Semi OT: Looking at getting into modelling

[Chad Harrison]

Hi all

I am looking at getting into building/painting WWII models. A number of you have posted some very, very impressive pictures of your plane/tank/ship models over the years in this forum so I figured this would be a good starting place.

To start simple I am looking specifically at WWII vehicles/infantry - and incase its not obvious, not pre-assembled or pre-painted ones. While I have some modelling experience, it is so little that it would be safer to say that I have none. Nice clean slate! I am not looking at playing wargaming with them, so dont need to limit myself to the tiny scale ones.

I am well aware that a couple of google searches could give me mountains of links, information and so on. But I am looking for a more personal recommendation from those who I know appreciate detail and realism.

So I have some quick questions:

1. Best scale? I know this may be a personal preference, but I am looking for a consistent scale where there is a wide range of vehicle models available, but also infantry, scenery, ect. in that scale. 1/35?
2. Best company(s)? I assume there are some great quality kits out there, and then there are some very crappy worthless kits. Is there one company or a few companies that have current kits that are consistently good? Consistently bad?
3. Best reference material(s)? I have two bookshelves full of historical reference materials, books, pictures and such - so I am good in that area. I mean more along the lines of books that give 'How To' pointers - in other words a 'How to assemble, paint and display your models for dummies' book.
4. Best paints? Pretty self explanatory.
5. Good hobby sites and/or places to order?

Thanks in advance!

Chad

[AW1Steve]

I've always done 1/700 for ships (and matching aircraft) and 1/72 for aircraft. My reasons are that they don't take up as much storage space, and work well for dioramas. I generally used those models (in my previous life) to teach recognition training (ID'ing friendly versus non-friendly for aircrews). So the subjects were all modern ships (that is , modern in the 1980's-90's). And for that size didn't matter much. I never did need to do much land forces stuff (except for Radars and missiles).

I strongly recommed a subscription to fine scale modeling magazine. And they have excellent "how to build and paint it" books.

Good luck![:)]

[Schanilec]

I cheat. I buy die cast 1/32 scale from themotorpool.net, HistoricAviation.com and MilitaryIssue.com. I have a real cool 1/350 Essex class Yorktown on my mantel. $500.00. They bothed that one. Should have sold for $1250.00. Oops. Great stuff though.

[LST Express]

There is a thread over on page 2 titled 1/700 waterline ship models. Some useful info over there. Sorry scratching this out on my cell phone.[:)]

[HansBolter]

Here are a few modeling sites I frequent:

http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/index.php?

http://www.armorama.com/

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/

I mostly build armor/vehicles and warships in various scales.

Take a look at planetarmor's vbench. There are some awesome builds there way, way beyond my skill level that I can only drool over. Search for build logs by a Japanese gent by the name of Watanabe if you want to be blown away. He scratch builds in brass and solder with the precision of the proverbial Swiss watch maker.

[Chad Harrison]

Thanks for all the replies thus far. Certainly gives me a starting point.

Obviously any other comments/suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

Chad

[jeffk3510]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it... but sqaudron.com is a wonderful site. I use it all of the time. I also receive FineScaleModeler in the mail as well..

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

Here are a few modeling sites I frequent:

http://www.planetarmor.com/forums/index.php?

http://www.armorama.com/

http://modelshipwrights.kitmaker.net/

I mostly build armor/vehicles and warships in various scales.

Take a look at planetarmor's vbench. There are some awesome builds there way, way beyond my skill level that I can only drool over. Search for build logs by a Japanese gent by the name of Watanabe if you want to be blown away. He scratch builds in brass and solder with the precision of the proverbial Swiss watch maker.

Thanks for the links Hans! I am 99% finished with a 1/72 Type VII U-Boat (U-564 Teddy Suhren's boat) and want to build a 1/35 Tiger I (Dragon kit, circa Fall 44, western front) next. That site should give me some useful info. Now if only I could find a 1/72 Wappen for U564. Dreimal Schwarzen Kater. Any ideas where to find it will be pursued eagerly. Squadron still has it on their website but they have not stocked it for several years- Maybe they should take it off the website...

[morganbj]

The hardest thing about modelling is the walk. You have to get the hip thing going and make sure you don't fall off the platform. And, you'd better start dieting and working out, too. I don't any of this from first had experience, you understand, but I do watch the Victoria Secret specials on cable.

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: bjmorgan

The hardest thing about modelling is the walk. You have to get the hip thing going and make sure you don't fall off the platform. And, you'd better start dieting and working out, too. I don't any of this from first had experience, you understand, but I do watch the Victoria Secret specials on cable.

Don't forget the blank look. That ennui born from that je ne sais quoi.

Alfred

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Alfred

Don't forget the blank look. That ennui born from that je ne sais quoi.

Alfred

I think they are all trying for a part as Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz

[crsutton]

Crap, I thought maybe you looked like Gemma Ward and were going to post some photos...I really need to start looking for a more interesting forum [:D]