2 new kits

[iloveairfix]

its my birthday today, and i got 2 new model kits.

one is a FA/18 Hornet (hasegawa)

and the other is a Airfix cromwell tank starter set.

any ideas for detailing the cromwell?

all ideas welcome.

[richard baker1707820250]

Hi,firstly happy birthday,

what would you like to know about the cromwell, it is a great little kit that goes together very well,

you should not have any problems at all.

Rich.

[iloveairfix]

thanks, i'm a beginner at modeling and even though i wont be able to got as good as some of these pro's, i want some ideas of weathering, such as dirt on the tracks, bare metal shown, oil smears etc.

[richard baker1707820250]

Hi, for the sort of advice you want, your best option is to look around the forum there is great advice and tips on all types of construction/painting/.weathering ect. also look at other forums such as the unofficial airfix forum,

there are so many excellent modelers on these forums that you will find everything you need and they are allways happy to help.

 

Rich.

[iloveairfix]

 thanks so much, i will do that. ive go quite a few kits either half-finished or not started so this should help me a lot

[DavidJC]

When I took up modelling again a few short years ago after a long break, I promised myself I would not have more than one kit on the go at any one time. I had found that having too many kits on the go at once meant I never got any finished at all. I'd lose track as to where I was on any one of them, even perhaps get bored with one (or more) and tell myself I'd devote all my efforts to the new one - repeat to fade . That said, I did start my new Airfix 1/48 Hurricane (new tool) just before I finished the Seafire. However, I'm determined now to keep to that rule and finish this before starting any next kit.

 

As to the final finish with paint and weathering, well, we don't know how old you are, but I also found that I was trying to get too much perfection before I was ready. I had it in my mind the finish I wanted but it never worked out that way as I didn't have the skills and ended up making a right mess of everything. So, my tip would be, practice practice practice. If you do get it wrong, don't be down-hearted but learn from that. I am still wayyyyyyyy off some modellers but there is no doubt I have improved and am now getting a finish that I am happy with, even if simple.

 

Good tools and materials are helpful too. I used to use Magic Tape for masking which I always thought good enough. Yet I did get some Tamiya masking tape and found a whole new level of maksing, if used properly. Of course you could be on a limited budget, but always buy the best you can. It is false economy to buy the cheapest to get the most!

 

If you have some old kits you don't want to keep, try weathering techniques on them - dry brushing, weathering powders etc. Or, if you can afford it, get some really cheap 1/72 kits and throw them together to experiment on. If you really are new to weathering, don't try to do too much as I did!

 

As to inspiration, see if you can get books from your library or have a look on the internet. Some subjects are better represented of course, but images are an invaluable source for inspiration.

 

Good luck, I for one would love to see your results.

[iloveairfix]

 thanks, DavidJC, i will try to stick to your rule, i have been looking on the internet for tips etc, and at the library. thanks for all your help, i will try to put on a few photos of my results.

p.s i'm 15 yrs old, and ive been modeling for about a year or so.