Being a part of a model club means many things. It means you have a place to show off your models, and the people who see them will know exactly what it took to build them. It means you have a way to stay informed about all of the new kits and modeling events in your area. And it means you have an opportunity to meet other people who share the enjoyment of the modeling hobby.

Kit bashing has once again become a popular pastime. With each new model kit released, there's another opportunity to find fault with the product and the people who produced it. This is a change from when there were few new kits to bash and the old "nothing but reissues" argument was the standard.

Of course, now it's easy to say that selected re-releases would be preferable to some of the new toolings. Constructive criticism is healthy, and it leads to better products, but cynical demands for absolute accuracy evolve from wishful thinking. Even under the best conditions, the average model kit represents a challenging compromise of financial, marketing, and design considerations.

Every model manufacturer is looking towards the experienced hobbyist for a stable foundation.

To prepare for a successful kit bashing experience, first decide what type of models you are interested in and check your local newsstand for magazines featuring full size, real life items. Such magazines will give you good detail photographs and information every month. Save the magazines to build a library of reference material for future use. Magazines such as Military Modeler and FineScale Modeler will help you learn more about modeling techniques.

No matter what type of model you build, the same basic tools are used. These would include:

-a good hobby knife,
-flat, round, half round and knife edge files,
-a selection of sandpaper in grits from 320 to 600,
-a couple of small and one or two medium sized paint brushes,
-glue (both liquid and tube type),
-modeling putty,
-a stiff toothbrush to clean files,
-a selection of hobby paints in bottles. Buy cans of primer and spray paint as you need them.

These tools are very basic and you can add to them quickly as you gain experience and improve your modeling skills.

Kit bashing , haven't heard anyone talk about this for some time .

Hi James:

One tool I would add to your basic list is a good set of sprue cutters. Those have made my modelling life so much easier, and for kids it's a lot safer than cutting the pieces from the sprues with a knife. I recommend some sort of side cutters as part of any beginning modeller's tool box.

I hoep you are able to make it down to the London show on October 4th! It would be nice to see you there.

Cheers,

Scott