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Model Forum / General / Models / March 2004New to Scale Modeling
Greetings, I've recently joined this group. I'm quite interested in learning more about plastic scale modeling but I don't know where to start. Can anyone give links on getting started as well as tips on starting? I've tried searching in google but all it gives out are stores and not really comprehensive sites on getting started. In fact, I found only one tutorial, which, ironically, suggested this newsgroup. hehehe... Thanks for your feedback. Chad Hi Chad, I've just gotten back into modeling after a long break. (college ) What I can suggest, and I'm sure most will agree, pick something that you are interested in, WW1 aircraft, hot rods, The war of 1812, NASCAR, the Apollo rockets, it really doesn't matter as long as it is something that you know. Then decide to build a model of something related to it. Personally my background is aircraft, when I was growing up my dad was building and restoring planes, so when I got back into modeling I chose to model that because I have tonnes of references at hand. Next, visit your local hobby shop and ask around. The guys at my local shop always seem to know the answers to any of the odd questions I have. Personally, if you are just starting, go and get yourself a semi-cheap model. Cheap enough so that it doesn't hurt your wallet, but good enough so that you won't have too many problems with the fit of the parts. I recommend Monogram Pro modeler or Tamiya they are not too expensive and the ones I've built have come out great. As for paints, go for the Testors Model Master paints, I have never had any problems with them either. I'm sure others will agree. After your second or third model, try a switch to something way off your normal interests. For example, I model aircraft and have a few under my belt, my next one is going to be a figure or a diorama to switch it up a little. You never know what will catch your interest until you try it. Lastly, here is the info to a great book that has allot of great tips and a bit of good inspiration. How to Build Dioramas by Shepherd Paine. Kalmbach Publishing Company; 2nd edition (December 1999) ISBN: 0890241953 Sorry about the huge post, but that's allot of ground to cover. Anything else, I'm sure some of the pro's can answer a little better :) If you need a hand with anything else, just ask :) -Colin. > Greetings, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Chad > know. Then decide to build a model of something related to it. > Personally my background is aircraft, when I was growing up my dad was > building and restoring planes, so when I got back into modeling I chose to > model that because I have tonnes of references at hand. Well, I have no preference for now. But since I am starting out I might want to pick out something to practice on, like maybe a plane model or car. It doesn't matter. But once I get to sharpen my skill on it I prefer do pretty much about any model. I've seen so many kinds and I really can't say I would like to choose one theme. I guess I'll have to choose one based on how challenging and interesting the model may be. Like, maybe an aircraft carrier at one time and a robot on another time. ;) But as for now, as you've suggested, I should stick first with ones that are easy to work with. > that you won't have too many problems with the fit of the parts. I recommend > Monogram Pro modeler or Tamiya they are not too expensive and the ones I've > built have come out great. As for paints, go for the Testors Model Master > paints, I have never had any problems with them either. I'm sure others will > agree. I may go with Tamiya since it is the dominant brand in my area. In fact, I haven't even noticed any other plastic model brands here, except for the RCs. Anime models are also abundant in another store here. They even have the ones that were displayed on Linkin Park's music video of "Somewhere I Belong" heheheh... > Lastly, here is the info to a great book that has allot of great tips and a > bit of good inspiration. > How to Build Dioramas by Shepherd Paine. Kalmbach Publishing Company; 2nd > edition (December 1999) ISBN: 0890241953 Thanks for the book suggestion.Good books are also what I'm looking for can you suggest any more? I tried reading on some sites but so far the latest popular one being recommended was published in 1991-1992. I believe the title was "Building Plastic Models" by Robert H. Schleicher in 1991. I also found some pdfs downloadable at www.testors.com. If you have other more recent publications to suggest the better. Also, I would also like to know the terminologies in this hobby. I would also like to what other terms that refer to scale models. I believe the reason why most of my web searches were fruitless is because the rest of the sites probably use a more specific term than just "plastic models". > Greetings, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Chad Welcome to the hobby and RMS. First and foremost, are you married? That may decide a lot of things in your modelling future. ;-) What's your poison (cars,armor, aircraft, scifi, ships, figures, etc)? WmB To reply, get the HECK out of there HELLinhock@earthlink.net > First and foremost, are you married? That may decide a lot of things in your modelling > future. ;-) hehehe... Thanks for the tip. Maybe I should be a hermit then. ;) No, I'm not married yet. I'm still single and still looking for a job and a hobby. Models have always been my childhood fantasy but my parents could not afford it. My first plastic model that I assembled, which I thought was a toy, was a Tamiya Russian Hind-A Gunship. I just glued the sucker together with no paints and no decals. (of course, the paints and the airbrush were preposterously expensive here) heheheh... 15 years have passed since then. ;) Having thought about that question I guess I should start this hobby now BEFORE I get married so I have all the stuff set up. ;) > What's your poison (cars,armor, aircraft, scifi, ships, figures, etc)? Any! If I ever get good at this I would go after the challenging ones! >First and foremost, are you married? That may decide a lot of things in your >modelling >future. ;-) Yup, the death kneel of one building any more plastic models ! Many a fine modeler has gone down the road of 1 : 1 modeling of new humans, and the result is almost always the same, no more plastic modeling time.... Good news is that often times the result is a divorce, and the kid's finally growing up. Bad side is that usually you have to give said Ex a lot of $$$ in the process, so one generally starts in 1/72 scale and works their way back into modeling. I know, a bitter pill for a diehard 1/48th scale modeler, but there are worse things in life... Even better is when the kid's are finally off on their own, the EX has found someone else to talk to, (god help them :) and you now have your quality modeling time back. You make sure that the new girlfriend understands your quality time alone building models, and appericates that you are not out late looking for trouble. (ya know, the kind that got you kid's in the first place ?) It's a viscious cycle, I know, and one I've seen repeated many times. One can get through it but it takes patience, foresight, and presence of mind to take advantage of every little spare minute of modeling time available one has. But after all of the above, one finally reaches the pinnicle of expirence, and knowladge to build really nice kit's. (If you can get through all of the above, building models is easy !:) Now for those of you who have never been married, you are lucky !! But..... you lose the expirence. Like they say, you have to pay your dues, to sing the blues.... "Only a Gentleman can insult me, and a true Gentleman never will..." >Can anyone give links on getting started as well as tips on starting? You could do worse than to start with our group's FAQ: http://www.ninfinger.org/~sven/models/rms_tips/rmsfaq.1.html .  SignatureAl Superczynski, MFE, IPMS/USA #3795, continuous since 1968 My "From" address is munged - click "Reply To" to respond via email. Check out my want lists and eBay listings at "Al's Place": http://www.network54.com/realm/modeleral/ "Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to, and the critics will flame you every time." >I've recently joined this group. I'm quite interested in learning more about >plastic scale modeling but I don't know where to start. Two suggestions: Get a subscription to a modeling magazine; here in the US I reccomend Fine Scale Modeler. Join the International Plastic Modelers Society. hth Keeper (of too much crap) > >I've recently joined this group. I'm quite interested in learning more about > >plastic scale modeling but I don't know where to start. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Keeper (of too much crap) I already did this. I even looked up the local IPMS here in my country. >Greetings, > >I've recently joined this group. I'm quite interested in learning more about >plastic scale modeling but I don't know where to start. > >Can anyone give links on getting started as well as tips on starting? aircraftresourcecenter.com hyperscale.com modelingmadness.com Hyperscale webmaster Brett Green filmed an archive of tutorial/technique demo videos that I've found informative and accessible for all skill levels. http://www.scaleworkshop.com/workshop.htm There's an obvious emphasis on Testors products (site sponsors) but you can apply the methods universally regardless of brand name. You'll need Windows Media Player to play the files. And I would definitely seek out a model club in your area. You can learn a lot from r.m.s.; but you can learn more from face-to-face discussions with other modelers and seeing finished models up close and personal. Modeling shouldn't be a solitary endeavor. Good luck and welcome! Sat >From: "Chad" darkstar_ae@hotmail.com > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > >Chad Hello Chad. I won't repeat the info provided by others but I will extend my sincere welcome to the newsgroup. "The world would be a much simpler place if every one could pick and choose their obligations, but we can't and we shouldn't." Major Charles W. Whittlesey x >>From: "Chad" darkstar_ae@hotmail.com >> [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >and choose their obligations, but we can't and we shouldn't." > Major Charles W. Whittlesey and you won't fins a more helpfull or nicer bunch anywhere. In addition to internet, try your local library. Mine has a couple of books by Kalmbach, good introductory books on scale plastic modeling. If your library doesn't have any of these, visit local hobby shop. Most carry these books. > Greetings, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Chad SignatureDon Stauffer in Minnesota stauffer@usfamily.net webpage- http://www.usfamily.net/web/stauffer |
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