Wow, thank you Hank. I am a 69 (almost 70) year old east London cockney who suddenly decided to get back into modelling with the notion of building all the Battle of Britain aircraft in 1/48 scale. Hurricane, Spitfire Mk.1's, Messerschmidt 109 E-3, 110C, Beaufighter, Bristol Blenheim, Ju 88A-5, Stuka. But you described exactly what has happened and what I did wrong. I bought nice kits but as I have improved I can see how I messed up the first kits and am buying replacements already, ugh! So having started trying to run before I could walk I am using those to practice. However your presentation has made me feel less of an idiot than I did and so the unbuilt BoB kits are waiting in line to become awesome (I hope). Together with some Pacific war American and Japanese Hellcat F6F-3, Zero, late war Focke Wulf , Mustang, my interest sort of spread out, my poor wife! Thanks again.
Thanks, Norman! Made my day - that's exactly why I try to share this content on UA-cam. I love the Battle of Britain plan - that's going to be a great collection when it's all said & done! Tamiya makes a 1/48 Bf-109E-3 that's almost identical to the E-4 that I mentioned in this video (it's basically the same build but with the E-3 canopy & backdated details), so if you want to knock out one on your list, that one is a great straight-forward build that I had a blast with! I also really liked Tamiya's Bristol Beaufighter - I did mine up in a night fighter scheme, but you could paint it as a BoB dayfighter without any issue. It's also a very nice build, though the decals are a little tricky. Thanks again for watching & commenting - happy building! 👍
@@SpruesNBrews I'm curious why nobody makes/paints the aircraft of the AASF - Advanced Air Striking Force, the aerial arm of the British forces in France and Belgium in 1939/40. Hawker Hurricane, Fairey Battle, Bristol Blenheim and Armstrong Whitworth Whitley.
Norman, it is great that you got back into modeling. One day I will get back into modeling but I am between permanent homes and have no room to change my mind without going outside. When I was modeling and messed up a kit I would practice putting bullet holes into the fuselage, wings and tail sections. I also used those to make a diorama of a downed aircraft. You can also use those early models to practice weathering and exhausting (the art of representing exhaust showing left by the engine exhaust ports). You may find you can have the most fun with those because if you mess it up more it won't matter but you will learn a ton of technique. I used to use a jeweler's visor so I could see the fine details.
Thank you for sharing your story! As someone who recently got back into the hobby after about two decades, I feel the pain of trying models I wasn't ready for. Though, if one can get past the regret, I find there's a certain joy in seeing how you've improved. I adore your plan too! Massive respect for something so extensive. Hopefully I can work up the courage to try something similar one day. Hopefully we get to hear about your progress. I'm genuinely curious :)
SpruesNBrews??? Awesome name!!! Never seen your channel before, got recommended by UA-cam, subscribed, modeling for adults; building kits and brinking some brews!!! Cheers 🍻
I'm totally beginner in this hobby and my first model brand ESCI "Tank "Flammpanzer III" scale 1/72 from years 1988. I don't know if this brand/model hard to build or not, but the most crucial thing for me is this kit tiny parts. I found myself enjoying build this model, gonna buy myself another model soon. Thanks for this video.
Great video. I agree with you about Tamiya. They make a excellent kit. I've got a M41 Walker Bulldog Tamiya kit I've had for probably 30 years and ran across it and decided to get back into modeling. Looking forward to it.
@@SpruesNBrews Another good starter in 48th are the Eduard F5F Hellcat series-weekender type... I wish the weekend series all came with the basic mask. Profipacs do but I'm not usually inclined to extra cockpit parts...
I recently got that tamiya 1/48 109. Went with aftermarket decals to make Galland's plane. I got glue on the canopy though, so I gotta wait a couple months for replacement parts from Japan.
These are all great choices and some of them can be found at Hobby Lobby. I regret not buying that Sherman at Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon. Now HL offers neither :( Just got back into the hobby after 25 year absence. Knowing this, my brother decided to get me a kit for my birthday. The problem is it's an Italeri JU 86. He knew I loved the looks of the plane, so that's why he bought it, but man, what a crappy kit with not only seams, but some serious gaps. At least I'm getting a lot of practice with sanding and sealing. Over and over
@@jdsull the other Italian vintage kit brand is Esci. Esci, in Italian also means "leave" as in "get out of here with that terrible kit, for the love of God"
I am a beginner in this hobby from India. Here in India, there is not much kits and supplies e.g. paints, tools, masking tapes, thinner etc. available or they are much overpriced.Also,we don't have any local hobby store like USA , Europe or Japan.So Hank can you suggest me some international online retailers that ship to India apart from hobbylink Japan. Thanks in advance!
Can you make any recommendations for decent sci fi space ship models for starters. I have a few Star Wars kits and a Space 1999 Eagle but I'm struggling to source anything more from other IP's. Even our local modelling centre (which is a huge shop) can't source any. I'm not keen on real world stuff although would probably enjoy a 5th Gen fighter model or two. Any suggestions welcome - I am in the UK
Tamiya Walker Bulldog is my choice for a first build tank. 1)Cheap 2)Easy to build. 3)Non complicated paint scheme. Hand paint, can paint or airbrush if you have one. If it turns out good, you can always add extra details.
Ya, and hobby lobby Carrys this model and has it 40 percent off once a month, making it around 10 to 12 bucks. The od color its molded In looks pretty decent w/o paint as well. I just assembled one of these in like 2 hrs
As good (and noob-friendly) as the engineering on most Tamiya kits is, there's a company that exceeds even them in that regard: Bandai. Their Star Wars and Gundam kits are staggeringly well designed and molded. Some state-of-the art stuff. They're beginner friendly, too, in that they don't require glue, and on many of the kits, the parts are pre-molded in the right colors, so paint is not truly necessary. This will give newcomers a chance to get used to following visual directions and cutting and prepping parts for assembly. Then they can move on to painting and weathering them when they feel ready.
I concur about Bandai. Just pick up one of their mecha kits and start building. No glue or paint needed. Especially good for kids to begin with (though they are not the cheapest)
Unfortunately Bandai also spoiled people too much 😅. You see people complained about kits from other manufacturers like kotobukiya, Wave, hasegawa, etc because all they know are bandai’s easy and colorful OOB builds 🤣
I'm currently building Bandai's ''Perfect Grade ' Millennium falcon. I've been building models for 20+ years and its NOT for beginners, my God it's AWESOME!!!
@@gtanusetiawan "Unfortunately Bandai also spoiled people too much" That'd be me you're talking about lol I was 9 when Gundam Wing aired in the US and my first ever model kit was a High Grade Gundam Heavyarms. I always thought the Warhammer box art was cool when I was at the hobby store and I got my first box of Fantasy Orcs in 8th grade. Now many many years later I was just starting to get back into Gunpla and all of a sudden everything is sold out or 3X the price.
A friend got me into wargaming about 9 years ago, and the minis use the same plastic (mostly...some metal and resin sometimes too) and techniques as scale models. I used to build kits as a kid ages ago, and building the minis and monsters for wargaming has really sparked my interest for scale model kits again. I am glad I found your site. I may not be a beginner, but I think I will follow your guide to begin again. Thanks for the video!
For some reason your video popped up on my suggested list...and I'm glad it did. Made tons of 1/72 aircraft as a young and older teenager...and loved the process, the learning, using different glues etc etc. Took it up again many years later after being married and having first child, and a year off work due to illness, loved it even more and took my modelling to newer techniques and expanding on what I'd already learned. Fast forward some more years and twin childrenn added, and got back into it yet again...further advancing skills and techniques again, and pushing myself to try lots of newer things. Now after having watched this...yes it's time to get back into it...those kids are now 27 and twins 22, so with much more time on my hands, and wanting to get back into what is probably my most favourite of pasttimes, I will once again venture into that world of crafting some creations out of a box, and loving every second of it. I have mostly stuck along the military genre...aircraft, helicopters and 1/350 ships, and will continue along that line as it's always an interest of mine. The paints may have hardened, blades dulled and tweezers been stolen by my daughters many years ago, but the greatest thing of modelling is it's relatively cheap to get into (or back into in my case), and the advent of UA-cam...has certainly helped in what I'm intending on doing, creating more life like finishes, diorama's and just adding more authenticity to whatever I throw my hands and mind at. So a huge thank you from me down here in Sydney Aus, and I look forward to watching more of your videos, and might even one day share some of my own stuff on UA-cam or one of these other fancy social media sites...thanks again 😁😁😁😁😁😁
Oh that's so great - thank you for sharing! I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy getting back into it... and definitely share some of your stuff! It's a great community of builders & everyone is very supportive. Cheers & thanks again 😁
Great selection! I'd add the Tamiya Panzer II with DAK troopers (#35009). Classic 1970s kit. It is super simple to build and the troops allow you to create a nice diorama. More than anything else though is it's SUPER cheap. Can get it for less than £10 in the UK which is a steal. As a "getting started" kit I think the price is important as some of the expensive Dragon or Ryefield kits will scare people off having a go.
That was my 1st 1/35 kit I built when I got back into the hobby. I've since got another one to build so I can see the difference in my skill level now.
@@adt70hk33 Try to get the TIGER kit from Academy ... with full interior . My favorit Tank is the Sherman in all periods of WW2 . From the first one with straight return roller suspension ( similar to the M3 Grant ) to the last easy eight HVSS . All THUNDERBOLD Shermans under Abrams command .
Can’t beat Tamiya engineering. Their glues, paints and tools are all great too. I stick to their 1:48 armour as it is affordable and to a excellent common standard. New airfix stuff is also excellent for the price. I think I’ve build nearly all the 1:48 aircraft from Tamiya and Airfix, the common kits at least.
In 1966 or 67 I wrote a letter to Monogram asking them to consider offering 1/48 scale WW2 Tanks and Half Tracks.. because I thought what was out there was too small, being a Hopeless modeling nerd... Of course I wrote an extensive list of all, and I mean All the Armored vehicles I wanted to see!!! And .. about a month later I got back a letter ✉️ for me!!?!! from the head guy at Monogram saying great Idea!!! I was over the moon!! (13) years old, so ... anyway... about a year or two later here comes all these WW2 Tanks panzer IV, German half track I was blown away! Thinking maybe I was the guy that started the larger WW2 vehicle choices at the hobby shops, I don't know... But in those days in the good ol' USA you could write a letter to any company and get a reply, is this a good country or what??😀👍
Brave effort at a top 5 kits for beginners. I say “brave” because modelers are SO opinionated that just about every experienced modeler would have a completely different list and wouldn’t hesitate to tell you so! We’re all experts on the topic - just ask us! 🤣Though my list might be different, I can’t argue with yours. Picking some of the older Tamiya kits is right on. All the best to you and your channel.
Thank you very much! And I totally agree... all I can do is provide my opinion based on my personal experience! I appreciate the thoughts for sure - a lot of folks are eager to jump all over my list 😅
Love the sherman. I built the 1/48th version and followed Nightshifts tutorial on how to make concrete armor. Could you make a tutorial about how you made and weathered the logs?
Excellent video. I'm in the process of getting back into scale model building again as well. I did some when I was a kid, some in my pre-teen and teenage years, and then some about 6 years ago in my mid 30's. And as you'd expect they got better each go around. I'm hoping that with the great tips, tricks, and walkthroughs that are now available here on UA-cam from channels like yours, Barbatos Rex, etc. that I'll be able to continue to improve. Also shout-out to Sprue Brothers. I ordered from them and Squadron hobbies prior and both were excellent to deal with. -Shane
When I got back into it, my first kit was a Dragon 1/35 Sherman Firefly Vc. With individual track links that had to be joined using 2 tiny guide horns. By the time I finished them I was ready to pull my hair out. So, pro tip: If you're just starting out, check if the kit has band tracks, link & length, or individual links!
I use to build my tracks from KETTENKASTEN full metal kits. Its sometimes nessacary in special to the Sherman Tanks with long Hull & wheel base like the RESICAST Sherman CRAB and DUPLEX resin modells.
Great Video! I started in again, a handful of years ago, by getting the cheapest kits I could find on Amazon. That way, If I messed something up, I was only out $10. As my skills get better, I add different tools and supplies. I sometimes buy the same kit again, so that I could do something a little different than the first time around. A fun hobby all around. The only drawback is where to put them all as you complete them and move on to the next one!
Thanks for watching - and for commenting! That's a great strategy... glad to hear it's working out for you! I like re-visiting kits as well - I've probably made up these Tamiya 109s a few too many times 😅
I'm about in the same boat you are, built kits as a kid with very basic methods and tools. And at various times as an adult with somewhat better tools and methods. Now I am getting older and getting back in the hobby seriously, because it's a fun way to spend time indoors in the cold weather, and I'm am getting older with some health issues and just not as active with more strenuous outdoor pursuits. I bought a quality airbrush, a paint booth and compressor and some other tools that previously I would not have spent the money on. I dabble with woodworking a bit also and as we speak am trying to design some sort of display cabinet that will keep the dust off the models. Also building up my "stash" of unbuilt kits, for retirement and you never know when money could become tight. Now working on building my skills.
Great! The display cabinet sounds like a great idea - dust is a finished model's worst enemy! 😅 And I'd agree - this is a wonderful hobby for those winter months. Happy building! 👍
Great list. Tamiya is iconic for ease and I always have a blast building. Dragon while detailed can be a hassle, definitely learn your glue technique with Dragon. I’m stretching out with different brands after a five year break.
This is a really great video! Found you super engaging and the content really helpful. I’ve sent it onto my mate who has recently got back into the hobby. Keep it up
Great video! For those that might not be into armor or aircraft, I'd recommend some car kits from Aoshima. They seem to have a good mix of value and quality. The kits usually come with extra parts to customize the cars (even raise or lower the suspension). As someone mentioned below, you can't beat Bandai for awesome sci-fi kits. They have small, cheap Star Wars kits with amazing fit and detail!
Advice for a mew modeler: If you purchase your first tank, try to buy one with vinyl tracks. Building tank tracks is a tedious task, you are looking at at least 150+ parts each track. If you never built this before it’s very likely you screw it up or quit the tanks altogether. Vinyl tracks are a quick build and if you are fed up with their mediocre looks all it takes to get rid of them is a pair of snips and aftermarket tracks.
Great video. Your walk before you run philosophy is spot on. Quality kit engineering does help your state of mind. Early on I worked on a AMT car kit. The pre-prep to paint was intense and after many, many hours of dry fitting and sanding I was losing my motivation. As a beginner I can say one does not need this added pressure. I've been doing mainly racing cars (Revell & Tamiya) and have been considering a miitary build. That ME- 109 Trop looks like a great recommendation. Thank you.
My first aircraft kit I made when I was a kid was my favorite plane, F4F Wildcat, an 1/48 scale F4F-4 from Tamiya. I modeled for years and then moved into the city and have no space to make models. I came across a HobbyBoss 1/48 scale F4F-3 (late) which I’m excited to build once I move out of the city! Great vids
Hi i have a question do you need to paint? Are there also model kits that don't require you to paint because i find painting to be very chaotic for me it just get very messy and then when it gets messy i get annoyed and maybe even mad but i do want to get into building the kinds of kits.
I've been making tamiyas t72m1 recently and I must say, it falls together almost perfectly, even the rubber tracks went together well and the paint scheme is very simplistic, I still haven't gained the confidence to do any sort of camo yet. It really is one of my favourite kits so far
Thank you for this video, I'm 66 and just getting back to modeling after 50 years are more. There are so many kits now that I wish were availbe when I was young. I just picked up a Trumpeter BF-109F-4 Trop. And thank you for the video about what tools I need to pick up. I had to leave my tools behind when I moved the last time. I also had to leave behind the unbuilt USS Wasp CV-7 plus the Japanese sub that sank her. That and unbuilt Uss Ticonderoga. But what hurts the most is the Adolf Galland BF-109E4 kit with a figure of Galland. That and a BF-109F that represented the aircraft that Werner Molders flew.
Zero chance an Airfix kit would end up on a beginners list of mine, just stick to Tamiya and you cant fail. Or you can but then you know its you and not the kit which makes it easier and you learn faster.
Awesome! Yeah I know sometimes Tamiya decals can be difficult - I actually used some from a different Tamiya kit when I refurbished mine & they worked nicely 👍
Thank you very much for the recommendations. suggestions. tutorials and advice , last time built a model plane I was 13 years old im 60 now. restarted again wow things and techniques have really evolved thank you again.
Very enjoyable and useful video. I note that four of the top five recommendations are kits by Tamiya. Being British, I was pleased to see that the sole exception was Airfix because I grew up (b. 1961) buying an Airfix 1/72 WWII aircraft kit every time I had enough money (which would be about once a month). It was a while before I discovered that other companies even existed! To this day, I still think of all of these kits as "Airfix" models, even if they're made by Tamiya, Revell, or any other company! 😁 I'd be interested to hear from experienced modellers how they would rate the various companies which are still manufacturing? A top five would be great (and in my case, I'm particularly interested in 1/72 scale WWII aircraft.)
Great vid. Often people have a hard time finding a place to start, because so much of this hobby is driven by the non-modeling interests of those doing the modeling. I've found if poeple have a good experience building a model, they are likely to do it again in the future. Good recommendations too.
Any 1/48 scale kit model aircraft is best for beginners, since the bigger the model, the easier it is to assemble and spray paint. 1/72 scale, except for giant bombers and related kits, is too small. However, 1/72 is relatively cheap for experimentation. Detailing is always the most difficult and challenging task.
This was a great video, thanks for putting it together. I got back into model building with the Panzer II Tamiya kit and am currently working on a Hanomag half-track conversion into an Ork Trukk for 40K.
Great video for the new guy and older. I am 61 years old and I am finishing up a Russian Tamiya 1/48th Tank SU-85. It is motorized and I like to buy tank kits that have motors. What was challenging is that the kit had all broken axels on one side. I had to drill and glue brass axels on with super glue. IT worked!! I'm glad young people like you are in the hobby to keep it going! Can you do videos on kit bashing?
The VERY first kit I ever made was the Revell Panther G when I was 12 years. It has a special place in my heart. The polygonal shapes of German tanks of that time are very appealing.
Brews…. I’m back in. My uncle taught me all about building and detail of models. He passed recently and it’s got me keen to pull out my tiger one that’s 90% complete. Thanks mate for this video
The Tamiya 109 is a great kit to start with. I made about 6 of these when they were first released as the E3. I’m making another E3 at the moment as I wanted an easy relaxing build. The only addition is a Quinta Studio 3D interior decal set. Great choice for a beginner.
@@wolfgangemmerich7552 I remember that kit. I started making Airfix kits in a bag in the mid 60s. I got the 109 to dogfight with my Spitfire & Hurricane. Happy days.
Hey Hank, thanks for the great videos. I have seen lots of modeling channels where builders display their amazing skills so it is really refreshing to come across material for beginners. Between the ages of about seven and fourteen I built hundreds of kits and I am thinking about getting back into the hobby. I'll be watching your beginner videos with interest!
Thank you very much (for watching & for the kind comment)! I'm glad you enjoyed - I'm going to try to knock out a beginner paint essentials video in the next month or so, so stay tuned for that 👍
Great video sir, some great kits for me to get back into modelling. I’m starting off with a Revell spitfire mkII 1/48 scale which was given as a gift, then ill be keen to go through your 5 examples, cheers very helpful.
I would say after deciding to get back into model building that the Tamiya Matilda II is a great easy to build kit to put together, though the rubber tracks can be prone to snapping, the hull itself can hide that pretty well if you build it smartly if that happens to you. The kits also really good if you want to venture into the field of slightly more complex camo or weathering as its already got a slight texture to it and isnt overly busy, but busy enough that you can play around with different techniques. Also of course, make sure to thin your paints guys! After that kit I went on to get the Gecko models A9 and A10 cruisers (caunter camo for a nice med feel), way more complicated but the kits are just lovely when painted up.
For a good recommendation for begginers is to build U-Boats they are easy and look awsome and most of the models have good details and are easy to assemble
You make a great point about having fun and not obsessing over perfection straight away. When they are sat on a living room shelf who's really looking that close anyway? And the arrangements make it - the Blackbird and Convair Hustler look so cool side by side, as do the Navy Buccaneer and Sea Vixen or the F22 and F35. And there's memories and getting closer to the subject matter there too - take the massive XB70 Valkyrie on the shelf for example; I didn't know it was that big in real life until the box showed up. Didn't know the dropped wings hung down under the wheels until I test fitted it. Gives me a fond memory of my old flat since there was no way I could spray paint it white inside, so the pieces got carted around down to the courtyard in the lift and then carefully carried back up. Nothing wrong with impuse buys of old cheap kits, the Internet isn't everything. There's a 1: 48 GeeBee on the TV stand that I found in a second hand store, one of my favourites. However if there is one you really want, get them when they're there because some kits turn into ebay gold dust if you're not careful. There's also no shame with trying to improve on your kid self models by trying again with benefit of 25 years wisdom.8
I just got into model kits. I got a USS Missouri back in 2019. Never got the tools needed and ended up loosing parts for it and it eventually got thrown away. Earlier 2021 I got a Space Battleship Yamato model kit. I loved it. Truly. One of my favorite things about models is the boxes. I have found that a quality display usually indicates at least an ok to good quality model.
Ty!!!....I'm 71 yrs old..used to build about everything as a" new recruit"..a kid...your video was EXACTLY the stimulus I needed to get back into this very fun hobby..ty again Rick S.
Well, I'm 73 and have been building models for about 65 years. The first was a Lindbergh F9F Panther. Had maybe 3 stages, as a preteen, a teenager, and then when I started working fulltime. Joined IPMS a few years back and an Armour sub club. Realized how hard core some were when discussing making scale size buckles for their 1/35 kits. The one point that still sticks with me is, I have about 300 kits I have never opened and many of the other fellows had more!! Great hobby, why don't kids want to do it now?
im 13 just am getting into it and i love it so far so sum kids are still into it also do you have any good paint brands i should use for air brushing and hand painting?
That's great! Thank you for watching - and I've been pleasantly surprised by the growing scale modeling community here on UA-cam and on Instagram. Definitely some younger folks getting into it 👍
@@isaacmoen666 Tamiya paints are pretty good, Model Master paints were excellent but they recently discontinued their whole line, Vallejo are decent, Alclad II is the best metallizer on the market.
Man, I wish I did look up some ideas like these for beginners. I probably started with one of the most challanging scales for beginners: 1/144. Me and my friend were (and still are) satisfied by fighter jets, and one time, we decided to buy some fighter jet models. So we went to a store and we bought two 1/144 models from Revell. I bought an F-14D and my friend a Tornado ECR. We didn't expect it to be that hard, I mean it said that Lvl 3 in modeling requiers some crafting experience and stuff, which we had, so we though it would be easy. Right of the bat, I struggeled almost 1 hour with only the cockpit and the front. It had such small parts, it wasn't easy. It took me 5 hours to build it. After we finished, we didn't want to do modeling again, cus it was so frustrating and the glue was smelling terrible, but it somehow was a good feeling that we built our own models, not just bought some which are complete, so not long after, we started to build more and more. Modeling became one of our favourite activities, and now we have a fairly big collection of models, but almost all of then aren't 1/144.
I can almost guarantee that 1:144 scale wasn’t the problem there, Revell was. I’ve never had a Revell kit just go together without serious issues of one sort or another. My second ever model kit was an Academy 1:144 scale F-15 (this would have been around 2010) and it went together very easily, but about 3 years ago for some reason I took leave of my senses and picked up an old Revell F-15 for a diorama I was planning and I ended up wanting to turn it into sprue goo. The Revell kit is sitting on the shelf of shame to this day.
Dear beginner do not be afraid of making mistake, get use to it I have bin painting and building miniatures and models off and on four 30 years plus, face it you will make mistakes, paint can hide a lot screw-ups, put it down and come back another time. it will ok.
I couldn’t agree more with your choices!. I’m not primarily an armour modeller, but my mate has built the easy 8 and Churchill, and thinks pretty much the same as you. As for 109s, I’ve built a few Tamiya 109Es over the years. A brilliant kit. Best thing about 109s are the massive range of interesting paint schemes to choose from. Great videos and channel, keep up the good work!.
Just happened across your video - I'm getting back into 1.35 scale modeling after decades away and picked up a Tamiya Panzer II ausf F/G because it is small, fast to build, simple, and has plenty of aftermarket options. My youngest daughter is a fan of the "Girls und Panzer" anime and has developed so much of a love for tanks that we have started "Sherman-hunting" - trying to find Shermans on display close by any time we take a trip. I actually bought the Sherman you recommend in this video two days ago from a local Hobby Town because it matches the look of the one on display at the Nebraska National Guard Museum that we visited. I'm looking forward to building it - especially after hearing your comments on it. Again, it will be the recipient of numerous aftermarket enhancements, just like the wee Pzkfw II that I'm finishing up...
my best experiences were with tamiya tanks (abrams, bradley etc) and more recently bandai star wars kits. amazing engineering, detail and value. their quality rivals considerably more expensive brands. the japanese really kick ass at this stuff.
Well... I got Tamiya's late tiger and only have all 199 track links left to go, but i've got loads f experience from wargaming, so the figure will be a breeze to paint, but can't wait to paint THW GREATEST THING EVER MADE! (but smaller)
Yes tamiyas 1/35 armor is way to expensive, and you get No pe, little detail. Tamiya is engineered great but for those prices you should get much more, hell you can get a full interior King tiger for that price. Don't get me wrong tamiya is a good company but they need to add more stuff in their kits , going forward!
I think Tamiya is a very good value for beginners & more-experienced modelers alike - correct that you don't get PE with most kits, but the engineering is second-to-none & I've never had a bad build experience with a Tamiya kit. You can definitely find more detail with some other brands, but Tamiya's products are exactly what I'm looking for 👍
Have to agree with you on finding good kits of decent value. Even some of the simpler/easier kits can be salty. I am fortunate to be within driving distance of a hobby shop that got started with model trains. In fact, the name of the shop is Cool Trains. If you're in the Lancaster area, check it out. It just recently changed hands, so it remains open. The previous owner bought collections of trains, planes, cars, most anything. I recently picked up some kits that I first put together some 40 years ago. And they were decently priced--nothing over $20. Modern versions of these kits are easily three to four times more.
I enjoy your videos and appreciate your tips but I'm wondering if you know where I can find a 1/8 scale small block Chevy V-8 that I want to put in my '32 Ford Hi-boy. I'm also looking for a 1/16 scale small block Chevy for a '31 Ford Model A that I'm building for my dad to look like the one he built himself. Thanks!
Easiest tank...T-34. Simple construction, limited wheels, one color paint. If you need cheap, the old Tamiya 1/35's are fine, and have "rubber band' tracks that don't look too bad. Easiest aircraft.....Hasegawa (Mania) 1/48 Ki-27. Fixed landing gear, simple canopy, one color scheme (if you do the grey one).
WHY? WHY SCALE MODELS AND RC MODELS DO NOT SHARE THE MORE OR LESS SAME SCALE??? i would love 1:10 scale models. Tamyia made the xr311. when you build it it feels like a scale model. but they added a cool chassis, and with it you are able to drive it around. its pretty fragile but it looks cool. scale models would be an endless resource of cool car bodies. i hoipe with the rise of rc scalecrawlers this would finally be a thing. but sadly its not. just building it dooesnt really do it for me. i would like to drive around with rc tech.
Thanks Hank, think I’m going to start my first build with the Sherman Tank, quick question, does any of it need painting prior to assembly or do you paint once fully assembled? Thanks
folks ....this is like being a musician..... There is Never any financial benefit in this hobby... total opposite.. Figure out which debts you will ignore first, what food you will sacrifice for the paint you NEED!!!! more that the air you breath... You will always be pore.... scruffy.. covered in paint, slither cuts on your hands.... YOU WILL grow at least one ail long and weird, in order to use it as a tool.... Its an amazin hobby! i started when i was about9 on 1/72 bi planes.. oh my god! HARD!!! made hundreds of ww2 planes. took a break for about 25yrs.. Now i paint Orcs.. Still have a few bad airfix kits, and a stunning Revel kit. one thing i Feel we all need to know. Is some of the Airfix moulds date back decades... They are updating them, however... some are baaaad. like the Diorama kit with tanks and men... oooooph bad none. Also you can do any colour you wish too.. and please remember.. Bf109 is the correct term. Me109 is NOT! Me came later. 2 different designers ;)
I'm using AMMO paint myself too and wanted to give the BF-109 a go as a returning modeller but how did you decide which paint to use for the BF-109 when you use AMMO paint? Since the paint suggested on the box is not AMMO I believe
My first kit was an AMT Klingon Bird Of Prey that my dad and I built a long time ago. I got back into scale model building a few years ago with 1/700 ships, and a couple in 1/350. I tried planes in 1/72, but they didn't come out good. So if I make a second attempt at planes, I'll go up to 1/48 or 1/32. And I'm looking into doing more 1/350 ships, and even collecting 1/200 ships.
@@SpruesNBrews I do all my painting by hand, so I have to stick to smaller scales for now. If I do get into larger scales like 1/200 ships, 1/72 U-Boats, and 1/48 or 1/32 planes, I'd just be collecting them.
Hank, just for you (not really) a tip that I just noticed. For brite work like window trim, Bare Metal sheets are the usual. But, how bout another way. Dick tape makes a aluminum foil tape. It's almost 2" wide. and many yards long. About $10.00 will last you many years.
My first kit was a 1/35 Gaz Tigr with a turret by Zvezda and I can't recommend it for beginners even if it is of good quality. There is a lot of planning ahead and parts you must paint while assembling because they become inaccessible. For the first kit, I can recommend Tamiya M1A2 Abrams Operation Iraqi Freedom. Easy to build and paint, mostly flat surfaces and for basics, you need just a few colours.
I'm more into realistic stuff like Warhammer40k... not that fantasy stuff like those tanks and planes you are showing :P sadly my painting skills still suxx... :( but well one day...
Used to build airplane and tank airfix kits in the seventies. To attack the midget soldiers I had. Very. Expensive for plastic and old moulds i must say. Enjoyable hobby though.
And you should clean up the parts with dish soap and hot water and dry the parts with room temperature on a paper towel. And then you can sand down some of the parts with sandpaper or a emryboard that you can get at any pharmacy in the beauty department and it does cost much to get
always 1/48 as detail and range of options make for greater fun build cheap kits complete right off aka parts fail don't line up just waste of paint glue time 1/32 makes great for cars and helos 1/72 good jet size ✨
got a deisel truck my first time with a model 61 yrs old by the way ..was supposed to be fairly easy (rated for 14 yr old) it is anything but easy ..pretty much turned me off on models ..and the expense for paint all that ..just ridiculous ....Im going to 3D wood puzzles after Im done with this monstrocity
Hi! Thank you a lot for the video! Very informative even not for the beginer modeller. Btw, what is the bg music in the outro? Simple but catchy one. Thanks in advance
As a kid, I cut my teeth on Revell/Monogram/Testors. After a long hiatus...I re-cut my teeth on those same kits, because that's all I really knew and could afford. After another hiatus...I re-re-cut my teeth on those kits again. This time around, I went "all in", and turned them into award winners. These days...for beginners...the newer Airfix kits are unbeatable. Detail is decent, fit is good and the price has them taking the #1 spot!
Used to build 1:35 scale military models about 30 years ago. I got laid off for a retool at work so decided to get a couple models to build: a Tamiya Jeep in 1:48 scale, lol. Damn it’s small! Being a glutton for punishment I just got the Sherman Easy 8 in 1:48! 😜😄
In the model shops I had access to add a kid in they UK in the 70's I suspect that kits like Sherman sold straight away so you never saw them. There would be (to me) superbly boring stuff like 'chipmonk trainer' and 'harvard transport plane' instead of glamour stuff like , Corsair, P51, seafire, I would have fainted if I could have got my hands on a Sherman kit , esp at larger scale. I found a helium balloon from a balloon race. I won £2.50 for returning it. Bought a nice B17 with the proceeds . So it wasn't an bad news .
The modeling industry has completely priced me out of the hobby. I’m not going to pay over $100 for a 1/48 scale aircraft and damn near that much for a 1/35 scale armor kit. Not gonna happen.
Wow, thank you Hank. I am a 69 (almost 70) year old east London cockney who suddenly decided to get back into modelling with the notion of building all the Battle of Britain aircraft in 1/48 scale. Hurricane, Spitfire Mk.1's, Messerschmidt 109 E-3, 110C, Beaufighter, Bristol Blenheim, Ju 88A-5, Stuka. But you described exactly what has happened and what I did wrong. I bought nice kits but as I have improved I can see how I messed up the first kits and am buying replacements already, ugh! So having started trying to run before I could walk I am using those to practice. However your presentation has made me feel less of an idiot than I did and so the unbuilt BoB kits are waiting in line to become awesome (I hope). Together with some Pacific war American and Japanese Hellcat F6F-3, Zero, late war Focke Wulf , Mustang, my interest sort of spread out, my poor wife! Thanks again.
Thanks, Norman! Made my day - that's exactly why I try to share this content on UA-cam. I love the Battle of Britain plan - that's going to be a great collection when it's all said & done!
Tamiya makes a 1/48 Bf-109E-3 that's almost identical to the E-4 that I mentioned in this video (it's basically the same build but with the E-3 canopy & backdated details), so if you want to knock out one on your list, that one is a great straight-forward build that I had a blast with! I also really liked Tamiya's Bristol Beaufighter - I did mine up in a night fighter scheme, but you could paint it as a BoB dayfighter without any issue. It's also a very nice build, though the decals are a little tricky.
Thanks again for watching & commenting - happy building! 👍
Hey Norman, great times to be back to hobby. Ive recently came back after 15 years pause in modelling. Never felt better :)
@@SpruesNBrews I'm curious why nobody makes/paints the aircraft of the AASF - Advanced Air Striking Force, the aerial arm of the British forces in France and Belgium in 1939/40. Hawker Hurricane, Fairey Battle, Bristol Blenheim and Armstrong Whitworth Whitley.
Norman, it is great that you got back into modeling. One day I will get back into modeling but I am between permanent homes and have no room to change my mind without going outside.
When I was modeling and messed up a kit I would practice putting bullet holes into the fuselage, wings and tail sections. I also used those to make a diorama of a downed aircraft. You can also use those early models to practice weathering and exhausting (the art of representing exhaust showing left by the engine exhaust ports). You may find you can have the most fun with those because if you mess it up more it won't matter but you will learn a ton of technique.
I used to use a jeweler's visor so I could see the fine details.
Thank you for sharing your story! As someone who recently got back into the hobby after about two decades, I feel the pain of trying models I wasn't ready for. Though, if one can get past the regret, I find there's a certain joy in seeing how you've improved.
I adore your plan too! Massive respect for something so extensive. Hopefully I can work up the courage to try something similar one day.
Hopefully we get to hear about your progress. I'm genuinely curious :)
SpruesNBrews??? Awesome name!!! Never seen your channel before, got recommended by UA-cam, subscribed, modeling for adults; building kits and brinking some brews!!! Cheers 🍻
That's the idea! Thanks & welcome aboard! 🍻
I'm totally beginner in this hobby and my first model brand ESCI "Tank "Flammpanzer III" scale 1/72 from years 1988. I don't know if this brand/model hard to build or not, but the most crucial thing for me is this kit tiny parts. I found myself enjoying build this model, gonna buy myself another model soon. Thanks for this video.
Thanks for watching & happy building! I don't know too much about ESCI personally, but sounds like it'll be a fun one 👍
Great video. I agree with you about Tamiya. They make a excellent kit. I've got a M41 Walker Bulldog Tamiya kit I've had for probably 30 years and ran across it and decided to get back into modeling.
Looking forward to it.
The M41 is a true classic! Definitely a good starter. Thank you 👍
Good suggestions, I often recommend the Tamiya P47 1/48.🤗
Thank you! And totally - I love that kit! I left it off because the sub-assemblies are a little more complicated, but it's a really good one 👍
@@SpruesNBrews Another good starter in 48th are the Eduard F5F Hellcat series-weekender type...
I wish the weekend series all came with the basic mask.
Profipacs do but I'm not usually inclined to extra cockpit parts...
I recently got that tamiya 1/48 109. Went with aftermarket decals to make Galland's plane. I got glue on the canopy though, so I gotta wait a couple months for replacement parts from Japan.
Nice! And that's a bummer - hope they show up soon! 👍
awesome video 👏👏 pretty much my journey through modelling right here....minus the panther 😁👍
Great! Sounds like a good assortment! 😁 thanks for watching!
I like that military models
Making me buliding so military models
Tanks
Submarines
And more
These are all great choices and some of them can be found at Hobby Lobby. I regret not buying that Sherman at Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon. Now HL offers neither :(
Just got back into the hobby after 25 year absence. Knowing this, my brother decided to get me a kit for my birthday. The problem is it's an Italeri JU 86. He knew I loved the looks of the plane, so that's why he bought it, but man, what a crappy kit with not only seams, but some serious gaps. At least I'm getting a lot of practice with sanding and sealing. Over and over
Very nice! Hey - even a rough kit can be some awesome practice, like you said! Thanks for watching 👍
Little known fact: in Italian, "Italeri" is slang for a model that is more putty and filler than kit. I swear I am totally NOT making this up ;P
@@jdsull the other Italian vintage kit brand is Esci. Esci, in Italian also means "leave" as in "get out of here with that terrible kit, for the love of God"
I am a beginner in this hobby from India. Here in India, there is not much kits and supplies e.g. paints, tools, masking tapes, thinner etc. available or they are much overpriced.Also,we don't have any local hobby store like USA , Europe or Japan.So Hank can you suggest me some international online retailers that ship to India apart from hobbylink Japan.
Thanks in advance!
Can you make any recommendations for decent sci fi space ship models for starters. I have a few Star Wars kits and a Space 1999 Eagle but I'm struggling to source anything more from other IP's. Even our local modelling centre (which is a huge shop) can't source any. I'm not keen on real world stuff although would probably enjoy a 5th Gen fighter model or two. Any suggestions welcome - I am in the UK
Awesome!!!
I wish you showed the finished models.
Directs new modelers to the Sherman = instant like lol :D
Haha I had to! It's required building... it's also the best building 😅🍻
Tamiya Walker Bulldog is my choice for a first build tank. 1)Cheap 2)Easy to build. 3)Non complicated paint scheme. Hand paint, can paint or airbrush if you have one. If it turns out good, you can always add extra details.
It is a very user-friendly budget option for beginners! Good recommendation 👍
Tamiyas M8 Howitzer is a great one.
Ya, and hobby lobby Carrys this model and has it 40 percent off once a month, making it around 10 to 12 bucks. The od color its molded In looks pretty decent w/o paint as well. I just assembled one of these in like 2 hrs
@@elliotgregory3356 i have both!
As good (and noob-friendly) as the engineering on most Tamiya kits is, there's a company that exceeds even them in that regard: Bandai. Their Star Wars and Gundam kits are staggeringly well designed and molded. Some state-of-the art stuff. They're beginner friendly, too, in that they don't require glue, and on many of the kits, the parts are pre-molded in the right colors, so paint is not truly necessary. This will give newcomers a chance to get used to following visual directions and cutting and prepping parts for assembly. Then they can move on to painting and weathering them when they feel ready.
I concur about Bandai. Just pick up one of their mecha kits and start building. No glue or paint needed. Especially good for kids to begin with (though they are not the cheapest)
Unfortunately Bandai also spoiled people too much 😅.
You see people complained about kits from other manufacturers like kotobukiya, Wave, hasegawa, etc because all they know are bandai’s easy and colorful OOB builds 🤣
I'm currently building Bandai's ''Perfect Grade ' Millennium falcon. I've been building models for 20+ years and its NOT for beginners, my God it's AWESOME!!!
@@chrishenning8829 Bandais PG Millenium Falcon is definitely good, i've seen videos on it and it's on my wishlist! One day i'll buy one.... 🤣
@@gtanusetiawan "Unfortunately Bandai also spoiled people too much"
That'd be me you're talking about lol
I was 9 when Gundam Wing aired in the US and my first ever model kit was a High Grade Gundam Heavyarms.
I always thought the Warhammer box art was cool when I was at the hobby store and I got my first box of Fantasy Orcs in 8th grade.
Now many many years later I was just starting to get back into Gunpla and all of a sudden everything is sold out or 3X the price.
A friend got me into wargaming about 9 years ago, and the minis use the same plastic (mostly...some metal and resin sometimes too) and techniques as scale models. I used to build kits as a kid ages ago, and building the minis and monsters for wargaming has really sparked my interest for scale model kits again. I am glad I found your site. I may not be a beginner, but I think I will follow your guide to begin again. Thanks for the video!
I'm glad to hear! Thanks so much 😁
For some reason your video popped up on my suggested list...and I'm glad it did.
Made tons of 1/72 aircraft as a young and older teenager...and loved the process, the learning, using different glues etc etc. Took it up again many years later after being married and having first child, and a year off work due to illness, loved it even more and took my modelling to newer techniques and expanding on what I'd already learned. Fast forward some more years and twin childrenn added, and got back into it yet again...further advancing skills and techniques again, and pushing myself to try lots of newer things. Now after having watched this...yes it's time to get back into it...those kids are now 27 and twins 22, so with much more time on my hands, and wanting to get back into what is probably my most favourite of pasttimes, I will once again venture into that world of crafting some creations out of a box, and loving every second of it.
I have mostly stuck along the military genre...aircraft, helicopters and 1/350 ships, and will continue along that line as it's always an interest of mine.
The paints may have hardened, blades dulled and tweezers been stolen by my daughters many years ago, but the greatest thing of modelling is it's relatively cheap to get into (or back into in my case), and the advent of UA-cam...has certainly helped in what I'm intending on doing, creating more life like finishes, diorama's and just adding more authenticity to whatever I throw my hands and mind at.
So a huge thank you from me down here in Sydney Aus, and I look forward to watching more of your videos, and might even one day share some of my own stuff on UA-cam or one of these other fancy social media sites...thanks again 😁😁😁😁😁😁
Oh that's so great - thank you for sharing! I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy getting back into it... and definitely share some of your stuff! It's a great community of builders & everyone is very supportive. Cheers & thanks again 😁
Great selection! I'd add the Tamiya Panzer II with DAK troopers (#35009). Classic 1970s kit. It is super simple to build and the troops allow you to create a nice diorama. More than anything else though is it's SUPER cheap. Can get it for less than £10 in the UK which is a steal. As a "getting started" kit I think the price is important as some of the expensive Dragon or Ryefield kits will scare people off having a go.
The Panzer II is a good one! I built one up myself a while back & it would definitely be great for beginners - good call!
That was my 1st 1/35 kit I built when I got back into the hobby. I've since got another one to build so I can see the difference in my skill level now.
Have to agree, first and only 1/35 kit....I did pimp it up with aftermarket parts though.
@@adt70hk33 Try to get the TIGER kit from Academy ... with full interior . My favorit Tank is the Sherman in all periods of WW2 . From the first one with straight return roller suspension ( similar to the M3 Grant ) to the last easy eight HVSS . All THUNDERBOLD Shermans under Abrams command .
Can’t beat Tamiya engineering. Their glues, paints and tools are all great too. I stick to their 1:48 armour as it is affordable and to a excellent common standard. New airfix stuff is also excellent for the price. I think I’ve build nearly all the 1:48 aircraft from Tamiya and Airfix, the common kits at least.
For sure! Thanks for watching! 👍
In 1966 or 67 I wrote a letter to Monogram asking them to consider offering 1/48 scale WW2 Tanks and Half Tracks.. because I thought what was out there was too small, being a Hopeless modeling nerd... Of course I wrote an extensive list of all, and I mean All the Armored vehicles I wanted to see!!! And .. about a month later I got back a letter ✉️ for me!!?!! from the head guy at Monogram saying great Idea!!! I was over the moon!! (13) years old, so ... anyway... about a year or two later here comes all these WW2 Tanks panzer IV, German half track I was blown away! Thinking maybe I was the guy that started the larger WW2 vehicle choices at the hobby shops, I don't know... But in those days in the good ol' USA you could write a letter to any company and get a reply, is this a good country or what??😀👍
As a relatively junior modeller myself, i find toothpicks are amazing for linework, as you can use them just like a pencil and they are quite accurate
Brave effort at a top 5 kits for beginners. I say “brave” because modelers are SO opinionated that just about every experienced modeler would have a completely different list and wouldn’t hesitate to tell you so! We’re all experts on the topic - just ask us! 🤣Though my list might be different, I can’t argue with yours. Picking some of the older Tamiya kits is right on.
All the best to you and your channel.
Thank you very much! And I totally agree... all I can do is provide my opinion based on my personal experience! I appreciate the thoughts for sure - a lot of folks are eager to jump all over my list 😅
Love the sherman. I built the 1/48th version and followed Nightshifts tutorial on how to make concrete armor. Could you make a tutorial about how you made and weathered the logs?
Awesome! And that's great - he does some super stuff. Good idea on a log tutorial... I'll add it to the list! Thanks for watching 👍
Excellent video. I'm in the process of getting back into scale model building again as well. I did some when I was a kid, some in my pre-teen and teenage years, and then some about 6 years ago in my mid 30's. And as you'd expect they got better each go around. I'm hoping that with the great tips, tricks, and walkthroughs that are now available here on UA-cam from channels like yours, Barbatos Rex, etc. that I'll be able to continue to improve. Also shout-out to Sprue Brothers. I ordered from them and Squadron hobbies prior and both were excellent to deal with.
-Shane
When I got back into it, my first kit was a Dragon 1/35 Sherman Firefly Vc.
With individual track links that had to be joined using 2 tiny guide horns. By the time I finished them I was ready to pull my hair out.
So, pro tip: If you're just starting out, check if the kit has band tracks, link & length, or individual links!
Also check to see if there are any etched metal or resin parts. Superglue can be a little unforgiving
I use to build my tracks from KETTENKASTEN full metal kits. Its sometimes nessacary in special to the Sherman Tanks with long Hull & wheel base like the RESICAST Sherman CRAB and DUPLEX resin modells.
Great Video! I started in again, a handful of years ago, by getting the cheapest kits I could find on Amazon. That way, If I messed something up, I was only out $10. As my skills get better, I add different tools and supplies. I sometimes buy the same kit again, so that I could do something a little different than the first time around. A fun hobby all around. The only drawback is where to put them all as you complete them and move on to the next one!
Thanks for watching - and for commenting! That's a great strategy... glad to hear it's working out for you! I like re-visiting kits as well - I've probably made up these Tamiya 109s a few too many times 😅
I'm about in the same boat you are, built kits as a kid with very basic methods and tools. And at various times as an adult with somewhat better tools and methods. Now I am getting older and getting back in the hobby seriously, because it's a fun way to spend time indoors in the cold weather, and I'm am getting older with some health issues and just not as active with more strenuous outdoor pursuits. I bought a quality airbrush, a paint booth and compressor and some other tools that previously I would not have spent the money on. I dabble with woodworking a bit also and as we speak am trying to design some sort of display cabinet that will keep the dust off the models. Also building up my "stash" of unbuilt kits, for retirement and you never know when money could become tight. Now working on building my skills.
Great! The display cabinet sounds like a great idea - dust is a finished model's worst enemy! 😅
And I'd agree - this is a wonderful hobby for those winter months. Happy building! 👍
Great list. Tamiya is iconic for ease and I always have a blast building. Dragon while detailed can be a hassle, definitely learn your glue technique with Dragon. I’m stretching out with different brands after a five year break.
This is a really great video! Found you super engaging and the content really helpful. I’ve sent it onto my mate who has recently got back into the hobby. Keep it up
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed - thanks for watching & for sharing! 👍
Great video! For those that might not be into armor or aircraft, I'd recommend some car kits from Aoshima. They seem to have a good mix of value and quality. The kits usually come with extra parts to customize the cars (even raise or lower the suspension).
As someone mentioned below, you can't beat Bandai for awesome sci-fi kits. They have small, cheap Star Wars kits with amazing fit and detail!
Thank you - and thanks for the great recommendations! I do love me some Bandai kits 👍
Advice for a mew modeler: If you purchase your first tank, try to buy one with vinyl tracks. Building tank tracks is a tedious task, you are looking at at least 150+ parts each track. If you never built this before it’s very likely you screw it up or quit the tanks altogether. Vinyl tracks are a quick build and if you are fed up with their mediocre looks all it takes to get rid of them is a pair of snips and aftermarket tracks.
Great video. Your walk before you run philosophy is spot on. Quality kit engineering does help your state of mind. Early on I worked on a AMT car kit. The pre-prep to paint was intense and after many, many hours of dry fitting and sanding I was losing my motivation. As a beginner I can say one does not need this added pressure.
I've been doing mainly racing cars (Revell & Tamiya) and have been considering a miitary build. That ME- 109 Trop looks like a great recommendation. Thank you.
Thank you very much (for watching & for the thoughtful comment)! And yes, I love that 109 kit... it's a blast 👍
Surprised you didn't mention the Tamiya panzer mk 2 in 1/35. A great starter model.
My first aircraft kit I made when I was a kid was my favorite plane, F4F Wildcat, an 1/48 scale F4F-4 from Tamiya. I modeled for years and then moved into the city and have no space to make models. I came across a HobbyBoss 1/48 scale F4F-3 (late) which I’m excited to build once I move out of the city! Great vids
I love that Tamiya Wildcat! One of my favorites, too. Enjoy the HobbyBoss kit, that'll be fun! 👍
Thanks for watching!
Hi i have a question do you need to paint? Are there also model kits that don't require you to paint because i find painting to be very chaotic for me it just get very messy and then when it gets messy i get annoyed and maybe even mad but i do want to get into building the kinds of kits.
I've been making tamiyas t72m1 recently and I must say, it falls together almost perfectly, even the rubber tracks went together well and the paint scheme is very simplistic, I still haven't gained the confidence to do any sort of camo yet. It really is one of my favourite kits so far
That's great - glad to hear!
Thank you for this video, I'm 66 and just getting back to modeling after 50 years are more. There are so many kits now that I wish were availbe when I was young. I just picked up a Trumpeter BF-109F-4 Trop. And thank you for the video about what tools I need to pick up. I had to leave my tools behind when I moved the last time. I also had to leave behind the unbuilt USS Wasp CV-7 plus the Japanese sub that sank her. That and unbuilt Uss Ticonderoga. But what hurts the most is the Adolf Galland BF-109E4 kit with a figure of Galland. That and a BF-109F that represented the aircraft that Werner Molders flew.
Very nice video again. I really like your thumbnails!
Thank you very much! I appreciate it! 😁
Zero chance an Airfix kit would end up on a beginners list of mine, just stick to Tamiya and you cant fail. Or you can but then you know its you and not the kit which makes it easier and you learn faster.
I’ve built three of the Tamiya E8 Shermans! Absolutely love this model but the only drawback in my opinion is the decals provided.
Awesome! Yeah I know sometimes Tamiya decals can be difficult - I actually used some from a different Tamiya kit when I refurbished mine & they worked nicely 👍
Thank you very much for the recommendations. suggestions. tutorials and advice , last time built a model plane I was 13 years old im 60 now. restarted again wow things and techniques have really evolved thank you again.
Very enjoyable and useful video. I note that four of the top five recommendations are kits by Tamiya. Being British, I was pleased to see that the sole exception was Airfix because I grew up (b. 1961) buying an Airfix 1/72 WWII aircraft kit every time I had enough money (which would be about once a month). It was a while before I discovered that other companies even existed!
To this day, I still think of all of these kits as "Airfix" models, even if they're made by Tamiya, Revell, or any other company! 😁
I'd be interested to hear from experienced modellers how they would rate the various companies which are still manufacturing? A top five would be great (and in my case, I'm particularly interested in 1/72 scale WWII aircraft.)
I'm trying find a f16 Thunderbirds model
Great vid. Often people have a hard time finding a place to start, because so much of this hobby is driven by the non-modeling interests of those doing the modeling. I've found if poeple have a good experience building a model, they are likely to do it again in the future. Good recommendations too.
Thank you very much - I appreciate it! 👍
Any 1/48 scale kit model aircraft is best for beginners, since the bigger the model, the easier it is to assemble and spray paint. 1/72 scale, except for giant bombers and related kits, is too small. However, 1/72 is relatively cheap for experimentation. Detailing is always the most difficult and challenging task.
Agreed! 1/48 is a little more user-friendly for detail work, indeed 👍
This was a great video, thanks for putting it together. I got back into model building with the Panzer II Tamiya kit and am currently working on a Hanomag half-track conversion into an Ork Trukk for 40K.
Thank you for watching! And the conversion sounds like a really cool project 👍
Great video for the new guy and older. I am 61 years old and I am finishing up a Russian Tamiya 1/48th Tank SU-85. It is motorized and I like to buy tank kits that have motors. What was challenging is that the kit had all broken axels on one side. I had to drill and glue brass axels on with super glue. IT worked!! I'm glad young people like you are in the hobby to keep it going! Can you do videos on kit bashing?
The VERY first kit I ever made was the Revell Panther G when I was 12 years. It has a special place in my heart. The polygonal shapes of German tanks of that time are very appealing.
Brews….
I’m back in.
My uncle taught me all about building and detail of models.
He passed recently and it’s got me keen to pull out my tiger one that’s 90% complete.
Thanks mate for this video
The Tamiya 109 is a great kit to start with. I made about 6 of these when they were first released as the E3. I’m making another E3 at the moment as I wanted an easy relaxing build. The only addition is a Quinta Studio 3D interior decal set. Great choice for a beginner.
I build my first ME 109 made by airfix in 1970 .... when the kits was sold in plastig foil bags ......
@@wolfgangemmerich7552 I remember that kit. I started making Airfix kits in a bag in the mid 60s. I got the 109 to dogfight with my Spitfire & Hurricane. Happy days.
@@julianshawyer4718 My first dogfight kit was the airfix ME 110 & the Spitfire ..... Happy days indeed!!!
@@wolfgangemmerich7552 Ah, that was a proper dogfight double. Both kits in the same box complete with stand. 😁
Tamiya Panzer II with Afrika Korps dudes is another good answer, cheap AF fit that's a good practise
Definitely!
Hey Hank, thanks for the great videos. I have seen lots of modeling channels where builders display their amazing skills so it is really refreshing to come across material for beginners. Between the ages of about seven and fourteen I built hundreds of kits and I am thinking about getting back into the hobby. I'll be watching your beginner videos with interest!
Thank you very much (for watching & for the kind comment)! I'm glad you enjoyed - I'm going to try to knock out a beginner paint essentials video in the next month or so, so stay tuned for that 👍
11:32 DUDE . It’s a late war german tank. The suspension is terrible for beginers . I try to build tiger . It’s was my modelling disaster
I hear ya! I had it as the last recommendation because I think it's a good one to build up to, but you're right that the suspension is tricky
Great video sir, some great kits for me to get back into modelling. I’m starting off with a Revell spitfire mkII 1/48 scale which was given as a gift, then ill be keen to go through your 5 examples, cheers very helpful.
Great! Welcome back 😀 and thank you for watching!
@@SpruesNBrews pleasure 👍🏼
Iam a be gener model billder wut are the best online stores to bye models at ?
I would say after deciding to get back into model building that the Tamiya Matilda II is a great easy to build kit to put together, though the rubber tracks can be prone to snapping, the hull itself can hide that pretty well if you build it smartly if that happens to you. The kits also really good if you want to venture into the field of slightly more complex camo or weathering as its already got a slight texture to it and isnt overly busy, but busy enough that you can play around with different techniques. Also of course, make sure to thin your paints guys! After that kit I went on to get the Gecko models A9 and A10 cruisers (caunter camo for a nice med feel), way more complicated but the kits are just lovely when painted up.
Ahh I've heard good things about the Matilda! I really need to pick one of those up - thanks!
We plasticholics need more members, i’ve been doing it for 58 yrs minus a small pause serving in the Navy.keep these videos going.
Will do! Thanks for watching! 👍
For a good recommendation for begginers is to build U-Boats they are easy and look awsome and most of the models have good details and are easy to assemble
Ahh yes! A great suggestion - thank you!
You make a great point about having fun and not obsessing over perfection straight away. When they are sat on a living room shelf who's really looking that close anyway? And the arrangements make it - the Blackbird and Convair Hustler look so cool side by side, as do the Navy Buccaneer and Sea Vixen or the F22 and F35. And there's memories and getting closer to the subject matter there too - take the massive XB70 Valkyrie on the shelf for example; I didn't know it was that big in real life until the box showed up. Didn't know the dropped wings hung down under the wheels until I test fitted it. Gives me a fond memory of my old flat since there was no way I could spray paint it white inside, so the pieces got carted around down to the courtyard in the lift and then carefully carried back up. Nothing wrong with impuse buys of old cheap kits, the Internet isn't everything. There's a 1: 48 GeeBee on the TV stand that I found in a second hand store, one of my favourites. However if there is one you really want, get them when they're there because some kits turn into ebay gold dust if you're not careful. There's also no shame with trying to improve on your kid self models by trying again with benefit of 25 years wisdom.8
タミヤさんのシャーマンとパンテルのリニューアルっぽいキットには、インパクトがありました。👍
私はタミヤのシャーマンが大好きです！😃
I just got into model kits. I got a USS Missouri back in 2019. Never got the tools needed and ended up loosing parts for it and it eventually got thrown away. Earlier 2021 I got a Space Battleship Yamato model kit. I loved it. Truly. One of my favorite things about models is the boxes. I have found that a quality display usually indicates at least an ok to good quality model.
Ty!!!....I'm 71 yrs old..used to build about everything as a" new recruit"..a kid...your video was EXACTLY the stimulus I needed to get back into this very fun hobby..ty again
Rick S.
Fantastic! Glad you're getting back into the hobby - enjoy!
To hell with that. I’m restarting with a AH-64D SARAF Apache Attack Helicopter! Beeches.
You do you!
@@SpruesNBrews Thank you for taking that in the spirit it was intended. I may have come across a little bit too excited! 🤪
Well, I'm 73 and have been building models for about 65 years. The first was a Lindbergh F9F Panther. Had maybe 3 stages, as a preteen, a teenager, and then when I started working fulltime. Joined IPMS a few years back and an Armour sub club. Realized how hard core some were when discussing making scale size buckles for their 1/35 kits. The one point that still sticks with me is, I have about 300 kits I have never opened and many of the other fellows had more!! Great hobby, why don't kids want to do it now?
im 13 just am getting into it and i love it so far so sum kids are still into it also do you have any good paint brands i should use for air brushing and hand painting?
That's great! Thank you for watching - and I've been pleasantly surprised by the growing scale modeling community here on UA-cam and on Instagram. Definitely some younger folks getting into it 👍
@@isaacmoen666 Tamiya paints are pretty good, Model Master paints were excellent but they recently discontinued their whole line, Vallejo are decent, Alclad II is the best metallizer on the market.
Man, I wish I did look up some ideas like these for beginners. I probably started with one of the most challanging scales for beginners: 1/144.
Me and my friend were (and still are) satisfied by fighter jets, and one time, we decided to buy some fighter jet models. So we went to a store and we bought two 1/144 models from Revell. I bought an F-14D and my friend a Tornado ECR. We didn't expect it to be that hard, I mean it said that Lvl 3 in modeling requiers some crafting experience and stuff, which we had, so we though it would be easy. Right of the bat, I struggeled almost 1 hour with only the cockpit and the front. It had such small parts, it wasn't easy. It took me 5 hours to build it.
After we finished, we didn't want to do modeling again, cus it was so frustrating and the glue was smelling terrible, but it somehow was a good feeling that we built our own models, not just bought some which are complete, so not long after, we started to build more and more. Modeling became one of our favourite activities, and now we have a fairly big collection of models, but almost all of then aren't 1/144.
I can almost guarantee that 1:144 scale wasn’t the problem there, Revell was. I’ve never had a Revell kit just go together without serious issues of one sort or another. My second ever model kit was an Academy 1:144 scale F-15 (this would have been around 2010) and it went together very easily, but about 3 years ago for some reason I took leave of my senses and picked up an old Revell F-15 for a diorama I was planning and I ended up wanting to turn it into sprue goo. The Revell kit is sitting on the shelf of shame to this day.
Dear beginner do not be afraid of making mistake, get use to it I have bin painting and building miniatures and models off and on four 30 years plus, face it you will make mistakes, paint can hide a lot screw-ups, put it down and come back another time. it will ok.
A beginner kit is a cheap kit. Zvezda is a good brand for everyone. Most of their kits are well engineered, cheap and yet very good quality.
I couldn’t agree more with your choices!. I’m not primarily an armour modeller, but my mate has built the easy 8 and Churchill, and thinks pretty much the same as you. As for 109s, I’ve built a few Tamiya 109Es over the years. A brilliant kit. Best thing about 109s are the massive range of interesting paint schemes to choose from.
Great videos and channel, keep up the good work!.
Thank you! I appreciate it - and agreed, the Tamiya 109s (all of them, really) are a real treat 👍
Just happened across your video - I'm getting back into 1.35 scale modeling after decades away and picked up a Tamiya Panzer II ausf F/G because it is small, fast to build, simple, and has plenty of aftermarket options. My youngest daughter is a fan of the "Girls und Panzer" anime and has developed so much of a love for tanks that we have started "Sherman-hunting" - trying to find Shermans on display close by any time we take a trip. I actually bought the Sherman you recommend in this video two days ago from a local Hobby Town because it matches the look of the one on display at the Nebraska National Guard Museum that we visited. I'm looking forward to building it - especially after hearing your comments on it. Again, it will be the recipient of numerous aftermarket enhancements, just like the wee Pzkfw II that I'm finishing up...
my best experiences were with tamiya tanks (abrams, bradley etc) and more recently bandai star wars kits.
amazing engineering, detail and value. their quality rivals considerably more expensive brands.
the japanese really kick ass at this stuff.
As an Illustration grad it is a great art form, and useful for illustrators.
Well... I got Tamiya's late tiger and only have all 199 track links left to go, but i've got loads f experience from wargaming, so the figure will be a breeze to paint, but can't wait to paint THW GREATEST THING EVER MADE! (but smaller)
Do not build a tank or any tracked vehicle until you’ve built a few kits. The number of wheels and bogie wheels will overwhelm you and bore you.
Hank, sorry i was paying attention to your Video I totally missed your recommending a site to download construction manuals
No worries! It's called scalemates.com 👍
Awesome thank you
Yes tamiyas 1/35 armor is way to expensive, and you get No pe, little detail. Tamiya is engineered great but for those prices you should get much more, hell you can get a full interior King tiger for that price. Don't get me wrong tamiya is a good company but they need to add more stuff in their kits , going forward!
I think Tamiya is a very good value for beginners & more-experienced modelers alike - correct that you don't get PE with most kits, but the engineering is second-to-none & I've never had a bad build experience with a Tamiya kit. You can definitely find more detail with some other brands, but Tamiya's products are exactly what I'm looking for 👍
And they are NOT beginner friendly either being somewhat over engineered.
But you can get Tamiya kits with various levels of complexity so go for with less detail/parts.
Have to agree with you on finding good kits of decent value. Even some of the simpler/easier kits can be salty.
I am fortunate to be within driving distance of a hobby shop that got started with model trains. In fact, the name of the shop is Cool Trains. If you're in the Lancaster area, check it out. It just recently changed hands, so it remains open. The previous owner bought collections of trains, planes, cars, most anything. I recently picked up some kits that I first put together some 40 years ago. And they were decently priced--nothing over $20. Modern versions of these kits are easily three to four times more.
I enjoy your videos and appreciate your tips but I'm wondering if you know where I can find a 1/8 scale small block Chevy V-8 that I want to put in my '32 Ford Hi-boy. I'm also looking for a 1/16 scale small block Chevy for a '31 Ford Model A that I'm building for my dad to look like the one he built himself. Thanks!
Easiest tank...T-34. Simple construction, limited wheels, one color paint. If you need cheap, the old Tamiya 1/35's are fine, and have "rubber band' tracks that don't look too bad.
Easiest aircraft.....Hasegawa (Mania) 1/48 Ki-27. Fixed landing gear, simple canopy, one color scheme (if you do the grey one).
Sherman.. keep away from flammable materials 😉
Ha! 😅
WHY? WHY SCALE MODELS AND RC MODELS DO NOT SHARE THE MORE OR LESS SAME SCALE??? i would love 1:10 scale models.
Tamyia made the xr311. when you build it it feels like a scale model. but they added a cool chassis, and with it you are able to drive it around. its pretty fragile but it looks cool.
scale models would be an endless resource of cool car bodies. i hoipe with the rise of rc scalecrawlers this would finally be a thing. but sadly its not.
just building it dooesnt really do it for me. i would like to drive around with rc tech.
Thanks Hank, think I’m going to start my first build with the Sherman Tank, quick question, does any of it need painting prior to assembly or do you paint once fully assembled? Thanks
folks ....this is like being a musician..... There is Never any financial benefit in this hobby... total opposite..
Figure out which debts you will ignore first, what food you will sacrifice for the paint you NEED!!!! more that the air you breath...
You will always be pore.... scruffy.. covered in paint, slither cuts on your hands....
YOU WILL grow at least one ail long and weird, in order to use it as a tool....
Its an amazin hobby! i started when i was about9 on 1/72 bi planes.. oh my god! HARD!!! made hundreds of ww2 planes.
took a break for about 25yrs.. Now i paint Orcs.. Still have a few bad airfix kits, and a stunning Revel kit.
one thing i Feel we all need to know. Is some of the Airfix moulds date back decades... They are updating them, however... some are baaaad. like the Diorama kit with tanks and men... oooooph bad none.
Also you can do any colour you wish too.. and please remember.. Bf109 is the correct term. Me109 is NOT! Me came later. 2 different designers ;)
Great video! Very well explained to the guy who is just starting out.
Thank you very much! I appreciate it! 👍
I'm using AMMO paint myself too and wanted to give the BF-109 a go as a returning modeller but how did you decide which paint to use for the BF-109 when you use AMMO paint? Since the paint suggested on the box is not AMMO I believe
The F4U Corsair is one of the few WW2 model kits I haven't built over the years, after a long hiatus I'm thinking of building a Tamiya 1/32 kit,
My first kit was an AMT Klingon Bird Of Prey that my dad and I built a long time ago. I got back into scale model building a few years ago with 1/700 ships, and a couple in 1/350. I tried planes in 1/72, but they didn't come out good. So if I make a second attempt at planes, I'll go up to 1/48 or 1/32. And I'm looking into doing more 1/350 ships, and even collecting 1/200 ships.
Awesome! The first model you build is always special. I think you'll like trying those other scales, too!
@@SpruesNBrews I do all my painting by hand, so I have to stick to smaller scales for now. If I do get into larger scales like 1/200 ships, 1/72 U-Boats, and 1/48 or 1/32 planes, I'd just be collecting them.
Hank, just for you (not really) a tip that I just noticed. For brite work like window trim, Bare Metal sheets are the usual. But, how bout another way. Dick tape makes a aluminum foil tape. It's almost 2" wide. and many yards long. About $10.00 will last you many years.
Great video. I’ve always been partial to 1/700 scale wave line ships. Fav are HMS Hood, USS Enterprise, and IJN Kaga. Honorable nod to KM Hipper.
Thanks! And very nice - gotta love a 1/700 ship build 👍
@@SpruesNBrews subscribed and checking out all your videos. 🥃
My first kit was a 1/35 Gaz Tigr with a turret by Zvezda and I can't recommend it for beginners even if it is of good quality. There is a lot of planning ahead and parts you must paint while assembling because they become inaccessible. For the first kit, I can recommend Tamiya M1A2 Abrams Operation Iraqi Freedom. Easy to build and paint, mostly flat surfaces and for basics, you need just a few colours.
I'm more into realistic stuff like Warhammer40k... not that fantasy stuff like those tanks and planes you are showing :P sadly my painting skills still suxx... :( but well one day...
Used to build airplane and tank airfix kits in the seventies. To attack the midget soldiers I had. Very.
Expensive for plastic and old moulds i must say. Enjoyable hobby though.
And you should clean up the parts with dish soap and hot water and dry the parts with room temperature on a paper towel. And then you can sand down some of the parts with sandpaper or a emryboard that you can get at any pharmacy in the beauty department and it does cost much to get
always 1/48 as detail and range of options make for greater fun build
cheap kits complete right off aka parts fail don't line up just waste of paint glue time
1/32 makes great for cars and helos
1/72 good jet size ✨
got a deisel truck my first time with a model 61 yrs old by the way ..was supposed to be fairly easy (rated for 14 yr old) it is anything but easy ..pretty much turned me off on models ..and the expense for paint all that ..just ridiculous ....Im going to 3D wood puzzles after Im done with this monstrocity
Hi!
Thank you a lot for the video! Very informative even not for the beginer modeller.
Btw, what is the bg music in the outro? Simple but catchy one. Thanks in advance
As a kid, I cut my teeth on Revell/Monogram/Testors.
After a long hiatus...I re-cut my teeth on those same kits, because that's all I really knew and could afford.
After another hiatus...I re-re-cut my teeth on those kits again. This time around, I went "all in", and turned them into award winners.
These days...for beginners...the newer Airfix kits are unbeatable. Detail is decent, fit is good and the price has them taking the #1 spot!
I say, for beginners the Tamiya Bf 109 E3 in 1/72(or the similar E4/E7 kit in 1/72) is better than the Airfix Bf 109E4 in 1/72.
Used to build 1:35 scale military models about 30 years ago. I got laid off for a retool at work so decided to get a couple models to build: a Tamiya Jeep in 1:48 scale, lol. Damn it’s small! Being a glutton for punishment I just got the Sherman Easy 8 in 1:48! 😜😄
In the model shops I had access to add a kid in they UK in the 70's I suspect that kits like Sherman sold straight away so you never saw them.
There would be (to me) superbly boring stuff like 'chipmonk trainer' and 'harvard transport plane' instead of glamour stuff like , Corsair, P51, seafire,
I would have fainted if I could have got my hands on a Sherman kit ,
esp at larger scale.
I found a helium balloon from a balloon race. I won £2.50 for returning it. Bought a nice B17 with the proceeds . So it wasn't an bad news .
The modeling industry has completely priced me out of the hobby. I’m not going to pay over $100 for a 1/48 scale aircraft and damn near that much for a 1/35 scale armor kit. Not gonna happen.