Hello from a newbie

[pegasus44]

Thank you for approving my application to join this site. I hope that I can learn from the experts here and contribute as well.

Like so many others I started modelling as a schoolboy in the 1960s and built many Airfix, Revell, Frog and Monogram kits until the mid 70s when work took me interstate from Melbourne. Several more moves followed and then came marriage, children and all sorts of other demands which took precedence over modelling. I built the occasional model as stress relievers but gave that away in the mid 90s. Only 2 models have survived from the 60s/70s - an Airfix F4C and FROG (?) Jaguar T2. But 1:48 scale Apache, Mirage F1 and F100D have survived from the 80s/90s. All the other early models were given away, disappeared in backyard battles with neighbours and some met their blazing ends when attached to sky rockets and launched into space on cracker nights. Some were broken beyond repair or lost during interstate moves.

I've been away from modelling for nearly 20 years but my interest has been rekindled as a recent operation requires 10 weeks convalescence and retirement is also approaching within the next 12/18 months. So I've been dusting off my small stash of kits but really don't know where to begin as they're in a variety of scales and include aircraft, ships and figures.

But I continued to buy models which were kept for a rainy day or retirement. I'll probably start with an Airfix 1:144 scale B737 to iron out the modelling cobwebs so may I please ask some advice from modern modellers :

1). What is the best filler to use ?
2). What is the best primer ?
3). Should I fill in airliner windows and use decals and if so what is the best method ?
4). I don't own an airbrush so will be hand painting. I've never had great results painting white so any tips would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking of hand painting or using a spray can of matt white as an undercoat and then a can of gloss white for the top coat.
5). I used the MicroSol / MicroSet decalling sytem in the past. Have there been any improvements for laying down decals ?

Any help and tips will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Bob

[DesTROYer]

Welcome Bob.
A lot of your questions answers are subjective to the project, but I'll give my opinions if you'd like.
1. I like to use various methods from Tamiya putty, Mr Primer Surfacer or Perfect Plastic putty.
2. Tamiya or Mr Hobby Primer is what I use.
3. Depends on the decals you are using I guess. I have only done one airliner and just went with the kit decals which had clear film over the windows. Nothing to see in them anyway.
4. Tamiya fine white primer is what I am told to use to both prime and white coat when doing airliners. A gloss coat over the top will get the shine you want. Get yourself an airbrush though for your other colours. You wont regret it for larger areas painted other colours. Way more control than using a spray pack.
5. I use Micro sol and Micro set.

BNA model world is a great place for you modelling supplies and deliver next day 9/10 times. http://www.bnamodelworld.com/

Cheers,
Troy

[Adam the Akrodude]

Welcome Bob

I think your story is a pretty common one. I've a young family, so finding the time to model (and the enthusiasm) can be challenging.

Filler I use is either CA (Super) glue and plastic card (for big jobs) and/or Tamiya putty for small work. Tamiya putty can shrink a bit, so a lot of work for larger cracks.

Mr Hobby and Tamiya primers are excellent. As Troy has said, a lot of Top Gun modellers use Tamiya Primer as the white and buff it then seal with clear coat. Depending on what you want to model, a airbrush at some stage is a great investment. They come in a range of prices - depending on your need. Perhaps start with a low cost Chinese knock off for practice - then if happy with results, get a better higher quality one down the track. Trick is to adjust the pressure to suit the job, have the right paint consistency and spray at the right distance - all this takes practice, but you will get the hang of it quickly. Saying that though, there are some incredible modellers who use brush alone, but they are in the minority. I mainly use acrylic paints, so no issues with nasty fumes.

When using either Tamiya or Mr. Hobby rattle cans, I put them in a dish or warm water to help with boosting pressure. Never put them in hot water - just warm. I think this helps a bit. Of course like any rattle can, they need a good shake to start with. I mainly build (when I can find some time!) military, racers and aerobatic aircraft. The airliner guys will have plenty of advice and there are some great build threads here to learn from as well. Eric Galliers has done some masterful work using rattle cans - his Meteor F.8, Supermarine S.4 and Comet racer to name a few. I think the paint technology has improved massively in recent years making using rattle cans a lot easier and more forgiving.

So, good luck with your building and please post your work - we'd love to see it!

Cheers

Adam

[F-27pax]

Welcome aboard Bob.

As the previous replies have shown, ways of doing modelling are usually quite personal and suit the interests and abilities of each modeller. So, I couldn't tell you what is the best thing to do, I can just tell you what works for me. Usually these are techniques that I've got used to over the years and there is nothing to say that you might not find other things work better for you.

1. The main filler I use is Tamiya. Most of the time I use the grey putty but occasionally I use the white stuff, usually when I'm going to be painting something white that has a white plastic base. There's also various two part epoxy putties for larger gaps. Most people prefer Miliput but it hasn't worked well for me most of the time.

2. The only primer I use is the Tamiya primer, and I use primer on everything these days. Usually I use the grey primer but, when it comes to models that are going to end up mostly white then I use Tamiya white primer instead. I've also taken to using one of the Tamiya rattle can metallic laquers as a base coat on things like airliners because it shows up the smallest defect very obviously.

3. Windows is a matter of taste. Of course, with kits like those from Minicraft there are no windows to begin with. I've taken to filling them in using Selley's Knead It which is a two party epoxy and sets nice and quick and sand back to a flat finish very quickly and easily.

4. I also suggest that you think about getting an airbrush. There is a member in our club who paints only by hand and he does a good job, but still has trouble with white and metallic finishes. They take a bit of getting used to and even though I bought my first one in 1975 I can't say that I am anything like an expert with the one I use. It's just better than hand painting for most purposes.

If you don't want to get an airbrush, don't worry. I use almost exclusively Tamiya rattle cans for all metallic and white finishes. For a good white finish I'd start off with three or four light coats of either Tamiya white primer or Tamiya TS-27 Matt White. When the white is dense enough I finish off with a couple of thin coats of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White. I usually polish this up with a bit of 1200 grit micromesh. Over the years I've found that white enamel paint tends to go slightly yellow over time but laquers don't, so I use almost only laquers (such as the Tamiya rattle cans) on my airliners. An additional point, since the rattle cans are not cheap I bought a big can a white laquer from an automotive paint shop and use that (thinned down of course) through my airbrush, instead of Tamiya white primer or Matt White, as an economy measure.

5. I've tried various decal setting solutions over the years, but haven't found anything better than Micro Sol and Micro Set.

I hope you enjoy your old Airfix 737-200. If you are planning to make more airliners you might find it useful to have a look at Airliner Hobby Supplies that seem to have decals for just about every airliner you can think of and most of the airlines. Of course, there is always Hawkeye for just about anything Australian and Oldmodels for anything New Zealand. Oldmodels do some very nice decals for New Zealand's National Airliner Corporation and Air New Zealand that would certainly make your Airfix 737 out of the ordinary.

Leigh

[pegasus44]

Hi guys

Thanks for the replies and tips.

I'll make up a shopping list and head off to my local hobby shop later today. Hopefully, I'll make some progress over the weekend.

Cheers

Bob

[kfutter]

Welcome aboard, Bob!

Kev

[hrtpaul]

Welcome Bob. The guys have already covered everything you need to know. Enjoy your stay

[tor lives]

G'day Bob,
A belated welcome to our site mate. It's great to have you here, and I hope you enjoy your A/CAM experience.
TOR