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Airliner for 10 yr old

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  • Member since
    May 2023
Airliner for 10 yr old
Posted by Hiatus42 on Monday, May 29, 2023 2:20 PM

Hi, all, first post here. As a kid, I used to build model aircraft (mostly WWII-era fighter planes) and hang them from my bedroom ceiling with fishing line.  But I haven't built a model in maybe 42 years (thus the screen name). Back in those days, you would get pre-cast plastic pieces attached to a "tree," break them off, glue them together with (I think) Testor's model glue, rubber band everything together while the glue dried, paint with these little bottles of enamel paint, then apply these decals that you soaked in warm water.  Actually, now that I think of it, I think I would paint before gluing.

Anyway, I am here today to ask a few questions of you modern-day modelers. So my 10-year old nephew is coming for a visit this summer. His hobby is modern-day airliners, airlines, and airports. I'm thinking we could build a model aircraft kit together, maybe a wide-body airbus or boeing (he's european, so maybe an airbus). I'm probably ordering off of Amazon because I can't think of a shop within 20 miles that would have model aircraft. Any suggestions on brands and difficulty ratings? Is a Revell "Level 3" going to be too difficult for a novice 50+yr old and a 10-yr old, working together? How about Level 4? Any special type of glue, paint, brushes or other tools I should order? Any other words of advice?

Thanks in advance!

  • Member since
    January 2021
  • From: Somewhere near Chicago
Posted by Teenage Modeler on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 7:02 PM

Fair warning that I typed a lot of words because I want to be comprehensive and to help you with any questions, but I'll tell you things that you need to know when starting a model 

 

Because you haven't built a model in such a long time, I'm assuming that you don't have the tools that us "modern-day" modelers have. But that's okay, because the tools are not really expensive just to start modeling. 

I also have no experience in making airline models, but I do have experience in cars and ww2 era airplane models.

First off, for the model, I would advise you to buy a Level 3 Airbus A320 for your nephew.

There are no Level 2 Commercial Airliners that I have found, and Level 2 would not require you to paint or sometimes even glue the model (alas, they are called "snap fit"). So Level 3 is basically your entry level kit for actually teaching you the basic skills needed to paint and glue the parts. 

Here is a link for more info about this kit. The site is good for finding the history of models. https://www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03942-airbus-a320-neo--1025102

Revell would be my first pick because the instructions are clear and the parts are well detailed for a beginner, but I will advise that there are no landing gears available.

 

My second pick would be Hasegawa's A320 ANA model. The manufacturer is from Japan, hence the airline ANA is from Japan.

Here is the link for more information: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/hasegawa-10828-airbus-a320neo-ana--1173295

I would like to tell you that this kit is old. Yes, it was made in 2018, but the molds that were used for the plastic sprues were from 2001, so fitment issues would be present. 

But the thing that I like with this one is that it's simple. Not too many parts, so great for your nephew and for you. 

However, the instructions are all in Japanese, but there is translation in English.

 

My last pick would be Zvezda's A320.

Link: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/zvezda-7037-airbus-a320neo--1327458

This is my last pick because it's the most difficult of them all, having lots of parts, and requires a little bit more experience. The instructions are in Russian, but there is English Translation. 

Don't pick this kit until you both have experience.

 

As for tools, the only things you need are: side cutters, sandpaper, some painters tape, rubber bands, plastic cement, a box knife, a paintbrush, a good pair of tweezers, some paint cans, paint and thinner. Most of these you probably have in your house. 

 

Side cutters - Honestly, you can just get away with some wire cutters laying around, or the nippers that you use for cuting your nails (Not nail clippers. Nippers.)

Sandpaper - regular sandpaper is fine, just use 600 grit for cleanup of rough edges and the gate. 

Painters tape - When you have to paint, you have to mask off areas where you don't want paint. Also good if you want to hold your pieces in place as you're painting it, or when you're gluing it together.

Rubber bands - you guessed it, you can use this to clamp the model and hold it in place as it's drying from glue.

Plastic Cement - Testor's model glue is fine, but you could use some Tamiya's extra thin cement for smaller details. It works amazing. It's the one with the green bottle.

Box knife - For trimming the parts after you cut them off from the plastic tree. 

Paintbrush - Just go to your local art store and buy a set of small paintbrushes of different sizes.

Tweezers - For grabbing tiny parts.

Paints

Paint cans - This is mostly just for the fuselage and the wings. Just buy some Tamiya paints and you'll be fine. Primer is also fine, Tamiya makes some great ones, or use rustoleum.

 

Paint - You should use some Tamiya Acrylic paint, and some Tamiya X-20A Acrylic Thinner. You have to make sure that it's acrylic and not enamel or lacquer.

 

If you are unsure of anything, whether that's model making techniques, how to do things, or just any questions, just use the forums and ask away. Most of these people are experienced modelers, and should have no problem helping you. 

 

Last pieces of advice: Don't try and do a shopping spree and buy fancy tools just to make the model. Remember that this is just a model that you and your nephew will make for the first time, so I wouldn't expect both of you to make it perfectly. 

 

Lastly, have fun! This will hepl your nephew be hooked in the hobby, and he'll start to explore it for himself.

 

I apologize for the large amount of text that I typed, I just want to help you start building with your nephew. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Made you Look

 

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 9:40 PM

Very down to earth and precise info TM! Yes

Stay Safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Northeast WA State
Posted by armornut on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 9:41 PM

   Couldn't agree more with TM, IMO one if the best answered quedtions I have seen in a long time.

        I would agree with the choice of kits as well, adding that most are supplied with close landing gear doors which require seperating to create a on deck stance with gear down, since bird will probably be on the ceiling no worries. Also most common scale for airliners is 1/144. They are fairly big without requiring a hanger to display them.

       Enough can't be said about the knowledge at hand on this forum, simply ask, let simmer for as little as an hour or as long as a day and you probabky will have more help then you could shake a stick at.

     Enjoy your time, thanks for engaging another young person into the hobby...hope he continues....and remember HAVE FUN!Geeked

we're modelers it's what we do

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 10:37 PM

I build airliners on occasion.  I think the 1/200 scale Hasegawa kits are a great starter kit.  They have a bunch of 737s in Japanese livery.  They fit great and are a pretty quick build.  One of my first was this Hasegawa kit

Check out Draw Decal - great prices on these little airliners with lots of livery options.  One caveat is Draw makes continuous film decals that require carefull cutting and they are increadibly thin.  The do sell some kits with the factory decals as well.  Take a look

https://www.drawdecal.com/product-category/model-kits/200-hasegawa-kits/

I do build 1/144 as well but some of the kits you mentioned are pretty big and the thing with the big planes is big seams like this monster airbus 380 I did.  I recommend starting small

 

 

 

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 11:18 PM

At Hobby Lobby, they used to carry neat kits of the space shuttle atop the 747. That gets you an airliner of sorts as well as a space shuttle. I'm sure it's the 1:288 scale one.

https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/1/8/4/1075184-14-instructions.pdf

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, June 8, 2023 8:51 AM

Rob Gronovius

At Hobby Lobby, they used to carry neat kits of the space shuttle atop the 747. That gets you an airliner of sorts as well as a space shuttle. I'm sure it's the 1:288 scale one.

https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/1/8/4/1075184-14-instructions.pdf

Rob copped my suggestion. I have built several of these, both the 'space shuttle' and plain airliner versions, and it's a nifty little kit despite its simplicity. I don't doubt that a larger more complex kit would probably be approaching a 10-yr-old's 'wheelhouse'...but depending on time available and attention spans involved, this 'mini' is definitely a solid option. Yes

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Thursday, June 8, 2023 9:17 AM

I have found the Minicraft series of 144th kits simple and cheap.  Not super-detaild, but I think that is an asset for a 10 year old.

  • Member since
    July 2021
Posted by Bucky74 on Friday, June 16, 2023 10:54 AM

May I say that, as a guy who loved hanging out by the runways at Miami International as a kid, your nephew has great taste in models!

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