I’ve been building autos since 1967, and its time for a change, I want to build an airplane… what do you folks recommend for a first timer? I like prop planes, was looking at the B-377 in 1/144 scale, but I read a review that it has alot of fit problems, want something with out alot of hassels, perfer 1/144 or 1/48.
Thanks
Gasser
First, Welcome to the Forum[#welcome]. There are literally 100’s of kits of the types & scales you mention. Could you be a tad more specific? Are you interested in civil or military AC? Fighters, bombers, airliners, etc. You can get a lot of good advice here but you need to narrow it down.
Well, guess I’m not sure about that part yet[:D] just looking for something easy to build without to much hassel… if such a kit exists.
Gasser
I can’t help you too much with 1/144 because I don’t really touch the scale, but 1/48 has all kinds of choices for you.
Considering the length of time you’ve been doing autos, you’ve got plenty of experience with smaller details and finer parts that go into engines and suspension systems. Perhaps one of ICM’s 1/48 Spitfire kits would be a good transition for you. The all have beautiful multi piece engines that could almost stand as kits in themselves and the cockpits also have a ton of detail.
As ICM is from Eastern Europe (Ukraine to be precise) there is the usual lack of parts alignment pins that you’ll find in kits from that part of the world, but other than that the kits go together very smoothly and easily hold their own against the likes of Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.
A few years back, Revell Monogram released a 1/48 P-38 Lightning under its Promodeler label. This kit is ex-Hasegawa and by all accounts is a nice kit with few problems.
If you look back on this site’s archive of kit reviews, you’ll certainly find information on a lot of 1/48 kits of prop driven aircraft (can’t remember when the last review of a 1/144 scale kit was) that will give you some direction in what to purchase for a first time aircraft model.
I would recomend something with a simple paint shceme, stay away from anything to complex or you will get discouraged. A good example would be a one color WWII US Navy scheme. Trumpeter has just released a series of Corsairs in 1/32, that might be good place to start. If you are already familiar with how the Airbrush works than this will not be so critical. For those of us who have used them for a while ( and I will be the first to admit I am no expert ) but those of us who have used them know what they can do in the right hands.
And a big welcome from me TOO!!! It is great to have you hear. Take care.
1/72 scale has the most options, but I find it frustratingly small to work with given big hands and fat fingers.
I strictly do 1/48, good scale to work with on improving your skills. If unhappy with the detail, it’s fairly easy at this scale to cover the DOHs compared to larger scales (1/32 or 1/24). At the same time this scale gives you plenty of opportunity to do more and add detail that would be insanely meticulous at smaller scales (1/72, 1/144, etc).
As for subjects? You are on your own. Military is most popular, but a lot of people pick a theme and stick pretty close to it. Mine? US WWII aircraft. I have identified 114 possible kits at 1/48 scale, acquired 76 of them, and built 20. Averaging 10 a year. I got work to do. [:D]
Thanks a bunch for the help, I’ve been reading reviews almost all day here on this site, I will go to the hobby shop tomorrow and look thru all the kits, I suspect it will be 1/48 scale something, I’ll let ya’ll know what I get and then be ready for the questions!!
Thanks
Gasser
My work is done. [angel]
None of our work is EVER done. Well anyway.
Well, I’m back from the hobby shop, man I’ve never seen so many planes, but only one won out, that is the Academy 1/72 B-377… large plane, small scale!!
Time to start researching, thanks for all the suggestions…
Gasser
Good luck, happy modelling! Just be like me, and do whatever you fancy { except a 48th scale B-1B!!}.[:D]