advice for beginners

325LATIMER · 29 June 2007, 05:56 AM

hello all,

i have just joined the forum and i have a confession to declare: i am a complete novice in the WWI aircraft models hobby.

after discovering the hobby some months ago and taking to it with a passion, i have so far completed 5 models, four of them biplanes and although i have enjoyed enormously the process i know that i am lacking quite a lot of basic knowledge and know-how.

in an effort to learn more i have looked as much as i can in the internet and have acquired some publications, but still they are areas that remain grey. i have found it difficult to find guidence and advice for those of us who are at the starting point, and so i would like to ask for your adivice.

1:72 is my scale of choice and so far i have built four models from revell (dh.2, fokker d.vii, sopwith camel & spad), one from eduard (fokker e.1) and in the worktable i have a fokker dr.1 (revell) and stored for later a bristol f.2 (roden) that i am putting off as i am not sure if at this moment i am up to the challenge.

one of the things i would like to know more about is wing jigs: i have read about lego blocks, cd cases, bits of cardboard and even the aeroclub offering, but i have not completly gathered how are they built and how they operate, could anyone throw some light on this direction? so far i have used the 'steady-hand' method, that although in this early stage has not been a total disaster has left me with considerably less hair . . .

also, what about painting? what is the general agreement on enamels and acrylics? any advice regarding undercoats? any advice regarding a good 'beginners' guide for WWI aircraft builders??

full of questions and full of hope: i will be very grateful indeed for the advice you could offer!

many thanks!

BuzPezold · 29 June 2007, 06:32 AM

325LATIMER,

Welcome and you have come to the right place to learn and get ideas for building models. You say you are building in 1/72 scale. That is good because that is my scale of choice. First advice is don't worry if you are not up to the challenge. By continuiously building WW1 aircraft models you get better and more knowledgable each time. There are numerous publications out there that can also help you in this particular hobby. WINDSOCK magazine immediately comes to mind beacuse it exclusively centers on WW1 modeling. You ask about painting. That is a tough one because it depends if you airbrush or handbrush. Another advice to you is to keep practicing and experimenting with different applications. With the different paint products and type of paint available try using as many as you can until you feel comfortable with that particular paint and you are satisfied with the results. Your other question about jigs. Utilizing jigs can be an engineering feat in itself. I do not use jigs myself other than utilizing items that are immediately available (such as paint bottles, paint cans, etc.) to serve as a stabilzer for the upper wing to dry in place. Again as you progress in your building skills and observe build articles you will be able to judge what is appropriate for the project that you are constructing. One last thing. There is another website available for WW1 model builders. Many people at The Aerodrome are also on that website as well. Go here: www.wwi-models.org
Well, I hope this helps and good luck in your endeavors.

Buz

StephenLawson · 29 June 2007, 08:29 AM

Do yourself a great favor and become familar with the search engine here ( at the bottom of each title page for how far to go back AND THEN GO TO THE TOP of the page to type in your search words.) It is a treasure trove. Also the hints and tips thread in the sticky section ( above this section on the modeling title.)

Kitboy · 29 June 2007, 11:14 AM

A little advice from me: try to stay away from Revell WW1 kits as good as you can. I mean all of their WW1 kits (except for the Triplane) were first issued 4 decades ago. They simply are outdated. If you still got the feeling you need to practise on WW1 kits buy Eduard! Roden is okay, but they need extra attention compared to the Eduard kits.

Have fun with this hobby, and don't feel reluctand to show some pictures. There is a Uk site on which there are some other WW1 enthusiasts active:

http://gregers.7.forumer.com/index.php

And this one is also worth wile:

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.p..._id=106&page=1

Greetings, Nico

Tom L. · 29 June 2007, 12:08 PM

My personal opinion is that nothing educates like building a difficult kit...and, while I haven't gotten one yet, I've heard that the Roden 1/72 Brisfit isn't one of their more difficult ones.

That's a relative statement, though; an easy Roden is more difficult than just about any other out there.
Love 'em though, love them dearly.

Kitboy · 29 June 2007, 01:15 PM

Oh yes,

I love 'm too!

Cheers, Nico

Familyman · 29 June 2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitboy

A little advice from me: try to stay away from Revell WW1 kits as good as you can. I mean all of their WW1 kits (except for the Triplane) were first issued 4 decades ago. They simply are outdated. If you still got the feeling you need to practise on WW1 kits buy Eduard! Roden is okay, but they need extra attention compared to the Eduard kits.

I do not agree Nico!! Revell ww1 kits are just the thing for a beginner! They are readily available, reasonable priced and go together quite easily. They are everything a beginner needs to develop his/her technique, painting skills rigging etc. A beginner is not so much interested in the accuracy of the kit, but rather wants to learn how to put the upper wing straight etc.

I built a couple of Toko kits (the Roden crew released some 1/72 under Toko label before putting up Roden line) withtoo little experience and the results were discouraging. Who cares how accurate the kit is, if the wings and landing gear and everything is pointing here and there and everywhere but where they should!

After those disastrous Toko effords I built several Smer, Airfix and Revell WW1 kits and I'm clad I did. After those, the next Toko effords went much better.

Mikko

FOKKERJ · 30 June 2007, 12:13 AM

Welcome 325LATIMER,
I agree with Familyman! I started out with Revell, with MPC and Airfix soon to round it out. I think these are great kits to learn and improve with.
I've seen experienced modelers cut away the built in seat and fabricate a complete fuselage interior with cockpit. I believe a kit can be as challenging as one wants to take it!
"BUILD WHAT YOU ENJOY and ENJOY WHAT YOU BUILD" I forgot who said that. Bottom line.......HAPPY TRAILS, FOKKERJ

325LATIMER · 2 July 2007, 12:57 AM

Many thanks to you all for your words: I shall get myself familiar with the search engine, and build, build, build.

And on this note i have some reports. as mentioned started rigging the eindecker at the weekend using paint brush bristles and white glue: I can report that it worked well.

I struggled (a bit) with my Revell Fokker dr.1: it all started going pear shaped when one of the struts snaped, my heart went to my shoes, but I carried on and managed to fix it and although not perfect, it will do for me as an experience for the next one. I shall post an image once the triplane is finished.

I have to say that i agree with Familyman, i have found that the Revell kits on the whole, are easy for novices to put together, I found the Eduard beautifully detailed and straight forwards (although i guess that monoplanes would be slightier simpler . . . ), and the Roden still causing me panic attacks everytime i open the box.

I have an Eastern Express Morane-Saulnier waiting for me once the Fokker, with broken strut, is proudly standing in my shelf

one question though: i use enamels (Humbrol and Revell, straight from the can) and brushes to finish my models; i start each model by cleaning in the sprucen then spraying a very light grey as a primer (i use a Humbrol spray can for this), and then i paint the model while still attached to the spruce. one of the problems i face, invariably, is that paint gets in to the surfaces that need to be glued in some cases resulting in extremely messy joints. Any advice you could offered would be most welcomed!

BuzPezold · 2 July 2007, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325LATIMER

one question though: i use enamels (Humbrol and Revell, straight from the can) and brushes to finish my models; i start each model by cleaning in the sprucen then spraying a very light grey as a primer (i use a Humbrol spray can for this), and then i paint the model while still attached to the spruce. one of the problems i face, invariably, is that paint gets in to the surfaces that need to be glued in some cases resulting in extremely messy joints. Any advice you could offered would be most welcomed!

325LATIMER,

Painting a light primer coat on your models before building is not a bad idea. I offer this suggestion. Cleaning your model parts in a light soapy solution will remove any oil or residue on the plastic when it was molded. This should help in having your paint adhere to the plastic. This may eliminate you having to use a primer coat and you do not have to apply so many coats of paint to the surfarce of the plastic. You may want to start painting and building your model as you go. What I usually do is paint the interior (cockpit) first and add painted detail. As a rule I do not paint any parts attached to the sprue just for that reason it will cover the joints and prohibit adhesion of the glue. I try to assemble as much of the model that I can before painting. This way I can attach major parts (wings and fuselage) to get a proper fit and a strong hold. Then I fill any gaps with filler (putty) and scrape/remove any glue seams or putty residue. Again as you become more experienced on building WW1 models you will be able to see what becomes more efficient towards assembly.

Buz