scale as my Dad's F4U that I've got upstairs. Still too scated to fly it! eta: nice pic. That is one heautiful bird. Fly it, if you crash...fix it. I plan on flying the hell out of this when I'm done, but I'll start out with a sim and a trainer again first.Yeah,the thing is,I was never a wood builder. I always built plastic. My Dad only built wood or metal. His last plane(the F4U) I helped a little since I bought it for him for Father's Day. Let me ask you,what type of landing gear are you using? My Dad put a pneumatic in his. |
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I agree with Tamiya and Hasegawa making the best 1/48 Scale Kits. Although 1/48 is pretty big for some modern AC - a F14 or F15 or A10 in 1/48 is a pretty big kit and will quickly tax most shelf space. I preferred 1/72 for the jets but it's really declined in popularity. You think that's bad... http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff260/Aiden80013/IMG_0882.jpg That P-40 looks about the same scale as my Dad's F4U that I've got upstairs. Still too scated to fly it! eta: nice pic. That is one heautiful bird. Fly it, if you crash...fix it. I plan on flying the hell out of this when I'm done, but I'll start out with a sim and a trainer again first.Yeah,the thing is,I was never a wood builder. I always built plastic. My Dad only built wood or metal. His last plane(the F4U) I helped a little since I bought it for him for Father's Day. Let me ask you,what type of landing gear are you using? My Dad put a pneumatic in his. Same here, CJ retracts. |
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pig, is it a trick of the shadows, or do you make your wheels look like they are distorted and supporting weight? Nope, No trick of shadows. Its really simple. set a clothes iron on low heat and slowly warm the plastic tire till it starts to deform. Then SLOWLY push down,just a bit don't over do it and Bingo. A weighted tire. Or go get a set of True details resin tires, they come bulged but some times they look TOO bulged. |
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Some good resources for hints/tips:
Aircraft Resource Center - ARC Hyperscale - Hyperscale |
thanks, Remember one trick, Model building is all about perception.And a whole lotta deception thrown in.
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Two Top Notch sites. I spend as much time there as here. |
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Dang, Pig, that's some fine building skill you've got. I used to have a friend who's Dad built models of that detail. Had a few displayed in museums a few times. They were absolute works of art, much like your own collection.
As for myself, I enjoy building models, but more so the flying kind. I'd go friggin crazy after spending countless hours making something look so nice and not being able to fly it, LOL. |
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Dang, Pig, that's some fine building skill you've got. I used to have a friend who's Dad built models of that detail. Had a few displayed in museums a few times. They were absolute works of art, much like your own collection. As for myself, I enjoy building models, but more so the flying kind. I'd go friggin crazy after spending countless hours making something look so nice and not being able to fly it, LOL. You know, i have really thought about getting into RC. Then I watch You Tube. Some of those vids just make my want to cry. |
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Dang, Pig, that's some fine building skill you've got. I used to have a friend who's Dad built models of that detail. Had a few displayed in museums a few times. They were absolute works of art, much like your own collection. As for myself, I enjoy building models, but more so the flying kind. I'd go friggin crazy after spending countless hours making something look so nice and not being able to fly it, LOL. You know, i have really thought about getting into RC. Then I watch You Tube. Some of those vids just make my want to cry. LOL, you gotta learn to crawl before you walk, walk before you run, etc. I fly mostly "parkflyers," smaller electric models. They don't go as fast (usually), don't weigh as much, etc., so when you crash, it's generally just some balsa repairs and a new cover job. You can still get amazingly scale with a model no larger than 40" wingspan. |