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Model Forum / General / Models / January 2008



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Angry American - 05 Jan 2008 18:49 GMT
I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
available model new, it is new in the box with the factory seals. Since it
is a larger scale than usually available should I buy it and sit on it until
I get some more experience or do you think this is something that a person
with little experience could turn into a nice display piece.

If this is the case, does anyone have any suggestions for models that might
be abit more newb friendly for practice until I am ready to tackle the
larger project?

Also what resources are available for newb help, tools, paints, etc. I would
like to use some sort of spray system for paint as it finishes better, I
don't want to use hand paint on anything except the smallest pieces. So I
need a line on a good system for painting as well.

Thanks!!
someone@some.domain - 05 Jan 2008 18:55 GMT
>I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
>a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
>Thanks!!

google. over 200000 hits for modelers.
Angry American - 06 Jan 2008 00:11 GMT
If I had found something useful googling, I wouldnt have asked, but thanks.

>>I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I
>>have
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>
> google. over 200000 hits for modelers.
someone@some.domain - 06 Jan 2008 00:43 GMT
>If I had found something useful googling, I wouldnt have asked, but thanks.
>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>>>
>> google. over 200000 hits for modelers.

your kidding. my point was that you asked about 50 pages worth of response
that you could find yourself.
if you want my bookmarks, give me an email addy.
Teresa - 05 Jan 2008 21:47 GMT
Well, unfortuantely I don't build ships but I know of a good site with a
discussion group to ask your questions.  Check out www.modelshipwrights.com.
Good luck,
Eric
Stephen Bierce - 05 Jan 2008 23:58 GMT
>I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
>a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
>Thanks!!

The 1/350 scale genre is seeing something of a renaissance in recent years,
as a number of Japanese and Chinese companies are issuing new kits in that
scale.  Trumpeter makes 1/350th modern Chinese frigate and destroyer ship
models...for real cheap.  I hear they're dogs, but at the same time,
they're ideal models to practice on before attempting something on the
scale of the Iowa.  Tamiya has a Fletcher-class destroyer in that scale for
a much higher price (around $30), which would go with Iowa in a collection
and at the same time be a further stepping stone in your process of
learning techniques.  Or perhaps a Dragon 1/350th modern US destroyer would
be your next.  There are plenty of choices.

Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
{Sig Quotes Removed on Request}
Angry American - 06 Jan 2008 01:19 GMT
> >I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I
> >have
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> Stephen "FPilot" Bierce/IPMS #35922
> {Sig Quotes Removed on Request}

Thanks!! I have no idea of the quality of the Revell Kit, as far as detail
etc, but I would assume <maybe wrongly> that it would be better than some of
the lesser knowns. Plus I like the larger size of the 1/350, lots of room
for detail. Maybe I should buy some easier to acquire kits and use them for
practice.

Thanks for your reply.
flak monkey - 06 Jan 2008 03:36 GMT
>> >I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I
>> >have
[quoted text clipped - 47 lines]
>
> Thanks for your reply.

Hi, and welcome to our hobby. Never built ships myself, more of a jet bloke
really, although at the moment I'm struggling with my first serious
helicopter. With that in mind, I guess I can generalize a wee bit here and
say stick with Tamiya or Revell for your first model. Dragon kits are
excellent but they are "modellers' models". That is to say that fit of parts
(there is a phrase "dragon fit", go figure) isn't always what it could be,
but with some hard won experience there is always a good replica hiding in
that box. Check out internetmodeller.com for some good ship kit reviews.

Finishing systems are a matter of taste, and a decent airbrush is almost
always the way to go. Have a look at Iwata's Revolution CR (and LEARN TO
CLEAN IT!) and Silverjet compressor combo for a good entry level set up
which will last you way beyond its price. If you can, overspend on a really
good compressor, as it's something you don't want to be upgrading all the
time. A quiet one with a good sized reservoir and built in moisture trap
will be under your bench for a long time; like anythng else that's good at
its job, you shouldn't have to think about it working, it should just work
as you expect it to each and every time. Oh, and dont skimp on some nasty
vinyl hose - proper braided ones are so much nicer to work with and will
take more abuse. Take your time, find a good model shop and ask advice
everywhere you can. It will pay off.

Finally, it's supposed to be fun. Don't get too wrapped up in the minutiae
and rivet counting bullshit and build something you like and are proud of.
Nothing else really matters.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota - 06 Jan 2008 17:08 GMT
> I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
> a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks!!

I think you have the right idea.  Build something smaller (not
necessarily a smaller scale, but a cheaper, smaller ship.

As far as resources, your best bet is to join a local club. If you do
not know of any, find the IPMS (International Plastic Modelers
Society) web site for a list of IPMS chapters, or see if  your local
hobby shop knows of clubs.

Second, visit your local library. There have been a couple of books on
building plastic warships in the last decade, and libraries in my area
do have them.

Stay with this newsgroup.

There is a Yahoo mailing list on model ship building but it is
primarily wooden sailing ships.  Still, you might want to browse
through the archives of that group.

Lastly, there is a message on this group periodically, pointing one to
the Ship Modeling FAQ.
Pat Flannery - 07 Jan 2008 10:42 GMT
> I think you have the right idea.  Build something smaller (not
> necessarily a smaller scale, but a cheaper, smaller ship.
>  

Those Japanese 1/700 scale "waterline series" warships go together quite
well, and leave you with a nicely detailed model when done that can be
built in a few hours without busting your budget. Something along the
lines of a cruiser would be a good place to start.
Unfortunately, a lot of the simpler, cheaper, kits are from way back in
the 1960s, and didn't have very good fit or detail either.

Pat
Pat Flannery - 08 Jan 2008 06:00 GMT
> Lastly, there is a message on this group periodically, pointing one to
> the Ship Modeling FAQ.
>  

I found this also: http://www.totalnavy.com/buildship.htm

Pat
Don McIntyre - 07 Jan 2008 14:12 GMT
> I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
> a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks!!

Some of my favorites for model building:

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/

http://www.cybermodeler.com/whatsnew.shtml

http://www.hyperscale.com/what's.htm

http://www.modelingmadness.com/whatsnew.htm

Check out the forums, too:

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=3

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=8

http://www.aussiemodeller.com/pages/discussiongroup/forum.html

http://www.clubhyper.com/forums/forum.htm

http://s3.invisionfree.com/readersforum/index.php?s=9ac8eb81effcdbb7a3b5b97f8333
3e03&showforum=1


While these are aviation oriented, the modelling tips you can find
there can be invaluable.

Good luck.
Ship Modeler - 08 Jan 2008 20:03 GMT
> I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
> a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a currently
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks!!

I would suggest you start on something smaller and simpler to build.
Especially if you want add photo etched parts.  I always suggest the
Tamiya 1/350 scale Fletcher destroyer kit.  It's fairly small (about
12") and will build up in a short period of time.  If you choose to do
photo etch, you won't get bogged down doing endless railing as you
would on the big battleships.  As far as help goes, I produce a
complete line of how to modeling CDs for ship modeler that will prove
invaluable to get you started on the right foot.  Check them out at
flagshipmodels.com.

Rusty White
Flagship Models Inc.
flagshipmodels.com
Ship Modeler - 08 Jan 2008 20:07 GMT
> Also what resources are available for newb help, tools, paints, etc. I would
> like to use some sort of spray system for paint as it finishes better, I
> don't want to use hand paint on anything except the smallest pieces. So I
> need a line on a good system for painting as well.

Checkout:
steelnavy.com
modelwarships.com

Rusty White
Flagship Models Inc.
Angry American - 09 Jan 2008 23:54 GMT
>I have always wanted to get into models, mainly modern day warships. I have
>a line on a Revell USS Iowa kit in 1/350 scale. Although its not a
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Thanks!!

Thanks for all of the replies and pointers ;-)

Angry American
 
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