First Civilian Aircraft

[celt]

Hi I have been making models on and off since I was six, forty odd years later and I have not made a civilian aircraft. I think its time I made one. Can anyone out there recommend one for first attempt.

[Jessica]

It depends one what you like, your budget, comfort level with gloss white and natural metal, and available display space. The more recent Zvezda kits such as the 787, IL-62, TU-134 and A320 are really excellent. The 777 is also good, but takes up a lot of real estate on the shelf

Minicraft's DC-8 and MD-80 kits are also excellent. If you like propliners, the Roden Brittania and DC-3 are good, and so is the Minicraft DC-4 and the Recent Revell Constellation.

[celt]

Thanks Jessica, I fancy the prop liners. Being a user of the hairy stick, white is a problem but I told a spray can of Halfords will do the job, again.

[DrewP]

Prop liners opens up quite a few options. Amodel has released quite a large line of Russian civil transport props (An-8, -10, -24 to name a few). There's an Airfix 1/72 Fokker f27 that I built a while ago and it's a rather charming build with a lot of aftermarket choices. F-RSIN does all sorts of props, like the ATR 72, embraer brasilia, Martin 202, dornier 328 (also in the jet variant), and the vickers viscount, to name a few. I assume you have some experience with resin so F-RSIN kits shouldn't be much trouble. Revell released a 1/72 Twin Otter (DHC-6) that can be made up into a fine model. RusAir also has released several Tupolev/Antonov props, but they are also in resin. Italeri has an ATR 42, but I haven't heard many "rave reviews", it seems to be "just another kit". You might also want to take a look at Welsh Models, as they have many propliners. These are just a small handful of what there is to build. Hope you find the right kit for you and enjoy building it!

Drew

[celt]

Thanks Drew, I cant believe theres so much choice.I need to make sure that the one I pick is not to complex and fits well or I might get frustrated and never finish it.

[Jessica]

In that case I'd recommend the Revell Constellation or the Minicraft DC-4. They're both non-complicated and manageable in size.

Revell's coming out with a DC-4 boxing of their superlative C-54 kit later this year if you like 1/72, or there's the Airfix DC-3 kit, although I hear that needs a bit of persuading to get the wing roots looking nice.

[celt]

Either of them sound good, I will see whats available at my LHS. Much appreciated.

[tonyp]

In that case I'd recommend the Revell Constellation or the Minicraft DC-4. They're both non-complicated and manageable in size.

Revell's coming out with a DC-4 boxing of their superlative C-54 kit later this year if you like 1/72, or there's the Airfix DC-3 kit, although I hear that needs a bit of persuading to get the wing roots looking nice.

After tackling the Revell C-54. Not for the faint hearted!

[nuuumannn]

I think I chose the worst possible option for my first civil model, Revell's 1:144 744! I'm like you, Celt, not been building models for years.

[celt]

The price on kits today,I have to choose one that literally falls together or I will end up throwing against the wall. My chubby fingers cause all sorts of problems.The mind is willing but but the body says lets have a beer instead.

[Skodadriver]

The good old Airfix Vanguard isn't a bad kit although the nose needs to be reshaped. It's a bit of a blank canvas but can be made into a decent model with a bit of effort. The main thing is it's not too expensive (£11.99 from Hannants) and it's readily available.

If you can get hold of them most Minicraft propliners are pretty good, the main exception being the Electra. The DC-4 which Jessica mentions is a little gem.

There are several propliners in the current Airliner III Group Build if you want to see how other modellers are getting on before you commit yourself.