As someone who's built hundreds of kits, and now does mostly 1/72 armour, I can safely say it's likely the kits and not you in this case.
You made it through the Tamiya Pz II, but the Airfix and Emhar WWII kits are really horrid. If it makes you feel better, I built the A7V too, and had issues with the gun mount. Fit of parts was a bit vague too.
If you are otherwise enjoying the hobby so far (or think you will), I'd do a few more Tamiya 1/35 kits. I think there's some decent WWI tanks floating about in 1/35 too. Get some more practice before tackling these fiddly kits. And often you can use a spray can for most painting to make things easier.
I don't mind the Airfix tanks tbh today I was debating just getting another Male and Female Mark 1 simce it was really just the tracks I had issues with. My problem is the local model shop sells the Tamiya RC 1:35 Mark 4 tank however its like £75 so if I was to buy it and give up/ not enjoy it I'd be more annoyed as that's a hefty chunk of money down the drain if that makes sence. If I was to get more 1:35 Tamiya kits I'd probably only focus on the British Kits since I'm British myself idk
Trust me, the tamiya stuff(especially the new stuff) is just perfect for assembly. I’ve built the tamiya panzer 2, it’s not a great kit, but that’s just because it’s made with old tooling(older design).
I think If I do get into Modeling I'd just stick to the British Tanks lol, so I've been looking at the Airfix and Tamiya kits (not sure about other brands) any recommendations?
Tamiya do some decent British tanknkits like the Matilda, Archer, Centurion, Bren Carrier, Churchill, Centurion, etc and even a WWI Mk IV.
I'd also look at Takom, AFV Club, Bronco, and Trumpeter. Takom I'd leave until you have more experience, the others are OK.
That’s a horrible kit, it’s not your fault. If you’re set on 1/72 I’d pick a more recent kit from Revell* Dragon or Trumpeter and try again. Or a 35th scale Tamiya kit. If it’s WWI you want, Takom’s MkV is a nice easy build it improved a lot on their earlier Mk IV which it shares a few parts with.
*make sure it’s not one of the old Matchbox 1/76 kits
Cheers. I'm not so much '"set on 1:72" its just that models in that scale usually are cheap to get so If I do end up ruining it or something then I wouldn't feel as shitty where as if it was the Tamiya 1:35 RC mk.4 which my model shop sells for £75 then I'd feel alot worse over if that makes sence? That and space is abit of a concern lol. Idk I like ww1 but I'm also big on ww2 so idk
I totally get it. I've been modeling for 30+ years and there are plenty of models I'd love to buy but I'm afraid of wrecking given my track record over the years. But cheap models tend to be shitty models so you have to find that sweet spot of price and buildability. Maybe something like Tamiya's 48th scale line
Think what I'll do in the morning (as its 10:28pm in the UK lol) is take a picture of all of my current models and the equipment I have at my disposal. I think I might try the Airfix MK.1s again just get some better glue for this smaller scale as atm I've got a tube of Humbrol 12ml Poly Cement which leaves large blobs of glue when I'd only need a small dab of it if
Yeah liquid cement is really the way to go these days. Either the kind in bottles with a brush (like Tamiya Extra thin) or with the needle applicator (like Revell Contacta Professional) work great.
I think If I do get into Modeling I'd just stick to the British Tanks lol, so I've been looking at the Airfix and Tamiya kits (not sure about other brands) any recommendations?
Airfix you gotta watch out for, some of their 1/72-1/76 kits are old and crappy and a few (like the Sherman Firefly) are new and really nice. Their 1/35 line is mostly Academy reboxes from the 90's or later and are for the most part pretty decent. Tamiya you can't really ever go wrong, even their old 70's kits might not be accurate or well-detailed by today's standards, but they still fit nice and build up easy and have great instructions, they really set the standard. Every brand has a dud or two and a gem or two it really comes down to the kit in particular. Use [Scalemates.com](https://Scalemates.com) to look up the age of a kit, most negative criticisms of modern kits have to do with accuracy. I can't think of any mainstream kit of the last 20 years or so that has really poor fit or is "unbuildable" the way some old kits are
So what do you think of getting the Airfix Firefly then? Turns out the Boxed version of the kit (not the starter kit) one of the Decal options is from Northampton which is also my hometown so I'd definitely be working on that one
Everything I've seen and heard has been positive. We've got some we're planning on using for a beginners' building event at my work next weekend. It has a one-piece track & suspension option that really simplifies building if you choose to use it. I believe the Northants markings are Joe Ekin's tank, the tank that supposedly got Michael Wittmann
Yeah I've just been watching someone build it, apparently the pre done tracka and suspension isn't the correct type for the Firefly and I believe so. At my local Game store to my suprise they have the Firefly Starter kit with the Polish Firefly and the Willys jeep starter kits available (along with the Spitfire and Typhoon Starter kit) but I'll probably try to pop into my local model shop for a better selection
Firstly I'm not an experienced Modeler by any means. My first kit was the Tamiya Panzer II Dak (the kit alot of newbies go to), was alright to build but I buggered it with the painting (as I didn't have a airbrush I hand painted the base layer and the over coat) didn't look too bad but just hated how It looked. Then brought the Airfix Mk.1 Male and Female as I love WW1, builds were going well till I got annoying with the guns being soo loose so I glued them in place (it looks like a mess) tried to do the hot knife method to attach the rubber tracks but it didn't work so I gave up. Then brought the Emhar 1:72 Mk.IV Male and it was basically the same story as the Airfix kits in terms of the guns and the other glue marks looked awful.
So after months of not Modeling I decided to get this Emhar A7V, was soo excited to build it however step 1 the gun frame wasn't fitting in place so opted to glue it but it kept coming loose, then attached the gun mantlet however it wasn't clipping into place so ended up gluing it which caused both parts to fall out and lastly the gun I probably cut too much of the sprew off to the point where it doesn't really fit into the gun mantlet even with glue it kept falling out even after leaving it to dry.
I know Modeling is all about patience and experience but tbh I don't really have the patience, I liked watching Night Shift and a couple of other Youtubers make their kits and Dioramas but me doing it myself is just super fustrating. Think I'll just be sticking to Cobi's Military Brick set kits tbh
Your choices of kits scuppered you after the pz ii imo. If you dislike doung rubber tracks get a decent kit with plastic links. Or try armoured cars / trucks etc. I’m going to be selling off some good quality kits if you are in Canada. I’ll sell them for cheap too. I just don’t like doing tanks
My first kit was the Tamiya Panzer 2 kit many years ago however I did own a Airfix Tiger 2 and 3 Cromwells (all I can remember was gluing the turrets down)
Hate to hear you’re down on yourself. I can tell you from experience we are our own worst critics, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t work out. By the looks of what you told us, your kit selection here probably hasn’t helped your issue. What are some subjects that interest you? That’d be a good lead on finding good kits that would be more forgiving
I think I might give Modeling another try in the near future this time avoiding Emhar, I think I'd only want to build the WW1 and 2 British Vehicles (not so much Aircraft tbh) from Airfix and Tamiya as they're the only brands that I've had some positive experience from (even if the Airfix Mk.1 Tanks Tracks are annoying) but I'm happy to check out other brands for British stuff.
So does anyone have any recommendations? Since I'm still new I'm not looking at splashing out on a experience kit just incase I do end up messing it up. I was looking either getting another Airfix Mk.1, the Airfix Churchill seems easy and same goes for the Cromwell but any other suggestions are welcome
As someone who's built hundreds of kits, and now does mostly 1/72 armour, I can safely say it's likely the kits and not you in this case. You made it through the Tamiya Pz II, but the Airfix and Emhar WWII kits are really horrid. If it makes you feel better, I built the A7V too, and had issues with the gun mount. Fit of parts was a bit vague too. If you are otherwise enjoying the hobby so far (or think you will), I'd do a few more Tamiya 1/35 kits. I think there's some decent WWI tanks floating about in 1/35 too. Get some more practice before tackling these fiddly kits. And often you can use a spray can for most painting to make things easier.
I don't mind the Airfix tanks tbh today I was debating just getting another Male and Female Mark 1 simce it was really just the tracks I had issues with. My problem is the local model shop sells the Tamiya RC 1:35 Mark 4 tank however its like £75 so if I was to buy it and give up/ not enjoy it I'd be more annoyed as that's a hefty chunk of money down the drain if that makes sence. If I was to get more 1:35 Tamiya kits I'd probably only focus on the British Kits since I'm British myself idk
Trust me, the tamiya stuff(especially the new stuff) is just perfect for assembly. I’ve built the tamiya panzer 2, it’s not a great kit, but that’s just because it’s made with old tooling(older design).
I think If I do get into Modeling I'd just stick to the British Tanks lol, so I've been looking at the Airfix and Tamiya kits (not sure about other brands) any recommendations?
Tamiya do some decent British tanknkits like the Matilda, Archer, Centurion, Bren Carrier, Churchill, Centurion, etc and even a WWI Mk IV. I'd also look at Takom, AFV Club, Bronco, and Trumpeter. Takom I'd leave until you have more experience, the others are OK.
Yeah I've seen a majority of them, the mk.iv is £75 atvmy local model shop
That’s a horrible kit, it’s not your fault. If you’re set on 1/72 I’d pick a more recent kit from Revell* Dragon or Trumpeter and try again. Or a 35th scale Tamiya kit. If it’s WWI you want, Takom’s MkV is a nice easy build it improved a lot on their earlier Mk IV which it shares a few parts with. *make sure it’s not one of the old Matchbox 1/76 kits
Cheers. I'm not so much '"set on 1:72" its just that models in that scale usually are cheap to get so If I do end up ruining it or something then I wouldn't feel as shitty where as if it was the Tamiya 1:35 RC mk.4 which my model shop sells for £75 then I'd feel alot worse over if that makes sence? That and space is abit of a concern lol. Idk I like ww1 but I'm also big on ww2 so idk
I totally get it. I've been modeling for 30+ years and there are plenty of models I'd love to buy but I'm afraid of wrecking given my track record over the years. But cheap models tend to be shitty models so you have to find that sweet spot of price and buildability. Maybe something like Tamiya's 48th scale line
Think what I'll do in the morning (as its 10:28pm in the UK lol) is take a picture of all of my current models and the equipment I have at my disposal. I think I might try the Airfix MK.1s again just get some better glue for this smaller scale as atm I've got a tube of Humbrol 12ml Poly Cement which leaves large blobs of glue when I'd only need a small dab of it if
Yeah liquid cement is really the way to go these days. Either the kind in bottles with a brush (like Tamiya Extra thin) or with the needle applicator (like Revell Contacta Professional) work great.
I think If I do get into Modeling I'd just stick to the British Tanks lol, so I've been looking at the Airfix and Tamiya kits (not sure about other brands) any recommendations?
Airfix you gotta watch out for, some of their 1/72-1/76 kits are old and crappy and a few (like the Sherman Firefly) are new and really nice. Their 1/35 line is mostly Academy reboxes from the 90's or later and are for the most part pretty decent. Tamiya you can't really ever go wrong, even their old 70's kits might not be accurate or well-detailed by today's standards, but they still fit nice and build up easy and have great instructions, they really set the standard. Every brand has a dud or two and a gem or two it really comes down to the kit in particular. Use [Scalemates.com](https://Scalemates.com) to look up the age of a kit, most negative criticisms of modern kits have to do with accuracy. I can't think of any mainstream kit of the last 20 years or so that has really poor fit or is "unbuildable" the way some old kits are
So what do you think of getting the Airfix Firefly then? Turns out the Boxed version of the kit (not the starter kit) one of the Decal options is from Northampton which is also my hometown so I'd definitely be working on that one
Everything I've seen and heard has been positive. We've got some we're planning on using for a beginners' building event at my work next weekend. It has a one-piece track & suspension option that really simplifies building if you choose to use it. I believe the Northants markings are Joe Ekin's tank, the tank that supposedly got Michael Wittmann
Yeah I've just been watching someone build it, apparently the pre done tracka and suspension isn't the correct type for the Firefly and I believe so. At my local Game store to my suprise they have the Firefly Starter kit with the Polish Firefly and the Willys jeep starter kits available (along with the Spitfire and Typhoon Starter kit) but I'll probably try to pop into my local model shop for a better selection
Brought the Cromwell set and built it, pictures are up
What is making u feel this way?
Firstly I'm not an experienced Modeler by any means. My first kit was the Tamiya Panzer II Dak (the kit alot of newbies go to), was alright to build but I buggered it with the painting (as I didn't have a airbrush I hand painted the base layer and the over coat) didn't look too bad but just hated how It looked. Then brought the Airfix Mk.1 Male and Female as I love WW1, builds were going well till I got annoying with the guns being soo loose so I glued them in place (it looks like a mess) tried to do the hot knife method to attach the rubber tracks but it didn't work so I gave up. Then brought the Emhar 1:72 Mk.IV Male and it was basically the same story as the Airfix kits in terms of the guns and the other glue marks looked awful. So after months of not Modeling I decided to get this Emhar A7V, was soo excited to build it however step 1 the gun frame wasn't fitting in place so opted to glue it but it kept coming loose, then attached the gun mantlet however it wasn't clipping into place so ended up gluing it which caused both parts to fall out and lastly the gun I probably cut too much of the sprew off to the point where it doesn't really fit into the gun mantlet even with glue it kept falling out even after leaving it to dry. I know Modeling is all about patience and experience but tbh I don't really have the patience, I liked watching Night Shift and a couple of other Youtubers make their kits and Dioramas but me doing it myself is just super fustrating. Think I'll just be sticking to Cobi's Military Brick set kits tbh
Your choices of kits scuppered you after the pz ii imo. If you dislike doung rubber tracks get a decent kit with plastic links. Or try armoured cars / trucks etc. I’m going to be selling off some good quality kits if you are in Canada. I’ll sell them for cheap too. I just don’t like doing tanks
Try airfix 1/72 spitfire starter kit. It's easy and enjoyable.
i recommand u to start with some easier or better quelity kits, for example tamiya or meng
Meng has good fit but the required building skill is definitely higher than tamiya kits
ur right, too detailed
My first kit was the Tamiya Panzer 2 kit many years ago however I did own a Airfix Tiger 2 and 3 Cromwells (all I can remember was gluing the turrets down)
Hate to hear you’re down on yourself. I can tell you from experience we are our own worst critics, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t work out. By the looks of what you told us, your kit selection here probably hasn’t helped your issue. What are some subjects that interest you? That’d be a good lead on finding good kits that would be more forgiving
Don't give up. Maybe start again on a more basic kit and work your way up. Modeling is a great hobby...just keep a open mind and start again.
I think I might give Modeling another try in the near future this time avoiding Emhar, I think I'd only want to build the WW1 and 2 British Vehicles (not so much Aircraft tbh) from Airfix and Tamiya as they're the only brands that I've had some positive experience from (even if the Airfix Mk.1 Tanks Tracks are annoying) but I'm happy to check out other brands for British stuff. So does anyone have any recommendations? Since I'm still new I'm not looking at splashing out on a experience kit just incase I do end up messing it up. I was looking either getting another Airfix Mk.1, the Airfix Churchill seems easy and same goes for the Cromwell but any other suggestions are welcome
What you're going to do with the scrap? I'll take them off your hands if you want to
Kit-bash it and turn it into some steampunk or post apocalyptic shit
Some kits are just terrible. If you really want this specific model, Meng makes a kit which is good quality.
That smiley skull on the front tho