Where on earth do I start?
As you have probably gathered this is not as straightforward as it may appear… but before I go into some thoughts for additional consideration, I have one thing to say JUST START! Stop procrastinating…making excuses…waiting for that ultimate detail set… a new set of decals… the weather to change…!
That might sound a little strong, but the simple fact is I wish I had a pound for every conversation I’ve had in the last couple of years where guys have come up to me at model shows and gone into great lengths about a major project they are planning. Alternatively some talk about how they are struggling with an old kit they have had for years as a start point for getting back into modelling after a long break and are frustrated by not knowing where to start and how the hobby has changed.
Oh dear… there’s so much I could say about this but how about this to help you get out of the hole you’ve got yourself into…
Are you trying to get back into modelling after a long break? Or complete a project after leaving it for ages?
In the latter case, set it aside and clear your bench or space…
Choose something (new) that fits together well and is easy to make and, most importantly is a subject that you like.
Not sure where to start with this? Then check out Weekend Warriors in your SMN because we’ve designed this area especially for guys like you that need a bit of a steer towards straightforward kits that go together well and should be fun to build. Above all to get you building again!
It’s funny how easy it is to get out of the groove with scale modelling; I notice that it takes a couple of hours or so if I haven’t built anything for even a short time like a month or so. Re-engaging with modelling after a longer break will be more trying so you owe it to yourself to pick something easy and straightforward that you’ll most likely enjoy! Check our Brian Keats’s Tamiya 1:48th scale Spitfire in Weekend Warriors, a fantastic project to get back into modelling and look at the results he achieved for someone not used to this scale.
You can practise your techniques…
Starting again with a straightforward project will give you a great chance to try out again all those small, but essential techniques like prep: gluing, sanding and finishing; painting and weathering. It is probably a good idea to spend some time getting into the rest of your Techniques Bank too as many of these skills are demonstrated for you. Don’t forget the HD video dems too – but only when you’re ready to play!
Don’t get fussed about detailing…
This is where it can all go horribly wrong – trying to add photo-etched metal and resin accessories that you may never have used before and after a long absence from the hobby – or maybe you are new to it all? It’s a bad idea to start with something complex like detailing at this stage. Just focus on getting back the basics and when you are happy with that you have a nice strong base to spring from, then build from there.
I don’t want to spend a lot of money…
I guess that opens up the whole thing about what ‘a lot’ actually is? This is relative of course and you just can’t make general statements about this because everyone has a different idea about (and budget for) what ‘a lot’ means to them.
Old kits are cheaper, right?
Generally true, but if you have to wrestle with poor fitting parts, poor decals that leave carrier film showing and a project that you just haven’t enjoyed, the decision not to spend ‘a lot’ or at least buy a newer better tooled kit looks somewhat flawed. So what has this experience given you? Frustration? Annoyance even and not much fun. It’s one thing returning to take on a ‘difficult’ model after many completed kits under your belt and/or years of modelling but the fact is the cost of new kits has gone up with the cost of everything else. We have to recognise this and so it may be worth considering some options to help your money go further:
- Kit exchanges at your club if you have one?
- Consider joining a club – it was the best thing I ever did to improve my scale modelling
- Go to shows and look for cheap new kits on the trade stands or under club tables
- Sales from supplier websites? Check out the great offers from internet traders like Relish Models and Hannants and Netmerchants? There are plenty of others…
- e-bay – but set a budget for any item and don’t go over it!
In summary
Check out Weekend Warriors and put the fun back into your scale modelling! There are no real short cuts to satisfying results, just practice, practice and more practice and trying to learn from our mistakes. Just like learning or developing great results in any skill at all, those who produce nice models do so because they work at it – try new and different approaches until they find a set of skills and materials that work for them. There’s no one size fits all in this great hobby of ours.