Returning to the hobby after nearly 20 years.

Good day all! I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Kris and I’m from Calgary, Alberta. I am returning the hobby of model building after an approximate 20 year hiatus. During my adolescence and teenage years I was big into aircraft models, specifically 1/48 scale WW2 aircraft. Mostly Monogram and AirFix kits. Near the end of my model building run I got pretty good, however I never used an airbrush. Looking around online I see some things have changed. Airbrushing is all the rage (I don’t recall it being so back in the day, maybe I was too young to pay attention), Monogram is now part of Revell etc. Being out of the hobby for so long; I have a few questions. What would you suggest for a set of tools to re-start with? I do have a hobby knife but that’s about it. Any suggestions on adhesives or paint? Back in the day I used mostly testors stuff. Speaking of paint, right now an airbrush is out of the budget. In time I’ll make the purchase, but at the moment I’ll have to stick to brushing. I’m going to find a good kit with a relatively simple paint/decal combo as I’m basically re-learning the hobby. Any tips and suggestions are much appreciated! Kris

Welcome Kris

Don’t worry you’ll get along fine with the “new” tools/techniques as they are not too hard to learn.

Sorry to say that “hairy stick” painting is used mostly for details and weathering (Boy is that statement going to raise the howls of denial by some)

However, don’t let that stop you from diving in.

Do what you want, Do what you can, Do learn as you go, you’ll be back up to speed in no time.

Again Welcome back to the hobby and especially Welcome to the FSM forums, glad you are here.

welcome aboard,try the search feature of the forums for help,and check out the Kalmbach Modeling Publications advertised here.

I prefer Tamiya Extra Thin Cement.

For hand brushing Vallejo Model Color Acrylics are very good,Also Modelmaster Enamels brush well

Welcome to the Forum, Kris.

Welcome Kris! You are in good company. Your story is very common here, to include myself! As for tools and glues and such. Well, you will find a lot has changed there too. Lots more than just Testors orange tube of goo! My suggestions, budget allowing, try everything! You will soon find what suits your tastes and needs. I use Pro-Weld for glue and Tamiya for airbrushing and Testor/Model Master and Vallejo for hand painting. And yes, when you can afford it, get an airbrush! It will completely change your world! In a good way of course. Bottom line, make sure you are having fun doing all this! Also would suggest getting into a Group Build. They are a blast, and it doesn’t matter what level you are at, EVERYONE learns something and the folks here on the forums are chuck full of tips and tricks they are more than willing to share. Again, welcome!

Eagle90

Welcome to the Forums Kris! Glad to have you aboard! I’ve been building for 67 of my 73 years and things have been changing almost every day (including this contraption that I am “typing” on). You’ve gotten a lot of good suggestions so far and you will get a lot more. Listen to what they have to say and then take your pick.

Personally, I use Modelmaster and Testors Enamels and Vallejo Acrylics. I still have some of the 15 cent Testors square jars. I brush the enamels and spray the acrylics. I use all kinds of glues depending on what I am working on and what kind of strength I need. When my grandkids need something fixed (almost every week), they call up and say “Is Dr. Glue there”? Sit back, have a few sips of your favorite beverage, and enjoy the hobby.

Jim [cptn]

Welcome aboard Kris. I haven’t been to Calgary in years, on the two brief visits I did make, I love dit there, and in the Rockies.

There are some guys who get great results with brush painting, though I have no idea how.

Thanks for the warm welcome everybody! Just about to head to my local hobby shop and get kitted out.

Cheers! :slight_smile:

Dude, you will have a 100+ kit stash in no time! I did basically the same thing. Let’s see…finished the basement to get a hobby room, have about 100 kits in the stash, three airbrushes (not very good with any of them) , lots of tools, sanding material/sticks, knives, sprue cutters, etc. It is a disease, albeit a fun one…

Welcome and have fun.

Lyle.