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New to aircraft modeling

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  • Member since
    June 2014
New to aircraft modeling
Posted by BrandonK on Monday, June 23, 2014 1:29 PM

I haven't built any models for over 30 years and this is my first attempt at aircraft, which I am finding are more difficult than i thought they would be. I struggled with this B-25 but I guess it came out OK. I learned a great deal working with this model. My next one is this F4U-4 that nothing seemed to go right with but I did get it done. The fit on this one was terrible and it took a great deal of work to get it looking, well...decent. The paint I am still struggling with but this is for practice any way. I will get better with time. Thanks for looking.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 8:17 AM

One suggestion for painting is to practice on scrap materials rather than good kits (or even bad kits). ABS and PVC plastic are fine, the plastic from blister packed merchandise is fine too.  You didn't say how you paint- practice is really necessary in painting with airbrush or rattle cans.

Also, don't overlook the Painting and Airbrushing forum down near the bottom of the list of forums.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 8:22 AM

Welcome to the forums Brandon.  And you're doing a fine job!  Just make sure you are having fun!

Eagle90

 

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:51 AM

That's an excellent idea, I'll give that a go with my airbrush. Thanks.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:53 AM

I am enjoying myself. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed building models. I previously only built cars from AMT and Revell with many scratch builds and custom mods. That was back in the teenage days when I had no supplies or decent tools. Things are much better now and I am loving the planes.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    April 2014
Posted by r13b20 on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 4:19 PM

Those look just fine to me and welcome! Bob

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 4:43 PM

Welcome to the Forums Brandon! Glad to have you aboard!

Both those builds look great. I'd take them to a show any day.

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.

cml
  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Brisbane, Australia
Posted by cml on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 6:19 PM

Hi Brandon, welcome aboard.

What did you previously build, prior to aircraft?

I think the F4U looks pretty good.

Chris

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 7:11 PM

Chris,

I built tons of AMT cars as a kid. I was big into scratch building and kit bashing, although I didn't know it had a name back then, I just did it. I actually made the first Mad Max interceptor that I ever saw, from scratch parts and kit bashing.

When I joined the Air Force many moons ago I stopped modeling, but managed to build a few modern fighters during tech school, however after that life took over and 30 years passed by without any builds. I don't even have any other those old builds. Some were quite nice.

Since I've started up again I have always wanted to build many of the WWII planes. And thus it begins.

Currently I'm working on a Revell P-47D which is coming along nicely. I've made some personal "improvements" to the kit to make it look better to my eye. They are not completely scale accurate but they do look good. (To me).

ALL 1/48

On deck to start soon-Revell P-51D

soon after-Revell BF-109G-10

Pro-modeler SB2C-4, doing a wing folded mod on this one from Wolfpack plus PE and resin parts

Tamiya P-51D Redtail

Tamiya BF109-E 4/7

Hasagawa FW-190A

Italeri Spitfire MK IX American Aces

Hasagawa P-40E Warhawk

Hasagawa Yak-3

Tamiya Interceptor Raiden

Trumpeter Mig-3 Late

Tamiya A6M3 Zero

Tamiya K184IA Hayate

Tamiya F4U-1D with tug

Airfix Spitfire XIX

Revell B-17G

Monogram Clear B-17G to be combined with Revell kit to make a show stopper. All PE, resin tires  Vector engines and Quickboost props, white metal landing gear, Squadron canopies, etc already on hand, gonna lose my mind detailing this rig out.

Lastly, just found an Accurate Minitures SBD-2 Dauntless-Midway

I should be busy for a few months.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    February 2011
  • From: Bent River, IA
Posted by Reasoned on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:35 PM

r13b20

Those look just fine to me and welcome! Bob

Ditto

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
    December 2013
  • From: Greenville, TX.
Posted by Raymond G on Tuesday, June 24, 2014 9:43 PM

Shoot, both of them look great to me!  Eagle90 is right though.  Just make sure you're having a good time, it's not worth it otherwise.  I'm far from an expert, but when things just aren't going right, walk away for a while.  Sometimes you can come up with solutions when you've relaxed for a while, and a lot of times you'll really screw something up if you don't....  Good luck, Raymond

On the Bench:

U.S.S. Arizona (Revell)

P-51D Tribute (Revell)

57 Chevy Bel Air

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: near Nashville, TN
Posted by TarnShip on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 1:53 PM

welcome Brandon

Looking at your Black Sheep, I can't wait to see a model that you think looks "okay",,,,,it will be a stunner for sure

great choice for your first Naval model,,,,,,but, I am extremely biased, lol

Rex

sing it out the door with me, y'all,,,,,,"we're poor little lambs who have lost our wayyyy, bah, bah, bahhhhhhhh,,,,,,,,,,we're,,,,,,,,,,"

almost gone

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 2:33 PM

Thanks,

I loved that show. Pappy Boyington actually lives a few hours north of here which is cool. The Corsair is without question my favorite fighter. It's a tight race for sure but the elegant reverse Gull-wings make that plane so darn pretty.

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by USAFASME7 on Thursday, June 26, 2014 6:50 AM

Dude, after all this time, it's clear that you haven't lost your touch...the Mitchell looks good, but the Corsair looks FANTASTIC! Nice job of pre / post shading...really gives shadow and depth to the model.

The other guys are right...walk away when you get frustrated. That's why I usually have 4-6 different kits in-work at any one time. I never worl the same kit more than 1-2 days a week.

You will just keep on getting better from here, but this "rookie work" as you make it sound, looks awesome!

--Rob

Glue Sniffer since 1977

  • Member since
    February 2014
Posted by USMC6094 on Thursday, June 26, 2014 3:16 PM

Good looking Corsair, I have weak spot for that kit and hope to build one or two more of the old Monogram U-bird.

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