Hi,
New to building aircraft, wondering if anybody has any rec on a good kit to start with. More into flying boat or seaplane models, and or prop planes.
Thanks
Welcome Zozo,
You said you are new to aircraft, are you new to modelling in general ?
If you’re new to modelling and you want to start on something pretty easy, I would recommend a single engined “tail sitting” fighter. Whatever type strikes your fancy. If you wanna start with something on the less expensive side, I can recommend the Revell of Germany Tempest in 1/72, the Airfix Spitfire Vb 1/72, the Monogram Hurricane in 1/48, and the Mongram P-40 in 1/48. There are tons of kits out there man ! Many that are better than what I mentioned - and quite a few dogs too.
If you’ve modelled subjects other than A/C before, you probably have skills to tackle just about anything. Be patient and have fun.
No wait - that’s not the way anyone does it !
have fun, be impatient, make mistakes, have fun, learn some stuff, have fun, and then do it again ! Did I mention have fun ?
there ! That’s more like it.
Chris
Welcome to the Forum [#welcome]. There are 100’s of good kits to cut your teeth on. First, decide what scale you want to work in. Flying Boats or float planes are usually a lot more difficult builds, so I’d suggest starting with a simple single engine fighter like a Spitfire or Bf-109.
Regards, Rick
Thanks so much, Answer to question is both, done some car models that’s about it.
Thanks,
Ryan
What’s a Good scale to start in??
1/48 scale is the most popular at this time, but it really depends on how much room you have to build/display/store. There are lots of great kits in 1/72 & more nice new 1/32 releases coming all the time. At the far extremes you have the 1/144 & 1/24 scales, but selection becomes much more limited.
Regards, Rick
Just finish a 1/200, Spurce Goose by minicraft, very easy model there’s no detail.I was thinking 1/48,but then i think u can see more than a 1/72 but it’s kinda small to start with? Wondering what a good scale is to start with.
it depends, i enjoy 1/48th cos they build into large impressive models, but i like 1/72 cos they are cheap and more fun. see what you like and just go for it ! [:)]
I got back into the hooby not long ago myself.
In my first kit I wanted to do an Ari Craft tha I liked but perhps not my most favorite (as I wanted to wait till I knocked off the rust)
Anyway I decied on a F-16 from Italeri 1/48 scale. I went with this one for a couple reasons : 1) Decent kit -not too expensive 2) not too many colors in the paint Scheme only 3 major colors 3) F-16 in not a big plane so the 1/48 scale was a good size (not too small and not to big to worry about tons of msall details & 4) As mentioned before an iterresting A/C to keep me going but not my fav in case I messed something up on my first.
well there is my [2c] hope it helps
Yes, true… All depends on what you are into, and how much room you have… For me, I prefer 1/72, as they are smaller, easier to display, and I just get more of a sence of them being models that are delicate… I have done a few 1/48 Mustangs and the like, and for me they just seem like toys, as they are larger in size… (but thats just me)… Another thing is also cost… As I live in Japan, I pretty well get my kits at a cheaper rate, as well most of them are made here… So its not unusual for me to pick up most subjects in 1/72 scale Hasegawa or Tamiya for between $4-$8… Obviously newer or larger kits are more!
Now, I usually buy about 6 or 7 kits a month… That includes Sci-Fi, Gundam, Cars, Bikes Ships, and planes… You name it, if I see something I like, I will usually pick it up… Thats if its cheap… So I now have so many different kits, and so many different subjects, that I am starting to run out of room… And regardless of the fact I live in Japan… I live in a normal sized 4 bedroom house!.. So after doing a few in 1/48, I knew that I had to go back to 1/72 for display purposes… I have even come across some of those Tamiya 1/100 kits, and I sometimes wished that they had a large selection like the the other scales, as they would be great for displaying many at a time… Oh well…
Anyways… Half the models I have built are in fact sitting in a cupboard somewhere… I have ships, aircraft carriers and about 30 Airliners (kits and diecast) that just have no where to go!.. Not to mention the models on the bench, and the models I have waiting… Then to make things worse, I am getting the new Ploar Lights 1/350 Movie Enterprise that is simply just a monster… It will have to go into my entry for display when finished… I have no where else for it to go! To the 1/48 guys… No offence intended in this post!
Just an edit… I do tend to rant a bit… Forgive me guys[:I]
Chris in Japan
Wow!
I prefer 1/48 scale,a little less twezzer work if you know what I mean.They all have there pros. and cons.[2c]
I`m more of a 1/48 fan, most of my collection is WW2, but there are some great new kits in 1/32 that were just too good to miss out on. These latest kits in 1/32 are cheap and have excellent fit and finish. The choice is yours at the end of the day, and will also depend on how much room you have to display your finished kits. Good luck and welcome to the world of modelling aircraft.
I always figured out the best scale to use depends on what you want to build. If you want to build modern fighters or WWII bombers than 1/72nd scale would be a good one to start with, If you want to build WWII fighters than 1/48 is the way to go to start, I found out that some WWII fighters are very small and 1/72nd scale doesn’t do them justice, modern planes are larger by nature so a smaller scale is suitable for them. The cost of the smaller kits make it easier to try. If you don’t like the size for lack of detail, poor eyesight , or whatever buy a larger or smaller kit next time. The choices are yours, Good Luck.
Tamiya’s F4F Wildcat is a great 1/48th kit. The fit is superb and builds into great little aircraft. Also its size is on the small side for ww2 aircraft and would be a good barometer for you to judge wether you want to continue in 1/48 or move up or down in scale depending on your display area. Good luck and happy modeling.
I concur with 9x19… I am in the finishing stages of a Tamiya F4F… price is good compared to other Tamiya kits, the kit goes together GREAT! I didn’t have to use a speck of putty on it which would be good for building confidence on a first model. All in all a great kit that looks fairly detailed when done but doesn’t require a lot of experience to get it together… The monogram or revell (can’t remember which) P-51 as another build that is not too involved but looks fairly good when done…
I prefer 1/48 also, big enough for details but not too big as to make a serious demand on space. But then again that depends on your situation. 1/48 also helps as I age and my eye sight aint what it use to be.
J-Hulk, 6-7 kits a month?? No wonder you like 1/72nd, where are you gonna put them all?