Models for a beginner.

[Drawweight]

Having just retired and having plenty of spare time I need something to fill it.

I tried Technic Lego (well not Lego exactly ) but it wasn’t as fulfilling as I’d hoped. Probably just me.

My next thought is scale models, which I haven’t done in 50 years. Planes, tanks or F1 cars appeal most.

I’ve found a thread on equipment for beginners but I need some recommendations for simple models to practice on. Bearing in mind I’ll be brush painting till I see how it goes.

Also there seem so many makers nowadays. Which brands are the best balance between cost and quality? I appreciate that’s a personal decision but equally there must be some you would avoid.

And...last question for now. Which the best online shop for models and supplies ?

[henryk001]

Suggest Tamiya for quality all day long.
Youtube has loads of tutorials

[r159]

As per above for things with wheels and tracks. Rubicon are really fun to make too.

For aircraft I would pick a type you want to build and ask as they all have their good and bad versions across the different manufacturers. Also there are new and old moulds across the ranges and some are more complex than others.

There are quite a few threads on the subject, check Britmodeller website too.

I started again after a 25 year gap, thought my lad would like it, it has backfired slightly as he has beaten me twice in the last two local competitions. Don’t discount either using aerosols or getting an airbrush, it’s the biggest difference to what I do second time around. Even if it’s just to prime or finish as a top coat.

Jadlam Racing, Wonderland Models are two I’ve used for new kits, service has been great

Models For Sale are good for second hand, Vince is a cracking bloke.

Flory models do daily YouTube live shoes, which you can ask questions.

Normally I would have said get yourself to a local show, but we are not in normal times, but check out the IPMS website for contacts in your area, I’ve made some really good friends in our local club.

[AlfaCool]

The Heller F1 1.43rd stuff are very basic (20 or 30 pieces in each). But a good re-starter for old modellers like myself.
I bought 2 for £15 pounds online knowing they were an easy build but i wanted to get my painting game better.

[dr_gn]

Kit: I'd go for a Tamiya 1:48 aircraft, maybe a Spitfire. If you're brush painting I'd wouldn't go for a car model. They also do very nice AFV's; if they're you're thing. They seem far more forgiving of an imperfect paint finish than aircraft or cars.

Paint: Vallejo Model Colour and a couple of decent brushes.

Shop: I've only used Jadlam a couple of times (they are on PH). Never had an issue so why not?

[Eric Mc]

I'd go for an AFV (Armoured Fighting Vehicle) for starters. You can get away with a bit more regarding painting and weathering so for a first try you would end up that looks quite pleasing.

Aircraft are a bit trickier because of cockpits and other details and they generally have more refined paint finishes.

Civilian vehicles are my bug bear, chiefly because the paint finish required is usually the most difficult to achieve.

[lufbramatt]

The Academy "MCP" range are brilliant, they are semi- clip together and self coloured but nothing stopping the parts being glued and painted. The tooling is excellent. I did the 1:1000 Titanic with my son and thought it was superb.

https://www.academyhobby.com/product/list3.html?ca...

[robemcdonald]

I would echo what the others have said.

What really appeals to you as a subject? You have mentioned a diverse range of subjects. It may help to pick a subject to start with.

When I came back to the hobby a few years back i started with 1/35 armour. There is so much choice, you can pretty much build the whole thing before you think about painting, and you can experiment with weathering to give you something that looks "real"
Cars are also a good choice for a beginner. You can pick up a few rattle cans to do most of the paint and get a great result. (take a look at what GruffGriff has done on the Bentley with these basic materials, its brilliant)

As for online retailers there are loads. Check out eBay, go for UK suppliers and deliveries are fast and reliable. Jadlam are good though. In fact I ordered the new Airfix Tiger Moth from them yesterday evening. Russy01 is a PHer and top bloke. If you ask him nicely he may even put together a starter deal for you...

If you have any questions we are all here to help to.

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

I would echo what the others have said.

What really appeals to you as a subject? You have mentioned a diverse range of subjects. It may help to pick a subject to start with.

When I came back to the hobby a few years back i started with 1/35 armour. There is so much choice, you can pretty much build the whole thing before you think about painting, and you can experiment with weathering to give you something that looks "real"
Cars are also a good choice for a beginner. You can pick up a few rattle cans to do most of the paint and get a great result. (take a look at what GruffGriff has done on the Bentley with these basic materials, its brilliant)

As for online retailers there are loads. Check out eBay, go for UK suppliers and deliveries are fast and reliable. Jadlam are good though. In fact I ordered the new Airfix Tiger Moth from them yesterday evening. Russy01 is a PHer and top bloke. If you ask him nicely he may even put together a starter deal for you...

If you have any questions we are all here to help to.

Re. the Tiger Moth - I wouldn't recommend a biplane for a beginner.

[robemcdonald]

dr_gn said:

robemcdonald said:

I would echo what the others have said.

What really appeals to you as a subject? You have mentioned a diverse range of subjects. It may help to pick a subject to start with.

When I came back to the hobby a few years back i started with 1/35 armour. There is so much choice, you can pretty much build the whole thing before you think about painting, and you can experiment with weathering to give you something that looks "real"
Cars are also a good choice for a beginner. You can pick up a few rattle cans to do most of the paint and get a great result. (take a look at what GruffGriff has done on the Bentley with these basic materials, its brilliant)

As for online retailers there are loads. Check out eBay, go for UK suppliers and deliveries are fast and reliable. Jadlam are good though. In fact I ordered the new Airfix Tiger Moth from them yesterday evening. Russy01 is a PHer and top bloke. If you ask him nicely he may even put together a starter deal for you...

If you have any questions we are all here to help to.

Re. the Tiger Moth - I wouldn't recommend a biplane for a beginner.

I've built a few biplanes. I'm no expert, but hopefully i should be okay.

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

dr_gn said:

robemcdonald said:

I would echo what the others have said.

What really appeals to you as a subject? You have mentioned a diverse range of subjects. It may help to pick a subject to start with.

When I came back to the hobby a few years back i started with 1/35 armour. There is so much choice, you can pretty much build the whole thing before you think about painting, and you can experiment with weathering to give you something that looks "real"
Cars are also a good choice for a beginner. You can pick up a few rattle cans to do most of the paint and get a great result. (take a look at what GruffGriff has done on the Bentley with these basic materials, its brilliant)

As for online retailers there are loads. Check out eBay, go for UK suppliers and deliveries are fast and reliable. Jadlam are good though. In fact I ordered the new Airfix Tiger Moth from them yesterday evening. Russy01 is a PHer and top bloke. If you ask him nicely he may even put together a starter deal for you...

If you have any questions we are all here to help to.

Re. the Tiger Moth - I wouldn't recommend a biplane for a beginner.

I've built a few biplanes. I'm no expert, but hopefully i should be okay.

I know you’ll be fine with it, I was thinking more of the o/p’s kit for a beginner.

Presumably the 1:48 version? I built the 1:72 one last year. Pretty difficult build.

[lufbramatt]

The new one was pretty much a clean-sheet design, wasn't a scale-up job of the 72nd one.

[dr_gn]

lufbramatt said:

The new one was pretty much a clean-sheet design, wasn't a scale-up job of the 72nd one.

The trickiest bit of the assembly for 1:72 was securing the tiny main strut ends in their sockets.

[wolfracesonic]

I’d recommend the hmv Bismarck 1:250 scale paper model, looking at dr_gn’s build thread it seems pretty straightforward. According to Amazon it’s suitable for 12 years and up

[dr_gn]

wolfracesonic said:

I’d recommend the hmv Bismarck 1:250 scale paper model, looking at dr_gn’s build thread it seems pretty straightforward. According to Amazon it’s suitable for 12 years and up

Agreed, very straightforward.

[wolfracesonic]

Sorry for that post of mine, dr_gn, I didn’t know you’d binned it, a bit flippant of me in light of the work you’d put in.

[dr_gn]

wolfracesonic said:

Sorry for that post of mine, dr_gn, I didn’t know you’d binned it, a bit flippant of me in light of the work you’d put in.

No that was the first one. The second one is still fine (so far).

[Drawweight]

wolfracesonic said:

I’d recommend the hmv Bismarck 1:250 scale paper model, looking at dr_gn’s build thread it seems pretty straightforward. According to Amazon it’s suitable for 12 years and up

Presumably that’s how long it would take me.

[Simpo Two]

dr_gn said:

Wow, I thought he's made that crumpled object for a joke

The ship in the b/g is interesting - Emden? Kit or scratch?

[AlfaCool]

Here is one of the Heller F1 models i have just completed.
Im a born again builder who has a long way to go to get even half as good as the guys on here.
But you got to start somewhere.