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Any Experienced/Skilled Modellers Around?

L3OUGH

By L3OUGH
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L3OUGH

L3OUGH

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hi all,

 

I was just wondering if their were any modelers on EduGeek? I haven't done any model making for years and even when I did, I was a kid and it was nothing more than a simple build.

 

However I was visiting Bovington's Tank Museum and there were volunteer modelers there with all sorts of models of WW1/WW2/Bike models etc. You name it, it was on show.

 

Next thing I know I was in the shop purchasing an Airfix D-Day Battlefront set! (Airfix A50009 Battlefront Gift Set 1:76)

 

So I'm a total rookie at this, are there any modelers here that can give any do's or don'ts? The kit included paints, are they going to be any good or would I be better off buying better quality ones? If so, which brand?

 

Any essential kit I should get that will make things easier etc?

 

Thanks

Edited by L3OUGH
Oaktech

Oaktech

Posted
Posted

I've been making models since I was 10... I've always been a bit snooty about the quality of Airfix kits - I prefer Tamiya, but you get what you pay for.

 

The Kit paints will be OK for most purposes, but if you want to make a really nice job of it I would get either the Humbrol enamel paints - you'll need thinners to clean brushes, or the Tamiya paints are good and acrylic water wash. I would abandon the glue you get with the kit and try to get some Revell Contacta Precision Poly.

 

These days I tend to spray large base colours using the humbrol spray cans, and then use a Badger airbrush to achieve tone and texture using thinned humbrol enamels. I paint the details using Testors brushes - mainly because you can get a 5 pack for a about the same price as a 2 pack of Humbrol brushes

 

If you take a trip to a local modelmaking show and ask questions I can guarantee you they will be only too please to tell you all about their techniques!

L3OUGH

L3OUGH

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I've been making models since I was 10... I've always been a bit snooty about the quality of Airfix kits - I prefer Tamiya, but you get what you pay for.

 

The Kit paints will be OK for most purposes, but if you want to make a really nice job of it I would get either the Humbrol enamel paints - you'll need thinners to clean brushes, or the Tamiya paints are good and acrylic water wash. I would abandon the glue you get with the kit and try to get some Revell Contacta Precision Poly.

 

These days I tend to spray large base colours using the humbrol spray cans, and then use a Badger airbrush to achieve tone and texture using thinned humbrol enamels. I paint the details using Testors brushes - mainly because you can get a 5 pack for a about the same price as a 2 pack of Humbrol brushes

 

If you take a trip to a local modelmaking show and ask questions I can guarantee you they will be only too please to tell you all about their techniques!

 

Thanks for the information! Seeing as this is the first set I've done in years I'll stick with the included paints, I've also started building the tracks of the tank so I've already start with glue they included!

The kit came with a diorama and included some destroyed building, motorbikes etc. So I'll need to paint those, also I was wondering how people make the dirt/grass I've seen on some models, is it something I have to buy? Static grass or something?

 

Also have you got any advice on how I could make the tanks look weathered? Obviously if I paint them they'll be all bright and shiny which won't portray the whole 'I'm in a war' feel very well! Haha or is weathering something that I need to leave till I have built a few more?

Oaktech

Oaktech

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the information! Seeing as this is the first set I've done in years I'll stick with the included paints, I've also started building the tracks of the tank so I've already start with glue they included!

The kit came with a diorama and included some destroyed building, motorbikes etc. So I'll need to paint those, also I was wondering how people make the dirt/grass I've seen on some models, is it something I have to buy? Static grass or something?

 

Also have you got any advice on how I could make the tanks look weathered? Obviously if I paint them they'll be all bright and shiny which won't portray the whole 'I'm in a war' feel very well! Haha or is weathering something that I need to leave till I have built a few more?

 

Dirt I've done previously by getting very fine sand, putting it in place in the diorama and then spraying watered down PVA over it to keep it in place - it takes about 12 hours to dry! Then blowing it over with a specific shade of brown from the Tamiya acrylic paint range - I forget which one exactly now but I'll look at home.. Grass I've always taken the cowards way out and bought!

 

For weathering, there are lots of techniques you can use - have a google for pigment layering, however, again, for the cowards way out... TamiyaUSA.com - Weathering

L3OUGH

L3OUGH

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I finished putting the Sherman tank together last night. Going to start on the Tiger tonight. Painting them is still scaring me!!
PotNoodleTech

PotNoodleTech

Posted
Posted
I was in a craft superstore the other day whilst waiting for a meeting to start and I saw a tiny millennium falcon kit I just has to have! I've opened it and started at the parts so far, and then put them back in the box! :D
beaches511

beaches511

Posted
Posted

In addition to Tamiya i'll also recommend Dragon, they do very nice tanks.

 

I'm more of a wargamer now but my roots are scale modelling and the principles are the same, i just push my models around a table!

 

Theres a lot of weatehring tutorials on youtube which are fairly decent. It takes a lot of practice to get right so don't feel disheartened if it doesn't coem out perfect the first time.

pcstru

pcstru

Posted
Posted
I finished putting the Sherman tank together last night. Going to start on the Tiger tonight. Painting them is still scaring me!!

It's a long time since I did any, but I always painted the parts before assembly only doing weathering and touch up on the completed model.

timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted (edited)

Ive started model making but specifically doing f1 cars or rally cars.

 

Ive got loads to do at the moment, but just on with a old 1:20 lancia stratos which was half built from ebay. Im wanting one of Rossi's 46 bikes to do too.

 

Im looking at getting an airbrush but cant justify it. Everything is either done by hand or rattle can just humbrol enamel, revell or tamiya paints.

 

Ive done a fair few which can be found on britmodeller..

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235001328-revell-mclaren-mp420-kimi-version/

 

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235000049-revell-renault-r23-124-f1-car/

 

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234999063-revell-williams-bmw-fw23/

 

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234999062-revell-ferrari-f10-f-alonso-bahrain-2010/

 

And the attached pic, also my profile pic is of the RB8 and the 2 MP4/25 McLarens

1464991992234.jpg

Edited by timbo343
timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted
Its something i want to get into, do you know of a good range of rally cars?

 

As mentioned tamiya rally cars or belkits. Britmodeller.co.uk have an entire section devoted to scale plastic vehiles. Some of the trucks on there are amazing, you'd think they were the real deal.

 

Vehicle discusion - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/381-vehicle-discussion/

Peoples work in progress - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/382-work-in-progress-vehicles/

Finished products - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/forum/383-ready-for-inspection-vehicles/

 

Ive got a scoobie, ford focus and a fiesta to do as rally cars. All the 1:24 scale. Ive got about 9 f1 cars to complete, mainly the revell sets and just bought a rare toyota f1 kit today off ebay. Its kinda become an addiction now :(.

 

You can pick up started kits quite cheap if youre a bit unsure.

 

Get yourself some microsol and microset, again off ebay, £10 for both, this will set the decals to the model. Ive just the humbrol decalfix but its no where as good as the microsol / set stuff. Also get a set of decent paint brushes. I bought some fine brushes off amazon (using flubit) and they are get for detailing!!

 

Ive also got some purple rubber mask from humbrol which is great for temp masking off areas. Its mainly used for weathering.

timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted

Undercoat/prime all plastic parts first. I found the halfords own grey primer to be the best. At the moment im usjng the HyCote stuff which i must admit is a little thick. Male sure you buy plastic primer otherwise thee primer wont bite into the plastic and will scratch off. Its best to leave the primer at least 12 hours to dry.

 

Get the hobby color converter app which converts all types of model paint. Also look on google forbthe ultimate paint conversion chart, this too will give you a list of colours and numbers of each paint.

 

Ebay is the place to be though if you havent got a model shop or hobby craft near by.

 

Youtube is your friend on effects for weathering or effects of exhasts.

 

I tend to either paint the parts on the frame or pop out the parts, neaten the edges up an then paint. Painting once the kodel has been put together is a PITA.

 

Once you've done a few you start to experiment and find ways that work for you. My first proper build was the Red Bull RB8 (which is on here somewhere), this went well, well dor my first build anyway. Then i moved on to 2 second hand mclarens which i couldnt get to grips with but they say, you're only as good as youre last model.

 

For me this time, its not going to be very good, after getting a pre part lancia stratos, its been a PITA to do and not all parts are there :mad:

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