what to build?

You'll get a lot of good suggestions I'm sure, shortly from REAL ship modelers, but I'll add a few comments.

1. Welcome and I'm glad you're trying your skills again.

2. I contribute and read in a number of them, this one is far and away the "gentlemen's' group.

3. If you've been away for any time, what really is amazing is the power of the internet in the hobby. It's like having a 1000 book library, plus a modeling club with dozens of your friends.

4. I always believe that things hobby building included, have so much added value if you have some personal connection. It certainly isn't a requirement, but it's a good place to start.

Here's just one website of seceral that are loaded with great stuff:

http://www.steelnavy.com

When did you sail, what did you do, and DO YOU HAVE PICCYS!!

Bill

Glad to have you back in the hobby!  Things have changed a lot in the modelling world in the last ten years or so, and one thing in particular is that hobby shops are pretty much few and far between!  If you can find a good one locally, then that's fine, and you should get to know them as a customer.  But chances are, there just aren't any nearby, and certainly there is no shop that I have come across that has access to everything that is out there.  As a result, many of us buy our stuff online, either through one of the big model outfits (squadron.com, tower hobby, free time hobbies, etc, etc), or ebay.com.  In most cases, you can get just about anything at any time, and at a cheaper price than a hobby shop (which is why there are so few of them any more!).  In any case, to get started up once again, it is probably a good idea to look for one or two of those good ol' Airfix kits in 1/600 scale as good and solid foundations to begin with, and these can be had for pretty cheap money.  Don't forget your glues, paint and putty, and my recommendation is to just have at it with a couple cheap kits until you get your knack for handling small parts and painting back. oubtless, there will be many other suggestions from others as well, but remember, the internet is a fabulous resource for materials, techniques, photos, and advice too, all free, gratis, and for nothing......

saipanvet wrote:

I am wanted to get back into building ship models, but didnt know what model of a us ship, preferably ww2 era to try my hand at. I would classify my skills at the novice level. I will need to purchase all of the tools for the hobby. I am in CT and need to find a good hobby store to go to. Does anyone have some reccomendations? Thanks. PS. i served on the uss. saipan and was thinking of building the 1:700 model by Dragon, but thought that maybe i should wait until i becomed skillful. i also like the revel 1:426 uss arizona but thought i might wait before tackling that project. Thanks for your input.

Probably the best WW2 era ships to begin the hobby with are the Tamiya Fletcher (DD) or the Trumpeter England (DE). Both of these ships are in 1/350, both offer high quality and good fit. You may find cheaper kits to start with but what usually happens is the new or newly returned modeler gets frustrated with poor fitting parts or lack of detail on the cheaper kits. These two kits offer a multitude of paint variations (sister ships) and they are readily available and have photo etched brass detail sets available for them for reasonable prices if you choose to use them. WS

Dragon makes really good, thought out models so the Saipan shouldn't be out of your league.  Start out with the basics, many of which can be found at any good department, craft, or hardware store.  A exacto knife and blades, paint brushes, liquid plastic cement, solvent, and a desk with a lamp. I also prefer to use LockTite brand liquid CA that can be brushed on.  It is great for small parts and seams.

Scott