I'm new to model building, and I think I've already found the worst thing about it. I have the model, I have all the things to try and make it great, and I have no time to do it yet. So I wait for that opportunity to get started. But I know when that opportunity will come, yet it is still about a month away. So I wait patiently/impatiently and contemplate all the things I will and want to do.
I decided about a year and a half ago to take the plunge and subscribe to their 1/8th scale Fast and Furious Skyline.
My TLDR is don't get suckered in, stay away.
At first, i was quite impressed, and tbf, the engine bay is very detailed but as things went on, more and more parts were a little disappointing in their detail/materials they were made from, but it was still shaping up to be kind of cool, especially with all the lights etc...
However, i've just got to the final stages when you actually put the whole thing together, including putting all the lights etc... into the car and, to be blunt, it's shit.
So many of the wires that come on the LEDs are way too short to route them the way it shows you in the instructions, and that's not even mentioning the way that at different points in the instructions it will show things done in different ways/places.
There's a point when you're meant to lower the very heavy all metal body, down onto the chassis, this would be tricky enough due to the weight and trying to get things to clear etc... but at the same time as doing that, you're also meant to be plugging in, literally, 20-30 tiny little wire connections, none of which have more than maybe an inch of slack.
Then, after a couple of days of getting unbelievably frustrated by it all, i finally got it all plugged in and together, went to test everything and found the majority of the lights etc… had stopped working as a lot of them are those flexible-led strips with super flimsy connectors on them.
That's not even mentioning the fact that in general the fit of parts isn't the best, so many times you have to really manhandle parts into fitting, all while trying to attach them with some of the smallest screws you'll ever see.
I think if the price was maybe 50% of what they actually charge, i could look past all the issues, but considering it's so expensive i honestly can't recommend anyone get a subscription to one of their builds.
I've not even gone into the multiple times wrong parts were sent out, issues got delayed for months on end completely halting your progress in building etc... etc....
Revell kit, and not a bad one (it is a new tool).
The stock antenna was incredibly simple though, so I scratch built one.
Sliding door also needed a bit of modification to the rail, or it was pretty much impossible to close.
Inspired by the Furiosa Suzuki Katana Resto-Mod from FCR Original.
Started working on the 1/32 Sopwith Camel from Academy, and I can already see the rigging is going to be fun 😁
Hey everyone! I spent the last two months building this 26cm Arclight mech from game called Mechabellum. Since no commercial kit exists, I printed the parts in resin, but that was just the very beginning of the modeling process.
The build involved heavy sanding, gap filling, and assembly. I airbrushed the base coats and spent hours hand-painting the weathering, chipping, and panel lines to give it a heavy, battle-worn look.
I also scratch-built a custom Arduino circuit hidden entirely inside the base. I routed the wiring on resin legs up to the main gun to create a programmed, pulsing plasma effect, rather than just a static LED.
Here is a short video showing the finished model and the lighting effects: https://youtu.be/j-kDCAcnu0o
Would love to hear your thoughts on the weathering job or how you guys manage wiring in custom builds!
A few more pics of these two models together.
Just started this build and enjoying how well it all goes together
Tamiya M1A2 Abram’s, Panzer IV 70A, and a Bandai AT-AT that I saw in the shop and figured would be a fun project to break up some of the builds I normally do. I really enjoyed all 3 and am very happy with the results. The Abram’s is my first attempt at a camo pattern, quickly followed by the panzer. I’m thrilled with how they both came out and the AT-AT was just good fun. Very happy with the weathering on that as well.
Realized I never shared these on here but wanted to because I love this sub. Really makes Reddit more fun seeing other people who love the same hobby as me. Hope you guys enjoy these and happy building!
Greetings, dear modelers!
Ever since I became interested in modeling cars, I've had the idea of creating a series of the most significant Ford models. This is my third Ford model; I previously built the Revell Ford Model T 1913 and the Ford Victoria 1953.
I really liked this ICM kit: good plastic, high detail, the parts fit together perfectly, and it includes an engine (Italery, for example, likes to leave some of their models without an engine...).
During the build, I added spark plugs and wires, fuel tank hoses, replaced the front grille with a more realistic one, slightly aged the engine and chassis, opened all four doors so they open and close, and opened one part of the hood so it opens and closes. I deviated from the manufacturer's recommended colors and painted the car a rich green. I painted the seats light brown, moving away from the boring black and gray. I used Revell enamel and MTN spray cans.
Tamiya Nissan Skyline GT-R (1989) | No. 24090 | 1:24
Concinsus about airbrush spray booths: Do you use them? Pros and cons, and alternatives?
> 1/72 Mach2 AJ-2 conversion to XAJ-1: trial fit of major components and surprise (not) - there are issues. Significant gap at the top spine, with what appears to be warpage out of the mold. Not sure to what extent, if any, it will have on the rear wing misalignment - if it doesn’t, this just might have been one of those 🤷♂️ moments. Looks like I’ll be able to get the dihedral on the horizontal stabs with some shims. Can't wait to see the felony mess the engine nacelles are going to be.
Amazing how much just adding colour to a model changes it in your mind's eye.
Before it was pale grey plastic, now it's the aircraft I saw on the TV, in books and games growing up.
Hasegawa Sea Harrier 1/72 in case anyone is wondering.
These are both Trumpeter models and were a delight to build!