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Fiat500
January 21st, 2014, 07:07 PM
I used to build tons of these when I was younger.

On saturdays mornings me and a friend would walk into town with my grandfather. We'd both buy a kit, mostly WWII planes, mostly Airfix kits, which we would complete at the kitchen table when returning home.
They were quick and messy affairs. No paint. Stuff would sag in all directions. Decals were applied in the general area of their specified location. Generously applied glue would make surfaces cave in as they were dissolved.

Good times, and it went a lot like this:

http://i.imgur.com/lEoOK2V.gif

Except my friend wasn't a toy tiger.

Later I would grow more ambitious, and began painting the kits and generally made better attempts at getting them right. I would also build tanks, battleships and the occasional car.
With hindsight, I can tell that my efforts were far short of ever producing a masterpiece, and I think the idea of having a model of the plane/ tank/ ship was more important than producing a perfect scale replica.

I gradually grew out of the hobby, having returned only sporadically to the occasional kit.

I think it is a combination of playing World of Tanks and my six year old son's friends coming home with him after school (such a ruckus!) that has brought me back in.
It could also be mid-life crisis manifesting itself as regressive behaviour.

When I sit down and glue those little plastic pieces together, I enter a zen-like state of mind and am shielded from the world.
It could also be the glue, that's some hairy stuff.

Anyway, I had a bunch of kits lying around from years ago, some half finished some not even begun.
I also had little Humbrol paint boxes from even more years ago. I am sure some of them haven't been opened since the eighties, and miraculously enough some of them even contained paint in liquid form.
Each time I've seen the kits wherever they were stored, I'd want to begin (or finish!) assembling them. Then I'd forget about it, and years would pass until the next time.

This time I want to stick with it.

I began with this kit that I bought some time in the late nineties:

http://i.imgur.com/8jzIMH0.jpg

(It was on sale and I love Spitfires)

I've been at it for a couple of weeks, finding time here and there, and it is slowly coming together.
This is from an earlier stage:

http://i.imgur.com/ICWLQ3V.jpg

(The pilot is mostly painted with artist's oils and acrylic colours...)

That old Airfix kit is really horrible in places, with tons of flash and whatnot, assembly instructions bordering on minimalist, and it isn't always a perfect fit, especially after such a long time in the box.
Tamiyas and Hasegawas are miles ahead.
But I'm in no hurry, and want to make stuff look good.

Besides, the last time I built model kits, I did not have the internet as a resource for reference and advice, so there's that.

So I'm sat here, in an atmosphere rich with the aroma of glue that melts plastic, reminiscing of a past where I built models of stuff from even further in the past, while listening to the entire Beatles catalogue.

"Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream"

:)

Rare White Ape
January 21st, 2014, 11:10 PM
Your return to building these is similar to my renewed interest in Lego that sprang up like a very springy thing 18 months ago. It's definitely a thing. That need to go back to the best parts of your childhood and do it again to see what it was like just one more time.

Last night I found a Facebook page that deals with clips, quotes and screenshots from classic episodes of The Simpsons.

Today I found myself reciting a Ranier Wolfcastle quote in my head over and over again.

http://media.screened.com/uploads/0/4830/407331-mcbain_loafers_300x225_super.gif

"On closer inspection, these are loafers."

Now I must download and watch about ten years' worth of episodes to reminisce.

Have fun with your model kits!

Rob
January 21st, 2014, 11:26 PM
UK chain Modelzone went bust last year. I now have a gigantic pile of shame that cost me around 200 quid including huge kits like a 1:72 XB-70 Valkyrie, AC-130 and a 1:144 747 w/shuttle piggyback.

If and when I build them, I have nowhere to display the finished products. I didn't think this through at all.

M4FFU
January 22nd, 2014, 12:02 AM
Your return to building these is similar to my renewed interest in Lego that sprang up like a very springy thing 18 months ago. It's definitely a thing. That need to go back to the best parts of your childhood and do it again to see what it was like just one more time.

This, although I kinda never really left the stuff I did as a kid alone. This time round, my Lego is ending up in a glass display cabinet rather than in boxes on the floor. It's more expensive, I have less interest in building new things, but even the kiddy-themed stuff I want.

Never grow up.

--

Oh, I also tried my hand at a 1/72 plane kit once. I don't have the patience. Or talent. I stick to Lego. Keep us posted!

Mirage
January 22nd, 2014, 08:29 AM
I've been told I get to display my lego sets in the guess bedroom after we finish remodeling it. I do have a stack of about 15 car models, some armor and one plane sitting next to my bookshelf, but I honestly don't think ive broken out the supplies and touched one in 6-7 years.

tigeraid
January 22nd, 2014, 09:48 AM
I don't think it'd be appropriate to the thread, so I'll just leave this here:

http://gtxfrefuge.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1394

:D

On a related note, I have taken a sabbatical from building for customers, unless something REALLY interesting piques my interest. Until then I'm actually trying to build models for MYSELF for the first time in like a decade.

Yw-slayer
January 22nd, 2014, 02:07 PM
I don't have the time, patience, or skill to assemble Jack. I envy you guys.

Fiat500
January 22nd, 2014, 05:47 PM
tigeraid - I remember those now, those are awesome! (we should have that bow-down-and-grovel smiley!)

I see no reason why they shouldn't be in this thread? Except everybody else would feel useless and inadequate, of course... :)
What brands are those cars?

I build Legos too, together with my son. We are currently doing the Goblin King Battle from The Hobbit, and have done loads of superhero and Star Wars stuff. He's getting a lot better at building alone, but prefers the company I think.
We've got the big R2-D2 stashed away for later.
He doesn't seem interested in the plastic model kits yet though, except for checking my progress from time to time.

And yeah, the issue of space... I don't really have anywhere to put the finished product either... Especially the Spitfire, which is going to be huge.
I have some 1/72 and 1/48 models as well, I guess those could find a temporary home hanging from my son's ceiling.

But the choice between giant Spitfire and no giant Spitfire is easy, consequences are for later! :rawk:

Alan P
January 22nd, 2014, 05:49 PM
I used to love building models and yes, the Airfix stuff was cheap for a reason. Hasegawa and Tamiya were far superior.

thesameguy
January 22nd, 2014, 07:32 PM
I've always liked building models, but the thing that kills me is the paint. Buying a couple dozen tiny jars of paint is really un-economical unless you build a lot of models. I'd love to build one or two, but stocking up on $100 worth of supplies to do it is depressing. :(

Fiat500
January 22nd, 2014, 07:45 PM
What?! Buying several tiny jars of paint (over time!) is clearly the most economical method! ;)

thesameguy
January 22nd, 2014, 08:53 PM
Oh snap! Maybe I've been doing it wrong! Maybe that's why model building always turns into a major financial pain. I'll have to give it a try!

tigeraid
January 23rd, 2014, 10:22 AM
tigeraid - I remember those now, those are awesome! (we should have that bow-down-and-grovel smiley!)

I see no reason why they shouldn't be in this thread? Except everybody else would feel useless and inadequate, of course... :)
What brands are those cars?



Various, most kits are either Tamiya or Revell or AMT. Some, like the wagons, are one-off or custom resin castings that use existing kits as the chassis.

It also looks like he's disabled the "EDIT" function on the old forum, so I can't cut/paste. I'm faaaaar too lazy to repost all of them...

So just the best ones? :D


http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=86&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=112&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=203&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=543&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=540&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=625&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=687&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2498&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1153&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1392&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1506&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1755&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2458&g2_serialNumber=2



http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2091&g2_serialNumber=2

Fiat500
January 31st, 2014, 08:55 AM
Superb! :up:


Keep us posted!

Not much since my previous post, I'm afraid.

The pic in my first post was quite early in the progress. I have since assembled the fuselage and the wings, but not the wings to the fuselage.

Parts of the kit have fit together surprisingly well, others not so much.
Getting the engine to fit just right was a bit of a challenge, and getting the exhausts to fit through the engine frame required some modification. Stuff like that.

The kit has moving landing gear. One of the sides had a little too much resistance, and of course it snapped. I felt a little like Calvin in the first post at this point.
I've managed to fix it since, but there was a need for some adjustment there too, especially with the landing gear covers.

I'm on the home stretch with the assembly, and then it's on to painting the big surfaces.

I dread fitting the wings though, as a dry fit has revealed that violence and vigour might be called for, and probably a liberal amount of putty afterwards. I don't think the tipp-ex that is used for small cracks will do the job here.

Fiat500
July 6th, 2014, 03:43 AM
So, this has been an on and off affair.

The Spitfire is getting there, slowly, but I have a couple of side projects for when paint dries, etc.

One of these is a 1/48 Mitsubishi Raiden. It was begun ages ago, when I tried to make my kits look pretty, but never really finished.

The decals are lost, so what you see is painted on with home made stencils.

Did I go overboard in making it look weary? Maybe, but those japanese aircraft didn't look pretty towards the end of the war.

Pre:
http://imgur.com/i83JJLW

Post:
http://imgur.com/zRPfZ5k

(I'm posting from my phone, so just the links)

Godson
July 6th, 2014, 03:51 AM
DUDE!!!!!!

that looks fucking amazing.

thesameguy
July 6th, 2014, 02:07 PM
Yeah it does - nice work!

Fiat500
July 6th, 2014, 04:15 PM
Thanks guys. :)

The Raiden has been kind of a mule for some of my ideas, as well as a test bed to come to terms with that damn Tamiya acrylic paint (just give in and get the official thinner, mix half and half, use several layers), so various types of paint has been on and off it. As a result, some detail has disappeared along the way. Plus, there's plenty of creative license.
If this was a modelling forum, you would all flame me for using the wrong shade of green. :)

Anyway, it's not really finished yet, still some stuff left to do. :)

M4FFU
July 7th, 2014, 06:01 AM
Awesome!

SportWagon
July 8th, 2014, 12:05 PM
I remember how expensive Humbrol model paints were. 25 cents for a little tin, when Testor's was only 12 cents (for a slightly smaller bottle). But Humbrol was a far superior product, at least for flat colours.

thesameguy
July 8th, 2014, 02:48 PM
I never like Testors paints. I always had terrible results. My second go at building them - around Y2k - I used Tamiya paint and was much happier with them. I've never heard of Humbrol - maybe a locality thing.

tigeraid
July 9th, 2014, 09:38 AM
I despise Testors. Tamiya paints all the way. They're worth the extra dollar or so per jar.

SportWagon
July 9th, 2014, 11:20 AM
Humbrol has a wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humbrol

The paints were available in Canada, and if they ever marketed models in Canada, it was after I'd largely stopped building them.

A 14ml tin is 1/2 floz, I guess. About a 1 inch high cylinder with about a 1 inch diameter.

Fiat500
July 15th, 2014, 05:08 PM
Me, I've never seen Testors here. I've read about them, of course.

Tamiya is relatively new in the market here, when I grew up it was almost exclusively Humbrol, and the odd Airfix tin (taller but narrower).
The oil-based Humbrol paints are relatively forgiving when you apply them, so the acrylic-based Tamiyas almost drove me nuts when I tried to use them Humbrol-style.

My Mitsubishi Raiden pics upthread contains a Humbrol tin as well as Tamiya jars in different sizes, and there's even a matchbox for reference.

Although our matchboxes are bigger than the ones I've seen abroad. :p

Random
July 16th, 2014, 07:03 PM
The "big" boxes (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YYr3XA5tL.jpg)of kitchen matches (250 matches, or so) are about 3inx5inx1in (76x127x25mm ish).

The "small" boxes (http://blogs.militarytimes.com/gearscout/wp-content/blogs.dir/5/files/fire-starting/111609oddiamondmatch.jpg)(32 matches) are a little less than half those dimensions in all axes.

[/trivia] ;)

SportWagon
July 17th, 2014, 06:47 AM
In another forum I used to frequent, "matchbox" might refer to a diecast model car. :assclown:

Fiat500
July 17th, 2014, 07:40 AM
I'm currently looking for an english box of matches that I know I have lying around somewhere, and when I find it, I'll post a picture with a local matchbox, the english one, and a matchbox car, so that there's absolutely no confusion about scale.

Maxbotch cars got their name because they fit inside a box of matches*, didn't they? I've always assumed as much...

*after you take out the matches, obviously.

(I love how threads get derailed on this forum :) )

SportWagon
July 17th, 2014, 05:01 PM
At one time the Matchbox brand was extended to include model kits.

Fiat500
July 18th, 2014, 05:18 AM
Yeah, I had a bunch of those.

The kits came in 3 (I think) different colours, I guess so they should look better if you didn't bother with painting.

I had a 1/32 Messerschmitt 109, this was in my more clumsy and casual building days, I would love to have that now.

The small military vehicles were great, they came with their own little dioramas. The Wespe had a little piece of desert with a palm tree on it, there was a Puma on some street, and the Sherman had part of a bridge.

Hold on, I just remembered that I'm on the internet:

http://modelshelves.free.fr/dossiers/MB_WH/img13.jpg

http://www.back-up.fsnet.co.uk/Revell_Sherman-1.jpg

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p508/erhnty2/234/DSCN2041_zps9b3f926d.jpg

There were many others, but those are the ones I remember, for some reason.