Newbies first whiff: Advice needed.

[Overkiller]

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[John Howling Mouse]

Would you be more comfortable starting with novel application of markings and paint scheme before jumping into bashing plastic?

If the need to cut styrene is an itch you plan to scratch, try turning any regular plane of your choice into a T-Tail.

I say that without any biass whatsoever.  Why, I can't even SPELL "biass."

B)

Just stay away from those blasted SPATS! whatever you do.  Your ruin they will spell.    B)

[Madoc]

OK,

Whatever you do - IT MUST BE EXACT!

IT MUST BASED ON SOME REAL WORLD PROJECT.

IT MUST HAVE AMPLE DOCUMENTATION TO BACK IT UP.

IT MUST BE PAINTED IN EXACT ACCURACY IN ACCORDANCE TO ALL KNOWN REFERENCES!

IT MUST LOOK PERFECT FROM THE VERY START!

IT CAN NOT BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A P-51 MUSTANG, A Me-109, A ZERO OR AN FW-190.  NOTHING ELSE IS ACCEPTABLE.

There, I hope that makes it easier for you.

Madoc

[Shasper]

May I suggest a simple start by mearly painting/marking a kit other than stock, as opposed to a full-out chopjob? If you start out doing MAJOR re arranging, you'll end up in the never ending cycle of PSR (Putty,Sand,Repeat) and you'll burn out real fast.

I speak from experience, and most of the guys here KNOW what I'm talking about.


my .02%

Shas B)

[Daryl J.]

Start with an easy, inexpensive kit.     The 1/72 Airfix Spitfire Mk.1 should run about $US6.00 and it doesn't get much cheaper than that.  An Academy 1/72 Tempest runs a tad more.   Cut, sand, paint, glue, and use a $4.00 can of spray paint.     Loads of practice for about $10 bucks or so.


Then, if you liked part of it, do it again irrespective of final outcome of The Great First Attempt!   B)



Daryl J.

[Brian da Basher]

Just remember, spats increase the coolness factor of any aircraft by 1000%!

Best of luck on your return to modelling, Overkiller! I always think of this maxim: "Build what you want the way you want!

Did I mention that I love spats?

Brian da Basher

[LemonJello]

Spats? V-tails?  No, no, a thousand times no.  You need to be on the cutting edge of technology, that's why you should start with a tilt rotor!  The possibilities are endless!

Actually, I'd go with what others here have suggested; different paint/decals, play with the weapons some, just to dip your toes in the pool of whiffery.  

Whatever you decide to do, just have fun and enjoy the process of building.

[AeroplaneDriver]

Hmmm...well....

A few weeks ago I picked up a few of the Revell 1/144 kits (Hunter, AV-8B+, and X-35).  These kits are small, cheap, and have incredible detail and quality for their scale, so that may be a good place to jump back in.

Since there isnt too much detailing to be done on them it may also be a good way to jump back in without getting intimidated as you build your skills.

I have some SAAF decals going unused from a 1/100 Buccanner that wouldnt look too bad on a 1/144 kit.  You're welcome to them if you're interested.

The big (actually the ONLY) rule to whiffing is "Dont worry, it'll work out OK".  Nobody here will ever tell you something is wrong (except maybe Lee, but he means well   ), and nobody here ever worrys about how rusty their skills are when they post a build.  Whatever whiff you come up with will be welcomed and will no doubt inspire someone else.

Welcome back to the hobby, and welcome to whiffing!

[The Rat]

Points to consider:

1) The last time I worked (tortured) plastic was at least 15 years ago.
2) I wasn't much good at it then!
3) Money is tight at  OK's Corral (hey, I'm on a tight budget)
4) Space is at a premium so large subjects are out.

My interests:

1) TSR2 - suprise!
2) SAAF
3) F108/XB70
3) RAF unbuilt projects

I'm going with what others have already said, which is to go with option 2, SAAF. As long as you can find the decals then it's the easiest and cheapest route. Alternately, don't stick to SAAF. Just browse the decals at your local shop, and not just the fancy schmancy ones in the plastic sleeves. Many shops have boxes of old spare decals left over from other projects, and often very inexpensive. Just flip through them until you find an interesting scheme and then think of what it might fit on.

[anthonyp]

COMRADES!!!!

Is GLORIOUS day in GREAT Soviet Union to be welcoming a new convert to the brotherhood of what-if worker-builders!

To begin indroctrination, er, your education in this most welcoming of pursuits, might I suggest a simple example of the Soviet Naval Aviation and its many advantages over the decadent West.  Or, perhaps, a wonderful representation of the West's laughable attempts at air superiority as depicetd in the GLORIOUS Red Star once its pilot reached a moment of enlightenment and dashed home to Mother Russia?

No?  Tovarish, I must ask, why do you not embrace the ideals of this Worker's Paradise?  Have you had enough vodka to drink today?

Ah, I see, you are too sober, what with drinking that water known as "Western Booze."  Here, comrade, take my bottle...  I have more.

What?  WHAT?!  Have the jokers at my OKB put another "I like the taste of twiglets" sign on my back again?!  They have time to joke I see.  Not enough work for them, I suppose...  BACK TO THE GULAGS!!!!

ZA RODINA!!

Comrade Captain Anatoly Iosef Pakizorich, Naval Aviation Bureau

(How'd he get out again?  Anyhow, good to see you over here, Overkiller.  My suggestion is find some South African decals, a 1/72 F-4 of some sort, and apply.  Insta-Whif!  Ok, so it doesn't have to be an F-4, but if you're looking for decent, inexpensive kits, find some Airfix kits in 1/72.  Fun, easy to build.

Like's already been echoed in this thread, build whatever ya feel like, however ya feel like.  Wanna be sloppy, go ahead.  Feel the need to go nuts on detail, we won't judge... much  

Just kidding, like I'm into detail  :dum:

Again, welcome aboard and happy modelling!!)

ZA RODINA!!!

(DAMMIT, how's he keep getting out?!)

   

[dragon]

Start simple (like everyone else has said).  Paint and decal it differently (yet believable somehow).  The obvious first step (in your case) is an SAAF TSR2.  After that, let your mania or compulsion take you away.  Continue coming to the site to get ideas for subjects, construction techniques, or just inspiration.

Oh yeah, it also doesn't have to be an airplane either.  "Whiff" is a state of mind that influences plastic.  When you can fool a JMN into believing your "whiff" is real, you have reached "Whiff" master level.   B)      

[Captain Canada]

Like Aeroman said, go for some Revell ( germany ) 144th scale kits. Good price, lots of detail, small.........

Their BAC Lightning might find some uses for your unbuiltRAF ideas.....

Also, the Trumpeter 144th stuff id pretty decent, and dirt cheap !

[Leigh]

I'd suggest a quality but value kit such as Academy, Fujimi or R.o.G this way you don't have to deal with fit problems, bad engineering etc while yer trying to get back into the swing of things. And to echo everyone else a simple paint/decal job is a great start. It's amazing how many off the shelf type simple whifs we've all talked about but still yet to see like British planes in U.S. Navy service and vice versa. If you go common, decals are easy to get and the classic F.A.A. and U.S.N. schemes are easily done with spray cans.

[Archibald]

Try a Mirage  

[rallymodeller]

How about a SAAF TSR.2?

The great thing about Whiffing (as has already been echoed on this board many times before) is that htere is room for all areas of the spectrum from straight markings-swap to full-on scratchbuilding.

Don't be afraid to expand your horizons. When I came here I was big into making things Canadian, but since then I have found that I really like SAR and COIN too...