Armour/ Aircraft Modellers - what can't you do without.

[DC87]

I am in the position of having a third job on the go over the xmass period, while this means I have allot less free time I am fortunate to be able to use 60% of the earnings on modelling items

With this in mind I thought I would ask you fine people what the most usefull items are. I am calling on both Armour and Aircraft modellers as I have found myself doing builds of each lately. Until now I have been relying on my stash of paints etc from 10+ years ago while buying small supplies when needed. Now I would like to build up supplies for the next few years. Ideally I am looking for the paint sets, washes and pigments etc which get the most use on your benches and models.

Any help and advice is appreciated

[Lego]

You got a good pe bendy tool? The small shop stuff is great.

You cannot go wrong with the AK interactive weathering stuff. Any of it really. You can make all this stuff yourself but for me I like having it made up so I don't have to do the doctor frankenstein mixing myself. If you need to know what ones I use the most well I would say get the sets for mud/streaking/rust.

Paints I would recommend Mr Hobby Aqua stuff. Really nice. Huge range of colours. I know it is not sets but to be honest the sets usually give you an inaccurate paint colour in them. For accuracy it is better to just get the colour you want and mix and match. I have not used the ak interactive paints which are AMMO now but I know people that swear by them.

I would look at the review Paul has on Youtube. He has lined up all the ducks in a row for you there mate.

This is what I have

[DC87]

Thanks Lego, I hadn't considered a PE bending tool

[Joesdad]

Good question DC, I'm in the same boat, you know building up supplies.. I started with a few Vallejo model colours very nice for brushing and a revelation after using Humbrol enamels, now I'm buggering about with an airbrush, I've started using (collecting) Lifecolor, purely because they're both airbrushable and brushable. Take some getting used to though.....
Hope to pick up some good pointers too

[ForbesHutton]

Well if you're starting a shopping list:
-airbrush/compressor upgrade
-rotary tool (ie Dremel)
-airbrush booth/hood

[Gav0909]

I would suggest getting a range of the Vallejo paints. They do great armour paints, the lander aces range is good for ww2 tanks, especially German ones. They airbrush well and they also brush well.

[longlance67]

Hi Dan,

my thoughts for someone starting or just expanding their tool collection is a little different to the lads, though they are right about the various paints and weathering products mentioned I've got a little more of basic approach to tools and supplies as I am often under a tight budget , so here a few ideas and tips I've learned over the yrs

firstly the pound shop is king, here's a great spot to get smaller items for next to nothing, things to look for would be white tac, super glue, storage tubs and cases, cocktail sticks for applying the CA glue, cheap ass picture frames for use as Dio bases and the glass pains can be kept for using then as non-porous surfaces to roll out putty for making tarps and the like For paint brushes you can get lucky and find some half decent brushes in good pound shops, though you will only get maybe two-threes weeks of life out of them with extensive use but they cheap to replace, and also good for weathering if you want to save your good brushes

For more specialist tools, I would recommend again shopping around, Maplin is always a good place to check out as you can get good quality tweezers,cutters, hobby blades, optics and other tools for good prices so well worth checking out or any electrical supply shop near you

For oils and good quality brushes then now is the time to raid the art shops and in particular lookout for gift sets from the good companies like winser and newton and you will find yourself a good bargain as normally around this time of year many of the main street art shops will be doing such deal sets

oh almost forgot,you know resealable plastic cartons that some foods come in or the ones you get from the Chinese take outs, keep those and clean them out as they are handy storage bins and the lids make great painting palettes


I think the most important thing to remember is buy kit as you need it, or things you've learned form challenges you faced from past builds and look for tools to overcome them or make things easier for yourself in future projects

sorry for the long post mate, but I hope some of this will be helpful


Shane