I was at Amatos Toy and Hobby in Middletown CT one month ago, browsing around, they had a sale. There was a young man and his girlfriend in the store and he was looking over the plastic models, we got to chatting. He wanted to try the hobby to relax him after work (I made NO comment on that!) and was looking for a good kit to build. Fantasy come true, eh? I've often though about what advice I'd give a new modeler and here's my chance. I've always thought the Sherman tank was a great subject -- it's usually only one color, it's a widely known subject with plenty of research material, and even today you don't have to drive too far to see one mounted in front of some town structure somewhere. There's even one at West Point.
I pointed him to the Tamiya M4A3 105 mm, a couple of bottles of paint and some Tamiya spray cans, he got some knives, glue, brushes, a pretty good starter.
Anyway, are you out there, new modeler? I'd love to hear your progress.