Hello from new member

[Warren]

Gentlemen,
I have been away from plastic scale modeling for about 30 years. Next week, June 19, I will be 81 years old. I have become interested again in the hobby, after watching videos on youtube including those of International Scale Modeller.
I have noticed significant improvements in air compressors, paints, and the availability to research almost any topic applicable to this hobby via the internet.

I have a room available in my garage which served as a darkroom. It has ample space and has an electric vent. However, it is not heated or cooled.
Since I am just beginning again, I plan initially not to use an airbrush, until I see how things progress.

I am comfortably retired, so money is not a problem.

I have a few questions that I hope you would answer so I can begin modeling again.
Questions:
1. We used enamel paint 30 years ago. I get the impression that acrylic paint is now mostly used. If I use acrylic paint with a brush, must the paint be thinned? I know that with an airbrush it must be first thinned, but is this necessary when using a brush? I would think not since it is water base.
2. I have spent much time on the internet researching paints, and it seems VALLEJO acrylic paints offer the widest range of colors. Do you agree or
should I stick with say TAMIYA or HUMBROL?
3. Does VALLEJO paints need to be thinned?
4. What modeling magazine would you recommend?
5. Are there any books which you would recommend which will give guidance on modeling plastic aircraft and vehicles, both military and civilian.
6. What model kit manufacturers would you recommend? In my day the best were REVELL, HASAWAGEA, MONOGRAM and AIRFIX.
7. I used to model in 1/32 scale for ease of detailing. However, that was before the price of oil skyrocketed and plastic became expensive.
I note that today 1/32 aircraft models are very expensive. For the present, I plan to model in 1/78 scale. Again, what kit companies would you
recommend?
8. Finally, will acrylic paints be adversely affected by the cold if I left them in an unheated garage over the winter?

Thank you.
Warren
PS I live in New Jersey, USA about 15 minutes from the Atlantic ocean. I was a Certified Public Accountant (similar to a Chartered Accountant),
and spent 37 months in the US Army, 17 months in Germany, mostly 105mm artillery. My eyesight is still good and my hand is still steady,
although not as steady as it was 30 years ago.

[Icemannique]

[HIghAltitudeScale]

Welcome the the forum Warren, glad you're back to the hobby, have a look around and make yourself at home, many good people here willing to help out.
Some answers I have for you based solely on my own experiences.
I use Vallejo and Tamiya paints both do need to be thinned if airbrushing. Vallejo Model Air is designed to be used straight into the airbrush though a little thinning won't hurt. Using Ultimate thinners is the best bet for those.
I live high in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and have kept my model paints in an unheated garage at various times over the years and still use them now. I don't think the temperature change affected them, but i am also in a very dry climate up here and i have heard humidity affects paint more than temperature.
I build 1/48 aircraft myself, i prefer the detail on them over 1/72 and 1/32 is too large for my taste. Again, personal preference. Hasegawa are great kits, but expensive and usually don't have ordinance included, Tamiya, Meng, Great Wall Hobby,all very good the new tool Revell and Airfix are nice as well and not as expensive, and Trumpeter and Hobby Boss. Plenty of good choices out there these days.
Lots of books and magazines available as well and if you use an iPad you can download most modeling magazines at half the shelf price.

Hope this helped some,

Welcome aboard

[Avgas]

Hi Warren. Some of the better kit makers these days are Tamiya, Eduard, Great Wall Hobby, Meng, Wingnut and Hong Kong Models (HKM). There are also many good kits from the likes of Trumpeter, Hobbyboss and Academy. Your best bet though is to research the model you want using Scalemates https://www.scalemates.com/kits/. Just type in the name or number of the kit and you should get reviews of it. Most people here use it and I won't buy a kit without checking it first.

If you are brush painting acrylics it really depends on the make of paint and even the colour as to how much you should thin it. Best thing to do is suck it and see.

[Augustus]

Hi Warren, and welcome!

I'm very new to this hobby so I can't offer you any advice on modelling, but I can advise you that anything you need to know just ask they're a very helpful mob here.

[Richp1969]

Hello and welcome Warren. I am sure the guys here will be able to help you out. I just wanted to say Welcome and enjoy.

Sincerely,

Richard

[Kevthemodeller]

Warren I too have just returned to modelling after 30yrs so not really qualified to suggest with any authority, so I'll leave it to those who are.

[Les]

Hello, and welcome to the forums! I think Avgas and TheTechCowboy answered most of your questions already. I know for magazines, there are a lot out there. The only magazines I have purchased since coming back to the hobby are a couple of Fine Scale Modeler as well as a few Weathering Magazine issues. As for books, I have purchased a few of the old Osprey Publication's books on various subjects (they are a bit dated, but can be found online for dirt cheap). There are quit a few posts throughout the forum; I would recommend the reference section, as there are some gems in there. Have fun, and welcome back to the hobby!