For someone starting out, I highly recommend doing 1/35 armour. Aircraft can be a little daunting with interiors and canopies. Yes, you have to deal with wheels and tracks with armour, but at least for me, armour is the way to go for a beginner, especially since armour schemes are typically just one or two colours to paint. Your 1/35 armour RUclips series is honestly the best series for any beginner.
I scerwed up my first two 1:75 planes :/ Now i ordered tamiya pz II 1:35 and i hope for better resoults.I also decided to try spray can paiting,brush was to tricky for me.Thanks for advice !
Half a dozen of one six of the other, although it really depends upon the individual kit in terms of detail & complexity. Armour generally has a zillion wheels to assemble and paint -OK admitted hyperbole but you take on board my point I'm sure, and is a lot more intricate assembly with far higher parts count than any single engine fighter. My take is pick the subject you prefer be it aircraft or armour, a model which inspires, but KISS with Tamiya or a similar simpler build brand in either 1/48 or 1/35 and stick to a sensible subject choice in terms of tooling complexity to keep it enjoyable.
i agree. tamiya tanks are probably the most forgiving to beginner mistakes and come with a built in excuse for heavy weathering, which allows one to cover up mistakes.
Planes, in my experience, required FAR more detail in paint and usually have the easiest thing to screw up, a clear canopy, which is a double trap on painting AND gluing.. The 'zillion wheels' are all REPETITIVE, meaning you should get better as you go along, AND they are pretty simple. You don't even have to do the normal rubber tracking surface if you pretend it's all covered in mud. The only thing you need to do the armor is a good side cutter for the only delicate parts, which are the light guards. Yeah, the tracks can be an issue depending on what their construction/assembly involves, but a plane is FAR more complicated, AND you have to consider you have landing gear up or down ..., landing gear that is often flimsy. Don't think it's any where near 6 of one/half a dozen of the other.
I started the hobby last year with an Airfix Hurricane, went to paint a Zero and a Wildcat. Only after I picked up the Tamiya 1 : 48 Wildcat it became apparent to me what I should have done from the start. Great Video!
My very 1st kit was a 1/72 Revell Zero...pale blue plastic... I knew nothing about sprue tabs, rough edges, alignment issues and fit. I had a tube of Testor's glue and the kit. It was a disaster, looking back. Sprue nubs kept parts from fitting and the glue fogged the canopy. I have learned sooooo much up 'til now. I, of course, was delighted with it. I was 9. We have so much to teach new modelers and a good or great kit is the place to start and not the hacky junk we all accepted as normal back then. The Zero was a nice little kit and deserved someone much better than me to build it. Thanks for letting me air this, Dane
The Airfix starter kits are great for people who aren't sure if they'll enjoy the hobby and don't want to invest in all the tools associated with. My first kits were an Airfix 1/72 Tiger and Hurricane Mk. I and they showed me that I do enjoy the parts I was iffy about, namely the tiny parts and painting. They're $15, so it doesn't really matter if you lose an antenna mast or the black for the rubber bleeds onto the road wheels. Just build em for some quick easy fun and a cheap taste of the hobby.
Peter Rouse This vidio has given me some very good info. I am in my 80s and have dabled in modole but not for many years. My main hobby was woodturning for which I achieved a number of National awards, however dust become my enemy and I have now started to construct one or two models. The advice you give in your vidio was both useful and constructive and I look forward to the same in future vidios Peter
Excellent advice & I absolutely agree with your comments re Tamiya. Can't beat them for engineering, quality & simplicity. But I wish folk would stop righting off companies such as Airfix quite so quickly ! Modern Airfix 1/48 aircraft kits are a world away from their classic stuff & are well engineered, detailed & go together beautifully. They also release subjects that Tamiya would never touch. Great advice indeed but don't right off other manufacturers too readily 👍👍👍
As a Boomer who grew up on Airfix and wanted to love them when I returned to plastics modelling with gusto a decade ago, I discovered Airfix were inconsistent and still lacking in Air 1/48 coverage. Their 1/35 armour is too for the price point at which their product is pitched compared with their competition. Kudos to them that they have improved remarkably over the past decade in their new Airfix original aircraft toolings, particularly in their 1/72 forte. Although in 1/48 the range is relatively spartan, plus Airfix leans very much to Brit subject or a safe subject choice outside that. If Brit subjects e.g. Swordfish, Blenheim, Anson, Meteor, Bucaneer are your thing (they're not mine and neither is 1/72), Airfix get a tick and pass to be perceived in a more positive light. Airfix's 1/35 armour OTOH are just Academy reboxings with different decals. Along Tamiya lines, Academy armour kits are well enough engineered generally and decent kits to build, but most of even their better kits are easily challenged by '90s Tamiya toolings these days at a similar price point. Academy had an market niche when they were half Tamiya's price, but not now. Speaking of Academy. They do (or did?) a load of reboxed simple old ex-Minicraft aircraft toolings in 1/48 which are quite cheap, and easy builds on a par with '80s Otaki kits although 70's Tamiya still pulls them up. Although simple and low in detail, they do dress up to display well in their warpaint. Great early modeller quick to build and perfect paint mule subjects. Early-mid tooling Tamiya are safe no brainers though regardless the preferred model. Agree with the topic header.
If you want a liquid cement applicator that's even better than Tamiya's little brush that comes in their Extra Thin, go get some insulin syringes. You can get a box of 100 +/- for @ $25.00 USD. The tiny, thin needle lets you get into tight spots that were previously unreachable to place just the right amount of cement on site.
Hey Jason - what a brilliant video - i wish you had done this about a year again 😂 My first was a Revell 1/48 spitfire, difficult. I have to completely agree with you Tamiya kits are fantastic for a starter / novice and I’ve build most of these this year, however just finished 1/72 Airfix Tiger 1 & Sherman- to be honest it went together enough.
The Tiger and Sherman 1/72 are decent kits for what they are as for the 1/48 spitfire it depended on what skill level it was ( level 4 can be a bugger lol ) and when it was tooled
Airfix starter sets are still ideal for kids such as my own first kit experience at age 6 or 7 -long before starter kits per se. I only built 1/72 Airfix Series 1 hanger bagged kits through to about age 15 unless I was gifted a higher series for a special occasion. Of course these days where kids are indulged, beyond childhood toward teen the older Tamiya 1/48 and 1/35 kits are an accessible affordable reality as well as straightforward simple builds which look great OOTB, and great fitting compared with my own Airfix experience days.
In the '70 i got a lot of Airfix and Matchbox kits and they worked ok for me, until i bought my first Tamiya in 1981, a Land Rover, and I never since bought anything else Tamiya have as you said very detailed kits and simple instructions even for young ones 🇯🇵👍😊
Only staying to Tamiya will make your model life easy. However wery often they dont have that rare tank kit that you really wanted to build, then you will have to wander to unknown territory, yet most people will see that most kits these days is equally good as long as its made by a famous producer. Besides Miniart no kits is really trash in 2010 and beyond.
Great video but most people don't go into this taking the hobby seriously. There is a place for a Tamiya 1:48 kit for the middle aged first timer with money and a place for Airfix for the 8 year old or people who can't afford a big Tamiya kit. With the new tool Airfix they are amazing fit and every new tool is going to be as good. They are also good if you want to take a break and do a quick one or two day build and paint. All the stuff Airfix do for schools and scout groups etc is amazing as well. Can't thank them enough.
The new airfix, such as the Spitfire V is a s good as any. I speak as I find - I gave one to an 8 year old (incapacitated after being hit by a car on the way to school), and he thought it was the best thing ever. Their new instructions are also top class. My personal start was on a car, after many years of not doing kits. I have also just bought a ton of heller kits (and their starter sets contain "real" paint pots), as I like the unusual. They look simple, but with flash. Another thing I don't think I heard was how much better top opening boxes are. The frustrations I have has with items falling out of a dragon box! Fully agree about extra thin. Also they make the best mixing bottles. I would also say avoid aerosol cans as a start on airbrushing from my experiences.
Just starting this, but I love the idea. Recently an Australian modeler made a video crapping on Tamiya. It's so important for the beginner.and as a refresher for us. This is why I like your channel sir.
To be fair to the "other streamer", he's a glutton for punishment, and THAT was the purpose of that particular video. Granted it was poorly verbalized, very poorly. I do know a few much older scratch builders who do sail era from ground up by hand, and none of them would put it quite like that. I would say they encourage anyone at any age to model. Fwiw I had to watch that video on 3 parts, was bothered by his delivery too. His core reasoning is fine FOR HIM. He enjoys the challenges, whatever floats his boat ⛵.
@@crazylocha2515 Agreed. I'm a fan of Harry, have been for years. But that phenomenon exists in all hobbies. People study music and only find jazz appealing. That's no reason to tell other people music that moves them is lesser. It was a horrible take and stopped watching his stuff due to it.
@@AdamMann3D You hit the nail right on the head there. If there’s a model of a kit I really want to build, I’ll happily tackle it. From a short run block of soap-to a brand new Tamiya dream build. However, I don’t complain - I know exactly what I’m getting myself in for. How anyone can knock Tamiya for giving us a truly enjoyable modelling experience is beyond me!.
@@crazylocha2515 my biggest issue with Harry Houdini is that he goes on about how he hates rivet counters while saying the sort of things that term is meant to describe. He just seems like the sort of guy who doesn’t really care that much about what he says so long as it gets a rise out of people
Personally I believe this video should have been titled "You've made your starter set, what next?" Whilst I agree with everything you've said, I feel this would be a bit advanced for someone who's only ever stuck their fingers together, not a kit lol
I am working on an Airfix, 1/72 scale Me109e 3. It is very fiddly. Thought it was me (I haven't built a small 72 scale in some years!). But you're right. It is tricky to do well, and I would bet that their 48th scale version of the same aircraft would be quiker and less frustrating to build. As for fit, well I think that Airfix have improved greatly over the years but the still have a long way to go before they rival Tamiya! The Me 109 I'm building is more suited to an experienced modler as it requires work to make it fit perfectly. Putting it in a starter set is equivalent to dressing a sheep in wolfs clothing, enough to gi e any begginer a headache!
When I started modelling Tamiya didn't even exist in Europe. Airfix, Heller and Revell were the popular brands. I always found the range from Airfix the best, both in price ranges (remember the cheapest 1:72 in plastic bags) and they always fitted. Revell had often problems with that. Ship hulls bent so nothing fitted anymore. Heller was very good, but very french oriented then.
Thank you for your sound advice. It has probably been two decades since I have built a model and I would like to get back into it. I brought many years ago a couple of Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster and Mosquitoes as well as a Badger airbrush. As you say things have changed since then and I think I need to practice on some more simpler models. Look forward to seeing your next video.
I found this video and topic really useful. I used to enjoy the Airfix 1:72s as a kid building with Dad, but as an adult I’ve been thinking about how to get into the hobby properly, watching plenty of RUclipss. What holds me back apart from practical space and time is… primers, airbrushing, thinner, cements, photo etch. All these things that skilled modellers use to achieve the results I’d aspire to, I don’t know where to start! Any future videos talking about do’s and don’ts and where to start with these would be very useful!
I remember my first model kit was an air fix 1/72 Cromwell it was an alright kit but then I went to my local model shops and all they had for armour was a Tamiya stug 4 even though I was but a humble beginner I loved building it, it was intuitive and the parts went together brilliantly, that stug kit to this day is still one of my favourite kits and while I’ve improved since then it still holds a place in my heart for properly getting me into the hobby and I make sure it always has a place reserved on my top shelf
When I started out that was also my first kit I had. I was maybe 10 and I remember building it in our garage and being so proud I finished it. Did I glue the gun in upside down and end up painting it splochty gold… yes yes I did
Good points well made. My only problem when coming back to the hobby recently after more than forty years, was just how much info there was out there. I watched hours and hours of RUclips technique videos, bought all the gear, had a stash of half a dozen kits...and still hadn't built anything! I think the best advice is get on and start building, don't worry about the results of your first three or four and then put time aside for your first 'proper' build and paint.
Exactly. Pick a kit that's not too ambitious and just get on with it, and above all enjoy it. You'll soon find out if the hobby is for you, and as you say with all the modern paraphernalia and the tons of advice on techniques out there the sky's the limit.
A very good video for beginners. I think you are right. Yamin is the best way to go. It is what I did. The only problem I had, was following some parts of the interaction. They were not jery clear. But it was my fault. I did not look closely enough. So I had take some apart and move it a very small amount. I love tamiya. Everyone who is starting to build should watch this
I'm a new/return yo modeling guy. The last model I completed was The Wolfman. I believe I used 4 tubes of Testors I don't know how I'd begin this hobby without the help from you creators. Thanks
I achieved nice result with Hobby Boss Easy Assembly Authentic Kit - F4U Corsair in 1:72. It's quick and easy build, simple interior could be improved with seat belts from masking tape and some spare instrument panel decal. Most WW2 U.S. naval fighters from this line has simple dark blue "camouflage", so it's worth to buy spray can paint (for example Tamiya). It will be my recomendation especially for kids - beginners that might little bit lack the patience.
Great advice Jason. I am in my 70’s now, and I started building armour models a couple of years ago at my grandson’s instigation. I had not built a model since my early teens (about the same time as I found girls a little more interesting). My young grandson showed some interest after I showed him a few YT videos, so we decided to build something. After getting some advice from a few YT channels, I purchased a cheap Tamiya kit of a ‘Walker Bulldog’ AFV. Alas, he predictably lost interest so I built it myself, and I am now hooked. I love the Tamiya kits for their simplicity, without losing detail, and their engineering. However, as I progressed with the hobby, I found that I liked a lot of the more complex kits from the likes of Takom, Dragon, and Meng, among others. I struggle with the smaller parts and photo etch a little because my eyesight and shaky hands sometimes makes it difficult to achieve the results I want, but I love the challenge, and I have now built quite a collection of finished models. They may not be up to the standard of modellers like yourself, and the other guys who have years of modelling experience, but I have learnt a lot from all of the modellers I admire, and I am happy with my efforts. I built a few Tamiya kits when I started, and I can not give enough praise. They allowed me to build models that were relatively easy to put together, and prompted me to try different kits and manufacturers. A great introduction to this amazing hobby! Love your channel mate, and greetings from Australia 🇦🇺!
I completely agree and Chris Becker made the exact same argument a while ago. I only have one point to pick you up on, the gloopy Humbrol glue is essentially the same as TET, it just has a resin to give it the gloopy factor. It does melt the plastic just as TET does. Tamiya even sell this kind in their orange cap bottled glue. It's handy when you need longer dry times or the additional support of the resin. However, definitely has limited use when you have TET around.
Interesting I didn’t know that about the glue, however practically it’s hard to compare them as you say I don’t suppose you pick that glue up too often next to TET. Didn’t see Beckers video, I am subbed though 🤔
@@ChampionScaleModelling Exactly, I might only it it once on a model. The weld aspect is definitely weaker than TET. I've had TET literally dissolve that soft chewing gum airfix plastic on thin parts. Funny thing is Chris's video followed this one in my timeline. Google is creepy.
@@ChampionScaleModelling oh. Also this one is fun. TET is almost identical in formulation to the Tamiya airbrush cleaner. Yes you can clean your airbrush with TET. But also more importantly the airbrush cleaner is cheaper than TET by volume. Hint hint. Back to the point, the gloopy glue is handy when gluing painted parts since it doesn't run and strip the paint out of the join. The gloopy glue can also help with imperfect joins, whereas TET requires the two parts to literally be touching. Which is kind of not possible on a lot of Airfix kits 😉
Whilst you raise some good points, and there are many I agree with in this video, I think it is worth remembering that the benefit of the newer Airfix starter sets (and others from other brands) present an easy entry into the hobby with a minimum of fuss. If buying a tamiya kit then you have to also get all the separate paints etc which for a casual purchaser (who may not be sure about taking up the hobby 100%) can be quite a turn off. I imagine that when given the choice the path of least resistance will be chosen (and let's not forget the price will play a part too)
My fist kit was a trumpeter kit, yet I loved building after it. If you want to find out how modelling is and if its anything for you it can be good to start with a kit that need small modifications so you learn what to expect. However some might never wanna return to modelling after expirienced difficulties.
I strongly agree with you mate, I decided to start modeling about 3 years ago and began with, what I thought at the time, was a high quality Airfix tiger tank kit. I thought this because they had been around for such a long time plus I'd never heard of tamiya or any of the higher end manufacturers. What a mistake!! It was a 1/76 scale and it was terrible, most of parts didn't fit together and I found the instructions inadequate for a beginner. It almost put me off mode making for good. Luckily I persevered and got a tamiya anti tank gun with crew in 1/35 scale and I was very pleased with the result (considering I'm a complete novice lol) The tamiya kit helped me understand what mistakes I had made and what I could do to avoid those mistakes in the future. Three years later with a handful of kits under my belt, I got a hold of some Airfix 1/72 aeroplanes for myself and the grandchildren to build together. Once again I was very disappointed with the fit and quality of the kits so I don't think I'll be buying Airfix ever again. I was told the first kit was one of the worst Airfix had ever produced so going by that, the 3 aeroplanes must have been the 2nd, 3rd and 4th worst kits they had ever produced!! Now I have a nice stash of tamiya miniart, italeri, masterbox and dragon kits all in 1/35 scale plus a few upgrades to go with them. Shame I didn't watch a video like this before I wasted my money on airfix
I,ve built them all over the years, tamiya are great but airfix are fine and have improved over the years. P. S, you have to work harder with 1.72 scale, obviously because its smaller! But you get good at it. And for home display purposes it's ideal.
I would like to give a tip. You mention the cement in the starter kits is awful to use, I agree with this. It does have it's uses though. That stuff is perfect for making spruegoo. Chopped up sprue and three tubes of the stuff from the starter/gift sets in an empty extra-thin jar and I have some perfect spruegoo. It comes free with the kit so might as well use it for something while using extra thin for the actual assembly. I do the starter kits for a quick build when I need to de-stress a bit.
My first kit was Tamiya 1/72 F-16C..it was a beautiful kit, sharp mould lines, exquisite details... All parts are assembled very well as described in the instruction manual. At the time, I assumed other brands' products are also as fine as tamiya's, which is turned out to be wrong...my second kit was a airfix 1/72 p-51d, which was, in my opinion, also good though it was not as refined as my first kit. My third kit was revell 1/72 eurofighter...and I experienced the hell...it required a lot of modification to get a proper-looking fuselage.... the assembly of the kit was almost a endless process of sanding and applying putty... and sanding over and over again...since then, I love tamiya, but for improving kit making skill, choosing revell or italeri kits might serve the purpose well. ps: Tamiya's 1/72 warbird series are just rebox of italeri kits...Tamiya's own designed and manufactured kits are excellent. but some of italeri rebox kits are pretty disappointing.
Hi Jason, some excellent advice for those starting out, my very first likt was a F4 Corsair and that was way back in the 60's, I still believe Tamiya make some of the best kits out, even their earlier offerings, best regards mate from a Kiwi living in Australia.
I'm late to this one, but very much enjoyed. I couldn't agree more. I've been "back" in the modeling game for about 10 years (I'm 62 now)...and as I listen to this I'm actually working on a 1/72 Bf-109G-6 from Tamiya. I don't normally do 1/72...but needed one to go with my 1/72 Arma Hobbies P-51B for an upcoming show where they are having a "verses" category. Tamiya kits are just beautiful...even if some are more basic that kits from Eduard, Arma Hobbies, etc.,. I would HIGHLY encourage anyone getting back into the game to "go Team Tamiya". NEW Airfix kits can be pretty good...but the "cheap-o" kits are NOT the New kits. And I wouldn't even suggest New Airfix for a beginner or someone returning to the hobby. Thanks for an excellent video. Earned you a sub.
3:23 I have got that same Messerschmitt BF109 E-3 in 1/72, built it 20 plus years ago and its the best example of this aircraft in 1/72. Highly recommended
A while back, I bought the re tooled Airfix Fw.190. It was a disaster to build and Ive had many years of experience. I ended up binning it because I was so disappointed with the nearly end result. Definitely agree ref. Tamiya. With the many Tamiya AFVs I've built, only one had a minor fit issue with parts lineup. 😊
1/35 tamiya sherman is a great build, the recent easy eight or the older production early version shermans are great builds, and you have a pretty basic olive drab paint job and you get a great model with very little hassle
Great vid and I've been building as an adult now for around 7 years but only 2 or 3 builds a year. Agree Tamiya is the way to go for sure. Dabbling with the idea of joining a club in Somerset as in Bridgwater for the social aspect and improving my airbrush skills. Looking forward to Telford on Saturday. Great vids so keep em coming!
Hey, what i always miss is people building boats. Where do you start there? After several trumpeter kits 1:700, I ended up with the 1:200 Bismarck trumpeter kit. For some skill I would suggest now start building some bigger models in between boats before building a big Bismarck. Still very fun hobby!
thanks for the video i used to make models as a youngster just doing air fix because I always thought it was the superior brand so I'm going back to modelling now some 15 years later and I'm just trying to find out what kit to start with and I think I'm going to go down the Tamiya route because i used to find the air fix started sets the glue was ok but id struggle with the smaller parts and the paints you would get would be to thick or far to thin
I must admit i have NEVER built aTamiya aircraft or armour kit but i HAVE built a number of their 1/12 scale motorcycle kits (yes im a real world motorcycle petrol head) and i LOVE their motorcycle kits.
Good video. Very good info. Just watched a similar video with the same advice. I am just getting into modeling; later in life. :) Wished I watched these a couple months back. I took the route of starting with "cheaper kits". It's been fun but certainly challenging. I have limited time and fine myself expelling much effort to overcome poor engineering and/or poor molds. I am currently working on an Academy F-16. The inlet is absolutely rubbish. I thinkbwill get it to look decent but wow. I am still improving my painting and weathering so it will be used for that. But unfortunately I now have a stash growing with too many of these subpar kits. I should probably just bite the bullet and try a Tamiya F4 Corsair next. Please keep up the good work and the great content. Thanks!
Back in the day, Tamiya were streets ahead of most others when it came to fit etc, but they’re still trading on past reputation. There are loads of other options about now that are easily as good, if not better options. Especially when it comes to armour, the likes of Meng, Takom, AFV Club etc. It kinda depends on the subject really. Bit unfair to compare a Tamiya kit to an Airfix starter kit (which are mostly old kits boxed to appeal to the pocket money brigade). The recent new tooled Airfix stuff is great, they’ve really upped their game.
Great video, really enjoyed it, can see and agree with your reasoning, especially if you consider the quality of the finished model, something to be proud of. Now I have to see how I get all the kit here in Bulgaria. The last kit I built cost me 1/11d :)
Built some Tamiya bike kits back in the early '80's. Great quality for the day and reasonably priced. Price is now well above the rest but for quality well worth it if you have the cash. Even the annual catalogue is about £15.00 so maybe points towards enthusiasts only, not someone new to the hobby.
Got back in last year for the first time in 20 years with the Tamiya T-55 kit, and it was a great start. I find the armour kits a little minimalistic for my taste now, but I also know I'd have quit on the spot if I was trying to assemble say, the Ryefield Challenger kit right off
I look at this very differently. I have built the Airfix 1/72 Hurricane (a nice kit, BTW) and don't think it's too small for a beginner. As for building anything at all in an afternoon, even badly, I think that is a bit beyond me, despite having built many kits over the years. But then, I may just be a very slow builder.
Very interesting video as ever. I think I respectfully disagree though on some points, my way back into the hobby as an adult was via the Airfix 1:76 Cromwell which I bought as a starter set a couple of years ago, I used everything out of the box whilst following a step-by-step type video by QuikKits, from then on I was hooked. I think the price point of Tamiya puts me off, and certainly did when I was looking for my first kit. However I agree with the quality and the idiot-proof instructions and build quality, and Tamiya Extra Thin, what a product! However, I did build the ancient 1:35 Panzer II from Tamiya after seeing it on your channel and admitted to myself it was like night and day as regards to not fiddling around with tiny bits.
Personally, if I were to recommend a first kit to someone, it would be the 1/72 Zvezda FW-190 A4 pushfit kit. I bought it as a warm-up paint mule for the Eduard FW-190 (the masterpiece). Cost me 7$, beautiful plastic, zero flash, well hidden joints, decaled instruments, seated pilot, broken Swa*ka hidden in the decals. Glue? no need. Files? no flash. Filler? No gaps. Paint? don't worry, you can pull it apart later and paint it or put the decals. Painted it badly? Pull it apart, chuck it in the alcohol jar, repaint. Their pushfit Ju-87 has the exact same qualities, however, unlike the FW-190, there is no Eduard model to look up to, so best not screw it up as your fist ever kit. Nowadays, whenever I get a high-end model, I always check the store for a pushfit counterpart. I really wish there were more of them. For 1/48 I don't know... deal with it.
I just bought my first tamiya kit a ducatti and ninja and am stiked to get started. This might be a foolish question, but im having trouble finding the paints needed for the models i bought. Did i miss that in the instructions somewhere ? Also could any of you who have built these point me in a direction for tools spray gun cutters? Curious what everyone is using for theirs or some recommendations would be greatly appreciated
For a starter, I recommend a cheaper, older kit. Something like a Misterkit Tempest. Ten pounds, easy to make, can be improved upon easily. Looks good. Often ignored. It's also part of the history of models: it's the type of kit the older modellers began upon. With a simple success under the belt, try some others, and get only the paint you want from one range. I recommend a little bit of research at first and get the paints you want to use, and can be brush-painted. Learning how to airbrush at the same time as learning how to build and finish a kit is like learning to fly a plane you built yourself by guesswork. It''s a big ask, not necessary and too much for a first model.
I started with Matchbox Armor kits when I was a kid then Airfix, Then I discovered Tamiya, Build a few cars, aircraft, and lots of armor models, It was only later when I returned to modeling I discoved Tacom, meng and the rest. Tamiya kits are good easy started kits and look pretty good.
I'm starting to agree with what you are saying in this. I decided to get back into the modelling and tried to build my old kits I never started from my childhood. Those kits were from the 70's and 80's. It's fair to say they were not well engineered and difficult to make. Then I went out and bought a starter set, and now I'm thinking I should've just lashed out and bought a nice Tamiya. In between I bought some cheapo china 144th kits I thought I would practice on and they just ended up being atrocious.
Good interesting video this. I remember building a Swordfish back in the early 1980s because I'd seen them in the movie Sink the Bismark. I wonder what percentage of people buy a kit because they've seen the plane, tank etc in a movie? It may explain why the K2 ambulances are popular at the moment
Movies and TV shows especially documentaries, books, family and friends are the basis of the majority of what I build. Second and third builds since returning to the hobby were a Lancaster because I read The Dambusters as a kid, and a Boyington Corsair from watching Black Sherp squadron as a kid. I’ve done U-2 and T-38 my brother in law flew, and a F-15 a friend flew. When I say ones they flew, I got aftermarket decals for their planes, or at least their squadrons. In the stash are planes of Jan Zumbach, Gabby Gabreski, Jake Grafton, and a couple of ones of Pete Mitchell. Those last 2 show that I’ll include fictional characters as well.
I wish I had seen this video a week ago cause I did get the airfix hurricane starter which was 10 bucks, so next kit when I get more money I will have to see if tamyia have a f9f
I agree with you on most things except the scale I like 1/72 as I can use with my layout not the exact scale but that doesn’t bother me to much but I did find the Airfix 1/72 tiger moth 😂. Regards Fred ps anxiously awaiting the 1/24 Airfix spit 😮. Thanks for your great advice to all needs more 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻pps just purchased hasegawa double kit 1/72 I guess a bad move 😢
Very harsh on Airfix, the starter kit is clearly geared to young children getting into the hobby for the first time. From my memories as a child I never painted canopies, got glue all over the place, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the end result. I hope you'll do a review of a more modern Airfix kit to balance.
How would a review help? How modern? Why not look at the 10 or more builds of ‘modern’ airfix kits I have on the channel? Or the Tamiya 1/48 G6 that I didn’t like? Is any of that balanced enough? Nothing on Armour? All the Academy reboxes where some are unbuildable like the Tiger? A lot of the negative comments here are finding something in the video that isn’t there, this is not aimed at children starting, it’s aimed at adults starting and not having a clue where to start, also interesting that everyone has forgotten the starter sets that have been around for the last 10 years with 40 year old kits in them just because ThEy dID a neW SpItfIrE tHiS yEAr
I don't have your knowledge of kits to comment fully; you invited comments and I just gave feedback on what I thought, whether or not feedback influences what you do in the future is entirely up to you. I didn't look to cross-reference against everything in your Channel and, from what I have seen, you try to cater for a wide range of interests and abilities. On armour, personally I quite like the rubber band tracks as I find the individual links too fiddly and I first started building kits for wargaming where again something cheap and basic is absolutely fine. Kind Regards
I must admit I tend to come from a defensive angle sometimes, I see what you were saying now, yes I have a number of newer Airfix kits on the channel and some of them show their quality. I don’t think I was harsh on Airfix but it’s a good observation on your part. I do think the video has been taken as a bashing against Airfix which it certainly isn’t, more on the fact that ‘starter sets’ are geared towards 1/72 which could be too small for new adult modellers. I do appreciate your comment and feedback 👍
No problem, but even with scale there are pro's and con's. Again personally I couldn't do a small scale kit these days with age and eyesight issues, but whilst smaller kits don't necessarily have the wow factor of larger scales, they offer huge advantages in the space they take up when finished! Keep up the good work, I look forward to your videos.
@@ChampionScaleModelling Any model as a starter with kids in mind (and that IS where they should start) is going to be a mess of glue fingerprints NO paint..decals on bare plastic! Tamiya is therefore not the way to start.....Cheap and easy is irrespective of the results.
I think sadly you are chucking the baby out with the bath water in regards to starter sets.. Especially with the new starter sets coming thru from Airfix.. I get it with the older versions but i raise you these points.. 1. Its price point.. They are manufactured and price competitively as a way of anyone getting into our hobby.. Age included.. 2. The cement that comes in the starter sets is a very thick form of TET so even though it doesn't use capillary action, it still melts the plastic and welds the plastic together.. Its not glue.. I will admit that cement sucks, Its ghastly stuff.. and I have begged airfix to use the humbrol Precision poly cement which in my honest opinion is better than contacta from revell, and with the metal tube applicator is brilliant to get the cement in the tight place, you can also use a brush to apply that cement.. 3. The golf analogy is proper wrong. If you want to try out golf you go to a pitch and putt and borrow a 9 iron and a putter and play 8 holes.. or you borrow a set of clubs of your mate and play at his local club.. never would you go to a shop, spend 600 quid on a set of clubs and then go to a golf club and sign up having never played before!!.. what if you go round, get to hole 6 and realise you don't like golf?? you are stuck with a set of clubs you will never use again.. 4. Ok yes tamiya kits are fabulous, but the price is also fabulously high.. you can pay 15 quid for a tamiya spitfire in 1/72 or 1/48 is 20 quid.. buy the 4 paints at 3 quid, TET is 4 quid, paint brush say 2 pound.. so to buy all that is 33 quid if you buy the 1/72 spitfire..The brand new spitfire starter set from airfix is 11.99 with paints brush and cement... 5. have you not seen the new range of starter sets from airfix.. Model Tanks, Cars (the jag is a beauty) Brilliant spitfire Vc and a red arrows hawk.. They come with a handy guide that explains how to cut the sprues to laying decals, the instructions even tell you where to put the cement!! Its epic.. ..A very low price to entice a new generation of modellers old and young!! I just hat that this toothpaste cement that still comes with them though.. but again to to put precision poly cement in each kit will raise the price to Revell level.. and price is important in this realm... 6. I am a Airfix fan boy and i challenge anyone to name a bad kit that airfix have released in the last 5-7 years.. Wildcat, Meteor Vampire and Spitfires, Buccaneers etc etc.. With that i think i've made my point lol.. I think 1/72 for planes is a good size to start with,, 1/48 planes do have a longer journey in the build, they just take longer to build but there is merit in that argument of 1/48 is a good scale to start with..
I got into the hobby with an Airfix starter kit. It was gash. Bought a Tamiya and was sold. I have bought some newer Airfix but all of them have issues but now I’ve learned skills I can overcome them which as a beginner I couldn’t.
I have to concur with many of Mos's points and I consider myself a bit of a Tamiya fan boy! The quality of Airfix kits in the past few years (and I only got back into the hobby in the past few years after a longgg gap) has come along leaps and bounds. The brand in general is moving in a very positive direction. A far cry from the Airfix of my youth. (I will still build the Vintage Classics though for pure nostalgia 🤣)
First off I’m not bashing Airfix, secondly this an opinion, you can do what you like. Take the point on golf To compare their cement to TET is laughable Surly you’re not comparing Tamiya paint to the little dry pots you get in a starter set? So if you agree with the idea of 1/48 don’t compare the prices of Tamiya 1/48 to Airfix 1/72, you know as well as I do that you can get the Tamiya 1/48 Mustang cheaper than the airfix one. And the ‘new’ Griffon Spitfires in 1/48 are awful so there is an example. The Anson looks nice mind
Also what about tanks, with the new Firefly/Tiger there is an attempt but that Tiger again is all over the place. All the Academy reboxings are a minefield so surly Tamiya is the place to start for those?
@@ChampionScaleModelling Also an Eduard weekend P-51D can be bought cheaper than an Airfix one. I do have a soft spot for Airfix but I agree with you that a mid nineties Tamiya kit is the way to go for a beginner.
I've gotten back into aircraft recently, mostly with Tamiya kits and have found that the Revell kits (once Monogram) aren't as nice as they used to be and the quality just isn't there. They are rough enough that a beginner might get discouraged, just like you mention.
Controversial but you present it well. I don't agree with you though. When I started making models over 60 years ago, I started with Airfix (who didn't in the UK) 1/32 veteran cars. The pieces were big enough and they were 2 bob (10p). There is a very simple rule, keep it simple stupid. That's why starter kits exist. Your theory is starting to run before you walk.
Good comments but your viewpoint is from someone who is looking to build a museum quality super detail model etc....I hold that starter kits are a good introduction to the test the waters...there's plenty of time to spend the $$$ later but why spend the $$$ only find out one doesn't like the hobby?
I recently bought a set of Tamiya US soldiers, there were NO instructions for either building or painting,also the amount of flash was ridiculous, if this had been my first kit i would have been dismayed, so be careful!
You probably bought one of their oldest kits, which are still in the catalogue. These date back to the 1960s and 70s and were more meant as toys than as model kits.
Great video, I won't go anywhere near airfix every again, in my experience they are poorly made the parts do not fit together well, nothing in my experience squares up so I will bsved even buy another airfix kit, I buy tamiya, rfm for armour and planes, youngs for their 1/10th scale busts which are fabulously detailed and miniature figures I buy specialist models 👍
Interesting. As a potential new model maker I am watching lots of RUclips content on the subject. Is there any particular reason why there are so many warplane and tank kits? I prefer vintage cars but can only find 3 advertised and these are all quite expensive. I dare say inflation has taken its toll but from buying Airfix kits as a young lad the current prices look pretty steep.
For someone starting out, I highly recommend doing 1/35 armour. Aircraft can be a little daunting with interiors and canopies. Yes, you have to deal with wheels and tracks with armour, but at least for me, armour is the way to go for a beginner, especially since armour schemes are typically just one or two colours to paint. Your 1/35 armour RUclips series is honestly the best series for any beginner.
I scerwed up my first two 1:75 planes :/ Now i ordered tamiya pz II 1:35 and i hope for better resoults.I also decided to try spray can paiting,brush was to tricky for me.Thanks for advice !
Half a dozen of one six of the other, although it really depends upon the individual kit in terms of detail & complexity. Armour generally has a zillion wheels to assemble and paint -OK admitted hyperbole but you take on board my point I'm sure, and is a lot more intricate assembly with far higher parts count than any single engine fighter. My take is pick the subject you prefer be it aircraft or armour, a model which inspires, but KISS with Tamiya or a similar simpler build brand in either 1/48 or 1/35 and stick to a sensible subject choice in terms of tooling complexity to keep it enjoyable.
i agree.
tamiya tanks are probably the most forgiving to beginner mistakes and come with a built in excuse for heavy weathering, which allows one to cover up mistakes.
Planes, in my experience, required FAR more detail in paint and usually have the easiest thing to screw up, a clear canopy, which is a double trap on painting AND gluing..
The 'zillion wheels' are all REPETITIVE, meaning you should get better as you go along, AND they are pretty simple. You don't even have to do the normal rubber tracking surface if you pretend it's all covered in mud.
The only thing you need to do the armor is a good side cutter for the only delicate parts, which are the light guards.
Yeah, the tracks can be an issue depending on what their construction/assembly involves, but a plane is FAR more complicated, AND you have to consider you have landing gear up or down ..., landing gear that is often flimsy.
Don't think it's any where near 6 of one/half a dozen of the other.
100%
I started the hobby last year with an Airfix Hurricane, went to paint a Zero and a Wildcat. Only after I picked up the Tamiya 1 : 48 Wildcat it became apparent to me what I should have done from the start. Great Video!
My very 1st kit was a 1/72 Revell Zero...pale blue plastic... I knew nothing about sprue tabs, rough edges, alignment issues and fit. I had a tube of Testor's glue and the kit. It was a disaster, looking back. Sprue nubs kept parts from fitting and the glue fogged the canopy. I have learned sooooo much up 'til now. I, of course, was delighted with it. I was 9. We have so much to teach new modelers and a good or great kit is the place to start and not the hacky junk we all accepted as normal back then. The Zero was a nice little kit and deserved someone much better than me to build it. Thanks for letting me air this, Dane
The Airfix starter kits are great for people who aren't sure if they'll enjoy the hobby and don't want to invest in all the tools associated with. My first kits were an Airfix 1/72 Tiger and Hurricane Mk. I and they showed me that I do enjoy the parts I was iffy about, namely the tiny parts and painting.
They're $15, so it doesn't really matter if you lose an antenna mast or the black for the rubber bleeds onto the road wheels. Just build em for some quick easy fun and a cheap taste of the hobby.
Peter Rouse
This vidio has given me some very good info. I am in my 80s and have dabled in modole but not for many years. My main hobby was woodturning for which I achieved a number of National awards, however dust become my enemy and I have now started to construct one or two models.
The advice you give in your vidio was both useful and constructive and I look forward to the same in future vidios Peter
Excellent advice & I absolutely agree with your comments re Tamiya. Can't beat them for engineering, quality & simplicity. But I wish folk would stop righting off companies such as Airfix quite so quickly !
Modern Airfix 1/48 aircraft kits are a world away from their classic stuff & are well engineered, detailed & go together beautifully. They also release subjects that Tamiya would never touch.
Great advice indeed but don't right off other manufacturers too readily 👍👍👍
As a Boomer who grew up on Airfix and wanted to love them when I returned to plastics modelling with gusto a decade ago, I discovered Airfix were inconsistent and still lacking in Air 1/48 coverage. Their 1/35 armour is too for the price point at which their product is pitched compared with their competition. Kudos to them that they have improved remarkably over the past decade in their new Airfix original aircraft toolings, particularly in their 1/72 forte. Although in 1/48 the range is relatively spartan, plus Airfix leans very much to Brit subject or a safe subject choice outside that. If Brit subjects e.g. Swordfish, Blenheim, Anson, Meteor, Bucaneer are your thing (they're not mine and neither is 1/72), Airfix get a tick and pass to be perceived in a more positive light.
Airfix's 1/35 armour OTOH are just Academy reboxings with different decals. Along Tamiya lines, Academy armour kits are well enough engineered generally and decent kits to build, but most of even their better kits are easily challenged by '90s Tamiya toolings these days at a similar price point. Academy had an market niche when they were half Tamiya's price, but not now.
Speaking of Academy. They do (or did?) a load of reboxed simple old ex-Minicraft aircraft toolings in 1/48 which are quite cheap, and easy builds on a par with '80s Otaki kits although 70's Tamiya still pulls them up. Although simple and low in detail, they do dress up to display well in their warpaint. Great early modeller quick to build and perfect paint mule subjects. Early-mid tooling Tamiya are safe no brainers though regardless the preferred model. Agree with the topic header.
If you want a liquid cement applicator that's even better than Tamiya's little brush that comes in their Extra Thin, go get some insulin syringes. You can get a box of 100 +/- for @ $25.00 USD. The tiny, thin needle lets you get into tight spots that were previously unreachable to place just the right amount of cement on site.
Hey Jason - what a brilliant video - i wish you had done this about a year again 😂 My first was a Revell 1/48 spitfire, difficult. I have to completely agree with you Tamiya kits are fantastic for a starter / novice and I’ve build most of these this year, however just finished 1/72 Airfix Tiger 1 & Sherman- to be honest it went together enough.
Me too sir , great sentiments
The Tiger and Sherman 1/72 are decent kits for what they are as for the 1/48 spitfire it depended on what skill level it was ( level 4 can be a bugger lol ) and when it was tooled
Airfix starter sets are still ideal for kids such as my own first kit experience at age 6 or 7 -long before starter kits per se. I only built 1/72 Airfix Series 1 hanger bagged kits through to about age 15 unless I was gifted a higher series for a special occasion. Of course these days where kids are indulged, beyond childhood toward teen the older Tamiya 1/48 and 1/35 kits are an accessible affordable reality as well as straightforward simple builds which look great OOTB, and great fitting compared with my own Airfix experience days.
In the '70 i got a lot of Airfix and Matchbox kits and they worked ok for me, until i bought my first Tamiya in 1981, a Land Rover, and I never since bought anything else
Tamiya have as you said very detailed kits and simple instructions even for young ones 🇯🇵👍😊
Only staying to Tamiya will make your model life easy. However wery often they dont have that rare tank kit that you really wanted to build, then you will have to wander to unknown territory, yet most people will see that most kits these days is equally good as long as its made by a famous producer. Besides Miniart no kits is really trash in 2010 and beyond.
Great video but most people don't go into this taking the hobby seriously. There is a place for a Tamiya 1:48 kit for the middle aged first timer with money and a place for Airfix for the 8 year old or people who can't afford a big Tamiya kit. With the new tool Airfix they are amazing fit and every new tool is going to be as good. They are also good if you want to take a break and do a quick one or two day build and paint. All the stuff Airfix do for schools and scout groups etc is amazing as well. Can't thank them enough.
I agree. I’ve recently build a couple of the latest Airfix kits and they were well engineered and built up great.
I’d recommend Gunpla for the 8 year old, Pokepla for the 4-7 range.
The new airfix, such as the Spitfire V is a s good as any. I speak as I find - I gave one to an 8 year old (incapacitated after being hit by a car on the way to school), and he thought it was the best thing ever. Their new instructions are also top class. My personal start was on a car, after many years of not doing kits. I have also just bought a ton of heller kits (and their starter sets contain "real" paint pots), as I like the unusual. They look simple, but with flash. Another thing I don't think I heard was how much better top opening boxes are. The frustrations I have has with items falling out of a dragon box! Fully agree about extra thin. Also they make the best mixing bottles. I would also say avoid aerosol cans as a start on airbrushing from my experiences.
Just starting this, but I love the idea. Recently an Australian modeler made a video crapping on Tamiya. It's so important for the beginner.and as a refresher for us. This is why I like your channel sir.
That would be Harry Houdini
To be fair to the "other streamer", he's a glutton for punishment, and THAT was the purpose of that particular video. Granted it was poorly verbalized, very poorly. I do know a few much older scratch builders who do sail era from ground up by hand, and none of them would put it quite like that. I would say they encourage anyone at any age to model.
Fwiw I had to watch that video on 3 parts, was bothered by his delivery too. His core reasoning is fine FOR HIM. He enjoys the challenges, whatever floats his boat ⛵.
@@crazylocha2515 Agreed. I'm a fan of Harry, have been for years. But that phenomenon exists in all hobbies. People study music and only find jazz appealing. That's no reason to tell other people music that moves them is lesser. It was a horrible take and stopped watching his stuff due to it.
@@AdamMann3D You hit the nail right on the head there. If there’s a model of a kit I really want to build, I’ll happily tackle it. From a short run block of soap-to a brand new Tamiya dream build. However, I don’t complain - I know exactly what I’m getting myself in for. How anyone can knock Tamiya for giving us a truly enjoyable modelling experience is beyond me!.
@@crazylocha2515 my biggest issue with Harry Houdini is that he goes on about how he hates rivet counters while saying the sort of things that term is meant to describe. He just seems like the sort of guy who doesn’t really care that much about what he says so long as it gets a rise out of people
Personally I believe this video should have been titled "You've made your starter set, what next?"
Whilst I agree with everything you've said, I feel this would be a bit advanced for someone who's only ever stuck their fingers together, not a kit lol
I am working on an Airfix, 1/72 scale Me109e 3. It is very fiddly. Thought it was me (I haven't built a small 72 scale in some years!). But you're right. It is tricky to do well, and I would bet that their 48th scale version of the same aircraft would be quiker and less frustrating to build. As for fit, well I think that Airfix have improved greatly over the years but the still have a long way to go before they rival Tamiya! The Me 109 I'm building is more suited to an experienced modler as it requires work to make it fit perfectly. Putting it in a starter set is equivalent to dressing a sheep in wolfs clothing, enough to gi e any begginer a headache!
When I started modelling Tamiya didn't even exist in Europe. Airfix, Heller and Revell were the popular brands.
I always found the range from Airfix the best, both in price ranges (remember the cheapest 1:72 in plastic bags) and they always fitted.
Revell had often problems with that. Ship hulls bent so nothing fitted anymore. Heller was very good, but very french oriented then.
Thank you for your sound advice. It has probably been two decades since I have built a model and I would like to get back into it. I brought many years ago a couple of Tamiya 1/48 Lancaster and Mosquitoes as well as a Badger airbrush. As you say things have changed since then and I think I need to practice on some more simpler models.
Look forward to seeing your next video.
I found this video and topic really useful. I used to enjoy the Airfix 1:72s as a kid building with Dad, but as an adult I’ve been thinking about how to get into the hobby properly, watching plenty of RUclipss. What holds me back apart from practical space and time is… primers, airbrushing, thinner, cements, photo etch. All these things that skilled modellers use to achieve the results I’d aspire to, I don’t know where to start! Any future videos talking about do’s and don’ts and where to start with these would be very useful!
I remember my first model kit was an air fix 1/72 Cromwell it was an alright kit but then I went to my local model shops and all they had for armour was a Tamiya stug 4 even though I was but a humble beginner I loved building it, it was intuitive and the parts went together brilliantly, that stug kit to this day is still one of my favourite kits and while I’ve improved since then it still holds a place in my heart for properly getting me into the hobby and I make sure it always has a place reserved on my top shelf
When I started out that was also my first kit I had. I was maybe 10 and I remember building it in our garage and being so proud I finished it. Did I glue the gun in upside down and end up painting it splochty gold… yes yes I did
This is an excellent video for those who want to get into building plastic model.
Good points well made. My only problem when coming back to the hobby recently after more than forty years, was just how much info there was out there. I watched hours and hours of RUclips technique videos, bought all the gear, had a stash of half a dozen kits...and still hadn't built anything! I think the best advice is get on and start building, don't worry about the results of your first three or four and then put time aside for your first 'proper' build and paint.
Exactly. Pick a kit that's not too ambitious and just get on with it, and above all enjoy it. You'll soon find out if the hobby is for you, and as you say with all the modern paraphernalia and the tons of advice on techniques out there the sky's the limit.
A very good video for beginners. I think you are right. Yamin is the best way to go. It is what I did. The only problem I had, was following some parts of the interaction. They were not jery clear. But it was my fault. I did not look closely enough. So I had take some apart and move it a very small amount. I love tamiya. Everyone who is starting to build should watch this
I'm a new/return yo modeling guy. The last model I completed was The Wolfman. I believe I used 4 tubes of Testors I don't know how I'd begin this hobby without the help from you creators. Thanks
Excellent explanation, rekindling my desire to build something! Kits have indeed changed since my days. Many thanks.
Great video, well presented and also gives food for thought. Just getting back into modelling and this has been a good help👍
I achieved nice result with Hobby Boss Easy Assembly Authentic Kit - F4U Corsair in 1:72. It's quick and easy build, simple interior could be improved with seat belts from masking tape and some spare instrument panel decal. Most WW2 U.S. naval fighters from this line has simple dark blue "camouflage", so it's worth to buy spray can paint (for example Tamiya).
It will be my recomendation especially for kids - beginners that might little bit lack the patience.
I use airfix kits for experimenting new techniques or extreme weathering/battle damage. They work well for that
Great advice Jason. I am in my 70’s now, and I started building armour models a couple of years ago at my grandson’s instigation. I had not built a model since my early teens (about the same time as I found girls a little more interesting). My young grandson showed some interest after I showed him a few YT videos, so we decided to build something. After getting some advice from a few YT channels, I purchased a cheap Tamiya kit of a ‘Walker Bulldog’ AFV. Alas, he predictably lost interest so I built it myself, and I am now hooked. I love the Tamiya kits for their simplicity, without losing detail, and their engineering. However, as I progressed with the hobby, I found that I liked a lot of the more complex kits from the likes of Takom, Dragon, and Meng, among others. I struggle with the smaller parts and photo etch a little because my eyesight and shaky hands sometimes makes it difficult to achieve the results I want, but I love the challenge, and I have now built quite a collection of finished models. They may not be up to the standard of modellers like yourself, and the other guys who have years of modelling experience, but I have learnt a lot from all of the modellers I admire, and I am happy with my efforts.
I built a few Tamiya kits when I started, and I can not give enough praise. They allowed me to build models that were relatively easy to put together, and prompted me to try different kits and manufacturers.
A great introduction to this amazing hobby! Love your channel mate, and greetings from Australia 🇦🇺!
Me 73 and branching out from my Railway to add kits not done these for many years . Fred
I completely agree and Chris Becker made the exact same argument a while ago. I only have one point to pick you up on, the gloopy Humbrol glue is essentially the same as TET, it just has a resin to give it the gloopy factor. It does melt the plastic just as TET does. Tamiya even sell this kind in their orange cap bottled glue. It's handy when you need longer dry times or the additional support of the resin. However, definitely has limited use when you have TET around.
Interesting I didn’t know that about the glue, however practically it’s hard to compare them as you say I don’t suppose you pick that glue up too often next to TET. Didn’t see Beckers video, I am subbed though 🤔
@@ChampionScaleModelling Exactly, I might only it it once on a model. The weld aspect is definitely weaker than TET. I've had TET literally dissolve that soft chewing gum airfix plastic on thin parts.
Funny thing is Chris's video followed this one in my timeline. Google is creepy.
@@ChampionScaleModelling oh. Also this one is fun. TET is almost identical in formulation to the Tamiya airbrush cleaner. Yes you can clean your airbrush with TET. But also more importantly the airbrush cleaner is cheaper than TET by volume. Hint hint. Back to the point, the gloopy glue is handy when gluing painted parts since it doesn't run and strip the paint out of the join. The gloopy glue can also help with imperfect joins, whereas TET requires the two parts to literally be touching. Which is kind of not possible on a lot of Airfix kits 😉
Whilst you raise some good points, and there are many I agree with in this video, I think it is worth remembering that the benefit of the newer Airfix starter sets (and others from other brands) present an easy entry into the hobby with a minimum of fuss. If buying a tamiya kit then you have to also get all the separate paints etc which for a casual purchaser (who may not be sure about taking up the hobby 100%) can be quite a turn off. I imagine that when given the choice the path of least resistance will be chosen (and let's not forget the price will play a part too)
Ah yes, not saying get rid of them, suggesting if you’re thinking on taking the hobby seriously that there are other routes in than a 1/72 stater set
My fist kit was a trumpeter kit, yet I loved building after it. If you want to find out how modelling is and if its anything for you it can be good to start with a kit that need small modifications so you learn what to expect. However some might never wanna return to modelling after expirienced difficulties.
Spot on. Build many a Tamiya kit, RC and static, and it al fits so well. It's all so well designed. Love them.
I strongly agree with you mate, I decided to start modeling about 3 years ago and began with, what I thought at the time, was a high quality Airfix tiger tank kit.
I thought this because they had been around for such a long time plus I'd never heard of tamiya or any of the higher end manufacturers.
What a mistake!!
It was a 1/76 scale and it was terrible, most of parts didn't fit together and I found the instructions inadequate for a beginner.
It almost put me off mode making for good.
Luckily I persevered and got a tamiya anti tank gun with crew in 1/35 scale and I was very pleased with the result (considering I'm a complete novice lol)
The tamiya kit helped me understand what mistakes I had made and what I could do to avoid those mistakes in the future.
Three years later with a handful of kits under my belt, I got a hold of some Airfix 1/72 aeroplanes for myself and the grandchildren to build together.
Once again I was very disappointed with the fit and quality of the kits so I don't think I'll be buying Airfix ever again.
I was told the first kit was one of the worst Airfix had ever produced so going by that, the 3 aeroplanes must have been the 2nd, 3rd and 4th worst kits they had ever produced!!
Now I have a nice stash of tamiya miniart, italeri, masterbox and dragon kits all in 1/35 scale plus a few upgrades to go with them.
Shame I didn't watch a video like this before I wasted my money on airfix
I,ve built them all over the years, tamiya are great but airfix are fine and have improved over the years. P. S, you have to work harder with 1.72 scale, obviously because its smaller! But you get good at it. And for home display purposes it's ideal.
I would like to give a tip. You mention the cement in the starter kits is awful to use, I agree with this. It does have it's uses though.
That stuff is perfect for making spruegoo. Chopped up sprue and three tubes of the stuff from the starter/gift sets in an empty extra-thin jar and I have some perfect spruegoo. It comes free with the kit so might as well use it for something while using extra thin for the actual assembly.
I do the starter kits for a quick build when I need to de-stress a bit.
My first kit was Tamiya 1/72 F-16C..it was a beautiful kit, sharp mould lines, exquisite details... All parts are assembled very well as described in the instruction manual. At the time, I assumed other brands' products are also as fine as tamiya's, which is turned out to be wrong...my second kit was a airfix 1/72 p-51d, which was, in my opinion, also good though it was not as refined as my first kit. My third kit was revell 1/72 eurofighter...and I experienced the hell...it required a lot of modification to get a proper-looking fuselage.... the assembly of the kit was almost a endless process of sanding and applying putty... and sanding over and over again...since then, I love tamiya, but for improving kit making skill, choosing revell or italeri kits might serve the purpose well.
ps: Tamiya's 1/72 warbird series are just rebox of italeri kits...Tamiya's own designed and manufactured kits are excellent. but some of italeri rebox kits are pretty disappointing.
Hi Jason, some excellent advice for those starting out, my very first likt was a F4 Corsair and that was way back in the 60's, I still believe Tamiya make some of the best kits out, even their earlier offerings, best regards mate from a Kiwi living in Australia.
I'm late to this one, but very much enjoyed. I couldn't agree more. I've been "back" in the modeling game for about 10 years (I'm 62 now)...and as I listen to this I'm actually working on a 1/72 Bf-109G-6 from Tamiya. I don't normally do 1/72...but needed one to go with my 1/72 Arma Hobbies P-51B for an upcoming show where they are having a "verses" category. Tamiya kits are just beautiful...even if some are more basic that kits from Eduard, Arma Hobbies, etc.,. I would HIGHLY encourage anyone getting back into the game to "go Team Tamiya". NEW Airfix kits can be pretty good...but the "cheap-o" kits are NOT the New kits. And I wouldn't even suggest New Airfix for a beginner or someone returning to the hobby. Thanks for an excellent video. Earned you a sub.
3:23 I have got that same Messerschmitt BF109 E-3 in 1/72, built it 20 plus years ago and its the best example of this aircraft in 1/72. Highly recommended
A while back, I bought the re tooled Airfix Fw.190. It was a disaster to build and Ive had many years of experience. I ended up binning it because I was so disappointed with the nearly end result. Definitely agree ref. Tamiya. With the many Tamiya AFVs I've built, only one had a minor fit issue with parts lineup. 😊
1/35 tamiya sherman is a great build, the recent easy eight or the older production early version shermans are great builds, and you have a pretty basic olive drab paint job and you get a great model with very little hassle
Great vid and I've been building as an adult now for around 7 years but only 2 or 3 builds a year.
Agree Tamiya is the way to go for sure.
Dabbling with the idea of joining a club in Somerset as in Bridgwater for the social aspect and improving my airbrush skills.
Looking forward to Telford on Saturday.
Great vids so keep em coming!
Hey, what i always miss is people building boats. Where do you start there? After several trumpeter kits 1:700, I ended up with the 1:200 Bismarck trumpeter kit. For some skill I would suggest now start building some bigger models in between boats before building a big Bismarck. Still very fun hobby!
he's completely right, here...great vid...
Very good points… Thanks:-)!
thanks for the video i used to make models as a youngster just doing air fix because I always thought it was the superior brand so I'm going back to modelling now some 15 years later and I'm just trying to find out what kit to start with and I think I'm going to go down the Tamiya route because i used to find the air fix started sets the glue was ok but id struggle with the smaller parts and the paints you would get would be to thick or far to thin
I must admit i have NEVER built aTamiya aircraft or armour kit but i HAVE built a number of their 1/12 scale motorcycle kits (yes im a real world motorcycle petrol head) and i LOVE their motorcycle kits.
I started with a 1/72 F-15 from Hasegawa.
In addition - looking forward to your resources video, that will be super helpful
Good video. Very good info. Just watched a similar video with the same advice. I am just getting into modeling; later in life. :) Wished I watched these a couple months back. I took the route of starting with "cheaper kits". It's been fun but certainly challenging. I have limited time and fine myself expelling much effort to overcome poor engineering and/or poor molds. I am currently working on an Academy F-16. The inlet is absolutely rubbish. I thinkbwill get it to look decent but wow. I am still improving my painting and weathering so it will be used for that. But unfortunately I now have a stash growing with too many of these subpar kits. I should probably just bite the bullet and try a Tamiya F4 Corsair next. Please keep up the good work and the great content. Thanks!
Back in the day, Tamiya were streets ahead of most others when it came to fit etc, but they’re still trading on past reputation. There are loads of other options about now that are easily as good, if not better options. Especially when it comes to armour, the likes of Meng, Takom, AFV Club etc. It kinda depends on the subject really. Bit unfair to compare a Tamiya kit to an Airfix starter kit (which are mostly old kits boxed to appeal to the pocket money brigade). The recent new tooled Airfix stuff is great, they’ve really upped their game.
I think that you should stick to a airfix starter set because it’s cheap, simple and if you don’t like it you didn’t spend that much. Good video 👍🏻
Great video, really enjoyed it, can see and agree with your reasoning, especially if you consider the quality of the finished model, something to be proud of. Now I have to see how I get all the kit here in Bulgaria. The last kit I built cost me 1/11d :)
Built some Tamiya bike kits back in the early '80's. Great quality for the day and reasonably priced. Price is now well above the rest but for quality well worth it if you have the cash. Even the annual catalogue is about £15.00 so maybe points towards enthusiasts only, not someone new to the hobby.
Got back in last year for the first time in 20 years with the Tamiya T-55 kit, and it was a great start.
I find the armour kits a little minimalistic for my taste now, but I also know I'd have quit on the spot if I was trying to assemble say, the Ryefield Challenger kit right off
I look at this very differently. I have built the Airfix 1/72 Hurricane (a nice kit, BTW) and don't think it's too small for a beginner. As for building anything at all in an afternoon, even badly, I think
that is a bit beyond me, despite having built many kits over the years. But then, I may just be a very slow builder.
Airfix swordfish is a great kit ,Catalina , b17 buy some filler and sandpaper !
My first kit was a 1/13 scale Aurora Dimetrodon back in 1975.
that's what I kept telling my wife...this is a cheap hobby....while hiding the 3 kits I just purchased 😂🙌
Very interesting video as ever. I think I respectfully disagree though on some points, my way back into the hobby as an adult was via the Airfix 1:76 Cromwell which I bought as a starter set a couple of years ago, I used everything out of the box whilst following a step-by-step type video by QuikKits, from then on I was hooked. I think the price point of Tamiya puts me off, and certainly did when I was looking for my first kit. However I agree with the quality and the idiot-proof instructions and build quality, and Tamiya Extra Thin, what a product! However, I did build the ancient 1:35 Panzer II from Tamiya after seeing it on your channel and admitted to myself it was like night and day as regards to not fiddling around with tiny bits.
Great video for beginners. Totally agree.
The new Airfix kits are just as good Tamiya kits. You don't just have to use Tamiya paints. There's several good paints out .
11:37 does that stuff work with Games Workshop, and Warlords type models?
Great advice for the beginner .
Personally, if I were to recommend a first kit to someone, it would be the 1/72 Zvezda FW-190 A4 pushfit kit. I bought it as a warm-up paint mule for the Eduard FW-190 (the masterpiece). Cost me 7$, beautiful plastic, zero flash, well hidden joints, decaled instruments, seated pilot, broken Swa*ka hidden in the decals. Glue? no need. Files? no flash. Filler? No gaps. Paint? don't worry, you can pull it apart later and paint it or put the decals. Painted it badly? Pull it apart, chuck it in the alcohol jar, repaint. Their pushfit Ju-87 has the exact same qualities, however, unlike the FW-190, there is no Eduard model to look up to, so best not screw it up as your fist ever kit. Nowadays, whenever I get a high-end model, I always check the store for a pushfit counterpart. I really wish there were more of them. For 1/48 I don't know... deal with it.
I just bought my first tamiya kit a ducatti and ninja and am stiked to get started. This might be a foolish question, but im having trouble finding the paints needed for the models i bought. Did i miss that in the instructions somewhere ? Also could any of you who have built these point me in a direction for tools spray gun cutters? Curious what everyone is using for theirs or some recommendations would be greatly appreciated
For a starter, I recommend a cheaper, older kit. Something like a Misterkit Tempest. Ten pounds, easy to make, can be improved upon easily. Looks good. Often ignored.
It's also part of the history of models: it's the type of kit the older modellers began upon.
With a simple success under the belt, try some others, and get only the paint you want from one range.
I recommend a little bit of research at first and get the paints you want to use, and can be brush-painted.
Learning how to airbrush at the same time as learning how to build and finish a kit is like learning to fly a plane you built yourself by guesswork.
It''s a big ask, not necessary and too much for a first model.
I started with Matchbox Armor kits when I was a kid then Airfix, Then I discovered Tamiya, Build a few cars, aircraft, and lots of armor models, It was only later when I returned to modeling I discoved Tacom, meng and the rest. Tamiya kits are good easy started kits and look pretty good.
There's also a thing with the paints too, some of the acrylics just do not work good enough - very frustrating.
One warning about Tamiya. Some of their kits are reboxed Italeri; for instance the 1:48 Hurricane. Scalemates is your friend.
I'm starting to agree with what you are saying in this. I decided to get back into the modelling and tried to build my old kits I never started from my childhood. Those kits were from the 70's and 80's. It's fair to say they were not well engineered and difficult to make. Then I went out and bought a starter set, and now I'm thinking I should've just lashed out and bought a nice Tamiya. In between I bought some cheapo china 144th kits I thought I would practice on and they just ended up being atrocious.
Good interesting video this. I remember building a Swordfish back in the early 1980s because I'd seen them in the movie Sink the Bismark. I wonder what percentage of people buy a kit because they've seen the plane, tank etc in a movie? It may explain why the K2 ambulances are popular at the moment
Movies and TV shows especially documentaries, books, family and friends are the basis of the majority of what I build. Second and third builds since returning to the hobby were a Lancaster because I read The Dambusters as a kid, and a Boyington Corsair from watching Black Sherp squadron as a kid. I’ve done U-2 and T-38 my brother in law flew, and a F-15 a friend flew. When I say ones they flew, I got aftermarket decals for their planes, or at least their squadrons. In the stash are planes of Jan Zumbach, Gabby Gabreski, Jake Grafton, and a couple of ones of Pete Mitchell. Those last 2 show that I’ll include fictional characters as well.
I wish I had seen this video a week ago cause I did get the airfix hurricane starter which was 10 bucks, so next kit when I get more money I will have to see if tamyia have a f9f
I agree with you on most things except the scale I like 1/72 as I can use with my layout not the exact scale but that doesn’t bother me to much but I did find the Airfix 1/72 tiger moth 😂. Regards Fred ps anxiously awaiting the 1/24 Airfix spit 😮. Thanks for your great advice to all needs more 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻pps just purchased hasegawa double kit 1/72 I guess a bad move 😢
I always thought Tamiya kits are best for beginners, then when you get better move to brands like Hobby Boss, Academy, Italeri, etc.
Very harsh on Airfix, the starter kit is clearly geared to young children getting into the hobby for the first time. From my memories as a child I never painted canopies, got glue all over the place, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the end result. I hope you'll do a review of a more modern Airfix kit to balance.
How would a review help? How modern? Why not look at the 10 or more builds of ‘modern’ airfix kits I have on the channel? Or the Tamiya 1/48 G6 that I didn’t like? Is any of that balanced enough? Nothing on Armour? All the Academy reboxes where some are unbuildable like the Tiger?
A lot of the negative comments here are finding something in the video that isn’t there, this is not aimed at children starting, it’s aimed at adults starting and not having a clue where to start, also interesting that everyone has forgotten the starter sets that have been around for the last 10 years with 40 year old kits in them just because ThEy dID a neW SpItfIrE tHiS yEAr
I don't have your knowledge of kits to comment fully; you invited comments and I just gave feedback on what I thought, whether or not feedback influences what you do in the future is entirely up to you. I didn't look to cross-reference against everything in your Channel and, from what I have seen, you try to cater for a wide range of interests and abilities. On armour, personally I quite like the rubber band tracks as I find the individual links too fiddly and I first started building kits for wargaming where again something cheap and basic is absolutely fine. Kind Regards
I must admit I tend to come from a defensive angle sometimes, I see what you were saying now, yes I have a number of newer Airfix kits on the channel and some of them show their quality. I don’t think I was harsh on Airfix but it’s a good observation on your part. I do think the video has been taken as a bashing against Airfix which it certainly isn’t, more on the fact that ‘starter sets’ are geared towards 1/72 which could be too small for new adult modellers. I do appreciate your comment and feedback 👍
No problem, but even with scale there are pro's and con's. Again personally I couldn't do a small scale kit these days with age and eyesight issues, but whilst smaller kits don't necessarily have the wow factor of larger scales, they offer huge advantages in the space they take up when finished! Keep up the good work, I look forward to your videos.
@@ChampionScaleModelling Any model as a starter with kids in mind (and that IS where they should start) is going to be a mess of glue fingerprints NO paint..decals on bare plastic! Tamiya is therefore not the way to start.....Cheap and easy is irrespective of the results.
I agree that Tamiya kits are top notch mostly and details are there so not only challenging your skills but but fit is also very good.
Totally agree. Guess most modellers go through that anyway 😅
Where do you get your model’s from
I think sadly you are chucking the baby out with the bath water in regards to starter sets.. Especially with the new starter sets coming thru from Airfix.. I get it with the older versions but i raise you these points..
1. Its price point.. They are manufactured and price competitively as a way of anyone getting into our hobby.. Age included..
2. The cement that comes in the starter sets is a very thick form of TET so even though it doesn't use capillary action, it still melts the plastic and welds the plastic together.. Its not glue.. I will admit that cement sucks, Its ghastly stuff.. and I have begged airfix to use the humbrol Precision poly cement which in my honest opinion is better than contacta from revell, and with the metal tube applicator is brilliant to get the cement in the tight place, you can also use a brush to apply that cement..
3. The golf analogy is proper wrong. If you want to try out golf you go to a pitch and putt and borrow a 9 iron and a putter and play 8 holes.. or you borrow a set of clubs of your mate and play at his local club.. never would you go to a shop, spend 600 quid on a set of clubs and then go to a golf club and sign up having never played before!!.. what if you go round, get to hole 6 and realise you don't like golf?? you are stuck with a set of clubs you will never use again..
4. Ok yes tamiya kits are fabulous, but the price is also fabulously high.. you can pay 15 quid for a tamiya spitfire in 1/72 or 1/48 is 20 quid.. buy the 4 paints at 3 quid, TET is 4 quid, paint brush say 2 pound.. so to buy all that is 33 quid if you buy the 1/72 spitfire..The brand new spitfire starter set from airfix is 11.99 with paints brush and cement...
5. have you not seen the new range of starter sets from airfix.. Model Tanks, Cars (the jag is a beauty) Brilliant spitfire Vc and a red arrows hawk.. They come with a handy guide that explains how to cut the sprues to laying decals, the instructions even tell you where to put the cement!! Its epic.. ..A very low price to entice a new generation of modellers old and young!! I just hat that this toothpaste cement that still comes with them though.. but again to to put precision poly cement in each kit will raise the price to Revell level.. and price is important in this realm...
6. I am a Airfix fan boy and i challenge anyone to name a bad kit that airfix have released in the last 5-7 years.. Wildcat, Meteor Vampire and Spitfires, Buccaneers etc etc..
With that i think i've made my point lol.. I think 1/72 for planes is a good size to start with,, 1/48 planes do have a longer journey in the build, they just take longer to build but there is merit in that argument of 1/48 is a good scale to start with..
I got into the hobby with an Airfix starter kit. It was gash. Bought a Tamiya and was sold. I have bought some newer Airfix but all of them have issues but now I’ve learned skills I can overcome them which as a beginner I couldn’t.
I have to concur with many of Mos's points and I consider myself a bit of a Tamiya fan boy! The quality of Airfix kits in the past few years (and I only got back into the hobby in the past few years after a longgg gap) has come along leaps and bounds. The brand in general is moving in a very positive direction. A far cry from the Airfix of my youth. (I will still build the Vintage Classics though for pure nostalgia 🤣)
First off I’m not bashing Airfix, secondly this an opinion, you can do what you like.
Take the point on golf
To compare their cement to TET is laughable
Surly you’re not comparing Tamiya paint to the little dry pots you get in a starter set?
So if you agree with the idea of 1/48 don’t compare the prices of Tamiya 1/48 to Airfix 1/72, you know as well as I do that you can get the Tamiya 1/48 Mustang cheaper than the airfix one.
And the ‘new’ Griffon Spitfires in 1/48 are awful so there is an example.
The Anson looks nice mind
Also what about tanks, with the new Firefly/Tiger there is an attempt but that Tiger again is all over the place. All the Academy reboxings are a minefield so surly Tamiya is the place to start for those?
@@ChampionScaleModelling Also an Eduard weekend P-51D can be bought cheaper than an Airfix one.
I do have a soft spot for Airfix but I agree with you that a mid nineties Tamiya kit is the way to go for a beginner.
I've gotten back into aircraft recently, mostly with Tamiya kits and have found that the Revell kits (once Monogram) aren't as nice as they used to be and the quality just isn't there. They are rough enough that a beginner might get discouraged, just like you mention.
Controversial but you present it well. I don't agree with you though. When I started making models over 60 years ago, I started with Airfix (who didn't in the UK) 1/32 veteran cars. The pieces were big enough and they were 2 bob (10p). There is a very simple rule, keep it simple stupid. That's why starter kits exist. Your theory is starting to run before you walk.
Are starter kits simpler than a Tamiya 1/48 wonder? If so in what sense?
Agree...and some of the "older" Tamiyas.........P-51 or P-47 are quite well priced these days. They pumped out a lot in that early 2000s era..........
I can remember getting airfix kits for 2/6
Good comments but your viewpoint is from someone who is looking to build a museum quality super detail model etc....I hold that starter kits are a good introduction to the test the waters...there's plenty of time to spend the $$$ later but why spend the $$$ only find out one doesn't like the hobby?
Tamiya Extra Thin is the most revolutionary product in this hobby, hands down...(Tamiya makes incredible stuff overall)...
Tamiya is my favorite model kit brand. If I want to build a subject I'll search Tamiya first to see if they got it. If they do, end of search.
I recently bought a set of Tamiya US soldiers, there were NO instructions for either building or painting,also the amount of flash was ridiculous, if this had been my first kit i would have been dismayed, so be careful!
You probably bought one of their oldest kits, which are still in the catalogue. These date back to the 1960s and 70s and were more meant as toys than as model kits.
, if I was buying a kit for my seven year old I would buy a five or seven pound kit...?
Have to say chap since I found a store on the states that sells Revell Contacta I won't go back to anything else.
Tamiya's Brewster Buffalo or Ki-84 Hayate/Frank are great starter kits, enough detail to be interesting, engineered well enough to be straightforward.
The Ki 84 I can see but the buffalo with that canopy would be frustrating.
With Tamiya, you don't have to worry about making the kit work and can concentrate on developing paint and weathering techniques.
We all can't afford Tamia. Airfix is going the same way getting over priced
Great video, I won't go anywhere near airfix every again, in my experience they are poorly made the parts do not fit together well, nothing in my experience squares up so I will bsved even buy another airfix kit, I buy tamiya, rfm for armour and planes, youngs for their 1/10th scale busts which are fabulously detailed and miniature figures I buy specialist models 👍
Interesting. As a potential new model maker I am watching lots of RUclips content on the subject. Is there any particular reason why there are so many warplane and tank kits? I prefer vintage cars but can only find 3 advertised and these are all quite expensive. I dare say inflation has taken its toll but from buying Airfix kits as a young lad the current prices look pretty steep.
There are quite a few vintage cars from: Italeri, Revell, Airfix, Tamiya as well as other lesser known manufacturers
I learnt more from a Meng kit than I have ever from another kit
👍👍👍👍 very good video
They are so expensive glad you can afford them
some fair points, but I swear by 72 scale... granted my eyes are still young but still! I like the size of these planes...
Not all tank tracks sag! More modern tanks and some late ww2 tanks had auto tensioners, a saggy track can be thrown too easily.