Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Vipermann on January 23, 2003, 09:26:13 PM
-
I've been looking to start building plastic models again, all WW2 aircraft to start with. I've been looking over different sites on the internet and saw quite a few nice kits but I'm not sure which kits/companies make the best ones.
Anyone have suggestions on companies/models they've built and can recommend?
Also I'm interested in using an airbrush on them as well but have no experience, which airbrushing kits do you experts recommend?
Thanks in advance.
-
I'm not an expert by any means, but I'd recommend Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.
-
i just bought a Paasche 1/10 hp compressor and a 175 badger air brush. Some ppl swear by gravity feed, but this is a bottom feeder and has done well so far. Building my first kit in years, a Hurri II in Medeterranian colors.
good luck.
-
Yup...
Tamyia makes the best mass produced model kits bar none.
Might I suggest the 1/32 scale Zero :D
-
This should be in the O-Club.... :rolleyes:
-
Hardcase,
I use both bottom fed and gravity feed. Depends on what you are most comfortable with, alkthough I find gravity to be much more efficient and wastes a lot less paint.
-
anyone have a web sites they recommend for purchasing models?
Long night here staring at servers, need something else to look at. :)
BNM......thanks for your support :cool:
-
Tamiya have been consistantly the best kits I have ever purchased.
-
I've been thinking the very same thing. From what I've seen and heard Hasegawa and Tamiya are the way to go.
http://www.modelwarehouse.biz/5/cat5.htm?976
http://www.modelwarehouse.biz/107/cat107.htm?976
http://www.hyperscale.com/
http://www.marcopoloimport.com/hapicat.htm
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/plastic/148aircraftseries/index.html
btw ... best bet is to find a hobby shop near you and talk to someone there.
-
how about airfix? I found a site with models from them that are only $3 and $4. Are they any good or are they worth the price?
-
Originally posted by Vipermann
how about airfix? I found a site with models from them that are only $3 and $4. Are they any good or are they worth the price?
3 or 4 dollars? They gonna be crap I promise.
Tamiya is best there is and worth the 20-30 bucks.
Monogram used to be good, Revelle suks, Testors paint suks
.....edit : I did buy an airfix once, if I remember, it was a styrene plastic molded thing and was very rough looking. Don't waste your money.
Monogram kits are good for money IMO
-
Testors paint is just fine. In fact testors makes pretty much all the model paint these days except Tamiya, Humbrol and GunzeSangyo.
Revell/Monogram can suck but some of their newer kits, especially those from Revell Germany are very very very good and can be bought in Revel/Monogram boxings for very good prices. A good example are their Me410 and Rafale kits which go for appx $15 retail and are pretty much state of the art kits.
Generaly avoid Airfix kits because they just keep reissuing old 1960s models to stay in business. But you can buy their Spitfire Mk22/24 kit because it is a very good modern kit but kosts it at some $20.
Tamiya is your best best to get back into the hobby and build a good model right of the bat. I would reccomend their 1/48 FW190A3 as a good begginers kit, it fits wonderfully and has few parts all of which fit very well.
As for airbushes many people like the new Testor Aztec sts, I havent tried any yey but I hear they are good and easy to clean.
-
I've had the best luck with Hasagawa and Tamiya, but these are high-end kits and cost a bit of change. If you're just starting out and want to get some good kits on a budget (it sucks to ruin a $20 kit), take a look at the Revell/Monogram line and the Heller and Airfix lines. All 3 companies have been around a long time and can put out some good stuff (stay away from the Snap-Tite and Skill Level 1 kits as these tend to be too easy to assemble and a bit short on detailing).
Right now http://www.modelexpo-online.com has their Airfix and Heller kits on half-price sale. I picked up a 1/48 Airfix F4U-1A Corsair and 1/48 Heller F4U-4 (AU-1 official designation) for less than $7 each.
I source most of my kits from http://www.modelexpo-online.com and if there's something I'm looking for that they don't have, then I go with http://www.ehobbies.com or http://www.internethobbies.com. I've had good experiences with all 3 stores.
For 1/72 scale, Hasagawa is the king. For value, the 1/72 Heller P-38J, P-40 and Me-109K kits are good, very detailed kits (considering the money) and most of the 1/72 Airfix line is good, though they do produce a couple of Skill Level 1 Spitfire and 109 kits that are ok, but their higher level kits are better for only a dollar or two more.
A couple of specific kits I like are:
Revell of Germany U-47 Gunther Prien (RG5060)
1/48 Airfix F4U-1A (No. AX5106)-This is the British version, without the birdcage canopy. You have the option of shortening the wings for the RAA version, or keeping the wings normal for the RNZAF version
1/72 Airfix P-51D (No. AX2098)
Heller Le Suroit Research Ship (HEL80615)-N-scale railroad figures really add some life to this kit
1/48 Heller Corsair AU-1 (HEL 80418)
1/72 Heller FW-190A8/F3 (HEL80235)
1/72 Heller Corsair F4U-1 (HEL80275)
1/72 Heller BF109K-4 (HEL80229)
1/72 Heller F6F-5 (HEL80272)
1/72 Heller P-38 (HEL80273) - molded in silvery plastic so its good for weathering and simulating battle damage if you want to experiment. Heck, for that price get 2 and build one straight up and one battle-damaged
1/48 Revell/Monogram Tiger Shark P-40B (RM5209) - the tooth decals are a pain to do, but they look good with patience.
1/72 Revell/Mongram SR-71A Blackbird (RM5810)
1/48 Revel/Monogram FW190A8 (RM5943)
Really, any of the 1/48 Revell/Monogram kits are a good value, including the new re-releases with the old fifties-style boxes.
Avoid the Heller Dauntless kit - I had some bad wing warping with my sample and the details really weren't up to par. Also avoid the Heller P-51 kit as it tends to lack details and the seams are way off.
That should get you started.
And if you want to do some quick car kits, the AMT/Ertl pre-painted kits (not the snap-together ones) are a lot of fun and look really good.
-
Originally posted by NUKE
Monogram used to be good, Revelle suks, Testors paint suks
Revell and Monogram merged into 1 company. They ditched the bad kits and kept the good ones. Revell is actually split into two companies: in the US its Revell/Mongram and in Germany its still just Revell. Revell of Germany now owns the molds for the 1/32 scale F4U-1 that I built as a kid during the days when "Baa Baa Black Sheep" was in its first season. :)
Testors acrylics are the best for brush work that I've found, so long as you prime the plastic kit with flat white Testor's spray paint first. Tamiya paints have adherance problems, probably because they're intended to be airbrushed.
Acrylic = water-based, no fumes
Enamel = oil-based, slight fumes
I paint in flat colors and add gloss separately (Micro-scale water-soluable gloss - good stuff).
-
Tamiya and Hase are consistently better quality kits than other brands with a few exeptions. For Buying kits, I suggest Ebay. Just type in hasegawa or tamiya, and you will see MANY kites for sale. I suggest 1/48 or bigger scale. The 1/32 zero that tamiya is a fine model with exceptional detail but is also $100 USD retail.
For a beginning kit, I would suggest the Hase 1/48 spit 5. Nice detail, simple kit, not terribly challenging.
If not ebay, then, http://www.squadron.com , http://www.hannants.co.uk/, http://www.hlj.com/ , for russian made models..http://www.hobbyterra.com/default.asp , http://www.militaryhobbies.com/directory.cfm?CategoryID=101, http://www.hometown-hobbies.com/home_page,
-
If you need some hardcore paints, look herehttp://www.jpsmodell.de/jpsmain_e.htm
-
For reviews, I recommend Modelling Madness (http://www.modelingmadness.com/). They have a good set of reviews.
For inspiration, I recommend two sites: HyperScale (http://www.hyperscale.com/) and Aircraft Resource Center (http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/). The models on HyperScale are awe inspiring, while on ARC they are a bit more like what the "human" modellers build. I wouldn't expect to build models like those on HyperScale right away, but with practice and learning some techniques here and there, you will be able to down the road.
I have used Great Models (http://www.greatmodels.com/) and Squadron (http://www.squadron.com/) to order models and extra stuff like decals and detail sets. If you can, I would go into a local hobby shop. That is where I go when I get paints and some kits as well.
As far as recommending kits, I would start with a Revel/Monogram kit or even Tamiya. The Revelogram kits may not be the "best" or most accurate, but they are inexpensive and you can see if you really want to get into the hobby. The Tamiya kits are engineered very well. Their F4U series is probably the best one in 1/48th. As you get more comfortable, I would move on to Hasegawa and some of the more "exotic" Tamiya kits. They are more expensive, but very good quality kits. The latest Tamiya kits are very good and go together very well.
Enjoy the hobby, and remember, you only have to impress yourself.
-
hyperscale and arc are daily stops for me. I luckily have an outstanding local shop that is actually cheaper then internet and sells conversion kits and accessories.
Also a lot of models now days are reissues from other companies. Finishing up 2 UH-1N hueys from Heller that are Italeri molds. The newer monogram A-4f in the blue angels box is an Hasegawa mold.
I also highly recommend kits from Accurate miniatures. The company is out of business but the molds are still in use. I think Italeri is re issuing the TBM molds here shortly. If you are ordering off the net, you can find a kit ya like then probably find a build review on it with google.
<--currently collecting the remaining 1/48 amt/ertl a-20 kits :)
-
Thanks for all the great links guys! :)
-
Kind of liked this picture, hope to see this setting in AH someday :)
(http://militarymodels.safeshopper.com/images/bc10lo0m.jpg)
Lasse
-
Used to be I had the time--and more importantly the space to build models. Kids put a dent in that. Discovering I could "fly" my planes in the virtual skies really put things on the back burner. I have about 120 unbuilt kits boxed up. I have an itemized list in one of the boxes. Almost all of them are 1/48 scale WW2 aircraft. have all the tools for the job too. As to what airbrush is best I'd say whatever one you can get used to using. I have a relatively cheap single action paasche and it works great.
I used to get a lot of my little tools, etc from this place:
http://www.micromark.com
Also I'd highly recommend this magazine:
http://www.finescale.com/
I subscribed to this for years and kept all my back issues. Unlike other modelling mags that have excellent pics of different projects FM is more of a "how-to" mag with loads of hints and tips that tell you how the guy built that beautiful model step by step. There's also kit reviews, industry news, sneak peaks at coming kits and ads aplenty. If you're thinking about getting back into the hobby I'd say check this out and at least get up to speed on what's out there.
One of these days I'm gonna start chipping away at that mountain of kits. That's be a while tho. Good luck. :)
Drano
-
starting about 3 years ago i wanted to do the air warrior plane set in 1/72....200 aircraft and armor models later....(no they are not fininshed by a long shot)....I have some favorite companies.
Hasegawa
Fujimi
Mpm
Italeri
Huma
Special Hobby
planet model
NEVER any airfix! .........have a good time.....Box1:p
-
I recommend Accurate models. They're really nice kits and will cost you a lot less than Tamiya or Hawagawa.
-
Originally posted by Yeager
Yup...
Tamyia makes the best mass produced model kits bar none.
Might I suggest the 1/32 scale Zero :D
Strongly recommend as well. My first attempt to build a model. Enjoyed building it immensly.
(http://www.mazurfamily.com/andy/models/zero/106-0638_IMG.jpg)
(http://www.mazurfamily.com/andy/models/zero/107-0716_IMG.jpg)
(http://www.mazurfamily.com/andy/models/zero/107-0718_IMG.jpg)
(http://www.mazurfamily.com/andy/models/zero/107-0705_IMG.jpg)
-
Originally posted by Vipermann
anyone have a web sites they recommend for purchasing models?
Long night here staring at servers, need something else to look at. :)
BNM......thanks for your support :cool:
Modelexpo (http://www.modelexpo-online.com)
Really good prices, too.
-
Originally posted by mietla
Strongly recommend as well. My first attempt to build a model. Enjoyed building it immensly.
(http://www.mazurfamily.com/andy/models/zero/106-0638_IMG.jpg)
Hey! No fair cleaning up your workspace just for the pic!
Where are the 2 dozen boxes of kits waiting to be built?
Where are the mish-mash bits and pieces of spares?
Where are the bottles of dried-out paint you plan on using to hold the mixes of your custom colors?
Most importantly, where are the 3 or 4 half-built kits you plan on finishing right after you finish this one?
:D
-
Well having made my living by owning and operating 2 Airbrush store in Philadelphia, I would recomment the following:
1: cheap easy full set would be a Paasche VL ( bottom feed)
2: My perference Iwata HP-BC with a 2mm Needle. Alittle more expensive, it isn't sold in a "kit" you need to buy all the Hoses,jars and hook-ups seperately. But By far more control and accurate. The needle cap can be taken off for even more control ( it can spraypaint a spider web with no over spray)
Iwata also makes a very inexpensive Olympus.
I would recommend Bottom feeders, than gravity feed. Also The Iwata can handle and spray at a wider range of CFM's.
The compressor is really the most important part, you better not skimp there, I normally spray at 90 LBS cfm. while most air brushes recommend 35 Lbs. CFM.
This isn't my hobby, but my living.
NUTTZ
-
NUTTZ what dou think of those testor aztec airbrushes?
-
I see the emery boards. With the cost of hobby shop sandpapers I went to Home Depot and found huge sheets of 400 and 600 grit cheap. They work quite well. My first attempt is a hurri II and I tried using the filler that is sold, but ended up sanding some detail off of it. I tried using the white glue for canopies etc(they dont melt the plastic) and they filled nicely, with little excess to be sanded. The sanded off detail is near the cockpits so they will be painted Aluminum and should show some wear and tear for details.
Agreed, the compressor is the key, Got a Passche 520D with controller and water trap and it works up to 40PSI controlled and will do 50PSI uncontrolled.
I've been told that running at 10psi you can use the air brush almost like a paint brush. I am getting ready to put the lighter camo on and it has flowing lines. Can you controll the paint like a reg brush with 10psi?
HC
-
wow guys thanks so much for all the input. I'm hoping to head out today to a local hobby shop and see what they have.
NUTTZ do you still run those shops in Phila? I'm not too far away, I might stop in if you do.
-
Buy your brush and compressor across the NET. Local retail is expensive. You can also buy artist paints in a tube, the mixer(diff grades of it allows paint to adhere to diff surfaces) and mix with water and have a lot of paint cheaply. I bought white and will try it for the next undercoat.
small grit sandpaper bought at home depot, lots of little things around the house you throw away make nice modeling stuff. The mylar in my cookie box is going into the landing lights, some thin speaker wire is doing brake lines and bomb connects. Medicine bottles or those little plastic pill holders the hospitals use hold paints and clean easily. Popsicyle sticks make nice spreaders, any flat piece of somthing. A carboard box with sides cut out makes a nice Acrylic paint shed. Always look for a make do before you drop money that could go on something else.
HC
-
For those of you near a CSK autoparts store, they have on clearance an 8gal roll around Coleman Powermate air compressor for only $99.00! Has a built in regulator also. Just head on down to your local hardware store to get an inline moisture trap (an absolute must have) along with the airhose of your choice, and you've got a good set up for your airbrush.
-
nevermind
-
I use a paasche VL here, I love my airbrush:)