Archives: How-To Articles
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Builder Basics: Photographing your model with forced perspective
Photographing your scale model with forced perspective. Photo tips from Pete Bave’s 1998 article in FSM
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Builder Basics: Parts prep 101
Great models are based on a consistent application of good, basic techniques easily within reach of beginners and intermediates as well. And that begins with taking time to prepare each part: removing flash (excess plastic) and mold seams, filling ejector-pin marks, smoothing rough edges, and making sure the part is clean before you attach it…
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Builder Basics: Putty in your hands
Gap fillers and how to use them. Obviously kits consist of individual parts. But the object of finishing them is to make them look like a solid object. The best way to do that is to eliminate gaps between the pieces. Sanding will take care of minor problems. However, if the parts don’t quite meet or…
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Builder Basics: 3 techniques for masking canopies
There are parts of an aircraft model where you can get away with mistakes. The canopy is never one of them. Spots of glue or squiggly framework on clear parts can spoil a model more surely than anything. But if you’ve ever loused one up, you are in excellent company. That’s why you read so…
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Builder Basics: How to build an acrylic-rod display
How to make an in-flight aircraft model look realistic with an acrylic-rod insert display.
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Enlarge your instructions
As a backup for my kit instructions, in case I misplace or ruin the originals, I make an enlarged copy and keep it with the kit.
