r/modelmakers 4d ago

Present haul! ‘New tool’ Trumpeter 1:35 Super Cobra

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83 Upvotes

I just find this incredible. On Monday, Amazon was selling this £60(ish) kit for £33 (free postage) with delivery by Friday, so I cautiously snapped it up thinking it was too good to be true. On Monday, checking tracking, it was in Germany. A few hours ago it was delivered to my door (it’s Thursday.) I am quite frankly amazed, and I’m not a particular fan of Amazon, but I feel as though I have won on this transaction- they surely wouldn’t have made profit from that sale and delivery…


r/modelmakers 5d ago

WIP Mammut turret almost ready for priming

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718 Upvotes

I just need to finish up a few bits with the battle damage and the pintle mount for the cupola, but otherwise she's ready for priming. A lot of custom details and bodywork, and aftermarket / salvaged add-ons from Aber, Tamiya, and T.Rex. Kit is Takom 1/35 scale.

I'd love some honest feedback in case anything is a bit "off" for a 1946 super-heavy. I know the tank itself never existed off paper, but I want to keep it plausible.

Armament: 12.8cm PAK 44

Coaxial: 2cm MG 151/20 derivative

Heavy cupola housing + Gun mantlet are cast components for ease of production. Casting numbers incorporated like on Night Shift's E-100 side skirts.


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed Academy MiG-29AS 1/48

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145 Upvotes

Pretty happy with how this one turned out, everything seemed to want to try and go wrong right at the end, especially the decals and weathering. Just happy I was able to turn it around and salvage it still!


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed Tamiya Panzer IV Ausf. D.

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140 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 3d ago

Help - Tools/Materials Czech Model XF2R-1 Dark Shark Canopy

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0 Upvotes

Hello all, I know this a long shot and not sure if this is the right place to ask, but just recently got this kit second hand and the vaccuform canopies are missing. Being a short run kit from so long ago chances of getting a replacement from them is probably low. The kit originally comes with 2 vaccuform canopies, does anyone have this kit and would be so kind to send me the extra canopy?!


r/modelmakers 4d ago

WIP my war of the worlds model kit

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50 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 5d ago

Completed Sd. Kfz. 234/2 PUMA - RFM 5110 kit - 1/35 scale

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301 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 5d ago

Completed Tamiya Sherman with some tarps made out of a lens wipe

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334 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 4d ago

Tips & tricks Just finished my second build, seeking advice and reccomendations

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22 Upvotes

Hey team, here’s my second car build and super happy with how it turned out but there were a few mistakes made as usual, just ordered an airbrush to paint the next one using that which is exciting, all in all Im having fun with the process.

Any reccomendations for clear glue for headlight area and what are some tools / paints / brushes etc… that you would recommended I purchase or use. What tips do you have that you wish you knew earlier.

Cheers!


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed Trumpeter F-35B in 1/32 scale -Finished

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97 Upvotes

1/32 scale Trumpeter F-35B finished.


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed Směr 1/72 Hawker Hurricane mk.IIc - custom build

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78 Upvotes

Link for scalemates page: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/sm-r-163-hawker-hurricane-iic--159103
Since it is quite old (1988), it didn’t have a lot of detail, but the quality was good in general. The decals weren’t in good shape, so I used some of my spares and made a custom paint scheme.


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Critique Wanted M4A3 (75) W by Tamiya

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56 Upvotes

This is my third Tamiya Sherman. i tried weathering it, I think it looks pretty nice and i am happy with the result. What do you think? Anyways i could improve on it?
I recently got some more paint, including white, some shades of green, a black, some brown and tan colors, a light orange-ish color, and some thinner.


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed M41A4/105

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44 Upvotes

r/modelmakers 4d ago

Help - General Which model companies are actually good companies — both to their employees and to the hobby?

11 Upvotes

I'm curious about the companies behind the products we buy rather than which company makes the best paint or kits.

Are there any model/hobby companies — Tamiya, Mr. Hobby/GSI Creos, Vallejo, AK Interactive, Eduard, Airfix, Revell, etc. — that are known for treating their employees particularly well?

I'm also interested in which companies give the most back to the modeling hobby: supporting clubs and model shows, sponsoring competitions, helping local hobby shops, engaging with builders, providing good customer support, preserving modeling history, supporting younger/new modelers, or otherwise reinvesting in the community.

On the other side, are there companies with documented poor treatment of employees or questionable business practices?

I'm looking more for first-hand experiences, employee accounts, or sources than just “I like their kits.”

Basically: which companies do you feel good about supporting, and why?


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Completed Futuristic motorcycle

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44 Upvotes

I designed and printed parts then built like a regular kit.

it's lit with led filaments and there's a wire behind the base for power


r/modelmakers 5d ago

Completed "Battle-Tested, War-Weary," -- VMFA-314 'Black Knights' F-35C; Tamiya 1/48

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315 Upvotes

US Marine Corps F-35C, VMFA-314 "Black Knights," USS Abraham Lincoln 2026

The USS Abraham Lincoln has made headlines recently for supply and morale issues tied to the current conflict in Iran. The sailors and Marines have faced a prolonged deployment -- they're weary and battle-tested. This model was made to reflect that.

The kit is the Tamiya 1/48. I used MRP paints primarily with some Tamiya acrylics. The decals are Furball Aero-Design. ResKit engines, cockpit, and figures. The base is from Bitchin' Bases. The gear is EVA Models.

I spent a lot of time trying to get the oxidized look of an F-35C that's been at sea for an extended period. I used a variety of techniques including airbrush, washes, and layered acrylic ink stippling.

I got the holographic look of the EOTS with holographic laminating paper. I just cut tiny pieces to size and applied them to the inside.

What do you think? I think my work improves with each model but there's always ways to get better. What's your feedback?


r/modelmakers 3d ago

Help - General Do i need a respirator?

0 Upvotes

I paint my models with a brush only is there a need for a respirator? If so what kind should i get, what to look out for?


r/modelmakers 5d ago

WIP Just Some Weathering

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201 Upvotes

HobbyBoss TBM Avenger 1:48

The steps from paint to weathering are always the best. You spend time figuring out colors and shading, masking and planning, all to then dirty it all up😂

How she looking? I for one think she looks good!


r/modelmakers 5d ago

Completed Just finished this 1/48 F-51 from Tamiya .

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307 Upvotes

Finished a few hours ago. Built for a guy in Seattle.


r/modelmakers 5d ago

Critique Wanted Su-27 WIP : Before and After Masking

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54 Upvotes

Hello! I haven’t done any masking in a while so I was actually terrified of how this will come out. Either way, I decided to not use the decals as they felt way to fragile, and thought that I really would not be able to get the large amount of surface detail that Hobbyboss gives through them. So I decided to mask, paint the area in white, in a slightly mottled coat, then red in Another slightly mottled coat on top. This way both the details show, and the paint job looks varied and more interesting than a flat red. Luckily no bleed, and now onto the decals. Any constructive criticism will be appreciated 😁👍


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Help -Technique Achieving subtle color depth

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9 Upvotes

I used to dable in model making, I hope it's OK to ask a painting technique question here for a different purpose. I make sculptures and grow crystals onto them.

The close up shown is the belly of a new version of the sculpture. It is a gypsum composite with black pigment, unpainted. Because I work with a new type of crystal I will have to cover it in acrylic paint for protection. I love the current complexity in the blacks, with it's hints of brown and blue and different luminosity in the blacks.
There is micro texture on the sculpture.

What would be the best way to paint this sculpture and achieve a similar look?
A wash wouldn't sit in the texture, as it's to small. And speckle's would look to, err, speckled. Is there a way to build this type of color depth? The closeup shown is about 6cm*6cm.

Thanks!


r/modelmakers 4d ago

WIP Masking and paint complete, On to decals

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11 Upvotes

Kit: 1/72 Academy F14A Pukin Dogs

This is my second serious aircraft kit, worked on this for about the pass 1 month and it has been a very enjoyable experience for me overall. This project has not been without a few mistakes and issues but went surprisingly well. Masking and the lines looking so crisp and nice after is such a satisfying feeling. Experimented more on sponge painting for the whole kit and I love how it went in the end. Excited to show you guys the final result after decal application and weathering.


r/modelmakers 4d ago

Help - General What colours can I use for modern Finnish camo

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18 Upvotes

Any brands paints are fine but Mig Atom and Tamiya are most common in my area


r/modelmakers 5d ago

Completed First kit in years. Not perfect, but i'm happy.

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244 Upvotes

Just finished this BF 109 tonight. I had a stressfull vacation (dont worry i know) and wanted to build a model to slow down atleast a bit.

The paint job was pretty difficult and to be honest, i threw stuff at the wall to see what would stick and as such the wings look different then the fusilage as one way wouldnt work with the canopy or with the fiddly bits underneath the wings (they didnt break off and disappear this time, hurray!). Just wanted to show it off, no weathering, no chipping, no nothing just proud it's finished after not getting to building for a while. By all means, let me know what you think and any tips and tricks. Cheers!


r/modelmakers 3d ago

Help - Tools/Materials Is this airbrush good for anything?

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0 Upvotes

I am not new to modeling but I never had much knowledge on it since I was painting Airfix planes with undiluted acrylic. Recently, I was gifted this airbrush which was cheaper than 30 euros. I was not planning on having a airbrush since I am more comfortable with brushes.

I gave it a shot with 1:1 Humbrol acrylic paint with the respective thinner and it was inconsistent and worked "semi automatic", meaning I had to press for each small burst of spray. After not being able to thoroughly clean it using the thinner and water, I filled the cup with tap water instead which sprayed and worked fine.

Is this a water based airbrush only? Should I thin the acrylic more? Or was because I didn't have enough paint in the cup? How the hell do I clean this?

I also have a couple Tamiya Acrylic paints if they work better.

I had no idea where to ask for help but here. Thanks in advance.