Returning to modelling since my childhood in the 1970s

[Lee Drennen]

Mike,
tools wise - a scalpel, sprue cutters & a range of wet & dry emery paper ( medium to v. fine ), and a pair of tweezers are really all you need, drills, files etc can be added later. Brushes - well, basically 3! Large flat, medium round, detail round. Don't buy the cheapest, they lose their shape & the hairs fall out!
Adhesive - I use Revell Contacta ( with the fine metal tube ) for larger structural joints, and Tamiya Extra Thin ( applied with built in brush ) for more delicate parts.
Paint - you can use water based acrylics, or lacquer based enamels. This is very much a personal choice & can be a source of dispute! ( I use water based acrylics - easier to clean & don't smell ).
Whatever you decide to model, do research on it I use this site https://www.scalemates.com/kits/ as do a lot of the forum members. This will give you the age of the model, & sometimes instructions & reviews. Look for build reviews by someone who has actually made the model. Out of the Box reviews tell you what's in the box, but not how it fits together & how good the instructions are!
Dave
( pardon the long post - I'm a bit frustrated at the moment, Osteoarthritis is preventing me from benchtime! )

Now there’s some great advice we’ll said Dave

[Lee Drennen]

Welcome aboard Mike. These guys here are great please if you have any questions reach out and someone will help and it will not be a sarcastic remark we don’t play those games here so just feel right at home.

[JR]

A warm welcome from me as well Mike .

[Airborne01]

Welcome mate, join the happy throng and enjoy!
Steve

[rtfoe]

I'll keep it short best you get on with your build and enjoy it...Welcome Mike. I'm fortunate to have started my intro into 1/35 scale armour with a Tamiya kit in the 70's having only known Airfix, Revell and Monogram then. Never disappointed since. The good guys have covered the list of necessities to begin.

Cheers,
Richard

[Andy the Sheep]

Mike, welcome to this forum.
4 years ago I was in your shoes: my last model dated 1987 but my activity had been considerably slowing since 1983. I was stunned by the great amount of new things in the modelling world.
I'm not yet fully up to date, but I'm progressing and, above all, I'm enjoying it a a lot.
I subscribe all the suggestions above and, above all, that this is a very friendly environment where sharing experiences and comments with a fair amount of humor and fair play is a common philosophy.
I'm getting too serious and with an avatar like mine is not credible: happy modelling and "ciao" from Italy.

Andrea

[PaulinKendal]

A really good idea is to blog your build on the forum. I can guarantee that on this forum you will will only get polite help, advice and encouragement.
Jim

This!
Mike, I joined here just under a year ago, and posting a step-by-step build diary was the BEST thing I could've done! It means that all the incredibly helpful people on here can see where you're at and offer you the right help at the right time. It really doesn't matter how good/bad/indifferent you think you are, you'll get support that will boost your skills - and critically your enjoyment of the hobby - quite remarkably.

And welcome, of course!

[PaulTRose]

welcome

we must be from the same neighbourhood cos i miss Beatties too............opposite the old ABC cinema,......had that train in the window that ran back and forth for years

even GeeDee models in Hockley have gone..........closed last year and went online

[scottie3158]

Mike,
It's a warm welcome from me to the mad house. Hope you have fun.

[Valeron]

welcome

we must be from the same neighbourhood cos i miss Beatties too............opposite the old ABC cinema,......had that train in the window that ran back and forth for years

even GeeDee models in Hockley have gone..........closed last year and went online

Yeah. Good times. I don't actually live in Nottm any more but still go regularly as I have family there I es actually there this Monday.

[PaulTRose]

Yeah. Good times. I don't actually live in Nottm any more but still go regularly as I have family there I es actually there this Monday.

Me neither....... I'm in the NE now

[Tworrs]

Hi Mike, and welcome from another "newly returned to scale modelling retiree".
I'm not in a position to offer any intelligent advice yet, so would have to agree with what has been said by the experienced guys.
I have made my start with a Tiger Models Panhard AML-90, which has been fun, yet a little challenging for my present skill level.
Have fun.
Garry

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Mike
Welcome aboard . Nothing much to add to the other advice given Mike, it’s all spot on. If you get stuck, ask away and we’ll all chip in :thumb2:

[David Lovell]

Welcome Mike the lads have said it all pretty much the only thing I will add is don't put yourself down ,yes look at other peoples work glean the odd bit of modeling knowledge from them but be yourself and enjoy it ,when I first got back into it comparing my own work to other people's was soul destroying I learnt to be inspired by them but not to compair my work to theirs as long as your happy with yours thats all that counts. One other thing there are a lot of products out there that promise instant results ,most of us have bought into them at some point most will admit they don't do quite what it says on the tin ,but hey all part of the learning curve wich in this hobby never ends enjoy it here your in good company the knowledge help and encouragement never ceases to amaze me. Dave

[Mickc1440]

Welcome to the group Mike