Hello everyone. Kind of new on the forums and looking for some guidance.
I primarily build and fly radio control model airplanes built from wood. The past couple of years I’ve been unable to get out and fly that often, but I’ve kept building because I enjoy it. Normally, I crash and trash planes fast enough that storage doesn’t become an issue. So, I finally had to stop building once I ran out of room.
However, once winter set in and I got really bored, I decided to stop by the local hobby shop to find something to do. Ended up leaving with one of the Airfix starter sets of the 1/72 Focke Wulf Fw190D (A50082). Figured that it contained all the paint I would need, a basic paintbrush, and glue. I did buy different glue from Testors in a black container with a small metal spout because it seemed like it would be easier to apply than the tube glue in the kit.
Since I haven’t built a plastic model kit in over 30 years, when I opened the box I felt a little lost. So, I went back to the hobby shop where I picked up a copy of “Building and Detailing Model Aircraft” by Pat Hawkey. In the book, he walks you almost step by step through building the Monogram 1/48 SBD Dauntless and makes it look pretty easy.
So, my question is this… I know this first model will be far from perfect, but I want to try and make it as good as possible. Should I go back to the hobby shop and get myself a Dauntless to follow along or just move forward with the Airfix kit?
I quit R/C planes for basicly the same reason. Seeing all that hard work and expensive gear splattered over the landscape time and time again really gets to a person. If I didn’t have to land, I would have been all right. [;)]
My [2cnts] is to just move forward using the book as a guide. If you have any questions or problems, just go to the Airplane Section and post your question. There are a lot of great guys, and gals, on here that are ready, willing,and able to help you. I’ve been building for 67 of my 73 years and I think I learn something new every day. It’s hard to tell at my age when I walk through doorways and forget why I did it. [*-)]
Welcome aboard. I would go with what Jim says, While the colours and layout may be different, the basics are the same. And I think when it comes to these modelling books, most of us use them more as a guide, adapting them to our own tastes and abilities.
And as Jim says, if you have any specific issues, ask away in the aircraft forums and pics are always handy.
Second, that book is a MUST for a beginning builders, so excellent choice.
If you plan on giving modeling a real go and want the 190 to be more than a practice run, then I would p/u some “cheap” kits like the Mono SBD and try to follow Pat’s techniques in the book, with a word of caution the pros can make it look easy so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t click at first. Although there tends to be far fewer parts to a 1/72, some find the 1/48 is easier to work with due to the size of the parts. So practice and have fun learning.
I got started on the Airfix kit last night. Just brush painted the cockpit parts and the inside of the fuse with the supplied paints. Afterwards, I sat down to read some more of the book. Looks like I already missed a step - washing the mold release agent off the parts. Hope that doesn’t cause the paint to flake off. From what I understand the paint included was Humbrol acrylic.
Going to keep plugging away. I have some other questions that I’ll post in the appropriate forums.
Welcome Another fellow RC’er! I started flying in the mid 80’s and crashing is part of the learning curb. I found landing VERY challenging, specially a fast low wing. I hated to rip off the mains on the landing strip!
As an RC’er and balsa builder, you have some of the building basic fundamentals down, but building plastics heads on a different direction. I have been building plastics for 40+ years and each time you build a model, your skill level increases a notch. Hang out here, ask questions, read and gather intel to help you in your build. Rome wasn’t built in a day, it takes time, patience and practice.
I’ve been flying free-flight, control-line, and RC models off and on for 35+ years now. I’ve never been a big fan of the ARF foam stuff. Probably because when I started in the hobby, gluing together a bunch of balsa together was the only way you were going to fly something. [:)] I’ve never been bothered much by crashing. I always felt that if you didn’t crash once in awhile, you weren’t challenging yourself enough.[:D]
The part about plastic models I’m finding tough is the painting/finished that occurs through the entire build process. With my balsa models, most of the construction is finished before you start the paint or other finishing.
Neither have I till I saw the new stuff out now. I picked up a foam 57" Beaver with flaps, navigational lights and floats and 50" Fw190 with retracts and flaps. Both electrics complete with panel lines and camos and don’t look like the old school foamies that were boxy and toy like as in the old Sureflites. These are pretty much scale looking.
Welcome to the forums! Good advice you have gotten so far. I would have told you the same thing. Go for it with the Airfix. I like Airfix kits and you should not have too many issues with it. As for the quality of your first build back in the hobby…I’d be willing to bet you surprise yourself! The book you got is an excellent one and will serve you well in the building process, but don’t hesitate to ask questions! There or a lot of good folks here on the forums with a wealth of knowledge and are more than willing to pass on some tricks and tips. Be sure to post pics of your build! No one will make fun of it. Heck, we want to see the kit and how it goes together for you! And remember, it’s a hobby…have fun!
I don’t wear glasses myself, but there seems to be enough room to wear them, and they are just a magnifying glass that just happens to sit on your head. So I would guess yes. I guess it would also depend on what you need to wear glasses for.
before I stopped building in 2005, I never had any problems seeing what I was doing. When I came back to it 5 years later, the first thing I noticed was aching eyes. I bought one of those head bands, ands its better than ever.
Great advise on the magnifiers. I think it will really help. My hand is steady enough if I can see what I’m doing.
I found the set at Harbor Freight. They are on sale for $3.99 right now, so I’m going to grab a set tonight to see how they work out before spending on better quality stuff.
Another fellow RC’er! I started flying in the mid 80’s and crashing is part of the learning curb. I found landing VERY challenging, specially a fast low wing. I hated to rip off the mains on the landing strip! 