SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

I just got back into modelling and....

3393 views
20 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2014
I just got back into modelling and....
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Saturday, June 7, 2014 10:24 PM

It's been a while!  Back to goood ole modeling! I have rediscovered the infamous Revell price for fit curse! I remembered some of their part kits not going together but thought nothing of it since i was so young and inexperienced. Getting back into the hobby this is skill wise throwing me into the deep end to try and make these things look good. Now after assembling kits from almost every  manufacturer, within a kit you kind of get what you pay for. Until I get my skills SHARP, I am addicted to the local Michaels's crafts and Hobby Lobby Revell kits because with their daily 40% off coupons the kits are around 10$ US or less!!  Too bad that is the only manufacturer they stock in 1/48 or 1/32. What are you guys overall favourite bands as far as a balance between detail, fit, and accuracy?  I know each aircraft(ect) has a "best" version from brand to brand but i didn't know if one brand just outshined most of the others nowadays especially. 
I will stick to these 10dollar kits until I feel my Jedi skills are ready for the 30-50$ kits and make them look the way they deserve to be built!  The model world techniques are more in-depth than i had ever imagined and I am tying to master them all!!

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • From: Bay Area, CA
Posted by Reaper420 on Monday, June 9, 2014 11:49 PM
As far as fit and accuracy, Hasegawa is pretty much cream of the crop. Academy pulling a close second. Honestly though, Revell makes some outstanding kits depending on the particular model i.e. there F15E is pretty much the best out there for fit and accuracy and its one of the cheapest. Granted you will have a ton of empty ordnance racks on it but that is easily fixed by using a Hasegawa weapons kit for $20 off ebay and it will leave you with a ton of extra ornance for other models. Dont fall into the old " you get what you pay for" adage when it comes to models. Some of the best kits I ever built were in the $15-25 range. Hell I bought a $140 1/32 Trumpeter F14D and it needed quite a few aftermarket parts to make it correct accuracy wise and a bit of work with the putty to correct poor fitment.

Kick the tires and light the fires!

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Virginia
Posted by ygmodeler4 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:03 AM

If you want a GREAT kit at a great price, get Revell's PV-1. They make both a US Navy version as well as a British version...somebody just did an excellent build thread on it here on the forums (I want to say dflu?). I have built the US version and I can attest to its greatness. They carry it at Hobby Lobby (which has 40% coupons) but even without a coupon somewhere online it is a great value kit.

One other thing I suggest is checking out the "Show your Revell/Monogram builds" thread here in the aircraft forums. That thread is full of just Revell/Monogram builds that are simply amazing. Yes Revell has some toughies, but with some time and love they build into great kits.

-Josiah

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:41 AM

For detail, exceptional fit, accuracy, and top-notch molding & engineering, plus the best OOB decals in the biz and instruction manuals as good as many reference materials, then there is nobody out there better than Wingnut Wings.  I've built plenty of Tamiya, Hasegawa, R/M, Dragon, Roden, and Eduard - believe me, they all have some catching up to do.  WnW only do WWI in 1/32 however, so if that ain't your thing, then, well, I suppose Tamiya and Hasegawa would fit the bill OK.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 5:47 AM

Hey Matt, great advice from ygmodeler4.  That thread is a good one to check out.  MANY great builds from the Mono/Revell lines.  Besides, not all that glitters is gold!  I have seen some high end kits that were just poo!  Decals are atrocious, bad fits, bad clear parts.  Just because they are high end doesn't mean they are top of the line.  Besides, the more a kit stretches you on the build, the more you learn and hone your skills.  Bottom line is that you will soon start to see which kits YOU like the best and which ones fit YOUR style of building.  Just remember it's a hobby and you are to have FUN doing it!  Hope this helps a little.

Eagle90

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:58 PM

Thanks Reaper, they actually stock the f-15E!  

ygmodeler4- Thanks for the thread name. It's just what I've been looking for!

Also, thank you Ruddratt and Eagle90 for the info!

  • Member since
    February 2014
Posted by dflu78 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 1:11 PM

The Revell Ventura is about as good a fit as you could ask for. I can also attest to the quality of the F-15E as well. Only one little hiccup with that one and it's minor.

Really fit is one of those things that varies across particular kits from said manufactures. You are NEVER going to find a better fitting kit than one of Tamiya's recent 1/32 props...though you are going to pay for it...and their OOB decals are HORRIBLE.

The Hasegawa 1/32 FW 190 D-9 was another amazingly well fitting kit too.

Those kits you're seeing at Michael's can be built up beautifully...don't get me wrong...but most of them are not going to fall together.

I honestly think the best way to ease into (or back into) the hobby is with kits that are well fitting. I think tackling something simple like one of Tamiya's 1/48 pops is the way to go. Specifically the P-51s, P-47s, 109 Emils, or one of the newer Zero kits. These kits are low on parts with simple engineering and they all fit beautifully.

Often you see people recommending starting with a lower end kit like the classic Revell/Monograms...to me that is akin to telling someone who's just taken up golf to go play Bethpage Black, or telling someone new to weightlifting to try dead-lifting their weght. You need to practice and develop your skills. Going after something like the RoG P-61 on your first build is going to put you off...not help you grow...

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 1:57 PM

dflu78-  Interesting point there! My local shop has a Tamiya BF109 on sale. I may purchase it or one similar.  My P-61 is making progress but it is painfully slow!  Test fitting has included hours of sanding. I may designate it as a side project for now but definitely not halting!

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 10:52 PM

The 1/48 Tamiya A6M2 Zero is an inexpensive great fitting kit you should find at HL.

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Virginia
Posted by ygmodeler4 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 11:06 PM

Reasoned- Is there more than one? I am building one now and was doing some test fitting and the wings/fuselages don't have that great of fit

-Josiah

  • Member since
    February 2014
Posted by dflu78 on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 1:44 AM

ygmodeler4

Reasoned- Is there more than one? I am building one now and was doing some test fitting and the wings/fuselages don't have that great of fit

There is an older tooling and the newer ones from the past few years. You may have one of the older ones. The new ones fall together.

Do you have a pic of the box...or a WIP up?

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 9:17 PM

ygmodeler4

Reasoned- Is there more than one? I am building one now and was doing some test fitting and the wings/fuselages don't have that great of fit

Science is the pursiut of knowledge, faith is the pursuit of wisdom.  Peace be with you.

On the Tarmac: 1/48 Revell P-38

In the Hanger: A bunch of kits

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northern Virginia
Posted by ygmodeler4 on Thursday, June 19, 2014 1:51 PM

Sorry it took so long Reasoned but yes that is the box art, I'm assuming then that this is the older one?

-Josiah

  • Member since
    January 2012
  • From: Belgium, EU
Posted by Ninetalis on Friday, June 20, 2014 9:22 PM

Hey Matt-Joachim,

Great to hear you have found back your drive into the hobby! :)

If you are interested, I made a post a while back on a non-modeling forum about building your first scale model and what paints, kits (accuracy vs price vs fit), materials or other info that could help you further as a newcomer to the hobby (or somebody that came back like you)

If you are interested, give me a holla! ;)

With regards, Ninetalis.

  • Member since
    March 2010
Posted by Bocks Suv on Friday, June 20, 2014 10:13 PM

If you can find a model builders group such as IPMS in your area, those guys might have so much excess in their stash, they (and their wives) would be glad to sell you some top quality kits at 70% off, esp if you tell them youre getting back into the hobby. The LHS here have no problem charging $75 for a HobbyBoss or Trumpeter 1/72, so I'm patient and look elsewhere.  

  • Member since
    November 2011
Posted by Newtothis on Saturday, June 21, 2014 5:11 AM

I had a lot of fun with a Tamiya P47 about 6 months ago.  It can be described as "falling together."  Smile

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Sunday, June 22, 2014 8:53 PM

reasoned- im sure that this a very great kit. however for the price i could get a 10$ us f-15 or f14 or heck hoy lobby even has the revell zero for 10$ once i start buying big dollar kits it will be defintely  planes i REALL LIKE/WANT

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Sunday, June 22, 2014 8:57 PM

I just thinking that BROCKS. I looked up mu local group and will visit their meeting next time. I understand what you are meaning (im slightly poor) and a lot of pro modelers have cash for days and dont mind helpig those that are very interested in the hobby in the hobby.  And i think thats how it should be!

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Sunday, June 22, 2014 8:59 PM

shoot, i just WISH i had a air brush:[ tamiya or model master sprays are killing me, they are a solid 6$+ even on discount

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by Matt-Joachim on Sunday, June 22, 2014 9:11 PM

I have about 10 models i work on at a time (maybe im just ADD) but i do it so when one is drying and curing and can make further process on another. just MATT's efficiency technique. who knows maybe i get cry thoughts from my distant relative HANS!

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by EmptyPepsiCan on Sunday, June 22, 2014 9:29 PM

I like the newly-tooled Airfix kits. They're dirt cheap (mostly under $10 for 1/72 scale fighters) and they go together great.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.