Does anyone here do aeroplane model kits?

[mikeymikec]

I did one or two as a teen and I'm considering trying one as a completely separate from computing diversion. I was thinking of having a crack at a larger than average size one like 1:48 F15 Eagle by Tamiya, a local-ish shop has three brands available for their aircraft models being Airfix, Revell and Tamiya. Are some brands better than others? Revell scored a point IMO over Tamiya because Revell listed the paints needed on the outside of the box.

 

[Chaotic42]

I used to love doing those as a kid, which was a long time ago. I don't know much about the current state of things, but if you can manage it, getting a little spray painter was a huge help in making them look better. Brush painting them is just kind of a pain. Also, I think some padded soldering helping hands might be useful too.

 

[nisryus]

Tamiya and Hasegawa were my go to when I was in high school building model planes. I remember Hasegawa used to have 1:32 models, but too big and expensive for a broke HS kid. Quality wise, Japanese models were years ahead of others back then, maybe Revell Germany has finally catching up? (not sure if Revell USA is still around, but their kits stink)

 

[spacejamz]

This is pretty much sums up my model building experience....including a monogram F-4 Phantom LOL

 

[lxskllr]

Yea, models are pretty unfun. I don't have the patience or artistic skill to make them nice. It was always a minor disaster.

 

[gorobei]

only tidbit i got from osmosis when researching gunpla: if you are serious about plane kits, one of the big differences between manufacturers is how well the plane balances when assembled.

if you arent going to put the kit on a stand arm or suspend from a wire, the density of parts can make it not sit well when left on a flat level surface. they can be either front or back heavy so you end up having to stick weights/coins in the nose or tail.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

I tried my hand at models as a kid but without the Internet or guidance I just couldn't paint them right (turns out I was missing the primer).

After going through a big Warhammer 40k phase in HS and College I got pretty OK at painting.

My son's room has a bit of an aviation theme so I assembled and painted an P-51D Mustang and an F4-U Corsair. Both look pretty good and I have them hanging from his ceiling.

Something about those WW2 prop planes really does it for me in a way newer jet fighters don't.

Turns out the kid doesn't have the patience to do the painting at the moment and my airbrush is funked up so our USS Missouri kit is sitting half finished in the closet (it's a beast at about 2 ft long, so no airbrush no paint).

Revell is personally my brand of choice for no reason than it was the first model kit I bought and I'm sticking with it for consistency.

 

[Charmonium]

Be honest - it's just an excuse to buy airplane glue. (hehehe)

 

[Charmonium]

This was one of those things I knew better than to even attempt. In the words of Dirty Harry, a man's gotta know his limitations.

Imagine, if you will, you see someone do a triple back somersault into a pool. Now I ask you to give it a shot. The words 'go fuck yourself' would leave your lips before you were even cognizant of it.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

I used to be obsessed with models 30-35 years ago. I have never built anything from Tamiya but their paints are great. Hasegawa is the gold standard and but I only made a couple of those because they were expensive as hell. Testors was probably the brand I bought most and they fit cleaner than Monogram and Revell (I think Revell has long since bought out Monogram though). If you ever do WWII planes, Korean War, or early Cold War when a lot of them were unpainted the Testors metallizer paints look spectacular, though they require you to use an airbrush. And to be honest I don't even know if they sell them anymore lol. But my P-51 Mustang, MiG-15, B-29 Superfortress, F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-104 Starfighter, F-102 Delta Dagger, B-52A Stratofortress, and B-58 Hustler I did with those all looked like they were legit metal after I was done with them. I'd also say the tube plastic cement worked way better the liquid one you brushed on. Definitely agree on 1:48 scale, they look so much more impressive when you're done than a 1:72 scale model.

 

[SteveGrabowski]

This is pretty much sums up my model building experience....including a monogram F-4 Phantom LOL

ROFL at the canopy glass being all smeared. Was a horrible feeling when you'd get cement on it and then have to wait 8 weeks for Monogram to send you a replacement canopy piece.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

ROFL at the canopy glass being all smeared. Was a horrible feeling when you'd get cement on it and then have to wait 8 weeks for Monogram to send you a replacement canopy piece.

-Never gave an eff about the cockpit and I would usually hit the canopy with a blast of matte varnish to frost it so the sins of my plane cockpit were hidden from the world.

 

[gorobei]

ROFL at the canopy glass being all smeared. Was a horrible feeling when you'd get cement on it and then have to wait 8 weeks for Monogram to send you a replacement canopy piece.

how is anyone going to know it is yours if you dont leave a fingerprint permanently etched into the canopy?

 

[sandorski]

Another, enjoyed it as a kid. Thought about picking it up again, but chose not too.

 

[nisryus]

I still have a few Hasegawa Boeing kits somewhere in the house, the kid got them as presents couple years ago but he has since lost interest, especially the painting part. I used to be big on WWII tanks but now found not enough time to do anything.. I just order those WH40k figures (those from JoyToy) that are prepaint.. I am becoming a lazy bum now.