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Diving In

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  • Member since
    January 2011
Diving In
Posted by GlueFingers on Monday, January 24, 2011 7:28 PM

Hi Folks!

I'm 32, In California, have wife and dog.  I'm a Restaurant Manager.  I remember building exactly 4 models in my childhood (A snap-tite battleship, 2 jets, and a Trike that someone got for me for Christmas.  They all turned out disastrous, as my skill and patience as a child did not measure up to my ambition. 

I hadn't built a model in 22 years or so.  Christmas 2010, a buddy bought me a Revell '57 Chevy model (1/25) because I want to eventually restore the actual car in my lifetime.  He got me the model because he wanted me to build a "concept" type model.  In building the '57, I remembered how much I really enjoy modeling, and maybe now have the patience to produce better results.  So I dove in. Fortunately, There's a craft store down the street that has a decent selection of stuff to start with.  I also order the more specific stuff online. 

My wife is amazingly accepting of my new hobby.  All she asks is that I clean up after myself, and keep the mess contained.  She also asks that I find something to do with the models I finish.  I figure the best thing to do is planes, which I can hang from the ceiling, therefore, not taking up space in our tiny place.

WWII propeller driven aircraft is something that has always interested me, but also something that I know little about.  In building, I also hope to give myself an education.  I figure I'll start by building smaller, single engine fighters, and work my way up to a B-17, which has always been my favorite WWII plane.  The smaller planes will not only give me some practice, but also give me time to research this era, and develop my skills.

Here's a list of models I am either working on or have purchased with intent to build.  I chosen to stick with Revell plastic kits at the moment, since that's what's most available at the store down the street, they are inexpensive, and are what I have had the most exposure to.

On the table:

1. Revell '57 chevy Bel-air hardtop - 1/25  (just needs body paint, on hold for the moment)

2. Revell Corsair F4U  1/48 (almost done, probably finish tonight)

3. Revell Messerschmitt Bf109G-10  1/48 (just started)

In the box:

4. Revell AG Germany 1/48 B-17F "Memphis Belle"

In the clutches of the evil UPS:

5. Tamiya 1/48 A6M3 Type 32 Zero 

6. Revell 1/48 B-24D Liberator

I've been lurking for about the last month, and the posts I've read are simply inspiring, seeing some of the pictures and abilities of the people on here.  I figured it was about time to stop lurking, and start posting. I'll put up some pics of the Corsair once I'm done with it.

"Finished" - Revell 1/48 Corsair F4U, Revell 1/48 Bf-109 Messerschmitt

"On the Table" - Revell 1/48 B-24 "Liberator" (Waiting for some paint to arrive)

"In the Box" - Revell 1/48 B-17 "Memphis Belle" , Tamiya 1/48 Zero

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 8:45 AM

Welcome to the Forums & the Hobby Welcome Sign.  Glad to have you.

Regards,  Rick

RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    February 2007
  • From: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted by Buckeye on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 9:06 AM

Welcome to the group!

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lafayette la
Posted by 40.mm on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:55 AM

welcome aboard, great bunch of people here willing to help so do ask questions if you have any and the answers will come, happy modeling

http://www.vairhead.net/forum/dhg.jpg

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 12:05 PM

Welcome aboard! In time you will learn to love UPS and FedEx. Their tracking systems are accurate and timely, unlike the USPS, which will kindly notify you your package has been delivered as long as two weeks after it's actually been dropped off.

In the meantime, I highly recommend visiting these forums and reading kit reviews and such across the internet. You'll be amazed how quickly you pick up at least the broad histories of various aircraft. I think one of my favorite aspects, as a once-upon-a-time history major, is getting to explore the histories of units and even individual pilots.

And join a group build or two. Great places to learn!

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 12:13 PM

Welcome GF

Glad to have you aboard. Nice selection of kits you've got going there. Looking forward to your photos!

Stay in touch..........

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Edmonton, Alberta
Posted by Griffin on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 1:35 PM

Welcome aboard. You've already got the most important part - A Cool Name! Cool

  • Member since
    April 2015
Posted by spadx111 on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 1:38 PM

Welcome Sign to the forums.Ron

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:08 PM

Hi and welcome to the group. Bit of a full bench you have there. We like lots of pics on here, sowould love to see some of you work.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    January 2011
Posted by GlueFingers on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 4:31 AM

Thanks all for the warm welcome.  And I don't truly hate UPS, I just wish delivery was instantaneous....the wait kills me!!!

Here's a couple of pics of the Revell Corsair F4U I just wrapped up (probably will spent a couple hours doing little tiny touch up paint).  Which coincidentally brings me to my first question for you good folks.  Seems silly, but:

What are some tips for taking good pictures? (lighting and all), any recommendations for indoor, usually night time? My current results are a bit fuzzy. 

"Finished" - Revell 1/48 Corsair F4U, Revell 1/48 Bf-109 Messerschmitt

"On the Table" - Revell 1/48 B-24 "Liberator" (Waiting for some paint to arrive)

"In the Box" - Revell 1/48 B-17 "Memphis Belle" , Tamiya 1/48 Zero

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 10:01 AM

GlueFingers

What are some tips for taking good pictures? (lighting and all), any recommendations for indoor, usually night time? My current results are a bit fuzzy. 

From most important to nice-to-have:

1 - Tripod. Having a stable shooting platform reduces chances for blur and keeps the camera steady for better pictures in lower light.

2 - No flash. Unless you're shooting with a DSLR and off-camera flashes, the flash will just overpower, creating harsh shadows and blowing out and/or washing out the kit. Instead, invest in some lighting. This can be as simple as some of those clamp-on work lights you can get at any hardware store:

3 - Backdrop. A sheet, paper, card stock, whatever, but a solid background isolates the model. I've seen some really great shots where people use real-world backdrops to represent a natural background to great effect. Sadly, I'm not one of those who has a big open field just outside my door, and WWII-era props would look silly in a modern suburban neighborhood.

4 - Settings. Turn the flash off. If you have manual controls, set the aperture to the highest f-stop you can (I usually use f/22). If you can shoot in RAW and have an image editor that supports it, do that. It'll let you do color correction fixes on the computer. Consider using the timer set to a short delay ( I use 2 seconds) so you don't jostle the camera when you press the shutter. Also, make sure you're far enough away to actually focus on the model. You'd be surprised how many cameras have a minimum focus distance of 18-24". 

Beyond that, there's a lot of room to experiment and find what works best for you. IMO off-camera lighting is the single biggest difference-maker.

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 9:40 AM

Some good advice from Doogs...  all the basics covered. Fool around with these (basics) and get a feel for what works best for you.

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    January 2011
Posted by GlueFingers on Thursday, February 3, 2011 6:54 AM

Thanks Doogs for the tips!  I'll have to give it a try this weekend, and see if I can get better results.  Also, just finished the Messerschmitt, so need to post some pics anyways. 

Last week was a great one in my little modeling world. 

First off, UPS dropped off the Tamiya Zero and the Revell B-24, so now I officially have 3 models sitting in boxes collecting dust.  I'm torn between which one to start first, but the '24 requires less paint colors, and therefore, less finances, so probably going to start with that.  Plus I want a bomber in the mix.

Also, after having a long conversation with my Dad regarding my rediscovered hobby, he sends me an email that says "hey, we want to support you in this, so pick out an airbrush and we'll buy it - up to $250"  Totally unexpected.  Totally awesome.  I was already saving for an airbrush, and have been browsing reviews and such.  I'm leaning toward a Grex Genesis XG, with their single piston compressor.  I found a kit from www.acceleart.com for $350ish.  I understand there's probably better out there, and I'm sure everyone has an opinion on the "best" (as I've seen in the "painting" forums), but has anyone tried this particular brush (and / or) compressor?  Any feedback? Good or Bad?  How does everyone feel about  top mounted gravity cups vs. side mounted for models?  This is my first airbrush, so I'm not saying its the one and only that I'll ever have, but I'm mainly just looking for an all-arounder to learn on.

Thanks everyone!  I keep looking at pics on here and keep realizing how much I can learn.  It's nice to have people WAY more talented at this advising me. 

 

"Finished" - Revell 1/48 Corsair F4U, Revell 1/48 Bf-109 Messerschmitt

"On the Table" - Revell 1/48 B-24 "Liberator" (Waiting for some paint to arrive)

"In the Box" - Revell 1/48 B-17 "Memphis Belle" , Tamiya 1/48 Zero

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