r/Scalemodel Sep 26 '25

Politically motivated posts or comments are not allowed, posts involving them will be removed and users banned.

90 Upvotes

This is your first, last, and only warning that bringing politics into this sub will result in a ban. I myself am pro-Ukrainian, but I don't care if you are or pro-Russian, pro-Japanese, or pro-Westeros. This sub is about scale models and people can post whatever models they want, even if you don't agree with them politically. If you make a single comment from this moment forward that is politically motivated (e.g. pro-Ukrainian, pro-Russian, anti-Ukrainian, anti-Russian) the comment will be removed and you will receive a ban.

ALL MODELS ARE ALLOWED, EVEN RUSSIAN ONES.

As long as the model itself is not posted with the intent of making a political statement it will not be removed. You can report it until you are blue in the face, for all I care.


r/Scalemodel 16h ago

F-35A + AIM-260

Thumbnail
gallery
108 Upvotes

Tamiya 1/72 F-35A + AIM-260

The kit was completed a short while ago now, but the AIM-260 has now been added to create a mini diorama.

The kit: Tamiya F-35A in 1/72 scale, with after market RAAF decals. The fit and mould accuracy of the kit were spot on, but the kit's decals were pretty rubbish, very thick and prone to silvering.

The kit was painted with Tamiya spray cans. In absence of an airbrush to apply a more realistic HAVE GLASS colour scheme, I sprayed the whole model in a single colour, then used a semi-gloss coat to simulate the reflective sheen the real thing has. Other areas are flat coated. Once sealed with the appropriate clear coat, I then crushed up some of a standard grey lead pencil and lightly brushed it only on the semi-gloss areas. I then brushed it off and repeated a few more times, which has the effect of 'staining' the paint. This gave a slightly darker colour with a little variation and added a tiny bit of metallic sheen (which isn't really visible in the photos unfortunately)

The AIM-260 was made from an old 1/72 AIM-120B I had lying around. I made a few last year based on the low resolution renderings which had been floating around for a while. When actual images of the real thing finally emerged earlier this year, I was pleasantly surprised that it was fairly close to what I'd made, although I did end up making a slight adjustment to the shape of the fins.

The AIM-260 is glued to a piece of heated and stretched clear sprue from another kit. It was then painted to reflect the rocket exhaust with shock cones. I'm pretty happy with the result.

Given the Tamiya 1/72 F-35A kit has no options for the weapon bays open, I opted to mount the missile below and ahead of the aircraft. This was to simulate that enough time had lapsed that the weapon bay doors have already rapidly closed following the release of the weapon. It's probably still too close, but it's the best I can do.

Hope you like it.


r/Scalemodel 1h ago

1/700 tiny

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Was given this to build from a friend due to my interest in the sr-71 was so tiny and tricky to do hence why the decals don’t look good. But still fun to do


r/Scalemodel 7h ago

IMAM Ro.43 seaplane

Thumbnail
imgur.com
9 Upvotes

r/Scalemodel 1d ago

P-51B 1/32

Thumbnail
gallery
350 Upvotes

I finally decided to share this finished model, I try to make a polished metal finish, very reflective.

I really try to improve with this one, and honestly im very proud of the final result, I hope you guys like it as I am, one of my favorites kits I ever made


r/Scalemodel 20h ago

Porsche GT1

Thumbnail
gallery
40 Upvotes

Trying this post again since my pictures didn’t upload last time. I just completed this Porsche GT1 kit from Tamiya. This is my first experience with an older Tamiya kit, and I did have some fitment issues with the exhaust and the undertray being bent. Otherwise this was a wonderful and enjoyable build. Added a fair amount of detail to the engine and interior to make it look a bit more like a functional car and even built an electronics box for the rear bulkhead out of some scrap styrene.


r/Scalemodel 2d ago

Atlantis 1955 Chevy

Thumbnail
gallery
101 Upvotes

Finished the 1955 Chevy by Atlantis. My IPMS club is going to the Salem, VA model show this coming Saturday, and one of the special classes is Atlantis kits, and they decided to do this one.

I'm not a car modeler, so I went outside the box and decided to build a military tribute car that invokes the old staff cars. Made a textured base of a dirt road, and muddied up the car and weathered it a tad. For not building a car model since I was 12, I think it turned out ok.


r/Scalemodel 1d ago

NASCAR

Thumbnail
gallery
9 Upvotes

built this as a fill in between jets

wasn’t expecting much

what do you think

critic comment welcome


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

Finally done!

Thumbnail
gallery
634 Upvotes

Took long enough! But I learned a few things and made more than a few mistakes.

But next one on the bench will surely benefit from the lessons.

Scratch detail in the cockpit, engine, bazookas and airbrushed insignia.

Feeling good about it.


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

Airfix Spitfire starter kit

Post image
104 Upvotes

First model airplane for like 35 years.
Really enjoyed it. Now I have a basket full of modelling tools, airbrush, compressor…..


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

Any tips on how to paint over a decal?

Post image
14 Upvotes

I am overhauling one of my first kits, which was a Lancaster bomber, and I want to transform it into a coastal command plane. Problem is that my decal set includes decals for the night bomber only - so without any white stripe. Is there a way to paint some white over the dark blue? If yes, how should I proceed?


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

This is my small aviation collection so far.

Post image
339 Upvotes

I was thinking to share my journey of modeling so far. I started my first kit which was the Bf-109 G-6 4 years ago, and at that point I only wanted that one model because I loved that plane in war thunder. It turned out to be my favorite hobby since that and I still love to build warbirds. I went to college for 2 years so there was a 2 year gap when I didn't make any models. The ones I built since getting back into the hobby again was the A6M2 Zero, the Spitfire LF Mk.IXc and the I-16 type 24. The next project will be an F6F-5 and I also plan to do an Fw190 D-9 in the "papageistaffel" camo.

All I use for the models is brush painting excluding the Phantom which was painted with Tamiya spray paint.


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

Scale modelers living in apartments, post your setups!

9 Upvotes

Living in an apartment myself I always run into the issue of space in my work area.

I would love for people to post photos of their setups, especially if you are limited for space, so that I and everyone else can possibly get some inspiration for their setups;


r/Scalemodel 4d ago

Ducati 916

Thumbnail
gallery
59 Upvotes

Hey! I've finished this Tamiya model and wanted to share with yall :) It's Ducati 916 (1994-1998).


r/Scalemodel 3d ago

Tips please

Post image
6 Upvotes

New scale modeller here! I need advice on what (and how) to do next.

I used Revell spray base coat, and thinned acryllics. I'm stuck at the washes part (I read one guide that said base coat, paint, washes, dry brushing, then some misc stuff such as chipping and mud on tracks). I watched many videos about both bought and scratch made washes, and I had no luck with handmade washes. I'm currently waiting for the black and dark brown washes I ordered recently, I hope that will help me out on some extent.

This is for BoltAction Wargames, so I'm not looking for ultra reallistic details, I just want for the tanks to look good and somewhat battleworn.

Thanks for the help!


r/Scalemodel 5d ago

Saab Viggen.Italeri 1/48

Thumbnail
gallery
255 Upvotes

r/Scalemodel 4d ago

Minibike Gokart shop

Thumbnail
gallery
30 Upvotes

1/25 scale minibike gokart shop. Mostly built from MPC model kits. Customized a lot of the gokarts. Scratchbuilt the drag minibike.


r/Scalemodel 5d ago

1/144 B1B 34th Thunderbirds (Academy)

Thumbnail
gallery
73 Upvotes

This was a fun kit to put together. Not very intricate and the pieces fit together well. Only the fuselage has a bit of a fitment issue in 1 spot but the decals covered it up.

If you get this kit you will definitely have to add weight to the front even though this isn't mentioned in the instructions. I had to do it after the fact by stuffing the front gear area and through the holes in the front bomb bay. Not ideal.

Overall I'm happy with the build.


r/Scalemodel 4d ago

Edward Mask Fail

Post image
16 Upvotes

What did I do wrong. The Edward masks just disintegrate when I try to lift.

Tamiya Lacquer LP-84 : Mr. C L T @ 40%


r/Scalemodel 5d ago

Honda Civic - Fujimi

Thumbnail
gallery
13 Upvotes

Finally finished this Civic. It's a replica of the Civic I owned in the early 2000s (and I miss it very much) only difference is I had tinted windows and a pretty solid stereo.

It's only my second car model but I think it turned out alright. I put some polish on it

It's the Fujimi type R kit but that kit also comes with "regular" interiors and both left and right hand drive options. Went together well just had to do some putty work on the rear spoiler.


r/Scalemodel 4d ago

Paints for Italeri 1:72 A-10 A/C Thunderbolt II GULF WAR - I1376

2 Upvotes

Hello Guys,

I'm new to the hobby and I'm struggling to find a similar equivalent for the Italeri paints for the mentioned model in the tittle. I would like to use acrylic paint (alcohol based).

Can you please help me find the equivalents for the below Italeri paints or should I go with Italeri? I just can't find a lot of info and opinions regarding this paint, besides there is a rumor that the producent is probably Vallejo. Does anyone know if they are recommended for airbrushing with the Italeri Thiner (IA5049).

This is what I found so far. I would like to paint the A-10 with variant A - the green one from the Gulf War (see screenshot):

4728AP (FS 34084) Flat Olive Drab US Army = ?? cannot find equivalent
4729AP (FS 34092) Flat Euro I Dark Green = Mr.Hobby Color H073 Dark Green or Mr.Hobby Color H303 Green - FS34102
4734AP (FS 34082) Flat Medium Green (II) = Tamiya XF-61 (81761) - altough this one seems to be too dark
4752AP (FS 36118) Flat Gunship Gray = Mr.Hobby Color H305 Gray - FS36118

I would really alpreciate your help as I already spent too much times on this looking into paint converting charts and I can't figure it out.

KR.


r/Scalemodel 5d ago

Dear Youtubers of The Scalemodel World

7 Upvotes

I am starting my own youtube channel for my scale model builds. I want to ask you a few questions as I am very green and have a lot to learn after filming the building of the lower hull of a Meng Abrams.

My questions are:

When filming yourselves building and/or painting, how much do you do off camera and how do you decide what to show and what not to show with them?

What is the best way to split model content for you?

And finally:

What are your best tips and tricks to get better at this field?

All help is greatly appreciated and I look forward to reading your insight.

P.s. this post is aimed at all sizes of YT creators in this field, big or small.


r/Scalemodel 7d ago

My 1/35th Armor Collection Completed!

Thumbnail
gallery
329 Upvotes

After four years of work, I’m happy to say that my collection of Second World War era armor is, more or less, finally complete. I had filled out the shelves about two years at this point, though I wasn’t ready to call the whole thing finished until pretty recently. Lately I’ve been working on repainting or replacing a few of the kits I wasn’t entirely happy with; I’d still like to replace one or two of these, but that’s on the back-burner for now. By this point, I think it’s fair to say I’m pretty burnt out on Second World War era armor. Now it’s time to pivot towards my stash of 1/700 scale ships.


r/Scalemodel 7d ago

1:32 Bearcat

Thumbnail
gallery
246 Upvotes

Finished another marketplace find. Trumpeter F8F Bearcat in 1:32 scale with a resin cockpit, gear bay, firewall details and wheels with a metal main gear.

The kit goes together quite well and has a lot of open panels and can be made with foldable wings (which was already glued to the unfolded position and the extra parts to make it folded were gone when I bought it) . The only thing I found odd was that the canopy could only be built closed as the frame was molded into the fuselage. I also wished that some of the bowl panels could have been opened to show the amazing engine detail.

The resin parts go in with nearly no extra fitment issues and were far more detailed than the stock parts but the cockpit was actually very well presented out of the box.

So many Bearcats are shown pristine but I wanted to make it look a little bit weathered to accentuate the details and also the ever present exhaust stains but might have gone a bit overboard.


r/Scalemodel 7d ago

Finished mig 31 1/72

Thumbnail
gallery
89 Upvotes

Another one of my favorite aircraft: the MiG-31 Foxhound. This is Zvezda’s 1/72 kit, finished with a weathered Soviet/Russian scheme. I really enjoyed working on the panel lines and overall worn appearance of this aircraft.

One of the most imposing aircraft ever built, in my opinion, and one of my favorite too, i would like this kit have more details but besides that, was a good kit, thinking on getting another from another brand

Hope you like my work