I'm looking to build something. I have little skill, and even less talent. Is there an "easy" kit out there of something sci-fi I could try? Thanks,
John
John
What's an easy SS model for a first timer?
- Thread starter jcoffman99
- Start date
Newbie Doobie
Well-Known Member
Try out www.starshipmodeler.com They have a few resin kits that are easy to build. Painting is something that you'll want to try on a cheap MPC snapkit model first,if you're looking to practice weathering techniques. Your best bet is to go to a junkyard,and look at rusty,and worn out old cars,and trucks to see what actual rust patterns,and types of marks they leave. Paint chips,dings,wear,and dents will give you a better idea of how these things all work together to make a more convincing appearance. Take a camera along to snap photos of things that are of interest.
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Have you ever built any smaller model kits? If not i would try a few of either the styrene or resin kits first to hone your skills at assembly and painting. If you can afford it go ahead and get a SS though,better to have and not need than need and not have. I am just jumping into the SS models now too and even though i have built alot of regular models in my time it's been a while and i feel i need to build a few more to get back into the swing of things. I think it is best to mess up a $15 kit than a $350 kit. I'm just going to collect the SS kits untill i am a little more confident in my abilities. I'm also begining the whole airbrushing/weathering thing. It adds that depth that is nearly imposible to do with a spray can. This is where my models lack right now. If i HAD to build an SS right now it would be either a Tie fighter or Tie interceptor. Pretty simple paint jobs as long as you get the colors right.
I've done smaller stuff and it usually comes out ok. I'd like to try something bigger. I hate little tiny models. 
Newbie Doobie
Well-Known Member
I'm not tyring to hijack this thread,but do you need any tips,or help with paint tecniques,Zombie killer?
DarkKnight
Sr Member
trick question? original battlestar tv raider
Why is it a trick question? I don't get it.
John excuse the hijack,
Hi Doobie, I'm sure i am going to need some help at some point. I just bought a Badger 360 and a Cyclone 12 compressor and I have also been collecting paints,liquid latex ,masking and other extras to play around with. Once i get everything together i'm going to try it out on some flat styrene to play with patterns and see how it "runs", literally. I'm also still doing some prepping on an AMT xwing and a Hasbro Greivous ship. I do a bit of automotive painting so i am use to gun setup and painting on a larger scale but it's more of an ON or OFF thing. I will have to get use to the airbrush and how to control that dual action. My biggest worries are paint adhesion or lack there of on this resin stuff. I'll also need to figure out different paint/thinner mixing ratios and what their resulting effects are.
Resin is quite easy to clean up, just mask up before you sand anything, the dust will give you a major fuzzy head if inhaled for long periods, and it wont do any favors for your lungs!
As for paint tack, always clean your resin components, warm soapy water, and a light scrub removes any mold release etc etc...its just common sense when it all boils down, and building most GK's around today, is just as simple as many styrene kits youll soon fall right in the swing of things!
lee
As for paint tack, always clean your resin components, warm soapy water, and a light scrub removes any mold release etc etc...its just common sense when it all boils down, and building most GK's around today, is just as simple as many styrene kits youll soon fall right in the swing of things!
lee
Lord Boron
Sr Member
I'm currently working on my first SS scale kit and I went with the Salzo V2 Cylon Raider. I can't recommended it enough as a great kit start off on. This thing pretty much builds itself!
Is it from the new show?
Newbie Doobie
Well-Known Member
Well,you're off to a good start! You have good equipment to begin with,which always helps! I have a piss-ant compressor,and a double line spray gun with a separate paint cup that I bought to replace my Dads' DeVilbiss I was using to do automotive painting. The siphon gun is nice,but this one was fifty years old,and ready for new seals. That,and cleaning out the pickup tube was a hassle,and the gravity fed automotive paint gun I have leaks paint out of the top if you try to tip it at different angles! I have a harbour freight special(airbrush)that I might as well paint my house with,or use a broom to paint my models! I've had Testors(Aztec,and the like that broke easily,because they were junk,but the Paasche' I borrowed from my friend was amazing,but I only used it to paint sunburts on guitars with. The Paasche' can make some wonderful lines,but you have to test spray patters with each tip(of course)to get the desired results! Please,forgive the hijack once again,but I hope that this information will be somewhat useful to all involved.
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swhite228
Well-Known Member
It's sorta cheating but there are plastic kits that have seen screen time and could be considered "studio scale".
The old AMT U.S.S Enterprise kit was used in a couple of Trek episodes to stand in for other starships. The AMT refit Enterprise has been used as well.
The old Revell/ Monogram Cylon Raider has seen screen time as well.
Lord Boron
Sr Member
No, It's from the original series. but if you want an impressive looking piece...this thing is huge. It goes together pretty easy, but still gives you a good introduction to things like using rods to pin (the location for the holes are pre-marked.) Also comes with a fairly simply lighting kit (engines and 2 front lights.)
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=33094&highlight=cylon+raider&page=5
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Mike J.
Master Member
Actually, the Imperial Probe Droid Pods might be relatively easy:
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=52014
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=52526
-Mike
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=52014
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=52526
-Mike
Newbie Doobie
Well-Known Member
ANy updates on your search John?
Nothin yet. thought about the Cylon Raider, but I'm not really into the old show. One of these days I'll find something.
I'm doing a Salzo V2 X-Wing as my first SS kit. Not sure if it's considered a begginers kit. I would say if you have modeling experience and some with resin you would be able to tackle an X-Wing. Lots of reference searching for all the little bits and bobs though. I've had mine for what, three days now? I'm having a blast. I had a few questions for Mike on the kit and he has answered wonderfully fast!
I thought about one of those but I have an efx x-wiong coming and don't really have the need for two.
