I saw a Revell model for the P-51 on a shelf, which got me thinking of trying a kit, but it has been a very long time since I have done any, and when I did it was on a very simple level.
Now I read of people with entire rooms devoted to their modeling, and collections of kits they have unopened (and kits selling for $50 and up)
It is a little intimidating, and I do not know where or how to start.
There are a couple of hobby shops around my area, so I will try to get out to check them out.
Any suggestions for reading, or pointers as to how to get a start?
Also many years ago I saw a program on PBS talking of train modeling, and I still remember how the builders went to much care to paint the train cars to look as they would look in real life. I think that would be a blast to do with an airplane model.
This website is sponsered by a book publisher so you’ve come to the right place.
Go up to the menu bar and click on “shop”. Choose “Special Interests” and from there go to “Scale Modeling” and then “Books”. Both catagories under that heading have stuff that will help.
Testors also has a nice beginners book on getting started in scale modeling.
You can also go to the IPMS website: http://www.ipmsusa.org/ and search the chapter directory for a local IPMS club and go to some meetings and ask questions. The members of a club should be more than glad to help you out.
Don’t be afraid to ask some questions & don’t be intimidated - nobody bites in here. Well, there may be a couple, but they take it easy on the new guys! And if you’re just starting in, don’t bother with those $50+ kits. Starting out with a simpler & less expensive option - even if it is an older kit - sure takes the pressure off.
Using the search function on this site can get you some pretty good results for particular methods. Also check out youtube, there have got to be hundreds of how-to videos up there. Some are better than others, but they’ll all help you get more familiar with the process.
Welcome first of all to the forum! I’m still relatively new to it but I can tell you that this has been a great source of information for me.
I took a long hiatus from it due to the military, family, etc. but my recommendation is that you find some less expensive kits to start with. When getting back into the swing of things I started with some less expensive, but decent kits. Revell was a good starting place for me since it’s less intimidating breaking open a $15 or $20 kit as opposed to a $50+ kit right off the bat.
Dave is right about the website. The magazine and the Kalmbach books, my favorites are by Shep Paine, have been a great starting point.
Other than that, try to have fun and post some pictures here for all of us to see and give feedback! Good luck!
[dto:] to what Vance has said. You have deffinatly come to the right place to pick up tips. I have been modelling for about 25 years, but my models have improved more in the last 3 years on here than they ever did in the previous 22. And i would also deffinatly advise against staying away from the expensive kits. Some of them can have so many parts they scare hardened modellers. Best bet would be to start with a few cheaper less complicated kits and work on the basics and try to pick up some of the more advance methods. And you don’t want to spend all that money just to find the hobby ain’t for you.
Welcome aboard and don’t forget to show some pics when you get going.
What Vance and Bish say. They are both artists in this medium. Remember, though, this is supposed to be fun. Everyone is at a different skill level. Some opt for tons of after-market detailing, others build straight out of the kit. Consider every project an experiment and a learning process.
Besides, if worse comes to worse, you’ve always got a set of really cool BB gun targets.
A book with tips and hints is probably a good idea, and I will definitely look around you-tube.
Where do you find your model kits? I can find some on Amazon, are there sponsors that people like to do business with? I would love to find an inexpensive P-47 to start with!
First off [snWcm], secondly this is a MUST have (sorry to sound like broken record) “Building and Detailing Model Aircraft” (Finescale Modeler Books) by Pat Hawkey, It tells you a ton in an easy to read paper back, get it. kits, I like to use my local hobby store (LHS), support them first… then Hobby Lobby- good folks too. Working on the Revell P-51D now, it has it’s issues but a fun build.
Regarding model kits, check the shops that advertise here. SprueBrothers is terrific – reasonable prices, wide selection, super quick shipping. Scalehobbyist is a great site – same assets as SpruBrothers but with an more efficient search engine at their site. Some local model shops advertise in FSM magazine. There might be one in there closed to you.
Lots of tips and techniques herein and everyone is anxious to answer questions.
Amazon occasionally has a good deal, but for the most part, there are far better options. Sprue Brothers, Great Models, and (while I don’ t particularly care for their site) Squadron are good places to start. Also…Scale Hobbyist almost consistently has the best prices on actual kits, but their aftermarket selection of decals and such is lacking.
Another good source is eBay, especially for discontinued kits.
Which brings us to your P-47.
I love the P-47, it’s my favorite plane, and I’ve got waaay too many of them in the stash, including two big 1/32 kits that blow past that $50 threshold!
Assuming you want 1/48 scale, IMO the BEST P-47 kit you can buy is any of the Tamiya Jugs. They do a Razorback, D-bubbletop, and a P-47M. Engineering is top-notch, not only in terms of detail, but fit, as well. When you really want to knock a P-47 out of the park a few builds in, I’d highly recommend one. You can find them for about $30 if you look.
As far as an inexpensive, easy P-47, I’d recommend the old Monogram kits, either the Razorback or the bubbletop. Parts count is extremely low, and the wings are a little bit fussy, lacking the wing spars of the Tamiya kit, but buildup is clean as can be. I built the Jug as a kid, then grabbed the kit again when I came back to the hobby last year. Things went very bad in the decal stage, but here’s what it looked like just before paint:
You can score the Monogram P-47s for cheap on eBay, too. Won a Razorback a few months ago for $4.
Other than that, my recommendation would be to start slow, plan your moves, and hang out here. I’ll agree with the others. My modeling has been on a whole other level since I picked the hobby back up, and I have this site to thank for most of it.
You may even…if you’re willing…want to start a WIP (work in progress) thread…if you broadcast that you’re a rookie at this and looking for tips and ideas, you’ll be amazed the outpouring you’ll get!
I agree with everyone who has replied. I have one other resource http://www.florymodels.co.uk/ buy a months subscription and watch some of the video builds on that site. Great advice and techniques. Have fun and don’t be afraid to ask questions, the people here are very tolerant of us newbies.
