I have been doing tons of research of building models and have been buliding model airplanes for a few years now, but I want to move more into the military vehicles. I am in Toronto and am wondering where a good place to buy the kits would be and any advice on what model would be the best to start with.

I would go to the Tamiya website and look through the kits and pick a subject you're interested in. Next, go visit EBay or Garfield for a few kits. Lastly, post some pics and ask questions as you complete your build using this discussion forum. Exploring this site for ideas might help too.
humbly,
GREG

Hi Julie, welcome to the forum, if you are looking for some inspiration, and a vein of golden advice, you have already arrived at the right place!

If you have been modelling aircraft, than an awful lot of what you have learnt will be immediately transferable. Assembling plastic kits has a bunch of basic skills which apply whatever the subject. Trying to work cleanly, so all the evidence of assembly, gappy joints, mould marks and flash, gluey finger prints, that sort of stuff are invisible. Most modern kits, Tamiya, Skybow etc will fall together such is their engineering, so you can make a really neat-looking model straight from the box. Finishing on tanks can be a challange, making sure the model has enough 'depth' and 'heft' to look like 40 tons of steel rather than an ounce of plastic, and of course the 'weathering' that can be applied can make or break a model. Have a look at the gallery, there are loads of examples of excellent modelling, and ask questions right here if you want to know more.

Figures, finer detailing parts in resin, photo etched metal and of course diorama bases are other aspects of the hobby that have their own skill sets, but again, inspiration here plus a 'have a go and learn' attitude will carry you through. Looking at photos of the real thing and comparing your model with them, with a bit of contructive self-criticism, will soon have you spotting areas that work, and those that aren't so convincing, and you can progress from there.

Above all, post some pics here of your next project, and expect a torrent of helpful hints!

We look forward to seeing them; any particular era or type of machine appeal to you?

Tim

www.fighting48th.com

You're in luck as Track48 (Garfield) is in Toronto so the shipping time is minimal. Also, if you need spare parts, Borgfeldt, the distributor for Tamiya, is north of Steeles, off Woodbine just south of the 407. The service is very good.

This is an excellent place to learn bout armor modeling, and 1/48 is to me the ideal armor scale. You can add as much detail as you want, but the basic kits are relatively simple and easy to complete in a week or so, some a lot faster. Many of the larger scale kits contain several hundred pieces you have to assemble just to have a complete model. I don't know your experience level, but there is nothing in any current 1/48 plastic armor kits that would be beyond anyone with a bit of modeling experience, as Konrad has said.

Track48 is probably the premier hobby supplier for 1/48 armor modeling, with a wide variety of kits and aftermarket details and accessories, and they are in Canada. Check out the product pages to see what they have. There is also Wings 'N Treads in Minnesota; they are on the web. Squadron Mail Order carries a modest amount of kits and a few aftermarket items, and sometimes has sales. I have found Track48 and Wings 'N Treads to be reasonable with good service.

If you have any particular interests, let us know. The advantage in 1/48 is that Tamiya has kept a rough balance in their kit releases, comprising most of the major belligerents in WW2: USA, Germany, Britain, and Russia. Thus you can model opposing sides or just your favorites.

I think you'll find this site a friendly and helpful place, and I can also recommend the 1/48 discussion group at Missing Links. Many of the modelers here also post there work there, but there are some things that don't cross over. Hope you enjoy your time here in the armor modeling world.