Newbie

[JohnB]

Hi guys
I'm brand new to modelling unless you count over 55 years ago making an airfix spitfire from a plastic bag in around 30 minutes with cement everywhere.
I'm retired and as a former Paratrooper I want to try to build some of the aircraft I've jumped from eg C130 Herc, Argosy.
I live in Scotland and need advice on what tools etc to buy and where to get it including online.
Any advice gratefully received
Cheers

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi JohnB

to the greatest Encyclopedia of this noble art of Plastic.
You are in great company.
You'll hear a lot of comments about Ultimate Products (Ultimate Modelling Products) on this site https://www.umpretail.com/.
Go on the website, and select a Pack of Thinnie Sanders (so good).
Side Cutters are a must, Tamiya or Xuron (my preferred are Xuron).
Glues, TET (Tamiya Extra Thin) and some Revel Contacta (which is your old style plastic Glue).
Knifes, my preferred are Swann & Morten Scalpels.
To be honest, you can spend as little or as much as you want, and boy do I spend........
Main thing is enjoy this hobby. You will never get criticism on this site and the real experts are lingering around waiting to give advice if you require it.
Its a great community so welcome and enjoy,
DW

[Kevthemodeller]

[onemac]

Hi John and

Like you I had a bit of a gap between modelling sessions but you'll love this place, the folks and the info available - all you have to do is ask

In case you don't know there's a great Youtube channel: ISM Youtube, a great Facebook site: International Scale Modeller a live show on Friday nights with great laughs, tips and hints and even free prize draws: ISM Friday Night Live at the Bench and if you have a webcam there's off-air hangouts where you can join live which I thoroughly recommend for those long winter nights: Off Air Hangout Group

Al

PS - first Live Show of the year tomorrow night at 7:30pm UK time

[Stokesy44]

Hi guys
I'm brand new to modelling unless you count over 55 years ago making an airfix spitfire from a plastic bag in around 30 minutes with cement everywhere.
I'm retired and as a former Paratrooper I want to try to build some of the aircraft I've jumped from eg C130 Herc, Argosy.
I live in Scotland and need advice on what tools etc to buy and where to get it including online.
Any advice gratefully received
Cheers

Hi John,

Welcome to the forum and back to the hobby.

You'll find the hobby has massively changed since the kit in a bag job! There's so much out there now and the internet is brilliant for kits. E-models sponsor this forum so click the banner at the bottom of the page and have a look. They sell everything, kits, paints and tools. I have used them and they're great.

Amazon is also a great place to find kits and tools.

As for buying tools and stuff - Start small and go from there. A decent knife is a must and some sanding sticks to clean up those seams. Will you brush paint or use an airbrush? That will be the biggest decision you probably have to make as that will define the whole painting side of the hobby right there. Don't worry about learning new processes, there's tons of 'how to' videos on YouTube, you can ask questions on this form and there's always the ISM group on Facebook. Very friendly and informative AND criticism is banned, only constructive criticism is allowed and that's only when the poster specifically asks for it.

Other sites to look at:

Hannants online retailer

Scalemates - a place to look for kits, see their history in terms of when they came out, when they were reissued and also to ready any inbox or build reviews from other model sites.

And that's barely scratching the surface. All the best and welcome back.

[KalebB]

bud

[ForbesHutton]

Sanders, side cutters, knife, tweezers are the basic tools you'll need to get a model together, along with glue (the liquids (Tamiya) are much better than the old Testors red and white tube that left the cobwebs everywhere...).

Painting and airbrushing are a whole other step and a much longer list of needed items. I would start with a model or two of planes that aren't your favorites (or at least start with cheaper models of the favorites), get the basic skills of building done, then work on the basics of painting. Assume the first couple of kits will be expendable to to mistakes or on going skill/knowledge building, the first ones are not going to be masterpieces but are stepping stones towards the epic miniatures you will end up building.

***If it's been 55 years since you messed about with plastic we can guess your age. If you haven't noticed yet, your eyesight is not what it used to be, to deal with smaller parts at some point you'll need to improve what time has left you with, prescription glasses, reading glasses, magnifying goggles, all will be options and it will probably require a combination of them to work at the higher levels. Sorry about the bad news so early in the new year )

[Quax]

I'm with Forbes, find the cheapest kit you can in the genre you like and, in the words of the Von Trapps, start at the very beginning! Good luck and enjoy, after that no question is dumb just expect as many answers as there are paint manufacturers
Just don't go out and spend big bucks.....yet there'll be time for that later! If it helps lots of us are over 50 and Scott is so old they ran out of numbers.

Paul

[Daniel]

[RangerNeil]

Welcome from another "newbie" basically in the same position as yourself. Not touched a kit for 40 years until a couple of months ago and then got hit by a massive culture shock at how much has changed!! Not the least being the cost of kits....
The advice in the posts is all good - esp. about breaking ground on a simple kit. First mistake I made!!

As for the types that interest you - you will be spoilt for choice as regards Fat Alberts.
For the Beverley - Mikromir do a 1/144 version whilst Magna Models do a 1/72 version in resin & white metal and Sanger do a 1/72 vac-formed one.
For the Argosy - again Mikromir do a 1/144 version and Mach 2 Models do 2 or 3 versions in 1/72.
For the Andover C Mk2 again there are two or three alternatives - but all are resin rather than polystyrene.
I think that covers most of the types we walked out of.....

40 years ago I'd have said much practice would be needed before attempting a resin or vac-form kit but these days I've no idea. Wiser heads than me will have to advise on this.
(To save anyone guessing I'm 63)

[Twokidsnosleep]

Hi and welcome
There is a ton of information on forum on everything you could need or want
Just ask if you need help