Plastic Model Aircraft Modelling Toolkit

The Basic Plastic Model Aircraft Toolkit:

guest post by Tony Garcia

A list of modelling tools that I think are essential for building plastic model aircraft - some of course can be seen as optional but these still have a wide use!:

• Modelling Glue : Revell Contacta Professional is a liquid glue with a long needle applicator, which has served me brilliantly since I got back into modelling in 1998.  I have bought four of these in this time, and only recently (end of 2002) finished the first one!  You will need a thin piece of fuse wire, to help unclog blocks in the applicator.  For tube glue, I use Humbrol poly cement, which is still my actual favourite hobby glue
• #11 blade hobby knife (Exacto, Excel) : cutting and trimming, very sharp
• Tweezers : small and handy and invest in curved and straight tweezers to ease specific jobs
• Thinner/Brush Cleaner : Used to clean brushes after painting.  White spirits like Turpentine works the best for me, but wears out brushes.
• Paint : I use Humbrol super enamels and have 95% of their whole range, choose the brand that suits you, but Humbrol is one of the easiest brands to cross reference to others
• Paintbrushes : You need a fairly good range of brushes ranging from finest to larger brush types
• Toothpicks : See everyday usages below - as an applicator, mixing paint and so forth
• Leftover sprues : I break up the bits of leftover sprue from the frame of a kit and keep these aside.  They are great for mixing paint, using as "stretched sprue" and so forth
• Superglue : to attach metal and resin parts, use a fast setting and strong bonding type, I use Zap CA with a toothpick, although I find this solidifies a bit in cold weather.
• End-nippers : Used to cleanly detach parts from the sprue, you can both blunt nose and needle nose, it is probably a good idea to have one of each.  If you can only have one, I use the blunt nose ones on a much larger scale.
• Masking Tape : Special low-tack type specifically for modelling like Tamiya - 6mm recommended, I also use 10 mm
• Putty : Using a toothpick lightly fill gaps and holes on model aircraft, there are several choices, my preferences are Tamiya or Mr.Putty from Gunze Sangyo
• Sandpaper : Wet'n'dry (so dust is not so prominent) types to smooth out join lines etc - Grits between 300 & 600
• Flat File : a couple in different 'roughage' to enable one to file down rough features.  I use a triangular and a flat version
• Panel line Scriber (optional) : Rescribe panel lines and control surfaces to correct kit errors, or engrave raised lines
• Mask-solution (optional) : a special solution to mask off canopies like Gunze's Mr Masksol, Humbrol Masksol etc
• Clear Part adhesive (optional) : Hobby glue and super glue fogs up clear parts when you attach them to plastic, unless you are very careful.  PVA, White glue and those sorts are good alternatives for fixing clear parts, and Humbrol sell a product call "Clearfix" for this reason too.  I have always used hobby glue because it is my preference, and I manage to affix without any problems
• Decal Setting Solutions (optional) : There are several setting solutions on the market to help with the adhesion of decals.  Decals generally go onto a gloss surface without any real need for setting solutions, but I have found that their purchase is necessary and they do aid in the adhesion, and preventing "silvering" and other effects.  There are heaps of options available from the two application Micro Set and Micro Sol solutions, to Humbrol Decalfix which you apply under and on top of the decal.  My preference is Gunze Sangyo's Mr.Mark Softer which seems to work well.
• Varnishes (optional) : These are necessary nowadays to protect the finish of your model as well as other things like decals, and to get the right sheen on your model.  I use Testors Gloss Laquer, and Humbrol cotes for Satin and Matt finishes.
• EVERYDAY ITEMS : from list below - pegs, rubber bands, toothpicks, textas, plastic card, cheeseboard