Had a tough day so I decided to just jump in. You know what? I feel a lot better.
I started with a cheaper model that I picked up a long time ago. Its a 1:800 Academy build of the USS Kitty Hawk. I figure I will learn a lot fast on this project so that when I move onto the Iwo Jima, maybe I will have picked up some skills and confidence.
My first question for the experts...what are some tricks of the trade for applying cement and avoiding excess. What is the cleanest way to wipe off excess? Do you guys prefer tube application or brush?
A special thanks to JD for posting all your work. I really have you to thank for getting me back into this. Also, Thanks to UCG for some valuable tips and insight. You guys rock!
(https://i.ibb.co/7JCwJ5Wp/thumbnail-20250715-200105.jpg)
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 15, 2025, 07:10:15 PMHad a tough day so I decided to just jump in. You know what? I feel a lot better.
I started with a cheaper model that I picked up a long time ago. Its a 1:800 Academy build of the USS Kitty Hawk. I figure I will learn a lot fast on this project so that when I move onto the Iwo Jima, maybe I will have picked up some skills and confidence.
My first question for the experts...what are some tricks of the trade for applying cement and avoiding excess. What is the cleanest way to wipe off excess? Do you guys prefer tube application or brush?
A special thanks to JD for posting all your work. I really have you to thank for getting me back into this. Also, Thanks to UCG for some valuable tips and insight. You guys rock!
(https://i.ibb.co/7JCwJ5Wp/thumbnail-20250715-200105.jpg)
Glue on a brush is much more controlable - little dabs exactly where you need them that you can't do with tube of glue
Edit 1 - And good luck and happy building
Edit 2 - always dry fit first check out the gaps and lumps and bumps to see where your best fits are
I've jumped back into painting minis again. If I can get Imgur to work I'll post some pics
Tips for gluing
Invest in a good pair of clippers - clean cuts make all the difference and only use them for plastic
Get zap gap fills in small gaps
Get a glue that sets quickly
Use brush thin glue for large surfaces
It's been a great stress reliever to get back into this hobby for me
This site has a lot of good tools and uses tips
https://www.fauxhammer.com/featured/essential-hobby-tools-for-miniatures-wargames-models-2019/
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 15, 2025, 07:10:15 PMHad a tough day so I decided to just jump in. You know what? I feel a lot better.
I started with a cheaper model that I picked up a long time ago. Its a 1:800 Academy build of the USS Kitty Hawk. I figure I will learn a lot fast on this project so that when I move onto the Iwo Jima, maybe I will have picked up some skills and confidence.
My first question for the experts...what are some tricks of the trade for applying cement and avoiding excess. What is the cleanest way to wipe off excess? Do you guys prefer tube application or brush?
A special thanks to JD for posting all your work. I really have you to thank for getting me back into this. Also, Thanks to UCG for some valuable tips and insight. You guys rock!
You are welcome - and welcome back to a great hobby.
GlueI almost exclusively use Tamiya Extra Thin. It dries really quickly so probably not great for BIG pieces - though you can hold the pieces together and brush Tamiya Extra Thin down the seem - it works it's way into the join.
But for big pieces, I mostly switch to my Revell
https://www.emodels.co.uk/revell-contacta-professional-polystyrene-cement-glue-25g-carded-029604.html
This has a nice long metal piece that allows very careful application of the glue. You control the flow of the glue by the angle of the metal nozzle.
I sometimes find it's "clogged". I apply a bit of heat on the metal applicator and that clears it up. But if it's stored upright (nozzle pointing up) it should be fine.
I find modelling very relaxing - until I get to painting - and then I start and it's fine again. Some nice chill music and I'm set for 2 or 3 hours.
Enjoy and good luck. :RockOn:
One last very important thing
MAKE SURE YOU CUT YOUR PIECES OVER A DESK AND CLOSE TO THE SURFACE. If you drop a bit on the carpet - the carpet monster does not give them back!
Quote from: JudgeDredd on July 16, 2025, 04:06:38 AMOne last very important thing
MAKE SURE YOU CUT YOUR PIECES OVER A DESK AND CLOSE TO THE SURFACE. If you drop a bit on the carpet - the carpet monster does not give them back!
Only when you start to vacuum
Your cement should typically be so thin that it isn't available in tube form anyway. And the thin stuff sets into the gap on its own.
Next question for the experts...
How important or useful is an airbrush? I was in my local Hobby Lobby today and almost picked up an Iwata gravity brush. It comes in a nice kit with a Neo micro-compressor and some tools and accessories, but at nearly $200, it wasn't cheap. Not entirely prohibitive if worth it, but how much more convenient are they and how much better of an end result do you get?
Thanks!
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2025, 05:11:07 PMNext question for the experts...
How important or useful is an airbrush? I was in my local Hobby Lobby today and almost picked up an Iwata gravity brush. It comes in a nice kit with a Neo micro-compressor and some tools and accessories, but at nearly $200, it wasn't cheap. Not entirely prohibitive if worth it, but how much more convenient are they and how much better of an end result do you get?
Thanks!
I have an airbrush
It's very useful tool but also a pain in the ass
Plus the costs don't stop - you will need a painting hood -
A dust mask rated for particles
Multiple cleaning kits
Spare needles (they bend very easily)
Spare nozzles
Oceans of iso alcohol cleaner
Flow improver
Plastic cups and stirrers/pipettes for thinning paint
Then you need to practice practice practice
Getting the paint right consistency,
Cleaning clogs
Adjusting pressure for different paints primers washes inks
Sniping vs spraying
So it's a commitment but it will help immensely if painting a lot of minis like armies, getting best layers, best details etc
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2025, 05:11:07 PMNext question for the experts...
How important or useful is an airbrush? I was in my local Hobby Lobby today and almost picked up an Iwata gravity brush. It comes in a nice kit with a Neo micro-compressor and some tools and accessories, but at nearly $200, it wasn't cheap. Not entirely prohibitive if worth it, but how much more convenient are they and how much better of an end result do you get?
Thanks!
I find the argument falls into 2 categories - convenience for bulk priming, bulk base coating - lets face it black as a primer and then blood angel red pretty much has you a squad of marines in 5 minutes, and on the other side - art - it is truly amazing what some painters can do with an airbrush, its an aesthetic that some people aim to achieve, it makes tanks look a certain way, it makes armour look a certain way that you just cant achieve with a brush
personally i never used one or felt the need for one - as a caveat i only ever painted one mini at a time, one vehicle, one whatever
there were times when i primed 7 to 8 minis at a time but it wasnt anything a spray can couldnt handle
Quote from: Con on July 16, 2025, 05:59:06 PMQuote from: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2025, 05:11:07 PMNext question for the experts...
How important or useful is an airbrush? I was in my local Hobby Lobby today and almost picked up an Iwata gravity brush. It comes in a nice kit with a Neo micro-compressor and some tools and accessories, but at nearly $200, it wasn't cheap. Not entirely prohibitive if worth it, but how much more convenient are they and how much better of an end result do you get?
Thanks!
I have an airbrush
It's very useful tool but also a pain in the ass
Plus the costs don't stop - you will need a painting hood -
A dust mask rated for particles
Multiple cleaning kits
Spare needles (they bend very easily)
Spare nozzles
Oceans of iso alcohol cleaner
Flow improver
Plastic cups and stirrers/pipettes for thinning paint
Then you need to practice practice practice
Getting the paint right consistency,
Cleaning clogs
Adjusting pressure for different paints primers washes inks
Sniping vs spraying
So it's a commitment but it will help immensely if painting a lot of minis like armies, getting best layers, best details etc
I have a lot of these supplies from resin 3D printing, but it does sound like a hobby in and of itself. I think I will hold off for the time being and see just how long I stick with model making and how the painting process goes by brush.
Thanks for the info.!
I have primed in the past with tins of spray. It's more expensive than using an airbrush and primer - but it is fast and effective.
When you are talking about actual painting though, the finish you get on a model when airbrushing is simply umatched imo.
I'm talking about models here. Miniatures are absolutely fine to paint by hand and I wouldn't do it any other way - mainly though because I'm simply not good enough to paint miniatures with an airbrush.
Con is correct. It's an art in and of itself - for most of the reasons he mentioned. One of mine is getting the paint thinning right. Sometimes too thick and the brush clogs (easy enough to rectify honestly...clean the tip, drop some thinner in and back wash) and sometimes too thin (again - easy enough to rectify by adding a few drops more paint and back washing).
When I got back into modelling I just used a brush and some Humbrol enamels and I was happy as a sand boy. I bought an airbrush and it just sat there. I was "petrified" of using it. Then one day I took the plunge with a wee 1/72 throw away kit. Never looked back. The finish you can achieve with an airbrush (again - on models) is superb.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2025, 07:16:44 PMQuote from: Con on July 16, 2025, 05:59:06 PMQuote from: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2025, 05:11:07 PMNext question for the experts...
How important or useful is an airbrush? I was in my local Hobby Lobby today and almost picked up an Iwata gravity brush. It comes in a nice kit with a Neo micro-compressor and some tools and accessories, but at nearly $200, it wasn't cheap. Not entirely prohibitive if worth it, but how much more convenient are they and how much better of an end result do you get?
Thanks!
I have an airbrush
It's very useful tool but also a pain in the ass
Plus the costs don't stop - you will need a painting hood -
A dust mask rated for particles
Multiple cleaning kits
Spare needles (they bend very easily)
Spare nozzles
Oceans of iso alcohol cleaner
Flow improver
Plastic cups and stirrers/pipettes for thinning paint
Then you need to practice practice practice
Getting the paint right consistency,
Cleaning clogs
Adjusting pressure for different paints primers washes inks
Sniping vs spraying
So it's a commitment but it will help immensely if painting a lot of minis like armies, getting best layers, best details etc
I have a lot of these supplies from resin 3D printing, but it does sound like a hobby in and of itself. I think I will hold off for the time being and see just how long I stick with model making and how the painting process goes by brush.
Thanks for the info.!
Airbrushes are great! I find them indispensable for painting vehicles and buildings. Getting smooth, uniform brush strokes over a large, flat surface is difficult and time consuming.
If you stick to acrylics and just use it for priming and basecoating, you don't need a hood, a mask, or various nozzles.
This is the kind of stuff I use when modelling and airbrushing.
(https://i.imgur.com/qsK7xbT.jpeg)
Some of the stuff in that picture I have loads of - like paints and pegs. All this stuff was accrued over time and quite a lot of it is "home found".
I use cut up sprues as stirrers when mixing paints. I bought a bulk of little plastic cups for mixing for an absolute pittance.
I don't use a mask - the hood is fine for extraction - though they do especially recommend a mask if you are using enamel based paints.
Honestly - airbrushing is scary. It is also difficult and sometimes problematic - but it's now part of the hobby for me. I would not be modelling without an airbrush now.
However - as I said - I started with brushes and Humbrol paints. Crack on. It's your hobby and they're your kits. You don't have to jump back into the hobby and add another level of difficulty by starting from the gates with an airbrush.
But I would urge you to take the plunge at some point - you wouldn't look back.
Nobody should need more than whiteout for a base and sharpies for color :)
Yeah, don't stress over it, just jump in. It's meant to be enjoyable (although I sometimes wonder when I'm sitting there with a piece glued to my fingertip, my 3rd pot of nuln oil has just been knocked over , and I've just dropped an irreplaceable piece onto the extra-dimensionalcarpet). Just realize that there's a learning curve and you're going to make mistakes. Trying to correct/hide them is part of the challenge.
I got sidetracked from my Japanese Burma campaign stuff because I wanted to make my own Vikings vs. Saxons game.
I painted up 50+ minis andwent outside to varnish them eith a matte spray. I did a test on two figures and it was fine do I set up the table with all 50. I don't know if the humidity changed or it was because I was spraying from a slightly farther distance, but the varnish reacted badly and frosted all the minis.
That was a pisser! I managed to mostly salvage them with olive oil applied via q-tip, but they're a bit shiny now and cats think they're edible.
I also screwed up a bannerman. I somehow managed to glue the banner on upside down. Had to snip off the staff and re-glue it. He looks a bit derpy now close up, but once he's on the table, it's fine.
We gave my rules a test drive last weekend and it was a lot of fun.
Couple more.
That's some really nice work especially the shields and terrain
Quote from: Con on July 17, 2025, 11:09:19 AMThat's some really nice work especially the shields and terrain
Agreed :notworthy:
I think I'm starting to see some of what you guys were saying about cheap models and parts needing filing or filling to get the perfect fit. I'm hoping that primer and paint will fill in some of these gaps.
Some of these parts like the searchlights, Sea Sparrows and launchers, lifeboats and davits, etc. are soooo tiny. Part of the fun is sorting through how to handle them best and then seeing how miraculously the parts come together in a half-way decent manner.
Starboard side
(https://i.ibb.co/1GBQLC7P/1000013420.jpg)
Port side
(https://i.ibb.co/jF4zQY4/1000013418.jpg)
Vallejo putty is great for filling in small gaps. Get a small flat edged tool (i like flexible Teflon ones) and smear the putty into the gap. Use a Q-tip or tissue to wipe away excess. You can also clean up any unwanted putty with a damp brush.
https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Plastic-Opaque-Consistent-Finish/dp/B0DMFBNZ9J (https://www.amazon.com/Vallejo-Plastic-Opaque-Consistent-Finish/dp/B0DMFBNZ9J)
Putting up some pics of my hobby space, plus it allows me to test if I can post and size my own pictures
If this works you can see that I am expanding my hobby significantly in the last couple of years with a lot of new toys- last one is a close up of my latest work in progress - this last photo is pretty washed out doesnt show the highlights.
(https://i.imgur.com/n2TqOO3.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/bKfKiCt.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2jyL1pU.jpeg)
Fellow Bambu Labs enthusiast, I see!
Its the natural evolution in buying expensive toys in our hobby
Ive been using it to print minis and terrain and honestly the latest settings and PLA make the minis almost indistinguishable from resin printing.
Plus I just printed this in two color wood PLA for my latest purchase on jewelers loupes for mini painting. These optics are game changers wish I had bought them earlier
(https://i.imgur.com/CIJXBba.jpeg)
Gentlemen, I am so thankful for you guys posting all your builds and getting me to jump back into model building after 35 years off. I'm having such a wonderful time with this model. The propulsion system and screws and the rudders gave me some trouble. Such tiny and delicate pieces. One of the rudders broke, as did one of the propeller shafts, but some how they come back together ok with the cement. I'm confident they will look solid enough once primed/painted. It is FAR from perfect and if I look at it long enough I can spot a lot of problems, but this is helping me to identify what to look for when placing the various pieces and I'm getting a better understanding of how they come together. The deck came on tonight and I'll probably start with the superstructure either later this evening or tomorrow morning.
I'm getting nervous now because it won't be long before its time to start painting...yikes! :embarrassed:
(https://i.ibb.co/HTTsLrMm/1000013452.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/3mRGV8G1/1000013449.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/6R9LF17C/1000013450.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/whV1P57Q/1000013451.jpg)
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 19, 2025, 07:23:03 PMGentlemen, I am so thankful for you guys posting all your builds and getting me to jump back into model building after 35 years off. I'm having such a wonderful time with this model. The propulsion system and screws and the rudders gave me some trouble. Such tiny and delicate pieces. One of the rudders broke, as did one of the propeller shafts, but some how they come back together ok with the cement. I'm confident they will look solid enough once primed/painted. It is FAR from perfect and if I look at it long enough I can spot a lot of problems, but this is helping me to identify what to look for when placing the various pieces and I'm getting a better understanding of how they come together. The deck came on tonight and I'll probably start with the superstructure either later this evening or tomorrow morning.
I'm getting nervous now because it won't be long before its time to start painting...yikes! :embarrassed:
(https://i.ibb.co/HTTsLrMm/1000013452.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/3mRGV8G1/1000013449.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/6R9LF17C/1000013450.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/whV1P57Q/1000013451.jpg)
Paintings the best bit!!
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 19, 2025, 07:55:25 PMPaintings the best bit!!
Don't listen to him - painting is a stress fest. But once it's painted, man, do they look good.
Looking good :notworthy: :ThumbsUp:
I did build a ship once - I think it was a Gerald Ford Class CV. I absolutely loved it. Like everything - up close it was pretty rough - but just sitting there on a shelf it looked great.
I've got pictures around somewhere...yep - on these very boards but the images are gone (Photobucket). It was the USS George Washington.
I just realised - is it going to have individual aircraft out in the deck
The painting possibilities!!!
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 20, 2025, 05:18:51 AMI just realised - is it going to have individual aircraft out in the deck
The painting possibilities!!!
It will indeed :Dreamer:
It's been 50 years since I built a model but I'm thinking I would have saved placing those antenna-like things at the sides of the deck for last.
Quote from: bobarossa on July 20, 2025, 08:26:43 AMIt's been 50 years since I built a model but I'm thinking I would have saved placing those antenna-like things at the sides of the deck for last.
I'm just following the instructions. The deck antennas didn't really present any issue for handling.
Well, I just finished the build of the ship. Superstructure and all masts are complete and installed to the deck. I think next to the propellers and shafts, the mast and all the radar and sensor equipment was the greatest challenge. Some of the antennas and radar equipment pieces were so unbelievably thin and tiny. It was nearly impossible to get them out of the frame without snapping some of the parts. Again, I was able to get the broken pieces back together acceptably, but it was challenging and admittedly, a little frustrating.
Still have to build the aircraft and vehicles. I might prime and paint the ship first. Haven't decided.
I'll post some pics a little later. Overall, lots of small and not so small defects, but at a glance and without looking at it too critically, I think she came out great. I'm pretty proud. :Nerd:
Good job
In my case best advice I got was to keep moving forward and not obsess about trying to get all the details 100% perfect
I seem to get adhd when painting going back and putting too many hours on the same aspect of the mini to make it look like the box art
The way to improve is to paint, paint and paint some more but finishing projects rather than have 5 going on at once
I try to put in at least 30 mins every day even if it is just putting on a bit of base color or adding a wash to one figure
The continuity of painting has noticeably improved my capability more in the last 6 months more than obsession to perfection
And I've completed a WH40k citadel, orc kill patrol, chaos marines, Cadian infantry squad, and moved my orc war boss and Mekkakiller to almost finished in that time
Plus I've been trying to learn how to print and speed paint minis - another useful skill
I still have trays of minis primed and ready to go but I don't feel dejected looking at it anymore now that I have a process
Are you cutting the bits off a sprue with a knife?
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 20, 2025, 11:27:14 AMAre you cutting the bits off a sprue with a knife?
A sprue cutter. Maybe that's the problem. I should use a blade for the smaller bits. Duh! :HideEyes:
Here she is...finished.
(https://i.ibb.co/TBfg6C31/1000013460.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/FkVp39JZ/1000013459.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/DHNwWcLM/1000013461.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/whcvfVsn/1000013462.jpg)
What's in the air wing?
Looks nice
I suspect you are going to go down the rabbit hole with the rest of us on all the paints and tools and as you rediscover the joy of minis and models.
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 20, 2025, 01:51:44 PMWhat's in the air wing?
The kit came with a wide mix of aircraft, I suppose to let the builder focus on a specific timeframe. It has A-7 Corsairs, EA-6 Prowlers, F-14 Tomcats, A-6 intruders, F-4 Phantoms, RA-5 Vigilantes, F/A-18 Hornets, S-3 Vikings, E-2 Hawkeyes and SH-3 Seakings. I suppose with the Phantoms, Vigilantes and Corsairs you can have a nice 1960s era ship, while the Tomcats, Prowlers and Hornets can bring her into the 70s and 80s.
Quote from: Con on July 20, 2025, 04:11:06 PMLooks nice
I suspect you are going to go down the rabbit hole with the rest of us on all the paints and tools and as you rediscover the joy of minis and models.
Dude...totally. I'm already out of control. I'm happy I've restrained myself and have not bought every model that catches my fancy. So far, just the two ships. Kitty Hawk and Iwo Jima.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 20, 2025, 04:37:15 PMQuote from: undercovergeek on July 20, 2025, 01:51:44 PMWhat's in the air wing?
The kit came with a wide mix of aircraft, I suppose to let the builder focus on a specific timeframe. It has A-7 Corsairs, EA-6 Prowlers, F-14 Tomcats, A-6 intruders, F-4 Phantoms, RA-5 Vigilantes, F/A-18 Hornets, S-3 Vikings, E-2 Hawkeyes and SH-3 Seakings. I suppose with the Phantoms, Vigilantes and Corsairs you can have a nice 1960s era ship, while the Tomcats, Prowlers and Hornets can bring her into the 70s and 80s.
You decided which ones
I'm obsessed with the Air War over SE Asia, so probably go with the early aircraft. I'll add the others to a bin of spare parts, which I'm sure will grow now!
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 20, 2025, 06:33:29 PMI'm obsessed with the Air War over SE Asia, so probably go with the early aircraft. I'll add the others to a bin of spare parts, which I'm sure will grow now!
There will be many coffee jars of bits around your table
When painting and modelling bolt action stuff I went from a jar or bits to a jar of allied bits and axis bits to a jar of allied arms and legs a jar of guns and a jar of heads for both sides
OK, boys. Kitty Hawk is primed and ready for paint. I think the priming went well. I'm not really sure what a primed model is supposed to look like though. The deck does look a little "spotty" in some places...sort of like snow. I'm assuming this is due to spraying maybe too far away from the surface, or maybe its just a product of priming with a rattle can, rather than an airbrush? It doesn't look textured though so hopefully this won't have an appreciable effect on the paint job.
(https://i.ibb.co/1G1Vs42H/1000013465.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/FZHhJnq/1000013466.jpg)
You can always hit it with a 2nd coat.
Humidity is killer on spraypainting
Quote from: Con on July 22, 2025, 07:05:33 PMHumidity is killer on spraypainting
Interesting. I did do it outside, but it wasn't too bad temperature/humidity wise today. Still, could definitely be a factor.
Quote from: Con on July 22, 2025, 07:05:33 PMHumidity is killer on spraypainting
What con said
Humidity and distance
Heat is also bad. I only had one bad experience with primer. High heat & very low humidity led to the primer drying up whole still airborne and turning into sticky balls all over the surface. Naturally, it was on rare, out of print reading minis that I'd glued together. I tried stripping the primer in a jeweller's ultrasound bath but it just dissolved the glue.
Tragic...
Any further progress JH?
Getting into using paint and an airbrush can stunt your progress. It stopped me for nearly a year until I jumped in.
Quote from: JudgeDredd on August 02, 2025, 11:26:19 AMAny further progress JH?
Getting into using paint and an airbrush can stunt your progress. It stopped me for nearly a year until I jumped in.
That's kind of what happened. I primed it. Bought some paint. Got the airbrush. And...stopped. I really want to paint it, but I'm afraid of ruining it. Also, changing colors with the airbrush seems like a real pain in the neck. It's a really busy time because I'm changing jobs, so maybe when the dust settles, I'll pick it up!
I encourage you to do something each day even if it doesn't directly impact the model
Practice with the airbrush
Or do some masking
Personally the start stop due to work and kids etc really made it hard for me to finish projects
I concentrated on just trying to do something even if it was for 15mins almost every night
One week it was just cleaning out the citadel paint pots of the dried paint in the lids so they closed properly
It's putting in the time that gets you to improve and not fear f-ing things up but to trust the process
Happens. Like I said - I left a model built for ages before I plucked up the courage to paint it. It's to do with time invested, right? You've put the time into building it and then you don't want to screw it up with painting it.
Next thing will be you get your model painted and then you don't want to screw it up washing it to make it look used. But of course you don't have to wash them - they can look "factory new" if you want.
All natural.
I think the best thing you can do is get yourself a wee 1/72 scale kit and get the airbrush out. Time invested is much less on a 1/72 and so you won't mind trying out the airbrush on it.
As for cleaning - I'm terrible in that I always used to strip my brush down between paints. Absolutely no need. Once you're finished with a colour, simply empty, put some cleaner in, rub with a small brush, empty, some more cleaner in, blow back, empty, some more cleaner until it sprays clean and ready for the next colour. That seems like a lot - but in reality it took longer to write than it does to do - normally 2 or 3 minutes to clean the brush for another colour.
I just strip the brush down (like take out the needle etc) when I'm done painting.
I was watching the rugby the other day and this caught my eye...and it reminded me how rewarding the hobby is.
I hated this model. It was a pile of dog crap to put together. The decals were awful and I put less than 1/3rd of them on. And yet it sits there on the window sill looking bloody cool.
(https://i.imgur.com/8OyeBRa.jpeg)
None of this emotional attachment nonsense - paint to sell - that'll clear up any fear to finish you might have :ThumbsUp:
Quote from: JudgeDredd on August 03, 2025, 04:19:31 AMI think the best thing you can do is get yourself a wee 1/72 scale kit and get the airbrush out. Time invested is much less on a 1/72 and so you won't mind trying out the airbrush on it.
A Kitty Hawk CV-68 in 1:72 is quite big tho :)
Seriously, I second this recommendation. Use an ebay sniper to get some simpler kit for $3 plus shipping and get going ruining it. The less you like the kit subject the better.
lol - yeah it is.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 02, 2025, 08:26:43 PMAlso, changing colors with the airbrush seems like a real pain in the neck.
This might help
Well - my table is still waiting to get those masks on the canopy.
So I can't use the excuse I was waiting on the masks. What's the next excuse then - to put off painting...oh yeah...I dry fitted the canopy and it did not look like it was going to fit well.
There you go. That terrible fear will hold me back for another month :idiot2: :uglystupid2: