Brand new to the scale model world!

[PaulTRose]

welcome

i sort of agree with patrick............some of the older airfix kits are complete tosh and a waste of money.....some of the newer ones are pretty good...thing is, being new to the hobby you will not know the difference til its too late

cant go wrong with revell or italerai....loads of other good manufacturers out there

whereabouts in the country are you?..........look for a branch of hobby craft as they normally have a good selection..........if you have a branch of Boyes near you they are some times worth a try...........failing that theres good old ebay

and if you want to know about painting/construction then try looking at other peoples build up threads on here

[aaron]

I've ordered a couple Airfix starter sets on a 1/76 scale just so I can get into the swing of things. And then I will look into the large and better quality models. Thanks everyone.Louis.

Welcome to the forum bro...good idea to get smaller scale to start with...just remember that a little glue goes a long way and have fun. Smaller scale doesn't always mean less quality. Some 1/72 dragon kits are dynamite. Some older larger scale kits are not so hot.

[Guest]

Hi Louis iam a builder of tanks and armoured cars, so first thing we have to look at is which scale would you like to start with 1/76 1/48 0r 1/35 this is my preference have a look at the gallery sites for this, if you go with 1/76 then Airfix do a great starters collection although it is pretty limited and you would be working in small scale. 1/48 and 1/35 the parts are bigger and easier to handle and if you go for a Tamiya kit then you get good quality with no real fit issues, spanner or Ron and Alan also work in 1/35 and do excellent work but to name a couple. The easiest thing I can suggest build wise Is this, build the the tank but leave off any bits like fire extinguishers baggage tools etc and paint these on the sprues, prime and paint the entire tank in it's colour scheme, then attach all the little bits mentioned before. Once painted apply your decals and seal them in and then weather. There is no such thing as an idiot proof guide as we all work in different ways according to our own skill and comfort levels, don't ever be worried about making mistakes we all still do it but we all try to learn from it. Don't be afraid to ask for help, advice or any questions that come to mind, just remember the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, and above all relax and have many hours of fun and experimentation........ Oh and welcome to the friendliest forum anywhere.

scott

[Guest]

Quick question guys, if i was to buy a model kit without paints, how will i look up the correct or most accurate colours to use, or is it a case of just picking one that best suits the particular camo?

Louis.

[Guest]

It should say on one of the sides on the box

[Guest]

There's a feast of information on the internet, and plenty on these pages alone! I too, am new to this malarky, but am spending a LOT of time sniffing around and making lots of links to pages for further reference. one bit of kit I'd heartily recommend is this set: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00E0CH5YI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailp age_o04_s00

They're not super quality, but the self gripping ones make it value alone - very useful for painting tiny shovels and Bren Guns!

[Guest]

Louis, there are paint conversion / comparison charts available online to aid picking the right colour / shade.

Most camo colours were well-regulated during wartime for all sides; German tanks used RAL colours, whereas Luftwaffe aircraft used RLM ones.

However, what's fine on a full-sized machine might not be so appropriate on a small-scale kit, so it's worth trying new things. As along as the colours are reasonably correct, no-ones going to make a huge issue of it.

If you're still unsure, post up what kit you're building, and one of us can advise further.

Cheers

Patrick

[Guest]

Most kits on the market have paint instructions that usually include paint numbers, if you buy a Tamiya kit it will have Tamiya paint numbers to identify paint colours from their range.

scott

[Guest]

huh, looks like the Wehrmacht is more popular in model miniature than they were in real life...

[Guest]

Thanks guys, i've got a Cromwell and a King Tiger Airfix start kit to attempt first and then I will hopefully be able to move up to something bigger as 1/76 is fiddly!

[Guest]

What's the best method for removing paint from a brush? I don't want to damage the brush by leaving it in water. The paint wasn't thinned down enough so it's very sticky on the brush. Thanks.

Louis.

[takeslousyphotos]

Hi Louis ............. as the Baron Said . Paint codes should be on the box........and you'll find various charts online for direct alternatives for different manufacturers ..... Revell, Humbrol, Tamiya etc ............ Some are oil based enamel and some are acrylic ...... Just don't mix the two on a model as they don't tend to like each other too much, and create strange reactions ........... Personally I prefer acrylic paints. But paint types are much a personal choice.............. It's just that people who have different opinions to me are possessed by evil spirits and are probably devil worshippers.

Cheers

Peter

[Lee W]

Welcome to the asylum

Enjoy your stay

Lee

P. S. Is that you hanging off a 4.5 on the pointy bit of a grey war canoe???

[takeslousyphotos]

What's the best method for removing paint from a brush? I don't want to damage the brush by leaving it in water. The paint wasn't thinned down enough so it's very sticky on the brush. Thanks.Louis.

Hi Louis ......... Enamel you need the proper Humbrol or Revell Thinner............ If you are using acrylic use IPA (ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL) ......... You can get it online or at a chemist. It's cheap as well ......... You can also use it as a thinner for acrylic paint.

Pete

[Guest]

Thanks, i'm using the Humbrol Enamels so I'll fetch their thinners.

Louis.