Depends...but if you are a total newbie, starting from nothing, expect these prices:

1. Model kit (let's say 1/72 - lots of choices, not very big) : RM15 (WW2 planes) to RM129 (modern jet fighters)
2. Cement : RM19.90 per bottle (check out at hobby shops if they have cheaper ones)
3. Putty (to cover unsightly seams, if present) : RM9.90
4. Paint : RM9.90 (for Tamiya paints) per bottle. Usually a modern jet fighter model uses say, 6-10 colours! Oh, don't forget the thinner.
5. Paintbrush : don't use cheapo schoolchildren brushes, you need the more expensive artists' brush...but it's OK if you want to learn using the cheap stuff first or alternatively use
6. Airbrush : including the air compressor, may have to cough up up to RM 300 (could be more!) or alternatively use
7. Spray cans : RM29.90 for Tamiya spray cans
8. Assorted tools : cutter, hobby knife, pin vise, sandpaper, emery board, putty knife blablabla....

Whoops! My mistake...should be 19.90!

Yes the cheapo PRC kits would be useful for ultimate beginners (cheap, reasonably good-looking). Besides, the cheapo kits would become a perfect target for firecrackers...OK not that. Perfect target for testing new techniques in completing your model. I have an old Corsair as weathering testbed.

Another way to fill seams without sanding (and losing other details). I got it from www.aircraftresourcenter.com.

- Use the putty as usual.
- instead of sanding, use nail polish remover (NPR). Find the one with acetone. If it is one of those 'environmetally friendly' ones, forget it!
- Moisten a cottonbud with NPR but not too much! Wipe it all along the puttied area, removing the excess putty.
- repeat if necessary. Voila! Filled seam line!

The only hard part using NPR (apart from the need to work in a well-ventilated area - but I think you guys know that already) is getting it....so guys, if you to try this method, 'tebalkan your muka' and ask for NPR at the ladies' section!

Haha...I have to tebal my muka even more to get my rigging material. Can you imagine getting to the ladies' section to get a set of PANTYHOSE? (I think once i ran out of that thing, I'm going to use fishing lines, or perhaps the missus's hair instead)

Regarding the npr, you need to gosok it a bit. The npr will melt, like water. Oh the melted npr would almost definitely get into other panel lines so you might need some npr-moistened tooth picks to clear them out of the panel lines.

And concerning the kikir, for lightweight job like cleaning up seam lines or sprue stub you can use the nail file / kikir kuku....which means another trip to the ladies' section...

For rigging on ships...or radio antenna on WW2 planes...

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Added on July 26, 2007, 12:37 pmaztech...for paint stripping, you can use window/glass cleaning liquid or use Easy Off Bang universal degreaser. But it will only work on acrylics.


This post has been edited by direwolf: Jul 26 2007, 12:37 PM

Probably there is a lack of ammonia. Easy off Bang not expensive la....

BTW some pointers

1. old paints took longer to strip...sometimes not at all!
2. Those window cleaners only work on acrylics.

Those are in 1/72 scale la....relatively cheap though.