Model making: Man working on his model ship.

Model making & RC model making for beginners

If you are looking for a leisure activity that brings peace and relaxation into your everyday life, then model making is the perfect hobby for you. Model making is a versatile hobby in which you are sure to find a niche for yourself, for example, flying your model aeroplane or driving your RC car around the countryside. In this article, we introduce you to model building and show you how you can get started in RC model building.

Model building
Tips for model making beginners
RC model making
Tips for RC modelling beginners

Model making for beginners: Is model making the right hobby for me?

In classic model making, you create a replica from many small parts, add loving details and finish your work of art with the right paint job. You create a miniature version of something that you can only dream of. When choosing the right beginner’s model, you should consider your interests. If you’re passionate about cars or other vehicles, that’s probably a good place to start. If you enjoyed playing with a model railway as a child, or if you have a desire to create your own world for your model railway, then this is a good way to go. Model kits are available for many different areas of interest, so there is something for everyone. Some popular categories are:

Vehicles (cars, vintage cars, trucks, emergency vehicles, agricultural vehicles, military vehicles, etc.)
Aircraft (historic aircraft, modern aircraft, helicopters, military aircraft, etc.)
Ships (historic ships, sailing ships, military ships, civilian ships, submarines, etc.)
Sci-fi (spaceships, space stations, rockets, etc.)
Landscapes, buildings, figures (e.g. for model railways)

Hobby model making: Which is suitable for beginners?

If you have decided on a certain category or even a certain model, there are a few things you can consider before buying that will make it easier for you to get started in the hobby of model building. These are some tips to consider when buying the right model for beginners:

As a model building beginner, you should first take a close look at the packaging or online product description. Many manufacturers indicate the level of difficulty of a model. This will help you to assess whether a model is feasible for you and to progress steadily.
Pay attention to the construction of the model: You can either use easy-click systems, where you only need to plug each component together. This makes your work easier because you usually don’t have to glue anything together. You can also opt for the classic model, where you glue the components together according to the instructions and thus build your model from scratch. The choice of models is much greater, and you have the chance to grow your skills.
In addition to the type of construction and the level of difficulty, you should also think about the scale of your model. This tip is especially helpful if you are interested in model railways. The more space you have, the larger your scale can be.

With the help of these tips, you will be able to find a model that suits your ideas and abilities in your nearest specialist shop. If you are unsure, local dealers will be happy to advise you and may even be able to give you a good tip or two.

Note Beginner kits are a good starting point for those who want to dive into the world of model building. You get the model set along with all the other accessories that make it easier for you to build the model. You can get a taste of the hobby relatively inexpensively and see if you enjoy it.

Starting model making as a hobby: Tips for beginners

The deep concentration and creativity needed when making a model allows you to switch off from the outside world. While you meticulously follow your construction plan and give your model personalised details here and there, you also train your fine motor skills and your concentration. In addition, you learn a lot about history while working on historical models and can feel proud of your achievements when you have finished.

Before you assemble your first model, study the instructions carefully and get an overview of the steps you will have to take. This will help you to avoid mistakes and to work systematically. Once you have successfully completed your first model and you have taken a liking to hobby model building, you can start thinking about acquiring certain accessories and tools. For example, you should not be without the following equipment:

Paints (either acrylics or enamel paints)
Fine brushes
Side cutters and a knife
Plastic glue
File and/or sandpaper
Rubber bands and clamps (to hold glued pieces together)
Tweezers
A clear surface to work on

With the help of this starter kit, you will be well prepared for the next sets and can constantly expand your equipment and skills. By the way, model making is not necessarily a hobby you have to pursue alone. It’s a great way to involve children and build great models together. You can also join model building clubs or groups to share your hobby with like-minded people, benefit from the experience of others and make new friends.

Model railway: A built-up model railway world with houses and streets.

RC modelling: Driving or flying remote-controlled models

RC modelling is all about movement and speed. RC stands for ‘Radio Controlled’ or ‘Remote Controlled’. This hobby is not so much about building a model with great details, but more about using the model in the field. RC cars, RC planes, and RC boats are quite popular now. One difference to model building is that you can buy RC models already assembled and ready to fly or drive. However, you need to be a bit handy here too because RC models need to be maintained and repaired regularly. If you want to build the model yourself, you have the option of following instructions or even designing it yourself. You can take the project from assembling lots of parts to testing in the field.

Check If you buy RC cars, RC boats, or RC planes as a complete set, you should always read the instruction manual carefully. You will find a lot of information about the recommended settings, preparation for driving/flight and important maintenance instructions. You can also read about the correct handling of your model’s batteries.

RC cars: Which RC car models are suitable for beginners?

With speeds of up to 100 km/h, RC cars can be quite quick on the practice track and provide pure thrills for the driver. However, it is advisable for beginners to first get to grips with controlling a vehicle choose a slower model to practice while you increase your skills. RtR model sets (“Ready to Run”) are a good choice for beginners. These complete sets contain everything you need for driving, so you can get started straight away. In addition, here is an overview of recommendations that you can also consider when buying your first RC car:

Scale/Size: Think in advance about where you want to drive your car. The most versatile models are in 1:10 scale. They are not too big and can also be driven off-road or on meadows. If you only want to drive on flat roads and asphalt, a smaller model is also an option. However, if you want to drive primarily in muddy terrain, you should choose a larger scale.

RC car: Car model is ready for its first ride.

On-road, off-road or crawler: The decision between these three categories has a decisive influence on the strengths and weaknesses of your RC car. On-road RC cars are designed for flat roads and can reach high top speeds, but will hardly make move off-road. Off-road RC models are made for off-road use. They can drive on uneven surfaces and even jump off-road. If you opt for a crawler, on the other hand, your car will travel more slowly, but it can cope with difficult terrain and even climb rocks.
Speed: As an RC model beginner, you should first choose a model that is robust and not too fast. A good guideline is 30 km/h. However, you can make sure that there are tuning options for your model when you buy it. This way, you can keep improving and adapt your model to your abilities. You should also choose an electric motor for your first car.

It is a good idea to talk to specialist dealers and get the best advice. Exchanges in RC clubs or visits to model-making fairs can also be helpful in easing your entry into the hobby. In addition, RC enthusiasts in your area can recommend good places and test tracks as well as offer support for your first ride.

RC aircraft: Which model aircraft are suitable for beginners?

Flying your own RC plane is great fun and a great hobby to enjoy out in the fresh air with family and friends. However, before you fly your plane or perform aerobatic manoeuvres, you should approach the hobby slowly and first learn how to fly. RTF (“Ready to Fly”) model sets make it easier for you to get started because they provide you with everything you need. You can also consider these tips when choosing your first RC aircraft:

Aircraft model for beginners: To learn to fly as quickly and easily as possible, beginners in model flying can rely on models that fly stably and are also reasonably weather-resistant. Electric gliders are a good place to start. Their V-shaped wings, which are attached to the top of the fuselage, make them stable in the air and easy to steer. RC planes for beginners are also often labelled Trainer or Trainee.
Size: The larger your model, the more resistant and insensitive to wind it is. However, larger models are more expensive than smaller ones. Beginners will find the perfect mix in models with a 1400 mm wingspan.
Material: Foam (Elapor or EPP) is a good material for beginners. They are light and stable and can be repaired easily with superglue (even by beginners).

If you are unsure which RC aircraft suits you, you can get advice from a specialist shop or seek help from a model flying club. There you are sure to find a mentor who will accompany you on your first flights and give you helpful tips along the way.

RC aeroplane: Beginner model aeroplane made of foam.

Attention Before you start your first flight attempts, you should first clarify some formalities: In some cases, it is necessary to extend your liability insurance to cover you in the event of an accident. You also need a permit to fly your model aircraft. Your local model flying club can also help you find a suitable place for your first flight. You can read more about the legal regulations in the EU Drone Regulation from 01.01.2021.

Conclusion

Model making or RC model making is a great hobby that can provide you with a welcome break from your everyday working life. The precision work or the action-packed testing of the model in the RC area is a lot of fun and increases your dexterity and your technical understanding. In addition, model building, or RC model building is a great hobby that you can share with children. The lovingly made models or driving/ flying can also be great leisure activities for children and bring the family even closer together.