The Plastic Modelling Thread

I remember my models falling apart after a while in the 80s and 90s. Was the plastic-melting glue available then, or is this something more recent?

It's been a while since I posted here but I have not been idle!
I have been on a very steep learning-and-buying-little-modelling-things-and-hiding-them-from-the-family curve this last month or so.

My 2 little Panzer 1's are fully built and I have managed to tame the airbrush once more and apply a satisfactory base coat and pre-shade.





I am very pleased with this progress. As mentioned elsewhere in 40K land, the airbrush is just the most satisfying thing in the world (yes this includes big poos) when it goes right. And it mainly did for this.


This is just the 'shadow' coat and I now need to put down some actual colour. This will be a panzer grey which might be difficult as it's close to the undercoat. But we will see.


As this is a double model kit, I will leave one in grey and practice weathering on it (mud, splashes, scratches etc) while the other will be coated again with hairspray and then a desert yellow DAK finish. Then attacked with a wet brush and toothpicks to reveal the panzer grey underneath as though the paint has come off.


That's the plan anyway! 

Nice one Tonka - what kit are you on now?

I used to have a whole bunch of Airfix planes hanging from the ceiling above my bed.
They only rarely fell on my head.

I also still have a scar on my thumb from where I impaled myself with a scalpel while trying to cut something off a sprue.

In a spate of nostalgia, I was wondering about introducing my kids to making models, as it's a fun physical activity that doesn't involve screens.

Then I happened to wander into the Plastic Models floor of a store in Tokyo, and remembered that the entire scene is dodgy as fuck over here, and I don't want my kids anywhere near it. Sigh.

I'll have to live vicariously through this thread.

Despite making dozens of aircraft, and a handful of sports cars, I never really got into making tanks or army stuff.
I think the only time i did it was when I wanted to customize them in order to hack together some low cost 40k tanks.
I did have the proper 40k Rhino and Land Raider, but the Baneblade was bloody expensive - so I made my own.

A Real Grade Gundam Wing and it's a real beauty. So much fun to build. I have shaky hands (some genetic thing that runs in the family) so putting those tiny stickers on was a real PITA to begin with, but I've developed some skills. I use two toothpicks to position and press in place.

Note that I managed to break one of the ... things on his helmet. Grrr......

That's a lovely looking Gundam - well done! I like the pose too. I haven't done a real grade but they look brill.

One of the whole drivers for me getting in to modelling again was to use an airbrush. So I do everything with it from primer to colour. Detail I will be trying to use a little brush.
I would use a rattle can but really have to do it outside and it can be wasteful if there's any wind. So I bought a filter thing!

Point taken. And that's on the tame side too!

So my christmas present to myself was a 1/35 Jagdpanzer IV Lang which is a tank destroyer based on a Panzer IV. The Tamiya kit is really good other than the tracks so I bought a set of 3D printed tracks which are delightful.

You get a little box of links, some inside pins and outside pins and you simply hook them together. Very relaxing and the end result is just fab: