I am intimidated now!

Go to a show sometime, and your intimidation factor will ramp up about twenty notches.  It's pointless, but it happens.  There are some very talented people out there.  The only person you need to compete with is yourself, building, learning, making the current project better than the last.  And as time goes by you might be tempted to go back and redo some of your past 'mistakes', but don't; they are your best gauge of your progress.  You're also going to get ten thousand suggestions of what paint, glue, airbrush, compressor, light, etc, etc ad nauseum to use, and everyone is right, but....  Bear in mind, all these things are what works for THEM, and may not work for you.  I'll be more than happy to tell you what works for me, and why I use it,  but what I build, and my working conditions could be very different from yours, so my ideas may not be relevant..  You didn't mention where you're located, or your age; both can have a bearing on what advice to give about various things.  Here is a link to IPMS/USA (International Plastic Modelers Society)  http://www.ipmsusa.org/.  On the left is a link marked Chapter and RC directory.  That will open up a US map with the various IPMS regions.  Click on your state and it will show various chapters and their contact person.  It also shows where and when that chapter meets. You don't need an invitation either;  I have yet to see one that would turn someone away for just showing up at a meeting unannounced.  It would be great if you were local to me.  I'm President of our local chapter (Quad Cities Scale Modeler Society in Region 5), and we're always looking for new members to torture.  I have been drastically thinning my stash of kits, and if it would help get you started, I would be more than happy to send you a few that are older and easy to build, for nothing more than the cost of shipping them to you, maybe not even that, depending on how generous I feel that day.   As someone else mentioned, when you're buying kits and supplies, support your local hobby shop first and foremost.  After that, for lack of a better choice, Hobby Lobby, then internet.  I'm not a big fan of HL because of their business practices and typically higher prices.  Feel free to send me a PM if you care to if you have more questions.

Andrew Magoo

I adore my wife, she has let me buy models that cost over $229.00! However, I don't make it a practice to buy models in the triple or quadruple price range. If any of you feel compelled to spend a lot of money on models I have a hundred or more I would sell at a discount of $228.95 each.

I would love to buy them....but the wife won't let me

I adore my wife, she has let me buy models that cost over $229.00! However, I don't make it a practice to buy models in the triple or quadruple price range. If any of you feel compelled to spend a lot of money on models I have a hundred or more I would sell at a discount of $228.95 each.

Hercmech

 

VanceCrozier:

 

 

DoogsATX:

 

Andrew Magoo:

 

Always, always, always remember the only stupid question is the one not asked! 

 

 

Well, that and how to get your wife to agree to the purchase of a $229 kit...

 

 

Yeah, looking back, that really was a stupid question!

 

 

Nah the question was not stupid the stupid thing was having too thin of skin to understand a little friendly ribbing.

True, nothing wrong with the question, just the reaction to the answers. I stand, uhh, clarified!

VanceCrozier

DoogsATX:

 

Andrew Magoo:

 

Always, always, always remember the only stupid question is the one not asked! 

 

 

Well, that and how to get your wife to agree to the purchase of a $229 kit...

 

Yeah, looking back, that really was a stupid question!

Nah the question was not stupid the stupid thing was having too thin of skin to understand a little friendly ribbing.

DoogsATX

 

Andrew Magoo:

 

Always, always, always remember the only stupid question is the one not asked! 

 

 

Well, that and how to get your wife to agree to the purchase of a $229 kit...

Yeah, looking back, that really was a stupid question!

Andrew Magoo

Always, always, always remember the only stupid question is the one not asked! 

Well, that and how to get your wife to agree to the purchase of a $229 kit...

Hey mgh

 I'm also just starting to build again after a break. I'm in the process of building a dedicated hobby room and will soon be building my first plane ( I was building sailing ships for awhile ). I've been spending alot of time going through old posts on this site and have picked up tons of pointers on everything from workbench set up to displaying completed builds. I'm more of a visual learner so you tube videos have been a huge benefit for me, tons of stuff to watch, you just have to pick and choose which advice will work for you. Someone mentioned florymodels, great site. He has some free videos posted as well.

When I first started building there was no internet, my brother and I just winged it and had some of the best times trying to figure out ways to improve our builds. Maybe try and build your first kit straight out of the box with no special mods to see what the manufacturer had in mind, then build an identical kit, adding as many improvements as you can come up with. Might be fun to see the difference.

Just have fun and use the great WWW as a learning resource, it's all out there..

Ives

Wow, that is a very nice model.  Seeing pictures like that gets me motivated!

* This (in my words) explains your question in regard to TANK kits:

Vintage kits from Tamiya are labeled MM (Military miniatures) In a white box and have a # below 100. Their cost is less than 1/2 of their more modern offerings and the parts count is low. They feature no extra parts, rubber band style tracks and decals for up to 3 versions or units that used the same variant of vehicle. The commander figure is not bad but can use a AM (After Market) resin head replacement.

The newer Tamiya kits in the series are numbered now just over 300. They look the same (box & art) yet feature newer moldings with double the parts, many extras and options for a few similar variants.

Cost will tell which is which. The older ones are in the 20$ range while the newer ones are over double that.

Vintage Bandai kits set the standard for fit of parts and options like basic interiors. Most were in 1/48 scale, produced before 1/35 scale became the popular scale for military kits. These are rare and other than E-Bay only can be found in shops that are willing to sell them as collectors items. The detail is basic yet with some scratch building they build up into excellent miniature replicas.

Shown above is a Bandai 1/48 scale T-34 M1941 backdated to represent a M1940. This build features wire grab handles, lead fenders, scratch built fighting compartment and various other improvements. Its short run at contests won gold twice & a 'Best soviet armor'. Some contests do not consider the extra work or the fact a vintage kit was used (disadvantage or underdog scenario) Yet when the judges do factor in all the additional work its worth the effort.

SuppressionFire

For this I recommend older Tamiya or vintage Bandai kits. Their fits are near perfect, details maybe a bit more basic but the finished models can still hold their own at contests if built with care & pride.

Where do you find older kits, and how do you identify them as being older kits?

Thanks for the replies.

Always, always, always remember the only stupid question is the one not asked! Most everyone here is more than happy to chime in (or gong in like Big Ben) from time to time when they have an answer to a question so the last thing you need to do is feel intimidated. Hang in there, Magoo

Welcome to FSM modeling forums!

Most have pointed out to source kits online or mail order.

I recommend finding a store or two in your home town or local area that sells kits & supplies. Sure it may cost a few bucks more but its important to support your LHS (Local Hobby Shop) as when you need a bit of paint or such to complete a model their true worth will be greater than the savings found online, added to this is the time factor saved when you get home to finish up vrs. waiting for the mail.  

Many small shop owners are fellow modelers and can help with Q & A also. Do start with a few 10$ range kits before digging into the more expensive kits. # of parts can be intimidating so find a few basic offerings with 50 or less parts. Avoid small scales (1/72 scale or smaller) Until you have a few kits completed. 

For this I recommend older Tamiya or vintage Bandai kits. Their fits are near perfect, details maybe a bit more basic but the finished models can still hold their own at contests if built with care & pride.

troublemaker66

....and if you eventually want to try one of those "$50" kits, search "1:48" on Ebay ad you might be able to get an expensive kit on the cheap.

Also keep an eye out for sales. Dragon has some ridiculous ones all the time it seems. Sprue Brothers and Great Models both went insane around the holidays. My LHS offers 20% off coupons when you spend more than $50...very useful for the kits that don't get discounted all that heavily (cough...Tasca...).

In my experience, a $50 1/48 kit - if you're sticking to WWII or early jet at least - is a tough thing to manage. The only one that comes immediately to mind is Tamiya's Storch.

troublemaker66

 

MAJ Mike:

 

TomZ -- your insight into our addiction is frightening.  Its like you're reading our mind (which should really scare you).

 

Yeah,,but it`s light reading....

 

In my case it is written in invisible ink

MAJ Mike

TomZ -- your insight into our addiction is frightening.  Its like you're reading our mind (which should really scare you).

....and if you eventually want to try one of those "$50" kits, search "1:48" on Ebay ad you might be able to get an expensive kit on the cheap.

Welcome to the forums,as everyone has said this is a great place to learn,very friendly and helpful.

DoogsATX

 

You may even...if you're willing...want to start a WIP (work in progress) thread...if you broadcast that you're a rookie at this and looking for tips and ideas, you'll be amazed the outpouring you'll get!

TomZ -- your insight into our addiction is frightening.  Its like you're reading our mind (which should really scare you).

TomZ2

Unlike many others, I want to say this: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!

This hobby has some of the most addictive attributes going:

(A) Collectors Syndrome. There's always another kit/book/tool/add-on you've GOT to get.

(B) God Complex. Within the limits of your workbench, you are a minor deity (emphasis on MINOR).

(C) Byzantine Modeler Complaint. There's ALWAYS something that could be done better.

(D) Super-Glued Finger Ailment. (DON'T ASK.)

(E) Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorder. If you're not OCPD now, you will be.

There must be many more modeling-related illnesses. You'll find them for yourself soon enough! Welcome to the club!

Hello Tom... uhh, my name is Vance, and I have an addiction.... I'll be printing this off & sending it to my Dr. this morning!

Unlike many others, I want to say this: RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!

This hobby has some of the most addictive attributes going:

(A) Collectors Syndrome. There's always another kit/book/tool/add-on you've GOT to get.

(B) God Complex. Within the limits of your workbench, you are a minor deity (emphasis on MINOR).

(C) Byzantine Modeler Complaint. There's ALWAYS something that could be done better.

(D) Super-Glued Finger Ailment. (DON'T ASK.)

(E) Obsessive–Compulsive Personality Disorder. If you're not OCPD now, you will be.

There must be many more modeling-related illnesses. You'll find them for yourself soon enough! Welcome to the club!

I agree with everyone who has replied. I have one other resource http://www.florymodels.co.uk/ buy a months subscription and watch some of the video builds on that site. Great advice and techniques. Have fun and don't be afraid to ask questions, the people here are very tolerant of us newbies.

mgh

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

A book with tips and hints is probably a good idea, and I will definitely look around you-tube.

Where do you find your model kits?  I can find some on Amazon, are there sponsors that people like to do business with?  I would love to find an inexpensive P-47 to start with!  

Amazon occasionally has a good deal, but for the most part, there are far better options. Sprue Brothers, Great Models, and (while I don' t particularly care for their site) Squadron are good places to start. Also...Scale Hobbyist almost consistently has the best prices on actual kits, but their aftermarket selection of decals and such is lacking. 

Another good source is eBay, especially for discontinued kits.

Which brings us to your P-47. 

I love the P-47, it's my favorite plane, and I've got waaay too many of them in the stash, including two big 1/32 kits that blow past that $50 threshold!

Assuming you want 1/48 scale, IMO the BEST P-47 kit you can buy is any of the Tamiya Jugs. They do a Razorback, D-bubbletop, and a P-47M. Engineering is top-notch, not only in terms of detail, but fit, as well. When you really want to knock a P-47 out of the park a few builds in, I'd highly recommend one. You can find them for about $30 if you look.

As far as an inexpensive, easy P-47, I'd recommend the old Monogram kits, either the Razorback or the bubbletop. Parts count is extremely low, and the wings are a little bit fussy, lacking the wing spars of the Tamiya kit, but buildup is clean as can be. I built the Jug as a kid, then grabbed the kit again when I came back to the hobby last year. Things went very bad in the decal stage, but here's what it looked like just before paint:

You can score the Monogram P-47s for cheap on eBay, too. Won a Razorback a few months ago for $4.

Other than that, my recommendation would be to start slow, plan your moves, and hang out here. I'll agree with the others. My modeling has been on a whole other level since I picked the hobby back up, and I have this site to thank for most of it. 

You may even...if you're willing...want to start a WIP (work in progress) thread...if you broadcast that you're a rookie at this and looking for tips and ideas, you'll be amazed the outpouring you'll get!

Regarding model kits, check the shops that advertise here.  SprueBrothers is terrific -- reasonable prices, wide selection, super quick shipping.  Scalehobbyist is a great site -- same assets as SpruBrothers but with an more efficient search engine at their site.  Some local model shops advertise in FSM magazine.  There might be one in there closed to you.

Lots of tips and techniques herein and everyone is anxious to answer questions.

Enjoy.

[quote user="mg]

A book with tips and hints is probably a good idea, and I will definitely look around you-tube.

Where do you find your model kits?  I can find some on Amazon, are there sponsors that people like to do business with?  I would love to find an inexpensive P-47 to start with!  

[/quote]

First off , secondly this is a MUST have (sorry to sound like broken record) "Building and Detailing Model Aircraft" (Finescale Modeler Books) by Pat Hawkey,  It tells you a ton in an easy to read paper back, get it.  kits, I like to use my local hobby store (LHS), support them first... then Hobby Lobby- good folks too.  Working on the Revell P-51D now, it has it's issues but a fun build.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.

A book with tips and hints is probably a good idea, and I will definitely look around you-tube.

Where do you find your model kits?  I can find some on Amazon, are there sponsors that people like to do business with?  I would love to find an inexpensive P-47 to start with!  

What Vance and Bish say.  They are both artists in this medium.  Remember, though, this is supposed to be fun.  Everyone is at a different skill level.  Some opt for tons of after-market detailing, others build straight out of the kit.  Consider every project an experiment and a learning process.

Besides, if worse comes to worse, you've always got a set of really cool BB gun targets.

Man, this hobby grows on you, this is a great site, and the guys 'n gals here are very helpful.

No worries, buy an inexpensive kit or two and just dig in head first...you will be glad you did, and you will learn fast!