For good “starter/refresher” build type 1/48 aircraft kits, the Tamiya A6M2 & A6M2N kits are excellent kits for getting your skills back up to par. Simple assembly, good fit, and low parts count so that you can concentrate on the basics. Also very bargain priced for either one. Not to mention easy paint schemes. For a good jet kit, I’d suggest the Academy F-16 A/C kit for the same criteria.
Thanks, Stik. Good thoughts and insights, I appreciate it!
I like the idea of a Tamiya kit as so many have suggested above for their consistency.
That said, I can’t resist throwing in an idea for someday.
About 10 yrs ago, having not built a model in decades, a recieved an Academy Avenger “Bunker Hill” as a Christmas gift from one of our adult children. Of course I eventually had to build it, which meants buying long-gone supplies, tools, etc.
If you don’t know, Academy offers re-releases of some well-recieved kits from Accurate Miniatures, sadly a now-defunct manufacturer.
It is an awesome kit, and at the time of it’s re-release was noted in some online articles as the best 1/48th WWII aircraft kit ever made. I suspect one landing on one of those blogs is what prompted my daughter-in-law to choose it. I started building it in 2013 and have building off and on since then. Can’t say I’d recommend it as a first kit back (due to a finnicky upper gun-turrent installation), but I’d sure recommend it as one not to miss.
Again, welcome to the forum.
I had that Accurate Miniatures kit in my hand half a dozen times and each time put it back on the shelf thinking “next purchase”. Then they were gone. I had no idea that Academy has released it now. Now I need to go shopping!
At least you were aware of thier existence!!! [:)] They came and went during my modeling hiatus. I am so lucky to have recieved the Academy kit. Even luckier, a friend here gave me an ORIGINAL Accurate Miniatures kit new in the box some years back. What a treat it will be to build that one day.
I hope you get one, and let us know what you think. If you do, let me know, I might still have an electronic copy of the original AM instructions I found online somewhere. They come in handy. Can’t say for sure, but I’d be happy to take a look for you.
That’s a very cool thought and idea. I’ll definitely research it further, Greg. Hopefully I can find an aspirational challenge like this once I grow my skills a bit. Today I found myself growing my scalemates wishlist…I really appreciate these ideas and thoughts.
Anyone else reading this thread with thoughts, I’m really hoping for your input too. I’d much rather buy with some valued insights than stumble into a pile of crud experience.
Yeah all the kits the guys have suggested are great kits!
Only ones I’d question are the Tamiya P-47D and P-51D. They’re fantastic kits but you pretty much have to do natural metal finish on both and I’m not sure how well you can do that with a brush. A spray can of aluminum paint might work, I’ve never tried doing natural metal with anything other than an airbrush myself though.
I’ve done it once, not thrilled with the outcome. Im going to do a rattle can of spray paint next time.
A bit pricy but I do all bare metal work with Bare Metal Foil because nothing looks like bare metal like bare metal! The results are well worth the little extra cost.
The beauty of it is you can mix up 3 or 4 different ones to give variance without masking what is often a delicate finish.
This is the ancient Monogram P-38 done with 3 different tones of BMF.
The Voodoo in the back is also all BMF
Holy cow, that’s a phenomenal result. Probably a little beyond my skill level currently, but definitely something to aspire for…wow.
It really is actually very easy. Easier than getting a good looking bare metal finish with paints. Well, for me at any rate. Just measure each panel, cut the BMF to shape, peel off backing paper, stick down, trim if needed and burnish. It is time consuming since you are doing smaller sections at a time but almost impossible to screw up. The results are well worth the labour and something like a P-51 would be very quick.
LOL in fact now I want to do a P-51 or P-47. My shopping list just keeps getting bigger from this thread.
Lol yours does? Now I’m trying to behave and not go on a shopping spree. I’ve got an armor kit I’m currently doing for the experience, followed by a Tamiya Corsair…then the next kit. That’s the next spend and I’m fighting the urge to buy half a dozen kits all at once. Lol
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That sort of goes along with returning to the hobby. [:)] (the shopping, not the behaving…)
It’s funny, I did this Revell B-25J as my second model getting back into the hobby and though I did an ok job on it. Now I just want to start from scratch and try again…
And someday I’ll figure out how to insert a photo into my replies in this system…
Coach B
Now I’m trying to behave and not go on a shopping spree.
That sort of goes along with returning to the hobby. 
(the shopping, not the behaving…)
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LOL that applies even if you never left the hobby. I have many kits in line and the order can get bumped on a whim when I decide to buy something new. Then it ends up on the shelf as something else catches my eye. At this rate I will need to live to 126 to actually do them all.
One thing I learned the hard way, and I’m sure I am not alone, is to not go crazy with the first several builds. Just get a kit and put it together right out of the box. Don’t do any fancy aftermarket or try to do any kit corrections. Just build the kit, get a feel for what you’re doing and enjoy the process. Don’t get hung up on accuracy or color choices. Who makes the correct color, best brand and all that. Just build it and make it look OKay. Next one you will see your weaknesses and work on that. After awhile you can begin to do corrections or aftermarket, pick the “exact” correct colors with your choice of paint supplier etc etc.
Watch TONS of videos from other builders, those who have kits to show that actually look good and learn from them new ways to improve your builds. You won’t keep all of it, but it will help you get better. There is only so far one can go on any forum. You’re gonna have to watch good builders and learn from them.
Some suggestions regardless of kit types might be:
Barbatos Rex – product reviews and tips, great channel for supplies and ideas
Flying S Models – doesn’t look like he’s active anymore, but great builder
Laser Creaston-World – this guy is really a good builder all around, cool ideas
Boylei Hoby Time – Incredible scratch builder, lots of ideas and LED use
Model Car Muse – Kinda laid back but very good builder with excellent advise
Night Shift – one of my all time favorite builders, incredible skills and funny
Panzermeister36 – younger builder with HUGE skills and tons of helpful tips
SpruesNBrews Scale Modeling – great builder with lots of useful tips
This is just few. Some are cars, some armor, and some anything. The point is you can learn something about our craft from everyone. Learn from your mistakes and try new things that are out of your comfort zone, it will improve your work.
BK
Great advice and resources here, Brandon.
My plan for my next couple builds is to begin learning to use wash for panel lines. And to start using some dry brushing technique- likely in cockpits. I’m totally intimidated by them both, but know I’ll never get past it until I try…so they’re the next learnings.
Excelelnt advice.
Also I might add, that if there is an IPMS chapter near you, go to a meeting or two and perhaps join up. I learned more from in person one to one picking the brains of guys at my old IPMS chapter than I ever could online.
Oh that’d be intriguing. Unfortunately I work a full time gig, have two kids, and coach lacrosse from January through July and high school football from June through November…so I probably need to catch a December meeting…LOL My modeling time is usually strange hours when I’m trying to destress or just unwind.