I'm hoping someone can offer some advice or point me in the right direction. I've just bought my first 1/350 scale ship model (Dragon's USS Buchanan) and am a bit intimidated by the prospects of painting it. For the sake of making it a little easier I'm planning on painting it in the overall gray with the blue decks, but how does one do this with all tose tiny bits and pieces and witht eh deck houses needing to be one color on the side and another color on the top? I can't imagine being able to mask it all off. Do you paint it in subassemblies and then attach them? Must it be done with a brush rather than an airbrush (I'm not very proficient with an airbrush just yet).

Whatever advice anyone can give me would be greatly welcomed and appreciated. Or if there's a tutorial out there somewhere, just point me to it.

Thanks!!

Brian

Might I suggest purchasing the following books:

Basics of Ship Modeling: The Illustrated Guide
By Mike Ashey

Hundreds of step-by-step photos guide you from basic assembly techniques to painting and weathering, detailing, masking, and display of your model ships.

Also if you can still find it :

Building & Detailing Scale Model Ships
By Mike Ashey

I still refer to them as they are an excellent all round guide to ship modeling.(IMHO)
Here a link to were you can purchase the first book, I think the second is OOP
http://www.kalmbachbooks.com

most of us build things in sub assemblies. I use an airbrush, just wouldn't do one without it. To ease the job of painting the deck, I stand the hull/deck assembly on end and paint it head on. I then go back and paint the sides of the molded on pieces the side color. More and more of the kits coming out are molding less and less detail on the deck opting for gluing tiny pieces on for better detail, so painting is getting easier. Develop your own style on what is easier more effectve for you.

Ahoy, Brian!
You picked a wonderful subject for a first ship kit, mate, the new Buchanan is a cherry, my friend...as far as tutorials go, you will find out that basically every modeler has his own style and procedure of acheiving success, but basically, it all boils down to the same methods, albeit differ a slight...good books, as Mr. Abbott has mentioned, is a great start, and Harry has listed two very good beginnings, and IMHO, would make a smart investment on your part, my friend.

I too build in sub-assemblies, mostly ignoring the kit instructions as far as step-by steps...I always build and paint the lower hull assembly first, including the deck, and paint accordingly. Then, as Steve has stated, build the superstructures in a sub-assembly manner, hand painting the detail, and then attach to the main hull as you go...and remember, even though you may not be profficient in the art of the airbrush yet, some amazing results can be acheived with the tried and true rattle can, as long as you take your time, and paint as per manufacturers instruction.

The main thing to remember is to think about steps 2, 3, and 4, while you're still working on step one, and try to imagine the work before you start the steps, as to prevent any problems in the procedure...this may all sound like a major headache, but in actuality, is not, if you make a soild game plan, and follow it through........please keep us informed of the build, my friend, and ask lots of questions along the way!

Keep Modeling,
~Gunny

I want to strongly "DITTO" the above recommendations... invaluable references for the rookies and hobby returnees, for everyone really, as they also include chapters on resin, AMs, etc.