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Plastic Scale Modeling Age |OT| Planes, tanks, cars, sci-fi & more
- Thread starter Wubby
- Start date
New Kotobukiya 1/100 Metal Gear REX is now up for pre-order!
Kit looks great so far. I'll buy one in December probably. Bit expensive if you were to pay full price. 1999 has it 25% off (HLJ is 20%) I'll wait and get it locally for 30% off.
HLJ: http://www.hlj.com/product/KBYKP-221
1999: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10196669
Kit looks great so far. I'll buy one in December probably. Bit expensive if you were to pay full price. 1999 has it 25% off (HLJ is 20%) I'll wait and get it locally for 30% off.
HLJ: http://www.hlj.com/product/KBYKP-221
1999: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10196669
Still not doing much modeling since I busted my hand. Hoping to get the brace off next week.
New Ace Combat kits are coming from Hasegawa later this year!
First up is a 'F-14D Tomcat Ace Combat Pumpkin Face'
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGSP309
2nd will be a new Kei Nagase Color version of the new Shinden II kit.
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG64702
New Ace Combat kits are coming from Hasegawa later this year!
First up is a 'F-14D Tomcat Ace Combat Pumpkin Face'
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGSP309
2nd will be a new Kei Nagase Color version of the new Shinden II kit.
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG64702
pettersson
Member
Do you guys paint the parts before or after you assembled the kit? And how do you paint really small parts? Bought a Ikaruga model kit and I am currently thinking on how to do it without screwing it up =)
Small parts may be easier to paint separately while still on the sprue and attach later. Once cut off you can always touch up the part. My preferred method is to cut them off then using double sided tape and a pair of unbroken chopsticks I stick them on the taped up chopsticks then paint. This way I can dry fit the parts together and sand if needed before painting. Make sure to have a bait box, jewely box or something so you don't lose the small parts. If you can reach the small parts after they've been glued on you could just paint them on the kit afterwards too.
I have two of the Ikaruga kits myself (one black, one white). You're going to have to paint this one in parts/sub assemblies then attach together later.
Here's a youtube video of someones Ikaruga build. It'll help you get an idea.
http://youtu.be/6MY1QLs-ypQ
Still not doing much modeling since I busted my hand. Hoping to get the brace off next week.
New Ace Combat kits are coming from Hasegawa later this year!
First up is a 'F-14D Tomcat Ace Combat Pumpkin Face'
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGSP309
2nd will be a new Kei Nagase Color version of the new Shinden II kit.
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG64702
I love that Shinden II design.
Shinden II was designed by the same guy that does a lot of the new Macross stuff.
Yeah, I can see the similarities, I love that design language, sort of YF23 meets mecha.
Edit: On a side note, http://www.hlj.com/ has an awesome range of kits.
lastplayed
Member
I usually assemble first, then paint later. Small parts are painted with a really thin brush and a steady hand. Precise work is done with masking tape, a thin brush and a steady hand.
I used to paint first, then assemble, but I got stick of constantly doing touch ups and the paint messing with the glue etc.
lastplayed
Member
A bit of masking tape and a simple airbrushing can work wonders. I didn't really put much effort into the cockpit though, it kinda stands out now.
And my brother finally finished his Priest, but is still looking for figures to go with it.
And my brother finally finished his Priest, but is still looking for figures to go with it.
lastplayed
Member
It's by far the most effort he's put into a model I think. I really need to get better photos though, it's hard to capture how authentic it looks in real life.
Time to bring this thread into the new year!
Haven't built much myself lately. Though my stash keeps growing. Recently joined the Eduard Bunny Fighter Club. Not a cheap club to join but I wanted access to the BFC exclusives. The kit you get for joining is kinda cute, only sad it's the wrong scale for me (I'm mainly a 1/72 guy):
Also there's a HUGE kit coming from Dragon this year! The 1/72 Apollo 11 Saturn 5 rocket is finally coming in kit form!! It was previously released as a pre-built but for me pre-built stuff is just no fun!
This thing is massive. Just about 5'ft tall (1.5m). I'll be pre-ordering one. I have a feeling this will be a kit that once it's gone will be hard to get until a repop at some much later date.
It just barely fits into the 'Detolf' glass case that you can buy at Ikea.
And the 52nd Shizuoka Hobby Show is just around the corner (May 16-19). That means new 1/32 aircraft kit from Tamiya! Rumors are it will be a F4U Corsair this time.
Haven't built much myself lately. Though my stash keeps growing. Recently joined the Eduard Bunny Fighter Club. Not a cheap club to join but I wanted access to the BFC exclusives. The kit you get for joining is kinda cute, only sad it's the wrong scale for me (I'm mainly a 1/72 guy):
Also there's a HUGE kit coming from Dragon this year! The 1/72 Apollo 11 Saturn 5 rocket is finally coming in kit form!! It was previously released as a pre-built but for me pre-built stuff is just no fun!
This thing is massive. Just about 5'ft tall (1.5m). I'll be pre-ordering one. I have a feeling this will be a kit that once it's gone will be hard to get until a repop at some much later date.
It just barely fits into the 'Detolf' glass case that you can buy at Ikea.
And the 52nd Shizuoka Hobby Show is just around the corner (May 16-19). That means new 1/32 aircraft kit from Tamiya! Rumors are it will be a F4U Corsair this time.
GrandHarrier
Member
I'm not much into models but there is one thing I want to put together before I die and it's one of the SDF-1 model kits or one of the derivatives like Battle Seven or Battle Frontier.
That shit is dope.
Edit: Do kits based off of the later Macross battleships even exist?
That shit is dope.
Edit: Do kits based off of the later Macross battleships even exist?
Charlie McCarthy
Member
I was really into models as a kid. Built mostly planes, but recently I have been checking out hobby shops and seen a Russian Venera probe model that didn't look to hard and I really want to build space stuff.
But now I seen that Saturn rocket, all i can say is WOW! This is something I must have. How much does this cost and how limited are they for stock?
But now I seen that Saturn rocket, all i can say is WOW! This is something I must have. How much does this cost and how limited are they for stock?
I have one of the old SDF-1 kits in my stash. The Macross battleships are largely ignored now as far as model kits go. Bandai/Hasegawa still do the fighters.
Price for the kit hasn't been released. The pre-built version had an MSRP of $300 so this unbuilt version would probably be $150-$200 if I had to guess. You should be able to get it cheaper though. The pre-built can still be bought for as little as $250 I think.
GrandHarrier
Member
Boo. I like the fighters but something about big ass space battlecruisers is my thing. Oh well.
Charlie McCarthy
Member
Ok thanks. I have seen the Saturn rocket kits in a hobby shop near me, but not that size. It looks amazing. Since I am sort of thinking about getting back into this hobby, its probably for the best I buy the pre-built kit. I don't want an awesome display piece like that ruined by my inexperience.
I have always been a fan of the Russian space stuff and I think I will pick up the Venera space probe kit I was looking at the other day, but that Saturn is just too awesome and iconic.
I remember as a kid when building models, I stuffed so many up when I got to the finishing stage of putting the decals on. Anyone here have any methods or tricks they want to share in regards to these? Is there tools you can use to ensure the process is easier?
Bumping an old thread for a relevant question (and maybe to build more interest).
Does anyone have any recommendations for model builder forums? A Hobbytown just opened up here in Houston and although the only things I've bought from them are tools, paints, and Gundam kits, they've got loads of stuff that I want to branch off into, like military kits and dioramas. I've found a few forums but they all seem kind of small.
Does anyone have any recommendations for model builder forums? A Hobbytown just opened up here in Houston and although the only things I've bought from them are tools, paints, and Gundam kits, they've got loads of stuff that I want to branch off into, like military kits and dioramas. I've found a few forums but they all seem kind of small.
Wow! Surprised to see my old thread bumped.
Depends on the subject I guess. Modelers tend to group up into their subject of specialty. Aircraft guys stick to aircraft forums and Armor to Armor forums, etc.
I'll list the ones I browse/know about, you can have a look and see if any are to your liking.
Aircraft:
Aircraft Resource Center - has sections for other subjects such as armor and ships but this is mainly an aircraft forum.
Britmodeller - Mainly aircraft forum populated by many Brits as you can imagine by the name. But all are welcome, especially if you have an affinity for Spitfires.
Hyperscale - Some talented builders post here but man do I hate this last century horribly outdated forum style.
Armor:
Armorama - The largest Armor forum iirc. Armor really isn't my specialty.
Missing Lynx - Related to Hyperscale in the aircraft section. Old format forum that's a pain to use.
Cars / Automotive
Automotive Forums / Modeling - I think this is the best modeling forum dedicated to cars that I can think of off the top of my head.
Ships:
Model Warships Forum - IMO the best there is for plastic ships. They tend to be a bit more difficult to build than aircraft / armor especially when done up with photo-etch and full rigging at 1/700 scale. Not for the faint of heart if you really want to go full out.
Gundam:
Gundam Eclipse - I do believe this is the biggest English forum for Gunpla.
Sci-Fi
Starship Modeller - Requires you to create a free account to browse I think.
General purpose?
Scale Model Addict - Where as a number of other modeling forums seem to be populated by 50+ year old people this one seems to attract a younger lot . Unlike other forums this one seems to be pretty balanced as as far as subjects go. Sci-fi maybe the most popular though.
Like you've found there are a number of small ones out there. Smaller ones aren't all bad though. Especially when they are dedicated to certain scales and subjects. One of my particular modeling interest is 1/72 scale aircraft which get's crapped on as being 'too small' by some of the big scale guys on other aircraft forums. So a dedicated forum like the 72 scale forum helps combat that problem.
Well I hope what I've posted helps point you in some right directions. I'd say maybe someone else here could chime in with some more suggestions but GAF doesn't seem to have too many interested in the subject as you can see by my dead thread.
That's a lot of content to look at, thanks a ton.
Yeah it's a shame the thread didn't take off but at least a few people were interested and bought their first kit. It's a good hobby that rewards patience but unfortunately the audience isn't always there. Still, I stay subscribed to the thread because the OP has a lot of great resources. You did a great job.
Yeah it's a shame the thread didn't take off but at least a few people were interested and bought their first kit. It's a good hobby that rewards patience but unfortunately the audience isn't always there. Still, I stay subscribed to the thread because the OP has a lot of great resources. You did a great job.
DavionStriker
Member
I have a 4 year old son that would LOVE doing this with me. May wait a year or two until he can keep his hands from "helping" too much. Neat stuff.
Thanks! I had hoped to maybe do a bit more with the OP. But I tried.
You could always start with a 'snap-fit' kit too. No smelly glues or anything to really screw up aside from maybe breaking a thing or two.
For kids and even adults people new to the hobby it's important to just have fun. A problem a lot of us have including myself is not building because you know in the back of your mind that it won't turn out as a masterpiece like some of the models shown in my OP. For kids especially fun should come first. If it's not fun it's not a good hobby.
One of my nephews was in town recently for the Golden Week holiday. I think he's around ~4 years old if I remember right. We built one of those small Tamiya mini 4WD cars together. He did all the stickers on the body and I assembled the small bits. Not really a scale model but similar with having to cut parts off the sprue and assemble them. He had a blast and loved his car.
Been thinking about getting back into model building. Used to do Navy ships when I was a kid. Jesus have they gotten expensive if you want one thats more than a little practically snap together ship.
Can spend upwards of almost $400 bucks to get a large sized battleship these days
Can spend upwards of almost $400 bucks to get a large sized battleship these days
efyu_lemonardo
May I have a cookie?
I used to do some modeling as a kid. Mostly big paper structures but also a few planes, tanks and cars with plastic, glue and decals.
If there's one thing I always wanted to try it was designing and building my own mashup using several different kits combined.
If there's one thing I always wanted to try it was designing and building my own mashup using several different kits combined.
I'm actually a bit surprised how much the 1/200 scale ships have taken off. Trumpeter came out with the USS Arizona a few years ago and I figured that wasn't such a bad deal because the Arizona itself wasn't a very large battleship.
But then they came out with a Bismarck. Then the Iowa class and soon the Enterprise CV-6... These are monstrosities! I don't have room for a 1/350 version let alone for a 1/200... Oh to live in the US again. If I lived in the US still I'd probably give one a go. I do miss how large US houses are sometimes.
The correct term for this is 'kitbash' or 'whif' (what if) in model terms. Personally I love them. A kitbash is a true model of fun and creativity.
Ships are what brought me back too. I have a Yamato that's been waiting to be built for ages. I figured I would come around to it when my skill gets better. I probably could now... I've just become lazy! I have an unfinished Mustang that's been sitting on my desk for a while now.
Green Wiggly
Member
Almost finished with my Real Grade Gundam #12, minus the decals (haven't decided if I'm going to bother with them or not). Was seriously not prepared for the number of pieces, but it turned out OK I guess.
Depends on what you are building I'd say.
If it's a car body or something that's uni-color you'll be fine with a spray can (as long as proper prep work was done, etc). Aircraft and armor are probably the only two subjects that would really benefit from an airbrush. Hand paints are fine for small parts.
Airbrushing doesn't have to cost $300 either. No need to spend that much especially if you don't know if you'll continue or not! There are some cheaper options out there like compressed air cans. I bought my compressor for $60 used.
Start with spray cans or hand brushed paints. Airbrushes are more for the people who see themselves doing this long term and expect to use it on a lot of projects.
Razgriz-Specter
Member
Any tips or anything for someone looking to get into model ships?
Tanks, planes and soldiers/crew I have been doing most of my life but never gave ships more than a passing glance in stores.
Tanks, planes and soldiers/crew I have been doing most of my life but never gave ships more than a passing glance in stores.
Razgriz-Specter
Member
Thanks
Ships are actually what got me back into modeling after having not done it for a long time. It got me back into the hobby but I quickly moved onto other subjects haha. I've built a few but they had no etching or rigging and were very basic... I felt my skills weren't up to the task quite yet so that's why I moved onto doing other things to build up my skills.
I'm guessing you do mean plastic ship modeling. Any idea what scale you would be interested in? I prefer the smaller 1/700 scale myself but the larger 1/350 kits are popular in America I believe. 1/700 have really tiny parts to deal with. But a lot more subjects are available and cheaper of course.
I really do want to get back to ships at some point. A 1/700 ship with a lot of etching parts, full rigging with modeled water is a site to behold.
Depending how serious you want to get into it there's a pretty good book out on the subject I recommend:
Ship Models from Kits by David Griffith
Also be sure to check out the ship modeling forum:
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/index.php
For inspiration I'm a big fan of a ship modeler named Kostas Katseas:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/users/Kostas-Katseas/user-index.html
http://katsflyby.blogspot.jp/
If there is one suggestion I would make it would be to start small. Something large like a battleship is tempting but a lot of work. I'd suggest starting off with a destroyer or similar small ship. Depending how much you want to do with it anyway. Fujimi is just now starting to make some snap-fit ship kits and pre-painted stuff too (they are going after the Gundam crowd). Fujimi also has some small egg-shaped ships out under a 'chibi-maru' line. Those might be a good introduction too if you like the egg look.
This post gives me an excuse to post a ship model picture or two as well (All by Kostas)
1/350 IJN Fuso
1/700 USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
I once bought a (rare) perfect grade Gundam Wing Zero and a bunch of custom paints, thinking I would art the FUCK out of that thing.
It did not go well...
It did not go well...
Razgriz-Specter
Member
Ships are actually what got me back into modeling after having not done it for a long time. It got me back into the hobby but I quickly moved onto other subjects haha. I've built a few but they had no etching or rigging and were very basic... I felt my skills weren't up to the task quite yet so that's why I moved onto doing other things to build up my skills.
I'm guessing you do mean plastic ship modeling. Any idea what scale you would be interested in? I prefer the smaller 1/700 scale myself but the larger 1/350 kits are popular in America I believe. 1/700 have really tiny parts to deal with. But a lot more subjects are available and cheaper of course.
I really do want to get back to ships at some point. A 1/700 ship with a lot of etching parts, full rigging with modeled water is a site to behold.
Depending how serious you want to get into it there's a pretty good book out on the subject I recommend:
Ship Models from Kits by David Griffith
Also be sure to check out the ship modeling forum:
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/index.php
For inspiration I'm a big fan of a ship modeler named Kostas Katseas:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/users/Kostas-Katseas/user-index.html
http://katsflyby.blogspot.jp/
If there is one suggestion I would make it would be to start small. Something large like a battleship is tempting but a lot of work. I'd suggest starting off with a destroyer or similar small ship. Depending how much you want to do with it anyway. Fujimi is just now starting to make some snap-fit ship kits and pre-painted stuff too (they are going after the Gundam crowd). Fujimi also has some small egg-shaped ships out under a 'chibi-maru' line. Those might be a good introduction too if you like the egg look.
This post gives me an excuse to post a ship model picture or two as well (All by Kostas)
1/350 IJN Fuso
1/700 USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71
Thanks,
yeah im thinking 1/700 and first one I really want to do is the Battleship Missouri.
Those pics look amazing.
lastplayed
Member
Been getting back into building since I set up a new modelling area over Christmas.
Finally got around to painting my E-10 tank destroyer.
And added some figures!
Finally got around to painting my E-10 tank destroyer.
And added some figures!
lastplayed
Member
Thanks.
Just the standard 1/35 scale. It's a Trumpeter kit.
Just the standard 1/35 scale. It's a Trumpeter kit.
Hey this thread is back!
I really should get around to building a new lightbox soon, the last few kits I did have suffered from a lack of photos because of it :|
recently joined a build group in another forum for Night Fighters. Maybe I can post some progress shots once that gets going
I really should get around to building a new lightbox soon, the last few kits I did have suffered from a lack of photos because of it :|
recently joined a build group in another forum for Night Fighters. Maybe I can post some progress shots once that gets going
Happy to see some activity in this thread!!
Nice E-10! I haven't touched armor much at all but I have a few 1/48 Tamiya kits and 1/72 Dragon armor kits in the stash. The Tamiya kits look really fun.
Speaking of the 1/200 Arizona it was on sale for less than $100 at HLJ during the Christmas sale. I was really tempted! That would be a fun build... Sadly I just don't have the room for it so I couldn't get it.
Nice E-10! I haven't touched armor much at all but I have a few 1/48 Tamiya kits and 1/72 Dragon armor kits in the stash. The Tamiya kits look really fun.
Speaking of the 1/200 Arizona it was on sale for less than $100 at HLJ during the Christmas sale. I was really tempted! That would be a fun build... Sadly I just don't have the room for it so I couldn't get it.
bobnowhere
Member
Not quite plastic, but here are a couple of my WIP's. Kits are white metal, photoetched metal and some turned parts.
1/43 scale F1 cars mostly. Haven't done a lot lately, become more of a kit collector!
Mostly http://www.tameokits.com/en/index.asp
1/43 scale F1 cars mostly. Haven't done a lot lately, become more of a kit collector!
Mostly http://www.tameokits.com/en/index.asp
lastplayed
Member
Thanks for the comments!
^ Nice looking F1 cars. 1/43? That must be tricky at that scale.
^ Nice looking F1 cars. 1/43? That must be tricky at that scale.
This makes me feel like picking the hobby up again. Or start it for real I should say. I glued some stuff together as a kid, but all those kits ended awful with too many glue on all parts and awful paint jobs. I still have 2 or 3 kits laying around I think.
I really like the look of those mechs/robots/... The only thing bothering me is painting it. I would love to be able to do it nice, but I don't want to invest too much money in equipment. So say, maybe some spray cans to start as has been suggested. But even then I'll need to look for a lot of tips to get it right.
I really like the look of those mechs/robots/... The only thing bothering me is painting it. I would love to be able to do it nice, but I don't want to invest too much money in equipment. So say, maybe some spray cans to start as has been suggested. But even then I'll need to look for a lot of tips to get it right.