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Advice or Tips on large kit building?

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  • Member since
    December 2002
Advice or Tips on large kit building?
Posted by garyfo on Sunday, July 11, 2010 7:09 PM

I've inherited some of my Dad's unfinished model kits.  We made over 100+ models together and I've decided to finish some of the one's he started before his health failed him.The first one on the list is a 1/72nd scale B-1 made by Monogram.  The others are a 1/48 B-1B Lancer (Revell),  an F-16...that I believe is 1/32..a B-17 made by Monogram, 1/72nd B-36- Peacemaker and a c-47 Skytrain as well.

I'm used to building in 1/72nd scale mostly.  So...the larger kits are a litle intimidating (especially the Peacemaker).

First thing I need to do is buy a new workbench.  What I currently work on is too small.  Oh no...not a new workbench!  Anything but that!

I haven't built a large kit like any of these for quite some time.

Any tips or best practices or pitfalls to avoid when making 'the big ones'?

Gary
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Neenah, WI
Posted by HawkeyeHobbies on Sunday, July 11, 2010 7:21 PM

Having a large workbench is nice but not a necessity. As long as you build in subassemblies, then marry the assemblies together you'll be fine.

Don't be intimidated by size, the process to assemble is the same. You might actually find that building bigger is much easier.

Gerald "Hawkeye" Voigt

http://hawkeyes-squawkbox.com/

 

 

"Its not the workbench that makes the model, it is the modeler at the workbench."

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Fort Worth, TX
Posted by RESlusher on Monday, July 12, 2010 9:51 AM

I hear ya! 

I'm about to start working on a Revell 1:48 scale B-29.  This thing is freakin' HUGE!  I've got NO idea where I'm going to put it when I'm done!  Will probably end up building a custom case for it!

 

 

Richard S.

On the bench:  AFV Club M730A1 Chaparral

On deck:  Tamiya Marder 1A2

In the hole:  Who knows what's next!

 

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, July 12, 2010 10:47 AM

I'm with Hawkeye on this one. It is actually easier to work on the big ones, especially 1/24 scale. The addition of details and the actual building is easier on both the fingers and the eyes.Geeked The only drawback is the need for more display space.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, July 12, 2010 11:18 AM

Have fun,but your biggest problem might be where to dispay them.

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Monday, July 12, 2010 1:53 PM

Display isn't a problem if you plan it right... The B-17 will fit nicely on a 20 inch shelf... I've fit mine on 18 inches, as a matter of fact...  Ya just gotta watch that the wife doesn't clip a wing when she throws her coat on near it...  All ya need is enough width to park it at an angle that allows all three wheels to sit on the shelf...

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 12, 2010 2:32 PM

Build them the same way you would a small kit, except build it as if it were bigger---or something like that...

  • Member since
    June 2009
Posted by jimbot58 on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 3:28 AM

I haven't figured out the display issue with my Monogram B-52, so that project fell flat. I don't care for hanging models as I am tall, and my ceilings are low. I would just say plan where you will display them.

(I would love to do a Peacemaker in 1/72nd scale, but......)

*******

On my workbench now:

It's all about classic cars now!

Why can't I find the "Any" key on my keyboard?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
Posted by garyfo on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:37 PM

Yah..displaying them will be a totally different issue.

Gary
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:52 AM

jimbot58

I haven't figured out the display issue with my Monogram B-52, so that project fell flat. I don't care for hanging models as I am tall, and my ceilings are low. I would just say plan where you will display them.

(I would love to do a Peacemaker in 1/72nd scale, but......)

There's some guys here that display large models by hanging them vertically on the wall...

Hawkeye did this:

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 11:11 AM

Hey, that's a good idea!  Never thought of that.  I recently built the 1/72 B-36 Peacemaker.  I used a 3' X 6' folding table for the final assembly and had no problems.  I tried to hang it from the ceiling in the TV room/den but the old lady had a fit- so now it's hanging by two wires from the rafters above my basement workshop where nobody can see it....

Sad

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Florida
Posted by Railfan 233 on Friday, July 16, 2010 6:47 PM

The only tip I have with building the kits is the same as scratch-building: keep chipping away at it, making the big picture into smaller, simpler shapes and sub-assemblies. Just stick with it, and eventually you'll get it done.

However, when it comes to displaying it, your on your own when it comes to meTongue Tied

  

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y211/razordws/GB%20Badges/WMIIIGBsmall.jpgRed, White, and YOU! group build of 2010

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