# Good Model Kits? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2010, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828 "2010-05-26T15:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/21 "2010-05-27T04:20:00Z")
> [@In\_Winnipeg](#): > > I just looked at Revell’s online catalogue [http://www.revell.com/](http://www.revell.com/) and noticed that some of the planes they make are ones that they made back in the late 70s when I was building models. I can personally vouch for any of their 1/48th scale kits, especially their version of the B-17 Flying Fortress. That was an experience. I built it (not very well) when I was 13 or so. It was a _biiig_ kit, and it was great fun putting the innards of the plane together (gun turrets, radio room, etc). It gave me a real feeling for the interior of the B-17, and when I finally got to climb around inside one some 20 years later, I knew just where everything was. ---
**Author:** ![TheTerribleTako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@TheTerribleTako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTerribleTako)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/22 "2010-05-27T04:26:04Z")
> [@In\_Winnipeg](#): > > I just looked at Revell’s online catalogue [http://www.revell.com/](http://www.revell.com/) and noticed that some of the planes they make are ones that they made back in the late 70s when I was building models. I was talking with **TakoGuy** and he mentioned that mold machining technology has come a long way since the 70’s. Comparing some of the old kits and the new kits that he’s built, it seems that a lot of the newer kits have much higher tolerance meaning less sanding and filling which leads to a better building experience. Of course it could depend on what you’re looking for when you’re building, but for a beginner, maybe a newer kit might work out better. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/23 "2010-05-27T04:34:53Z")
A vote for Airfix here. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/24 "2010-05-27T14:31:13Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > I quit building models a long time ago, but \*\*Hasegawa and Tamiya were the best kits \*\*I ever laid hands on. Strong second here. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/25 "2010-05-27T14:45:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Ladies, get your boyfriends to take you to airshows! 🙂 Haven’t been to an airshow yet, but I have thrown him a bone and we’ve visited the [Intrepid Museum](http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/) and the Smithsonian’s [Air and Space Museum](http://www.nasm.si.edu/). Thanks to everyone for all this amazing info! I wanted to give myself plenty of time to research and pick something good. Frankly, I didn’t realize how much extra **stuff** you needed to make models! I was under the impression that you just had to pick up a kit and fit all the pieces together. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/26 "2010-05-27T15:17:12Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Haven’t been to an airshow yet, but I have thrown him a bone and we’ve visited the [Intrepid Museum](http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/) and the Smithsonian’s [Air and Space Museum](http://www.nasm.si.edu/). Did you like them? Now, I’ve been plane crazy since (according to my mom) I was two years old. Both of my parents were pilots, mom worked at an FBO, and dad was in the FAA. Mom’s second husband was a pilot too, and I have fixed-wing and helicopter ratings. I grew up with planes. I may be a mite biased. 😉 That said, people get different things from an airshow. Some people like to wave the flag and watch the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds (or the military team of whatever country one happens to be in). Others like those teams without the nationalism. I like the speed and the noise. But I think that the most enjoyable performances have been from teams flying propeller-driven aircraft. Most of the same maneuvers as the military teams, but not as ‘spread out’. Other people like the General Aviation aircraft that are on display. They might be pilots, and appreciate aircraft that they know – or want to know. Experimentals are often sleek and nice to see, or they harken back to ‘low and slow’ days, or they resemble factory-built aircraft. Still others may go to an airshow to see vintage aircraft, some of which are static displays and some of which are flying. Some people like it all. 😃 The thing that’s always fascinated me since I was a toddler is the _concept_ of flying machines. I mean, _they fly!_ How cool is that? There are people who hop into an airplane and take off as casually as they’d run down to the mini-mart in their cars. Yet even in mundanity, airplanes are special. Maybe it’s the idea that such a fabulous thing as leaving the planet for a little while can be so familiar is The Thing. I think [_High Flight_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_Magee,_Jr.#The_poem) sums it up pretty nicely. I can’t promise you’ll fall in love with airplanes by going to an airshow. You might want to take an ‘introductory lesson’ from a local flight school, just to get a taste of flying. That might not enthuse you either. But it might. And you might start building models too. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/27 "2010-05-27T16:07:45Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Did you like them? > > Now, I’ve been plane crazy since (according to my mom) I was two years old. Both of my parents were pilots, mom worked at an FBO, and dad was in the FAA. Mom’s second husband was a pilot too, and I have fixed-wing and helicopter ratings. I grew up with planes. I may be a mite biased. 😉 > > That said, people get different things from an airshow. Some people like to wave the flag and watch the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds (or the military team of whatever country one happens to be in). Others like those teams without the nationalism. I like the speed and the noise. But I think that the most enjoyable performances have been from teams flying propeller-driven aircraft. Most of the same maneuvers as the military teams, but not as ‘spread out’. Other people like the General Aviation aircraft that are on display. They might be pilots, and appreciate aircraft that they know – or want to know. Experimentals are often sleek and nice to see, or they harken back to ‘low and slow’ days, or they resemble factory-built aircraft. Still others may go to an airshow to see vintage aircraft, some of which are static displays and some of which are flying. Some people like it all. 😃 > > The thing that’s always fascinated me since I was a toddler is the _concept_ of flying machines. I mean, _they fly!_ How cool is that? There are people who hop into an airplane and take off as casually as they’d run down to the mini-mart in their cars. Yet even in mundanity, airplanes are special. Maybe it’s the idea that such a fabulous thing as leaving the planet for a little while can be so familiar is The Thing. I think [_High Flight_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gillespie_Magee,_Jr.#The_poem) sums it up pretty nicely. > > I can’t promise you’ll fall in love with airplanes by going to an airshow. You might want to take an ‘introductory lesson’ from a local flight school, just to get a taste of flying. That might not enthuse you either. But it might. And you might start building models too. 😛 OMG! I don’t even drive a car! Flying a plane is at least ten million steps beyond my current vehicular skill level! I liked the Intrepid Museum quite a bit. They have WWII veterans that volunteer there and they’re very eager to answer questions. Sadly, most of the other visitors walked right by these old guys in their navy uniforms, but that just meant that I had them all to myself! ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/28 "2010-05-27T16:16:52Z")
The only tip I would offer - if he’s just getting started - or restarting - start with smaller, less expensive kits (of reasonable quality) until he gets comfortable with the skills - this way the mistakes are less costly until he gets to the really big models that mean more to him. For Star Wars kits - check out [http://www.starshipmodeler.com](http://www.starshipmodeler.com) - not only do they have them for sale, but they have an excelent/active forum for questions and hints/tips - I am not a huge fan of the Star Wars ships, but the “Fine Molds” brand of these is highly regaurded for detail. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/29 "2010-05-27T16:38:06Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > OMG! I don’t even drive a car! Flying a plane is at least ten million steps beyond my current vehicular skill level! Loads of people get their pilots certificate before they get their driver’s license! Just sayin’. 😉 It’s really not that hard; but like anything else, it takes training and practice. Nowadays you can get a Recreational Certificate that is more limited than a Private Pilot Certificate but still lets you poke holes in the sky. Even just going up for the intro flight with no intention of learning to fly will give you a whole new perspective on things – literally and figuratively. But this thread is about models. I apologise for the hijack. Still… a homebuilt airplane is really not much more than a very large model. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/30 "2010-05-27T17:37:12Z")
Perhaps, instead of getting into the rather intimidating world of glue and putty and knives and paint, it’d be best to start off easy. Something like these Revell snap-assembly, pre-painted Star Wars kits might be more appropriate. [http://www.revell.com/model-kits/licensed/starwars.html](http://www.revell.com/model-kits/licensed/starwars.html) A lot of kits get bought and never built, because the process, especially for a beginner, is just too intimidating. Start off easy, give him something he can complete in a reasonable time, and you might create a modeller. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/31 "2010-05-27T18:08:48Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > A lot of kits get bought and never built… Tell me about it! I have boxes of models I never built. Plus a 1/96 Saturn V (Revell) and a 1/96 launch tower for it (printed paper model), and a 4-foot model of _Calypso_ (Billings Boats). And that’s not counting a couple boxes of Guillow’s flying models and a couple more of Estes rockets. I just have no time. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/32 "2010-05-27T18:12:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > …I have boxes of models I never built. I have 1200. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/33 "2010-05-27T18:16:20Z")
One thing I think of whenever I think of building a model, is that I don’t have anyplace to display it. If I ever win the lottery I’ll build a new kitchen and turn my existing one into a library. I should have enough room for some models, even with all of my books. Of course, nothing turns a chick on like a guy with a bunch of model airplanes, ships, and spacecraft in his house! ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/34 "2010-05-27T18:45:40Z")
The Japanese brands are almost more detailed and prettier than the Revel/Monogram models, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/35 "2010-05-27T19:26:44Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > One thing I think of whenever I think of building a model, is that I don’t have anyplace to display it. If I ever win the lottery I’ll build a new kitchen and turn my existing one into a library. I should have enough room for some models, even with all of my books. > > Of course, nothing turns a chick on like a guy with a bunch of model airplanes, ships, and spacecraft in his house! Part of the intended birthday gift is allowing my boyfriend to display his model when he’s finished building it. In fact, that might be the most generous part. ---
**Author:** ![TheMerchandise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@TheMerchandise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMerchandise)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/36 "2010-05-27T19:29:00Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I have 1200. :rolleyes: Statements like this put fear into my heart. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/37 "2010-05-27T19:41:55Z")
I had dozens of unbuilt kits for years. That’s when I realized I wasn’t interested enough in the hobby to claim it any more and sold all my kits and most of my tools on eBay. ---
**Author:** ![Rocketeer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocketeer/32/4437_2.png) [@Rocketeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rocketeer)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/38 "2010-05-27T23:24:37Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Statements like this put fear into my heart. Fortunately my wife is a good and tolerant woman. 😛 Seriously, I’d start him off with a handful of the Revell Star Wars stuff. You could buy half-a-dozen with your budget. ---
**Author:** ![TheTerribleTako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@TheTerribleTako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheTerribleTako)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/39 "2010-05-28T02:36:12Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Statements like this put fear into my heart. Be afraid. Be very afraid. My boyfriend has a similar number to **Rocketeer** and it creates little mountains of cardboard boxes around his house. I’ve come to peace with it over the years. Thanks to your thread though, we’ve had some nice moments of bonding by mixing his love of models with my love of the Dope! If your purpose is for a model that’s display worthy, I’d strongly recommend the [1/48 scale X-wing](http://www.hlj.com/product/FNMSW-09) from Fine Molds that I mentioned previously. It’s easy to make with very little materials needed besides the basics and it makes for a very impressive table piece. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828/40 "2010-05-28T23:00:02Z")
> [@TheMerchandise](#): > > Haven’t been to an airshow yet, but I have thrown him a bone and we’ve visited the [Intrepid Museum](http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/) and the Smithsonian’s [Air and Space Museum](http://www.nasm.si.edu/). If you want to get up close and personal visit the [Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum](http://www.sprucegoose.org/) in McMinnville, OR, southwest of Portland. Their museum shops are pretty good for model kits, except for one aircraft in their collection. Apparently nobody makes a model of the [Spruce Goose](http://www.sprucegoose.org/aircraft_artifacts/Aircraft/PostWarYears/HK-1.htm). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-model-kits/540828.md?page=3)