I’m Just geting back into modeling after 25yrs… Could you please make suggestions concerning my bench, tools, supplies, books and resources.
I used to do alot of car and plane models and I’m not quite sure of the quality of the work. Time has clouded my memory some.[:D]
I have decided to get into armor mainly because I spent 13 yrs (PAARNG) in FDC shooting M110’s.
I have ordered, a Revell 1/35 M110A2 and a Tamiya 1/35 M577 Command Post they should be here any time.
I am looking forward to these projects, so if anyone has any suggestions for me concerning the bench or if you have experience with these kits and would like to advise please do. [:)]
Lets see… Needed tools… I’ll look in the top drawer of my build box
Hobby knife
Glue (I like Tamiya plastic cement and Tenex 7R plastic welder), CA (super) glue also needed.
gap filler (I like squadron white putty thinned with acetone based nail polish remover).
Files, sanding films, and sanding sticks (nail files work well).
Tweezers (locking tweesers are great).
Sprue cutters
Tooth pics
paint brushes (the more shapes and sizes the better.)
A nice airbrush is something to consider after a few builds.
Paint (buy as you need and soon you’ll have a huge stash with variety).
That’s some of the basic tools I can think of. The only really expensive thing is the airbrush, and that’s not really needed. It makes painting easier. Many hobby supplies are much cheaper if they’re purchased outside of hobby shops. For example: You could spend $10 on a set of five Squadron Sanding sticks, or you could get 20 fingernail polishing sticks at a beauty supply store for $5. Buying hobby supplies at a beauty supply store isn’t as bad as it sounds.
RIDLEUSMC pretty much covered the needed basic tools.
One note on the kits you have ordered. The Revell M110A2 is a West German version, not the US version. There are quite a few German-specific parts and the tracks are all wrong, they put M109 tracks in the box. SP Designs has a good set of resin M110 tracks to fix that part. If you know your M110 well, all the US parts are still in the kit, you just have to use them as opposed to the German parts.
Good luck and show us some pics as they come along.
I think one of the better general modelling books for re-entering Armor builders is a book published by Kalmbach (not a shameless plug – I have nothing to do w/FSM) entitled “Modelling Realistic Tanks and Artillery”. I recommend this often to beginners wanting a good overview of methods and tools.
Available online or thru your local hobby shop.
Welcome back! In the 12 yrs or so since I’ve gotten back into the hobby I’ve accumulated many, many tools (as guys are wont to do!). I joke with my wife that if she’s ever in a rush and doesn’t want to go to her fingernail salon, I can whip out my dremel, resin, polishers and airbrush for her. After all, my selection of colors is probaly better than what the salon has!!! (Dunkelgelb anyone? LOL)
As for references, the Squadron armor “In Action” series is still a good basic resource for vehicle types. I think that the Concord publications books are a great value for period photos. Recent titles include “US Tank Battles in North Africa and Italy”, “Panzers in the Gun Sights” (abandoned or KOd German vehicles), “US Funnies: US Special Armor in Combat”.
[#welcome] to the forums! Pull up a keyboard and stay a while.
Second…
Ridleusmc covered the tool list pretty good. Personally I would put the airbrush above the sprue cutters. I find the hobby knife does a good job, and couldn’t live with my trusty AB! I also suggest cross-clamp tweezers, they’re the kind you squeeze to open. Try to find some that don’t have “teeth”.
As for the bench, bigger is better, but you are the best judge for what you can build. Get lots of light and some form of magnifying system. I have an adjustable circuler fluourescent with magnifier in the centre. But there are also headband types. Get a self healing cutting mat. The list goes on and on, but the most important tools are already attached to your shoulders and arms!