Four Questions (#1)

[Twokidsnosleep]

New series of threads exploring modelling interests, tool and equipment while learning about each other

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
2. What model are you currently working on?
3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after

Answer as you will

[Garion77]

That is a great idea !!
I remember that my first few models were antique cars like my dad used to build. And they were built with is help. But the real first one I remember making, and mostly by myself, around the age of 12 or 13 is an F-16 Thunderbird. I don't remember if it was a Revell or Hasegawa kit.... I remember it pretty good because I was on vacation with my grandparents, in Myrtle Beach for all summer. And we hit a week of bad weather because of a tropical storm and they bought me the kit to keep me occupied. I was able to save it for the return and not brake it.

What I'm currently working on is Tamiya's Ki-61 Tony, building thread in progress in the forum. Waiting for the metal finish to dry adequately.

I have to big a stash for the speed and time I have to build... But my favorite one on the finish side my last build, Eduard's Hellcat. The favorite one in my stash..... I actually have 2 ! Revell's Memphis Belle because it's the movie that drew me to plane modeling as a kid. And Hobbyboss' Su-27 that just look awesome...but never made jets since I was a kid...

Unicorn kit they are too many but mostly WW I planes as they just look different and great. I was lucky enough to get a hold on 2 Wingnut Wings this week...

[chops1sc]

I can't really remember the first kit I made but I know I was young. Probably around 5-7 years old. I can remember my brother building models and I wanted to do the same. For some reason a Snaptite fire truck comes to mind but I also vaguely remember either a Camaro or a Corvette. It was yellow plastic (I didn't paint them back then LOL).

I am currently working on Tamiya's new F-4B Phantom II. Build thread here.

My favorite model in the stash would be Tamiya's F-14A. I have been too chicken to build it but now with this Phantom under my belt I will be starting it soon! My favorite build would be this M16. It was my first time using any real weathering technique or products.

There are a couple kits that I am looking for. A 2000s era Silverado Z71 pickup and a 3rd gen Camaro (1982-1992). I owned both of these and I want to try to recreate them as I drove them.

[Stokesy44]

Airfix 1/72 Jet Provost

Trumpy 1/16 Panzer IV

Fine Moulds 1/72 Millennium Falcon

Late Mk Griffon Engined Spitfire in 1/32 or 1/24. Many others too numerous to name

[Twokidsnosleep]

1. One of my early first modelling memory is 1/25 Revell Orange Crate...horribly made that sucker


2. Currently Zvezda 1/72 Black swan Pirate ship and Revell Vincent Black Shadow 1/12 bike



3. Favourite kit is Badai X Wing fighters. I love these kits just a dream to assemble


4. Unicorn hmm, it changes on me a lot... Maybe a MFH motorcycle or Race car. Something big, expensive and mostly metal

[barryf1fan]

1. What is the first model you can remember making?

Not sure what brand or anything, I was probably about 7 or 8 years old (been a few days ago) - but my grandmother got me a police car kit. Do remember it was a Mustang with the light bar and chrome bumpers.

2. What model are you currently working on?

Nothing right now as we moved recently and haven't had a chance to get the "gear" all set back up. Soon though, and will be working on a Tamiya Lola Indycar for a buddy of mine.

3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash

Favorite model I've made to date was the Tamiya Benetton B188 - always loved that car irl. Painting it completely with rattle cans was quite an accomplishment for me.


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after

Someday I'll have the cojones to try an MFH F1 kit. I recently got my previous "unicorn" kit - the 1/12 Tamiya Williams FW14B.
Once my painting skills improve I'll tackle it and the 1/12 McLaren mP4/6 I have. Currently picking up detail parts for the Williams and McLaren as funds allow.

[RangerNeil]

EDIT 26/9/21: Photos added

First model would have been the Airfix 1/72 Boulton-Paul Defiant.


What am I currently working on? Alas all work is suspended whilst the new house is sorted. Work in abeyance include a Trumpeter 1/35 BTR-60, an Airfix 1/72 Gazelle and a NTS Stingray from the TV series of the same name. About to include a 1/72 Flower Class Corvette for the "out of comfort zone" build too.....


Favourite model - is in the stash waiting to be built - Trumpeters 1/32 Hind E.


"Unicorn kit" - right now would be the Das Werke issue of the UAZ 469 in 1/35.

[BigWall]

This is a great idea for a thread!

Technically my first model kit was a White Western Star semi truck that my Dad bought for us to build together when I turned 8. He wouldn't let me touch it and was building it alone, so one night I found where he had hidden it and glued the sleeper berth together. He was quite upset and grounded me for two weeks. I've come to realize that was just life with a father who has narcissistic personality disorder.

The first kit I actually built was a Revell police car. I was 8 or 9. It was a paint and glue bomb. Tube glue was the worst. I got a jar of Testors flat black to paint it with. Needless to say, the whole thing turned out to be flat black. I tried to keep the doors the white of the plastic but got black fingerprints on them so flat black they were. I spilt most of the paint on the dining room table so my Mom gave me a newspaper to work on after that.
Ha ha! It's fun thinking back to the 1970s and remembering this.

Currently I am working on the Enterprise NX-01 for the Summer Sci-fi Build, it's almost done, and a Jagdtiger for the long past Late WW2 Group Build of last year. The treatments I went thru just wouldn't let me do the final work on it. Hopefully it will be done here soon as well.

The favorite model that I've built is the Fujimi 1/16 Lamborghini Countach, like Paul is building right now on YouTube. I built the original version though (not Koenig). It was the best build I had done up to that point in my life. Black pearl metallic rattle can exterior with a tan interior. I loved it. My girlfriend at the time said she "accidentally" knocked it off my desk. I say she was a psycho and good riddance. I'd love to build another one but the kit is way too expensive now (around $300 on Ebay). I have to laugh because, back then, it cost around $50 - $60 dollars and I was second guessing myself about buying it in the first place.

I can't say I have a unicorn kit. I like the kits in my stash and am understanding how some stashes are so huge. I keep seeing things that I would like to build but so far have been able to keep my purchases somewhat under control. I only have about two years of builds socked away in my stash.

[digger303]

1. A jet of some description 1/72 in a clear tagged plastic bag. I remember distinctly it didn't look like the pic when finished.
2. G4 staff car

3. Favorite in the stash is a hard question. Br 52 in 1/35 I guess since I've spent a lot on aftermarket for it.

4. Maybe the 1/35 Dora. It is expensive and huge at around the $1000 and 1.2m long approx and 3300pc's on 91 sprues. One did come up for 100 bucks once and I was too slow in discovering it needless to say at that price it went very quick. Freight would have been in the 200 area, but I would not have cared.

This is obviously not mine, but a beautiful build and I only include it to give you a idea as to scale.

[Panzón]

1. First model I can remember building was a late '50s Corvette convertible, probably in 1:32 scale. I was maybe 10 years old (mid-1960s), and I remember I spray painted it a metallic copper, with a black interior. For some reason, I wasn't happy with the paint job, so decided to strip the paint off and try again. I submerged the model in a can of some kind of solvent, and when I checked it the next day, the paint had come off, but the plastic had turned soft and gummy, and much of the detail had melted away.

2. Currently working on a rather involved scratch-build based on Ian McQue's floating world artwork.

3. Hard to pick a favorite built or stash model. While I am more partial to some kits or builds than others, no one kit or build stands above all the others.

4. I recently managed to acquire a couple of OOP Nitto Ma. K. kits I had been looking for, so I'm not currently in search of any unicorns.

[tg18083]

1. First I remember - 1/72 airix or revell Eddie Rickenbacker Spad (early 70s)
2. Currently working on Tamiya 1/48 new tool Spitfire MkI.
3. Favorite completion - Accurate Miniatures 1/48 Avenger with Petrof Bay markings.
4. Unicorn - 1/48 mid-war B-26 Marauder with all the whistles.

[aur0ra145]

New series of threads exploring modelling interests, tool and equipment while learning about each other

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
2. What model are you currently working on?
3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after

Answer as you will

1. An F-4 Phantom Snap Tight kit from Revell I think. I remember that the AIM-7's sort of slid into slots, so when playing with them, I could "shoot" the missiles at other stuff. Very cool as a kid. I also remember making 2 F-4U Corsairs that I flew around in formation as a kid. Also lots of fun. Those models are lost to the years. When I got back into modelling temporarily in my early teens I did a B-17 and put the landing gear on backwards and a F/A-18C. My parents still have those, and it's embarrassing to see them. I never painted any of these models.

2. U-9 for the Out of Comfort Zone build.

3. F-4U Corsair from the Vics. A squadron very dear to my heart.



4. 1/48 X-wing from Bandai.

[Garion77]

1. What is the first model you can remember making?

Not sure what brand or anything, I was probably about 7 or 8 years old (been a few days ago) - but my grandmother got me a police car kit. Do remember it was a Mustang with the light bar and chrome bumpers.

2. What model are you currently working on?

Nothing right now as we moved recently and haven't had a chance to get the "gear" all set back up. Soon though, and will be working on a Tamiya Lola Indycar for a buddy of mine.

3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash

Favorite model I've made to date was the Tamiya Benetton B188 - always loved that car irl. Painting it completely with rattle cans was quite an accomplishment for me.


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after

Someday I'll have the cojones to try an MFH F1 kit. I recently got my previous "unicorn" kit - the 1/12 Tamiya Williams FW14B.
Once my painting skills improve I'll tackle it and the 1/12 McLaren mP4/6 I have. Currently picking up detail parts for the Williams and McLaren as funds allow.

You painted the cars we see with rattle cans ??? Wow ! I remember when I started back in modeling in my 20's, building mostly rally car that what I would use...but easier to do then on F1 cars !!! My hat to you ! I think you painting skills are up to the task for the MP 4/6

[Garion77]

New series of threads exploring modelling interests, tool and equipment while learning about each other

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
2. What model are you currently working on?
3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after

Answer as you will

1. An F-4 Phantom Snap Tight kit from Revell I think. I remember that the AIM-7's sort of slid into slots, so when playing with them, I could "shoot" the missiles at other stuff. Very cool as a kid. I also remember making 2 F-4U Corsairs that I flew around in formation as a kid. Also lots of fun. Those models are lost to the years. When I got back into modelling temporarily in my early teens I did a B-17 and put the landing gear on backwards and a F/A-18C. My parents still have those, and it's embarrassing to see them. I never painted any of these models.

2. U-9 for the Out of Comfort Zone build.

3. F-4U Corsair from the Vics. A squadron very dear to my heart.



4. 1/48 X-wing from Bandai.

Wow the corsair looks really awesome ! The paint job seems great ! Why is the squadron dear to you if I may ask ?

[bfrd]

1. As best I can recall it was a Pitts Stunt Plane. It may be this one. I know it had a logo on the wing, I thought it was Shell, but Skil fits too.


2. Master Grade (MG) RX-78-2 Gundam Ver. 3.0


3. At the risk of changing the question a little the model I am most proud of is the Faceplant diorama. Build log is here if anyone is interested.


4. None really, I have what I want. I am looking forward to the new Revell SR-71.


Honorable Mentions...

There are a couple of kits that *could* have been the first ones if I had a better memory. The fact that I remember these more distinctly makes me think they came after.

[Twokidsnosleep]

You guys are doing a fantastic job with these questions
Fascinating reading

[BigWall]

Bfrd is winning with the pictures. I'm going to look on Scalemates to see if I can find my first model. It would be interesting to see a picture of it.

The stories are a nice read!

[digger303]

Bfrd is winning with the pictures. I'm going to look on Scalemates to see if I can find my first model. It would be interesting to see a picture of it.

The stories are a nice read!

Ok you shamed me into it. So I went back and include a couple of pic's.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Bfrd is winning with the pictures. I'm going to look on Scalemates to see if I can find my first model. It would be interesting to see a picture of it.

The stories are a nice read!

Ok you shamed me into it. So I went back and include a couple of pic's.

Me too

[WordenB]

The first actual kit I can remember making was an Airfix 1/300 Golden Hind about 55 years ago, managed to find the exact one on scalemates. Before that however I had painted some Airfix 1/76 Guards Colour Party figures probably at the age of 5-6. I can even remember sitting at the table mixing red and white (only had those and black and blue) to make pink for their faces.





The kit I am working on at the moment is a Tamiya VFR750R RC30. This is a bit of a long term project as I am trying to add detail with a Hobby Design set and a fair amount of scratch building.



My favourite model I have built is probably the Tamiya 1/24 Mercedes CLK GTR in the Original Teile livery. I added some detail to the engine, took ages but got there in the end.



The kit I would dearly like is quite simple really, the Tamiya 1/24 Aston Martin DBS, I do hope to find one at an affordable price one day.

[barryf1fan]

You painted the cars we see with rattle cans ??? Wow ! I remember when I started back in modeling in my 20's, building mostly rally car that what I would use...but easier to do then on F1 cars !!! My hat to you ! I think you painting skills are up to the task for the MP 4/6

??

Yeah, now that I look at it, all those that are in that shot were done with rattle can Tamiya paints. Even the Revell Merc W12 (pretty sure that was the kit - it was the schumacher car, which ever that one was...) and the Porsche there on top.

I've recently splurged (as in the last year or so) and got an airbrush and compressor setup, and am still learning. Funny thing is, I'm less confident with the AB than the rattle cans!!

Thanks for the compliment man!! That means a lot.

[Tomcat64]

Nice idea for a thread Scott

Here's my take

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
My Dad built this kit with me when I was five or six so late sixties or early 70s; he wasn't into kit building himself but got me started.

I remember if he came across a part that he wasn't sure about he'd put it to one side saying "we'll put that on later"

2. What model are you currently working on?
Trumpeter's 1/35 BR86 for the "Southampton Dock" heavy haulers GB, and as usual it's taking me longer than I originally expected, partly due to the amount of AM I've ended up throwing at it!



3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
Hmmm... interesting one... I have a couple of builds that stand out as being favourites...

This one from the 2017 Winter Build simply because it was (and still is) the most elements I'd ever tried to cram into about a cubic foot. Although there's things I've learnt since then that I'd do differently I'm still really happy with the way this turned out


The other that stands out simply because the whole build thread was so much fun from start to finish was this one - also from 2017

Which also expanded my Photoshop skills to create the flickering gif


And in the stash I'm looking forward to getting around to this one eventually


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after
I seem to go through phases where I really hanker after a specific kit (new or old) but know if I leave it long enough my attention will shift to something else

I'd really like someone to make a kit of the TIE Bomber though as this seems to have been neglected despite just about every other ship being covered off in multiple scales


I'd also like someone to bring out an accurate & freshly tooled Lunar Module (and Rover) rather than rehashing the 60's releases in new boxes at each anniversary.

[digger303]

Nice idea for a thread Scott

Here's my take

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
My Dad built this kit with me when I was five or six so late sixties or early 70s; he wasn't into kit building himself but got me started.

I remember if he came across a part that he wasn't sure about he'd put it to one side saying "we'll put that on later"

2. What model are you currently working on?
Trumpeter's 1/35 BR86 for the "Southampton Dock" heavy haulers GB, and as usual it's taking me longer than I originally expected, partly due to the amount of AM I've ended up throwing at it!



3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
Hmmm... interesting one... I have a couple of builds that stand out as being favourites...

This one from the 2017 Winter Build simply because it was (and still is) the most elements I'd ever tried to cram into about a cubic foot. Although there's things I've learnt since then that I'd do differently I'm still really happy with the way this turned out


The other that stands out simply because the whole build thread was so much fun from start to finish was this one - also from 2017

Which also expanded my Photoshop skills to create the flickering gif


And in the stash I'm looking forward to getting around to this one eventually


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after
I seem to go through phases where I really hanker after a specific kit (new or old) but know if I leave it long enough my attention will shift to something else

I'd really like someone to make a kit of the TIE Bomber though as this seems to have been neglected despite just about every other ship being covered off in multiple scales


I'd also like someone to bring out an accurate & freshly tooled Lunar Module (and Rover) rather than rehashing the 60's releases in new boxes at each anniversary.

I reckon when it is released we should get one of these....https://www.lzmodels.com/Railway-135-kits.html

[Tomcat64]

Nice idea for a thread Scott

Here's my take

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
My Dad built this kit with me when I was five or six so late sixties or early 70s; he wasn't into kit building himself but got me started.

I remember if he came across a part that he wasn't sure about he'd put it to one side saying "we'll put that on later"

2. What model are you currently working on?
Trumpeter's 1/35 BR86 for the "Southampton Dock" heavy haulers GB, and as usual it's taking me longer than I originally expected, partly due to the amount of AM I've ended up throwing at it!



3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
Hmmm... interesting one... I have a couple of builds that stand out as being favourites...

This one from the 2017 Winter Build simply because it was (and still is) the most elements I'd ever tried to cram into about a cubic foot. Although there's things I've learnt since then that I'd do differently I'm still really happy with the way this turned out


The other that stands out simply because the whole build thread was so much fun from start to finish was this one - also from 2017

Which also expanded my Photoshop skills to create the flickering gif


And in the stash I'm looking forward to getting around to this one eventually


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after
I seem to go through phases where I really hanker after a specific kit (new or old) but know if I leave it long enough my attention will shift to something else

I'd really like someone to make a kit of the TIE Bomber though as this seems to have been neglected despite just about every other ship being covered off in multiple scales


I'd also like someone to bring out an accurate & freshly tooled Lunar Module (and Rover) rather than rehashing the 60's releases in new boxes at each anniversary.

I reckon when it is released we should get one of these....https://www.lzmodels.com/Railway-135-kits.html

[digger303]

Nice idea for a thread Scott

Here's my take

1. What is the first model you can remember making?
My Dad built this kit with me when I was five or six so late sixties or early 70s; he wasn't into kit building himself but got me started.

I remember if he came across a part that he wasn't sure about he'd put it to one side saying "we'll put that on later"

2. What model are you currently working on?
Trumpeter's 1/35 BR86 for the "Southampton Dock" heavy haulers GB, and as usual it's taking me longer than I originally expected, partly due to the amount of AM I've ended up throwing at it!



3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
Hmmm... interesting one... I have a couple of builds that stand out as being favourites...

This one from the 2017 Winter Build simply because it was (and still is) the most elements I'd ever tried to cram into about a cubic foot. Although there's things I've learnt since then that I'd do differently I'm still really happy with the way this turned out


The other that stands out simply because the whole build thread was so much fun from start to finish was this one - also from 2017

Which also expanded my Photoshop skills to create the flickering gif


And in the stash I'm looking forward to getting around to this one eventually


4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after
I seem to go through phases where I really hanker after a specific kit (new or old) but know if I leave it long enough my attention will shift to something else

I'd really like someone to make a kit of the TIE Bomber though as this seems to have been neglected despite just about every other ship being covered off in multiple scales


I'd also like someone to bring out an accurate & freshly tooled Lunar Module (and Rover) rather than rehashing the 60's releases in new boxes at each anniversary.

I reckon when it is released we should get one of these....https://www.lzmodels.com/Railway-135-kits.html

It's complimentary to the br86 and br52 and a shunting engine is very handy and

[Kevthemodeller]

Here goes
1. What is the first model you can remember making?
late 60's my mum worked in a toy shop

2. What model are you currently working on?
Will be announced very soon and a out of my comfort zone

3. What is your favourite model you made or have in the stash
In my stash

That I've made thus far

4. What is your 'Unicorn kit'...something you are still after
Oh so many but if pushed

[Donkeywalloper]

Wow, what a great question Scott
1. I think, and my memory is rather foggy on this, but the Newsagents I delivered papers for sold Matchbox kits, and I think it was a 1/72 Sherman Firefly.
2. The Tamiya Pibber, and boy am I stringing that one a long
3. Of the 60 kits bought over the years, I don't have a favourite as such. They all have some interest, otherwise I would not have bought. I did enjoy the very old Tamiya Chieftain and using a fair bit of Aftermarket to get it up to a level that was agreeable to me.
4. I want to build a Unicorn ................oh no, that's wrong, sorry, got confused, mighty confused . I'm not sure really, maybe a 1/35 British Warrior with Interior (just for the fact I drove them in a my Service years. The market now, is so awash with fantastic kits of amazing quality, and some real cows of poor quality
Great question though,
DW