Guys, I have long had an interest in military modeling and my interest lies mainly on the WWII period.

Well, I am an acomplished illustrator with a focus in wildlife for the most part and I am hoping I can take some of that talent and apply it to modeling. With winter on the way I feel that modeling is a nice way to spend a cold New England weekend locked up in a room with my music playing. I have done some models growing up and enjoyed it, I love airplanes and as a kid that is all I did. However I really want to take this seriously and I want to approach this from that stand point which is why I am here begging for your help.

Now that I am all grown up and married I tend to have a few more bucks than I did at the age of 13 and I would love a basic run down on needed supplies that will get me the most out of a model. I understand a decent air brush is pretty much a staple in the modeling cimmunity now. Can you recomend a good one with a good compressor that will not completely break the bank?

Anything you think I should know to get started would be greatly appreciated. That goes for books, tips, tricks, supplies, the best kits, anything.

Thank you so much for your time guys.

Jason

Start here:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/14

Airbrush info here:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/1

And here:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Search&file=index&action=search&active_postboard=1&bool=AND&q=best%20airbrush

HTH

Jason, welcome aboard! Where in New England are you?

Firstly Jason, welcome to the site I think like the rest of us you'll find it absolutely invaluable.
I came back to modelling after a few years inactivity and found that the internet (and especially this site) changed my perspective completely.

The links you have been given are excellent, the principles are the same whether you are building aircraft or figures or armor. Good tools, good references and imagination. You didn't say in your post what you fancy building, a lot of us here tend to build 'across the lines'
for example I build armor/softskins, figures and the odd aircraft (as long as it comes off a carrier). It is wonderful to be a specialist in one area but I think most of us tend to jump about a bit. Also, please don't confuse building with buying, some of us on this site have cupboards positively groaning with reserve stocks of plastic kits which have to be constantly camoflaged from our partners....Jim

O.K. I'll put my money where my mouth is...

Paint: (Figures), Vallejo or Andrea Acrylics, Games Workshop Acrylics (metals)
Paint: (armor) Acrylics, Tamiya, Modelmaster
Paint: (aircraft) Xtracolor (enamels)

Kits: Depends on what you fancy, I would suggest you start with something simple, the Tamiya Humvee for example, in aircraft, one of the Tamiya 1/48 fighters (they look really good out of the box). Cheapest way to start is as suggested, buy something you fancy, armor by Italeri,for example. A good hobby store will be more than willing to give you good advice to start.....

Welcome! Where in New England are you? There are a number of clubs in Maine (1), New Hampshire (2), Massachusetts (4-5) and Connecticut (2-3) which would be good resources for you.

Welcome to the best web site around!

You have found the most valuable resource (after you and your imagination) - this web site. Ask any question.
As far as resources and things to get you kick started. I would read every digital diamond
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=listarticles&secid=13
I would pa ruse every article in the features section.

For basic hands on reference I would go to Amazon (via Armorama link Jim gets a kick back [shameless plug ]) and pick up any or all volumes of Shep Paine model building. Great stuff, covers all areas and a huge percentage can transfer to all genres.

Basic advice on getting in - you get what you pay for. The better kits are going cost more, and will give a better build. The better paints will yield better results.
What I couldn't live without are
1. #11 blade (lots of'em)
2. Double Action airbrush with compressor and 2gallon tank
3. Pastels
4. Armorama

From now till snow falls, I'd go and buy a kit or two and play. Don't worry about total finish job, just get in and try some things.

Wow, thank you for the quick replys!

My wife fully supports my hobbies which is a good thing. She understands that things are oretty stressful for me right now and she qactually enjoys seeing me at my desk working on an illustration which I havent done in quite a while now. It's just nice to get lost in something for a few hours forgetting the every day woes we all face.

MY INTERESTS!

Well, the things I find that draw me in the most are WWII era fighter planes and heavy armor such as tanks. This is what I expect to be the main focul point for most models I would be doing. I am thinking of either going with a fighter plane or a German Tiger for my first model. I really want to get set up to a point where I have what I need to make a very decent looking model. I understand that painting a model will be completely different than laying a brush on paper but I am confident that some of my illustration talents will trickle over.

Atleast I hope

By the way I live in the Boston area.

hi welcome to the armorrama the best web site in the world.
thats good u built models in the past.
we all do and we leave the hooby and then come back,
iam just geting back init.

ok frist thing find a nice hobby shop.
and get easy plane to build. and a cheap plane cause you dont wanna ruin a 25dollar kit.
the cheap kits are pretty good,
then find some building a plane books.
they help u a lot
and just take it slow and u should be ok.
here is a great hobby shop i buy from on line
http://www.militaryhobbies.com/

so welcome back to the hobby and to the site and have fun

If you haven't found it already, you'll want to head out to Marlboro (I-495 and Route 20) and check out the Spare Time Shop. Paul has one of the largest selection of models and paraphenalia in the area. There's a club in South Weymouth, but I'm not sure of their meeting schedule. North of the city, Patriot Chapter meets on the 1st Friday of the Month, 7:30pm, Bedford Town Center and IPMS/North Shore Scale Modlers meets the 2nd Wednesday of the Month, 7:00pm, Peabody Community Life Ctr.

Jason,

Everyone's done a good job of laying out things, but I'll toss in my $0.02 in one item.

When it comes to an airbrush compressor, go to Wal-Mart and buy a Campbell Hausfield 2-gallon compressor and tank. They are cheap (@ $99), reliable, relatively quiet, and can be fitted with a moisture trap for less than $10. They work as well as the more expensive models and, since they have a storage tank, don't pulse in the air line as you spray.

Enjoy.

Well Jason, if you're ever out to the Marlborough area, the Spare Time Shop is well worth your visit as it's the best stocked hobby shop around. Kits, supplies and reference materials. (No, I'm not associated with STS.)

If you are going to be in the area, drop me a PM and maybe we can hook up sometime. I live exactly two miles from STS.

I wouldn't worry about crossing your talents over to model building. You've already established the 'eye' for art, (it's in your genes) all you need to do now is to 'transfer' it to a different medium. You'll do fine!!

I come from a long line of talented illustrators, so some sort of artistic talents are naturally in my genes but, don't ask me to ever draw anything freehand. All I can say is thank god for CAD.

Enjoy the hobby Jason... enjoy the friendships to be found here on Armorama!

keefe,

That sounds like a great idea. Maybe next weekend I will take a journey over to STS and we can hook up to do some browsing and maybe grab a bight to eat. Be warned though, the more enthused and motivated I get (hanging out in hobby shops) the more questions I will ask. So be prepared for that one if your suggestion was genuine.

We have a pretty decent hobby shop here in Malden also which has isles and isles of kits. All the supplies you could ever ask for also. If STS is better than this place I can only imagine. Go to www.thehobbybunker.com to check out the shop.

Thank you all so much, I have an old A10 Warthog that I started quite some time ago that I never finished. When all you have is brushes it gets very hard to get the neat look that you want in a model which is why I stopped. Hopefully when I get my air brush this will change, no more brush strokes and nice even paint all around.

The A10 was a $40 kit so I should try and make something out of it, maybe practice some weathering on it or something?

Anyone have good weathering tips for a beginner?

Thanks again all,
Jason

Start here:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/19

And here:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/86

I also have this compressor. It works great and not too loud.

If you want to do some aeroplanes,the Tamiya kits are by far the best I have come up against,they almost fall together and look absoluteley beautyfull.Also look for a tank that has good reviews,something that won't give you alot of stress,as some tank models can be an absolute nightmare!


P.S. wish for alot of stuff on christmass (:-)

hi jason, you can,t go wrong on this site. i,m a decorator by trade and find the skills i have in the job help me in my modelling(although i built models from the age of 6-7 and started working in the trade at 17 so maybe its the other way round) your used to working with paint and hand-eye coordination will help (if you build stuff in 1/72!) just enjoy the hobby, i know i do

There are many books on the market about modeling, but one series i would recommend is the Masterclass series from Osprey. These books are very well done by some of the best artist/modelers around today. I believe they are the next best to have after Shep Paine.
Welcome to our passion.
capnjock