I've started this blog because I really want to write about my projects and it's content that doesn't really belong on any of my other platforms, being something of a political animal. About two years ago, almost to the day, I was looking at a rather sad Mig-29 Fulcum in 1:72 sitting on my desk, lamenting the quality of it. I don't even know what possessed me to build it. I hadn't built an aircraft model in years. But that sad little Mig made me want to do better. I think I scrolled past one of those Japanese Phantom builds on Facebook and that was it. I wanted more than anything to make something that beautiful.
So with money I didn't have I went and bought an airbrush, compressor and a Skyraider - and got down to work. Since building that kit I've built about forty more if you count the armoured vehicles. I have a sideline in 1:35 tanks and armoured vehicles, each time, learning a little more. I've even done a Phantom, about a year ago - and it's still pride of place in the living room. It could be better but it's not at all bad.
The thing I've learned is that there's no black magic to any of this. It's all about techniques and having the right paints and tools. It needs some refinement and a lot of practice but if you're determined enough you can get there.
Mostly it's about setting higher standards for yourself every time. There was a time when I didn't really bother with the interior because who the hell even looks? You can't even see it most of the time. But the key to making great models is overcoming that sense of lethargy. Sure, there's no need to paint those wires in the wheel bay... but every time you submit to that, you subtract a little from the model. If you're cutting corners you can make a superficially good kit, but it will never be elite level.
In respect of that, modelling is as much about self improvement as building pretty aeroplanes. It's about challenging your own attitudes to things. How you do one thing is how you do everything. A model is a mirror reflection of your work ethic.
First off, though I'm going to talk a little bit about equipment. My onw view is that a decent model can't happen without an airbrush. You can get so far with a brush but you have to make the leap if you want to get into the next league. Here I've found that pretty much any compressor will do if it have a variable pressure dial and the airbrush hardly matters at all. Most of them will do a decent job. It's nice to have nice things but a virtuoso guitarist can knock out a tune just as easily on a second hand guitar from a charity shop.
The next big question... what paints do I use?
Answer... all of them. I'm not a huge fan of enamels for anything other than weathering and small details, and for the most part you can't beat Tamiya acrylics. For more precise colours I've started on the Vallejo paints. I have no complaints about them and their specialist metal colours are amazing. Mig Ammo paints are also really good - as are the Humbrol Acrylics.
So which brand kits?
Again, all of them. There are no bad brands. The older companies have some stinkers in their catalogue, particularly Airfix and Revell, but most of them can be bashed into shape. As it happens, my all time favourite kit is the 1:48 Airfix Buccaneer precisely because it is such an awful kit. You need half a tube of Humbrol filler, a lot of sandpaper and all the after market extras you can get. It's a real "essence of modelling" experience.
That makes for an interesting contrast with the HobbyBoss SU-27 I just finished which is state of the art. The kit is better and the result is better but I just don't love it as much as I love my Buccaneers. The relatively recent explosion of Chinese kits has certainly reinvigorated the market. Trumpeter have knocked Tamiya off the top spot for armoured vehicles and HobbyBoss have taken over Hasegawa as the prime movers in 1:48 aircraft. The Japanese kits are still great but the catalogues have not been renewed for a very long time.
But you know what? I do like a dirty old Revell kit. Especially the 1:48 WW2 aircraft. They're cheap and chunky but they are not at all bad. I've just built the A26 Invader and it's a lovely kit. I also have the Memphis Belle B17 in quarter scale and the C37 Spooky gunship. They've got their problems, particular with the transparencies, but if you want better you have to pay substantially more. I generally don't splash out on expensive kits unless I know I can do them justice. The HobbyBoss A6 Intruder sat in my stash for well over a year before I felt brave enough.
Probably though most underrated company, though, is Italeri. They make really high quality aircraft kits at really reasonable prices. They do a 1:48 Tomcat for about £25 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. You might want to buy resin ejector seats to set it off, but for that price, who even cares? Their 1:35 armour is good as well. The range is quite old now but some of them easily rival Tamiya quality at Revell prices. I would also mention Academy. I haven't built many but they are high quality. Usually at at the higher end of the price range for good reason.
All in all I think Revell are my favourite company. Their range is huge, and some of them are re-treads of Monogram and Hasegawa so you can grab a classic for next to nothing. There's just something rewarding about a basic and flawed kit bashed into life.
Over the course of this blog I will talk about techniques, kit reviews, painting and weathering etc but I'll also talk a lot about my own development as a modeller. There's a lot to reflect on with each build and I want to talk a bit about how to fix things when they go wrong. As with most guides on how to do things, there is often little to tell you what to do when things just don't work. Since I have had to learn the hard way ever single time, perhaps I can save you the headaches.
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