questions

This probably isn't the best place to ask this... It depends. What do you want to do? I can talk about aircraft. For someone returning, I'd reccomend an old revell kit... not overly complicated, but can be built into a nice model. That's what I did. Plus they are a little easier on your wallet, so if you really screw up you dont feel as bad. As for modeling manuals... go to your local library and look for anything with scale modeling. I did this and found a few books by the publisher of fine scale modeling. Helped me a lot. Also, as good a manual as you will find is this website... http://www.swannysmodels.com/index.html
Keep in mind this is just for aircraft, but swanny's the best! Good luck!

Also check out http://www.finescale.com/fsm/default.aspx?c=ss&id=33 downloadable PDF on the basics. There's also the FAQs on scale modeling http://www.finescale.com/fsm/default.aspx?c=ss&id=23.

Max is right though a Revell kit is a good place to start for aircraft and autos.

Ump-Revell-Germany and Academy offer great and cheap aircraft and AFV kits-I don't know about cars or Sci-Fi. Figures are another story-usually not cheap or easy.

Edit: Ooops! Welcome to the Forum.

I would first ask myself "What type of models do I want to build", ie do you want to build, cars, motorbikes, planes, armour. When you decide, post in the corresponding forums, and you'll get more specific replies there as to which models are good to begin with.

Pretty easy questions, Umphlett!

1. what are the best model kits for someone returning to modeling
Those would be models of whatever you are interested in. I didn't start building models because I like models. I started building models because I like armor and aircraft and ships and automobiles. Plus, the real things are kind of expensive, and in some cases, hard to get.

2. what are some good modeling manuals.
FSM: the magazine and the website. Plenty of great stuff in both, covering all genres of modelling.

When you decide specifically what kind of stuff you want to build, there are plenty of specialty books out there.

Hope that helps!

i agree with J-hulk.think of what you enjoy most in the whole wide world, then if you know it, find the closest thing that you can model that will remind you of that favorite thing. i personally love science fiction. starwars in particular, or macross and transformers. i really enjoy making my models coz it reminds me so much of my childhood,(and adulthood) just sit down, think of what you really like and go for it.!

thats for the help everyone. i really like ww2 aircraft and ships so i'll start there.
umphlett

QUOTE: Originally posted by umphlett thats for the help everyone. i really like ww2 aircraft and ships so i'll start there. umphlett

There you go!
Now, decide on what particular aircraft or ship you like, and then post a Q in the aircraft or ship forums asking which kits in what scales are recommended.

That's great, Ump-but realize that if you hang around here long enough you will be 'infected' by desires to build tanks, figures and cars! Not to mention Sci-fi stuff too! It happened to me.