by Dave Jackson

Created on: September 14, 2008

Can you remember the very first plastic model kit you built? Mine, a Revell '57 Chevy, began a lifelong hobby that I will never grow out of. Back then, Revell made some of the highest quality kits available. Judging by the 1/48 scale F-15 I purchased today they have only gotten better.

As with any hobby, spend some time (and money) preparing your workspace and materials. A nice set of tools and a dedicated area to work will enhance the joy of model building and ensure a higher quality airplane to display.

It's impossible to have too many tools and resource materials. Paintbrushes, hobby knives, clamps, tweezers, files, sandpapers, masking tape, magnifying lenses, and aircraft reference books/magazines will all come in handy. An airbrush and Dremel tool are good investments. Airbrushes are very handy but spray paints are available in enough colours and still do a nice job. There's no need to spend a fortune to build an awesome model. An elastic band or a clothes pin can do the same job as a fancy clamp. Just be sure to have what you need, especially if the model builder is a youngster that might get discouraged and lose interest.

Revell kits specify the skill level required. Don't discourage a beginner with a difficult model, or disappoint an experienced builder with a simple kit. Greater accuracy and details on any kit can be accomplished by studying reference books and magazines.

Getting Started:

Read and follow the directions. Avoid irreversible mistakes by fully understanding the directions before touching anything. Revell kits include a list of paint colours to help you get started. Don't forget cements and thinners.

The injection moulding process leaves a light film of oil on the parts. Before removing any parts from the sprue they should be washed off in a bowl of soapy water. Snapping parts off usually damages them always use a nice sharp razor knife.

Painting:

Don't remove small parts from the sprue until they are painted. I prefer to snip the sprue into pieces to make handling easier. Leave each part connected to a piece of sprue at one attachment point (don't cut off the moulded part numbers). This allows the removal of excess plastic "flashing" and all but one attachment point. Most flashing can be removed by scraping with a razor knife, followed by very fine sandpaper. After painting each part, push the sprue "handle" into a block of modelling clay until it's dry. Try to paint all parts of the same colour to save time cleaning brushes.

Assembly:

Trim off

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