Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi All, I'm Mark from (sometimes) sunny South Devon and as the title says, I am an Uber Noob. Apart from the odd bit of Lego or the inside of a kinder egg as a kid, I have never really done any model building. But I love diorama's. The detail and snapshot of a moment captured in miniature is so appealing to me. I have watched videos on youtube of people building them and it has me hooked before I have even began! My fiance is incredible creative and arty in various mediums and once our visa has been approved I hope to start then as when she is painting and drawing, I can build. I will mainly be reading and learning and getting tips here and there before I start. I have a list as long as my arm of scenes i would like to make but need to get to grips with other things first such as scale sizes and names (O? N?). But I am so glad to have found this site and seen some great pieces on here. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 O and N are used by the model railway fraternity (mostly). Static model scales are usually shown in a numerical manner 1/72, 1/48, 1/144 etc with 1/72 meaning that the finished model is 72 times smaller than the real thing. Traditionally, the scales have been allotted to various genres in the following way - 1/8 - figures 1/12 large motor cars and motor cycles 1/20 - motor cars 1/24 - motor cars , large scale aircraft, spacecraft 1/25 - cars/spacecraft 1/32 - aircraft 1/35 - military armoured vehicles and related figures and accessories (this is the most common scale for armour) 1/43 - model cars (often white metal or resin) 1/48 - aircraft and some figures and accessories 1/72 - aircraft (the most common aircraft modelling scale, especially in the UK) 1/144 - airliners and larger spacecraft (such as Saturn V or Space Shuttle kits) 1/350 - ships 1/600 - ships 1/700 - ships There are also some other less common scales such as 1/50, 1/200 etc. Science fiction subjects are usually sold as fitting into the scales listed above but being based on models or CGI, there is often no full size artefact on which to base a model, rather images from comics, TV series or movies. Finally, older kits from the 1950s (especially early American kits from the likes of Revell) were built to non-standard scales, usually to fit a standard box) The above is not meant to be a definitive list but it gives you an idea of how models fit into the general common scales. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hi Eric, That is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for that. I will screenshot and save that for reference. I am genuinely so excited about getting started and the videos online and pictures on here have been inspiring. Thank you again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I really hope you enjoy your new found hobby. I have been "at it" for over 50 years and am still learning new techniques and discovering new materials. The hobby has evolved tremendously over the decades and we are now almost overwhelmed with choice of kits, materials and accessories. The main reason I love the hobby is chiefly because I am usually interested in the real thing of which I am building. For instance, at the moment I am in the middle of constructing a 1/72 Hasegawa Republic F-105 Thunderchief. It's an old kit (it dates from 1966) so is not as sharp or as detailed as a more modern kit would be. I like a challenge I was inspired to fish it out of my pile of unbuilt kits because of the recent BBC/PBS TV series on the Vietnam War. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 That sounds so cool. I am looking at some kits at the moment just to try my hand before I tackle anything too big. I am a big fan of VW Beetle's and Campers so I think I ill take a stab at one of those for now. I work in automotive industry so vehicles will be something I practice on a lot before building up to the diorama's I have planned. I am blown away by some of the scenery people create, its indistinguishable from the real thing. Would love to get even a 10th as good! I am sure I will love the hobby once i get started. Itching to get going! Good luck with the kit and I will keep my eyes open for pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Pictures will eventually be posted. I don't build to deadlines as I never want to have model building put me under pressure. For me, it's a form of relaxation. I traditionally shy away from car models as getting a good quality finish on a car model I find quite challenging. Earlier this year, I did build the old (1967 or so) 1/32 Airfix Ferrari 250LM. I replaced the poor wheels with a specialist set (from a slot racing supplier). The decals in the kit were a bit too thin unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Beautiful looking car. I am interested in the "rat" look on car models. Oxide/rust coloured MKI or II Polo/Golf etc as they would then work in diorama's i wish to make at a later date. But the sexier looking sport cars from the 50's and 60's do hold an appeal which I would want to look true colour and shine. I too would use it as relaxation and unwinding. It's one of the reasons why I wouldn't want to copy straight from the box as I think i would be disheartened and frustrated if it wasn't exactly the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I thought VWs weren't supposed to rust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 They were supposed to pass emission tests too 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Welcome to BM Mark and to the wonderful world of messing with plastic. This is the most complete list of modelling scales I have ever seen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_scale_model_sizes And if you are interesting in dioramas, then you wont go far wrong to check out @Badder's stuff. Gorby 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thank you, Gorby. That's really helpful and I will be sure to check their work out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 1 hour ago, Gorby said: And if you are interesting in dioramas, then you wont go far wrong to check out @Badder's stuff. Thanks, I think! Certainly 'newbies' can learn that it's perfectly okay to start a diorama, then change the entire theme, settle on a layout, decide to change the layout, start building it, then change your mind and re-arrange everything many, many, times! 5 hours ago, Madness said: I hope to start then as when she is painting and drawing, Hi Mark, Welcome to BM. As a big fan of dioramas myself, it's great to have another nutter join the family. My wife, like your partner, is also an artist (I used to dabble a fair bit in it as well, but all my paints have dried up through non-use) And on that matter, make sure to steal your partner's oil paints, acrylics and watercolours at every available opportunity! I look forward to seeing your first efforts. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you're stuck. We are all here to learn from others and help where we can. Rearguards, Badder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 3 hours ago, Madness said: I am a big fan of VW Beetle's and Campers Have a look at Tiking's work. His dioramas are excellent, all scratch-built and often feature older vehicles in unusual settings. I'm not sure if he did an abandoned VW camper diorama, but someone did. I will search for it in the diorama RFI and let you know. Rearguards, Badder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thanks. I have dabbled with drawing and was a tattooist for a few years (but that's mainly tracing and colouring :P) I have literally just ordered my first kit which is a MKI VW Golf GTI from Revell(?) which I am crazily excited about. Trying to stop myself running away with things as I am looking at all sorts at the moment such as airbrush kits etc. I will be taking a nosy at the dio's and have been sketching ideas out/saving pictures for reference. I will be sure to pinch a few colours from my good lady and I am hoping to have her input on some of them with her talent for shading and shadows. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badder Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I'm a bit naff with technology so have no idea how to post the link to this diorama by Tiking.... not a VW, but still worth a look. Cut and paste this in the search box in topics at top right of page. "Com'on, Let's Go!" diorama I'm still looking for the VW van. It's a cracking diorama. Rearguards, Badder 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thank you. I enjoyed that. I love the details people think of and apply. So inspiring. Have followed them as well to keep up with what they post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Hello Mark ... Welcome to Britmodeller and Modeling. Glad to see someone with your enthusiasm. I deal mostly in aircraft of WW2 and the Cold war era. If i can help in anyway just ask. Dennis 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thank you. I'm sure I'll be picking everyone's brain at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Aboard Mark 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madness Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansReggelsen Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 If you're interested in dioramas in the smaller scale you may find this interesting (I know I did! ): http://www.diorama-dreamland.at/ Cheers Hans J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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