Well I guess it is time to introduce myself. My name is Ion, I am 24 and I live in DeKalb, IL, roughly 60 miles west of Chicago. I currently hold an Industrial Engineering degree from NIU.

Since my recent visit to the Museum of Science and Industry and seeing the U-505 and also a lot of time playing Silent Hunter III, I have caught a u-boat bug. Modeling is very new to me even though I did a few back when I was 7-9, but never actually painted one before.

I've picked up a U-505 kit from the museum (it's kind of small. maybe a 1:200 or 1:250 scale? I believe it's made by Revell) and I tried to put it together without any 'fresh' knowledge on model building. Just bought some acrylic paints from a local crafts store and used a brush. The result isn't nice looking especially since I realized the paint I used for the hull wasn't meant for modeling until after I started painting it. The model was built kind of in a rush too, but you can be the judge:



Since then, I've done a LOT of reading on this board and others and I decided to invest in some better tools, paints, etc. Martin's 1/72 build inspired me a lot and so I purchased a lot of the tools/paints he used. (Tamiya Superfine airbrush, and all the Tamiya paints he used plus a number of other things) I also purchased various x-acto kits, a Testors compressor, Micro Set/Sol, some weathering pigments, micro brushes, some oil paints for weathering, putty, epoxy, fillers, pin vise, tamiya primers, clear/flat paints, etc, etc. All I need to purchase now is some experience.

Anyway, enough with the boring stories. Another box showed up at my door today and I will let you take a guess of what it is.



I know I will probably butcher this model just like my U-505, so I will not do any aftermarket on this one, but I do plan to build some more of them if this one goes through ok. I also have a 1/48 MiG-29 and Su-27 kits and a Tamiya Bismarck kit besides the one above. I think I might start with one of the planes first to experiment with the airbrush and painting. Either way, I will keep you posted on my progress.

Your initial build is quite nice actually. (Simon Cowell is not allowed on this web-site :-) :-) )

You might have jumped in the deep end here without having had a lesson. I think your building techniques will greatly enhance, but prior to all the tool purchases you might have been better served asking a few questions. You've got a real nice airbrush and if you have airbrush experience than you'll be fine if you haven't then you might be like the newly licensed 16 year old that has just gotten in the drivers seat of a Ferrari. Practice with your new airbrush on the inside boxtop . Learn mixing and nozzel adjustment so your efforts at building and getting a nice model are not wasted. You can learn / teach yourself various techniques such as fine line and larger area spraying and how to get that beautiful smooth paint job we all adore this way. We here at armorama are generally a very friendly and extremely helpful group. So if you already know how to work an airbrush , well just add some smiley faces to my comments and if you don't then I am glad I can impart a little of my experience

Ion,

thats a very nice 1st model!

I think you should read Martin's article and try to excute the techniques he uses on cheaper ship and armor models before delving into the depths (no pun intended) of Revell's giant U-boat.

I am by no means suggesting to mothball the kit -
build it this year, just look at the models before it as parts of the project.
you will be more satisfied with the finished result when you know you did the learning (and we all know that learning means to trash a few kits or ruin something that otherwise turned good before your il-mixed wash started stripping the base coat )

just my 0.2 cents I earned from learning.
Elad.

Hi Ion

And Welcome aboard Warships at Armorama!

I'll second some of the other members suggestion and I will advise you to keep the Revell Type VII u-boot until DDD2 Campaign

Until then practice on smaller models (and unexpensive) and find out where you have more trouble, and ask the crew here - lots of anwsers are granted!

Skipper

Welcome aboard, Mate!
Glad to have another salty dog aboard, and I will also add my two cents by sticking with Blasters' comments to you, Bro...you've got all the right tools and supplies, now just take it slow, and build up your skills and experience...don't destroy this new found passion that you have by some bad experiences!

Modeling is supposed to be about FUN, my friend...and everyone here at the site will be more than willing to lend a helping hand and help you out with any question that you may have, so don't be afraid to ask!

And to add to Rui's comments of the DDD2 campaign, you may want to just re-consider and follow his advice, and tackle some smaller projects in the meantime...joining in on a campaign is a great way to make a whole heap of friends and gain alot of experience also! Don't be afraid to join up cuz' you're a newbie mate, just think about it...check out the active and upcoming campaigns, and go from there...and like I said before, have FUN with you're newfound joy of plastic, and KEEP MODELING!

Gunny

Thanks a lot guys!

I'll listen to your advice and keep this bad boy for DDD2.

Now I wish I had another U-505 kit so I can build it better. They were only about $10 or $15 max.

I will visit my store and pick up some cheaper stuff to play with. We'll see how it goes.
:-)

Hi lon,

Nice job on your U-505. I live a few blocks from the museum and bought the same model which is in my waiting to be built stack. I think it measures out to be something like 1/208. I think there are some 1/200 scale Type IXC models out there, but I haven't seen one in any of my local shops. Perhaps someone else in the group has some experience.

Barry

Welcome to Armorama!
It's a great place to be and everyone is always ready to help with anything, and I do mean any-thing, that you need help with when it comes to modeling. As was said earlier, Simon Cowell is not here, so you won't get bashed or anything like that. All you'll get is alot of encouragement.
I have the Revell 1/72 Uboat to build myself as soon as I can get hold of all of the aftermarket parts that I want for it. Until then, I have my Leopold to finish off (I'm scratchbuilding the tracks for that one).
You'll find after a while, you'll end up with AMS (Advanced Modeler's Syndrome) where you have to get everything that is out there for that kit that you have and build alot of it from scratch. Try to avoid catching too bad of a case. It can be deadly on your pocket-book! :-)