Starter kit

[arbst30]

Hi!

I'm new to model building and would like to know what is a good starter kit? I'm not into GM, but anything else works.

I'm looking for ~1:24 scale, and not sure what tools I'll need.

Many thanks in advance!

[stitchdup]

I would look at the amt kits if you want american. Their kits are older and tend to have less parts but once they are built you wouldn't know it. They are good kits to work with as you advance too. If you want japanese I would look at fujimi or hasegawa kits as they are probably most comparable to the amt kits. Once you feel happy there loads of other brands to try. As for tools a decent exacto knife is a must, so a cutting board would be useful and i would go a3 size or bigger, some small files (often called watchmaers or rifling files). i would have polystyrene glue and some clear part glue (most glues wreck glass so it takes other types often called canopy glue), various grades of sandpaper (you wont use under 240 grit very much so wet n dry is what i use) and sanding sticks. there are starter sets available but they tend to have the cheapest quality tools but if you shop around you should get everything for less than $30. I'm sure i've missed some items but someone will be along shortly to fill in the blanks 

[NOBLNG]

If 1/25 is close enough, Revell’s ‘32 Ford 5 Window Coupe 2’n1 kit is a nice easy build with a lot of options. The Revell ‘49 Merc is also nice and practically falls together.

Edited March 23 by NOBLNG

[DanL]

Just finished the Revell 1970 Roadrunner kit. Only 77 pieces but nicely molded and everything fits well and looks good...

 

[Tim W. SoCal]

All of the current Revell kits in 1:24 scale with the possible exception of the 2017 Ford GT were originally Monogram kits. They have few to no build options, but are pretty well detailed ans easier to build than most of the kits produced by the other manufacturers. Also, the AMT craftsman Plus kits are curbside and easy to build.

[1972coronet]

 MPC's '68 Coronet kits (convertible and hardtop) and the '71 Demon 340 are nice introductory / starter kits. 

I would have recommended the AMT '63 Nova , '65 GTO, and '68 GTO kits, but you specified that you don't  necessarily like GM cars.

[Mike 1017]

Consider a snap kit. This looks like fun.

[Bainford]

Another vote for the Monogram (now Revell) 1/24 scale muscle car kits. They are simple kits that go together without drama, and look great on the shelf. The same can be said for almost all Monogram kits.

A few samples posted below. There are many others. These have been reissued many times with different box art, and most have been released under the Revell name also. If you find a kit to buy and have some doubts as to its origins, post up a question here in the forum.

 

Edited March 24 by Bainford

[1972coronet]

I recommended the newer MPC kits due to their being new. 

IMO, the old Monogram kits - while fun in their own right - are long-in-the-tooth, tooling-wise. In other words, all of the ad seq. reissues have had an effect on tooling, and therefore the product ( excessive flash, core-shift, etc. ) . which is to say, I wouldn't recommend them as a way for one to 'cut their teeth' .

I second the c.1968 V.W. Bug as a great started kit.

[rattle can man]

Revell '49 Mercury custom goes together without much effort.

[Fat Brian]

I agree about the Monogram kits, I love them and think they're great for beginners. For Ford or Dodge I would go with the 65, 66, or 70 Mustangs, 69 Talladega, 69 Super Bee, 70 Roadrunner, 71 GTX,  and 70 Challenger. The brick nose Ford pickups are nice too.

[rattle can man]

newer releases or those that the MFG has recently repaired the molds for will likely have less flash and better fit than those re-issued form older, worn molds. Not to mention better engineering.

[Ulf]

This goes a long way, that's a big part of the charm of this hobby, I prefer gray cutting mat(cutting mat is really not necessary but I brought it for the sake of color). The yellow tape is Tamiyas which unlike other types of tape can be removed after days weeks. For gluing transparent plastic parts, windshield, headlights you shouldn't use the plastic glue but I didn't have any near me tonight. Tops(lots of) is great when something goes wrong..

I agree with DanL and Bainford's advice on Monogram.

 

Edited March 27 by Ulf

[Bill Anderson]

Ahh, and then we get into paints!   It used to be fairly simple, but now there are so many types / brands to choose from.  Testor's (for one) sells sets, but you might be better off buying individual bottles / cans of the colors you want to use.  And if you can, but good quality brushes, and take care of them and they will last.

One word of advice from a guy who has been building models since he was 11 (1955).  Model building is a true skill, and it will improve with experience.  And consequently, your level of "good enough" will definitely be raised as you go from kit to kit.  

I do wish you good luck and hope you stick with it.  Model building is a wonderful hobby, one that you can continue for years and years (I'm 80).  And the really good news is once you get your "tool set" in place, the hobby cost is minimal as compared to so many others.

ENJOY!!!!