MY 20 YEAR OLD, UNFINISHED 21+ KIT, 1/35 TAMIYA & ITALERI; AFRIKA KORPS COLLECTION.

MY 20 YEAR OLD, UNFINISHED 21 KIT, 1/35 TAMIYA & ITALERI; AFRIKA KORPS COLLECTION. The bulk of this collection was assembled when i was made redundant aged 27 after 11 years working ffor the same company, i suppose this could be called my first midlife crisis. Whilst applying for jobs and trying to sort mt head out i bought a load of model kits to build, some that were complete untouched that i never got around to were sold a few years later on ebay, the rest have been sitting in a box waiting to be rediscovered until now. What shall i do with them, can they be saved or should they be used as battlefield wrecks?

[@BrianSanders-tn7pi]

Hi Andy. I would not call any of that stuff as junk. There is some perfectly salvageable vehicles there. You also have enough stowage to make some teally interesting models. Never give up on your old models. It will also save you some money re-doing those kits. Don,t junk them rebuild them , you are good enough now so give it a go. Good luck bud.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hi Brian, oh yes some of it is very salvageable, i might try stripping the paint on some of it, plenty of stowage though i think some of it will need a lot of TLC, plenty of material for weathering, battle damage and camo painting practice. only the really old figures the two kubel's, the Opel blitz and the Russian truck look a bit too far gone for re use, the rest i am sure i will do something with or find a use for at some point.

[@paulofreire7520]

That’s a great 20 year old collection, my man. Give them some tlc, rebuild them and repaint them. The end result, from personal experience, it’s incredibly gratifying. 👍🏻

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @paulofreire7520 and thanks for watching. i think my intention is to try and re-do most of them, though i may just use some of them for practice purposes ie battle damage, weathering and camo painting. i have a small mountain of kits to build so some of these may make a re-appearance on my channel at some point in the future.

[@nigelconnor6960]

Being to harsh on yourself, and your modeling/models, wish mine were like that, good thing about old models is they've got nostalgia, and personal memories attached to them - good times, bad times, good models, bad models! Thanks for that video, trip down memory lane. 👍.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @nigelconnor6960 and thanks for watching. you are correct about the link to memories like i said in the vid they were built when i was made redundant and was at a crossroads, it was also the same time my Granddad died, he was 8th Army so possibly another link, not sure, though i guess they were kept for 20 years as i always knew i might get into this modelling malarkey again at some point. A few other viewers have noted my apparent "self flagellation" LOL and i am pretty self analytical when i show my current builds, this is probably a self conscious reaction to the fact that most Kit building KZbinrs and viewers of my channel are at a whole different level to myself and produce near works of art that take weeks to produce; on the other hand there are many kit builders who are more than happy to bash one of these things out over a weekend. My channel is based on my Journey into the modelling world, i have roughly 400 kits in my current stash, so its fair to say that i will be here for a while and one day i may just produce something that is brilliant, though to be honest i am just looking forward to changing the channel name at some point from "novice" to "mediocre" expect champagne drinking on that day LOL. Be seeing you andy.

[@nigelconnor6960]

@@TheNoviceModeller Jeepers, 400 kits, man, I've got 70 aircraft, had some 10 + years, some from model exhibitions, and real gems like Airfix Feistler Storch in plastic bag packaging from 1960's, and other rare aircraft from East European countries and the like, don't know whether to build, or more 'historic value' left unbuilt in packaging. Great hobby, please keep videos coming!

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Yes well lets just say the excuse i use for my rather excessive kit accumulation over the past 6 months is that "i have a KZbin channel to maintain" LOL it works most of the time, except for when i am looking in the mirror whilst shaving..........then i draw blood and think WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?!

[@waynegray1263]

Interesting collection. I still have a lot of my armor I built in the ,1960's 1970's while I was in the Army and a few went I was in high school.. been building still, mostly armor. Running out of room in my man cave. Getting on in years now , not sure what is going to happen to all the collection when I'm gone.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @waynegray1263 and thanks for watching. So you have been building kits regularly since the 60's? i must admit i'd be interested to know how many? I suppose your problem is one that affects many kit builders, i must admit i am struggling with my own 6 month old collection already, which numbers 3-400 un-built kits, i try to justify this excessive expenditure as i have this KZbin channel, but it is already becoming problematic, as if i built a kit a week it would take 8 years to get through them all. As for storage/display i have no plan for that as yet. Over the past few months i have been thinking about offering viewers the opportunity to show their builds/collections on here, don't know how yet, as its an idea that pops in and out of my head. If you'd be interested in showing your collection perhaps it would be the impetus for me to get this segment rolling. regards andy be seeing you.

[@PanzermansBunker]

Interesting nostalgic review of old builds. Cool idea to reuse a few. Very cool Panther.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

I will either try to re-use them or use them as practice kits, weathering, battlefield damage, camo scemes all things i need to learn, why risk a new kit when i have an old one to learn on. I do like the Panther, kit reviews the next 3 days, they range in price from £15 t0 £30 to £40 i was interested to find out why, doing a kit comparison vid on the 4th day.

[@Jimmythefish577]

It’s great you’ve kept your old kits from back in the day, I’d be happy to say I’d built any of those. Here’s the thing, any military vehicle being used in combat will inevitably end up with pieces missing, they don’t stay ‘factory fresh’ very long given the rigours of operations, so the odd missing part makes it more authentic in my opinion. As for the paint issues, just add some weathering to hide the spots you don’t like, you’ve got the makings of a great Africa Korps repair depot diorama there I think.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @Jimmythefish577 and thanks for watching. They have been boxed in my ma's attic for years. Some of them aren't that bad and with a bit of TLC, possibly a bit of paint stripping they might be useable. Certainly good for practicing weathering or camo patterns, battlefield wrecks, the repair depot idea is a good one. TBH i have most of these boxed new in my kit stash/mountain so who knows.

[@Badger1115]

With a little time and patience, you can revive those kits and recall some good memories. For me, I have 200+ 1/700 scale ship kits in various stages of building, waiting for my retirement.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @Badger1115 and thanks for watching. The general plan is to try to refresh some of them, use some for weathering, battle damage experimentation etc, the trucks look pretty dodgy so road side wrecks with bomb/fire damage i am thinking. WOW you have a real 1/700 fleet. i have just built my first warship in 30 odd years a Matchbox 1/700 U.S.S Indianapolis, will be 3 vids up over the next couple of days.

[@jamesrice6096]

Very cool. Digging out old models and getting interested in them again may have kept my first wife from being in a hole in the backyard. Lol That was long ago too.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @jamesrice6096 and thanks for watching. LOL after wasting 8 years of my life with my ex, i have decided to buy 400 model kits and spend the next 8 years doing my own thing LOL.

[@grahamleach9440]

I’d be very proud of those models if I were you! The paint jobs are great for a brush and no thinner! Better than any of my efforts up to now!!!

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @grahamleach9440 and thanks for watching. Thanks for thinking these are pretty good, I think its a case of having the right tools for the job, at the time i didn't now i do ......kind of LOL, plus i am very self analytical to the point of self flagellation on occasions. I also have to be a bit careful as my small channel is unintentionally pitting itself against, well kit builders who lets face it often produce near works of art. In general i am having a blast rediscovering this model making malarkey and engaging in the lunacy of KZbin and often refer to myself as a "muppet who makes models badly" i like to think and hope that my channel promotes the fun of model making whilst not taking the art or myself too seriously. Plenty more models to build, hope to speak again soon, regards andy

[@deanburn3400]

Hi Andy nice video. Lots of excellent stuff there. It's not rubbish. I repeat not rubbish. You could build an excellent diorama with all the other collective Afrika Cor models. Lots of battle damage older stuff can be used. As a suggestion maybe call it the Battle after the Kasserin Pass. When the American army broke through under George Patton. Or maybe a vision of the attack on Tobruk and Rommel is reviewing his immediate forces again. Checking fuel, army resources with officers and men. Or a co ordination on a plan B. Something like that would stand out very well. Just ideas on the winds of time and sand. Thanks again Dean.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hi Dean oh yes there is some half decent stuff in there that with a bit of TLC might come up pretty good, have been thinking about using some of them for camo or weathering practice. Imay try stripping the paint off one of them to see what happens. Some of the kigures are unpainted or easily strippable so can be used somewhere, again even if only for practice. I ams ure i will find some use for them, lucky i kept/forgot about them all these years.

[@innercynic2784]

That's quite a haul and I commend you for even doing as much as you did. Good job.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @innercynic2784 and thanks for watching. i intend to have ago at refreshing some of them and will use some for practice purposes. I have a bit of an issue with my bank manager and my therapist at the moment, you see i keep on buying models kits, they really domt aprove and think i am nuts LOL If you found this interesting and like "haul videos" probs suggest you check this out. studio.kzbin.infoPLq7NxxVyTV6BA6YmZ164tnVXg6FKr83Cd/videos

[@michaelnaven213]

I like your work. All your issues are fixable and if you wish made to shine. Rebuild, repaint, weather,add some washes and filters, have fun with them. Try doing a different technique on them. 👍

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @michaelnaven213 and thanks for watching, yes i think most are salvageable, i may try stripping the paint off one to see what happens, some i have new in my stash, others i may use for practice weathering, battle damage, camo painting etc, rather than risking a new kit. Sure i'll find a use for them eventually LOL.

[@marksaenz6309]

Very nice, as other commenters said, just some touch up. This is inspiring me to go and complete a Monogram B-17 I bought in 1993 that I never finished . like you, it followed me around, sat in storage for a few years, and is now sitting in my garage.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @marksaenz6309 and thanks for watching. Get down to that garage and get that B-17 flying.

[@Nick-zp3ub]

I recently refurbished the Panzer IV and Marder I built when I was 16. Although the IV's panzergrau paintjob wasn't too bad as I used a spray can, the Marder's brush painted camo had to be sandblasted off and repainted. One of the original wheels was gone, so I replaced with a spare wheel from a Tiger I recently finished. The new hatches were made from plastikard and stretched pieces of sprue. The rubber tracks on both tanks were too deteriorated to use, so I replaced them with Fruil metal tracks.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @Nick-zp3ub and thanks for watching. Sounds like you had fun rebuilding your old kits, i think i will have a go at re-doing some of these, not exactly sure when, what or how, but i am sure i'll stick a vid up when i do.

[@Nick-zp3ub]

Go for it. I would love to see the transformation

[@paultanker5606]

G'day to you Andy! Just a wee bit of TLC Mate that's all they need, they still look good,I am sure in time they will be A1! Perth West Aust.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @paultanker5606 and thanks for watching, I will be freshening some of them up, might try paint stripping one, the trucks will probs be roadside wrecks, may use one or two for weathering practice as i haven't tried that yet. Be seeing you cobber.

[@Kitsnbits]

A nice blast from the past,Mr andy,at least you have a very good speares box out of them.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Oh yes plenty of spares and plenty of practice material for trying new things, some might be salvageable and can be re-born with a bit of TLC. Have been watching some of your vids recently you do have some nice kits to be getting on with.

[@Kitsnbits]

@TheNoviceModeller yes carnt beat a good spares box,alway handy yes I have enough kits to last me,for awhile.

[@grahamleach9440]

Hi Andy,your attitude towards the hobby seems very much like mine. I’m very self critical and remember every flaw in every model I make even though other people don’t seem to spot them. I am improving and as you say it should be fun and a challenge to get the most satisfaction and a sense of achievement. Will certainly keep following your journey! Graham.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hi Graham, i think it's good to be able to identify your mistakes, on occasion i leave them instead of trying to hide them hoping to use them as an aid the next time i build/paint. Like you seem to say this is a hobby and is supposed to be fun, challenging, stress relieving or escapism, whatever? Hope you continue to improve your skills, there are normally a few knowledgeable builders trying to push me in the right direction in the comments section, you may pick up a trick or two off them. Be seeing you

[@matthewrinehart2367]

Great way to keep your mind active while job hunting. Maybe you could work on creating dioramas for your vehicles.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @matthewrinehart2367 and thanks for watching. LOL diorama's i have multiple ideas, though no experience as yet and am still trying to work my way through the basics, not had a go at weathering yet so yes will be doing them eventually.

[@jasemac5391]

These are all simple tidy ups to have them back in the game 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @jasemac5391and thanks for watching, yes i think i will try to sort most of them out, as i haven't built a 1/35 since these were done 20 years ago they will make interesting practice kits for painting etc, TBH they nearly ended up in the bin on several occasions so am glad i kept them.

[@jasemac5391]

@@TheNoviceModeller oh wow I have done that in the past Brother :/ threw out a heap of older kits and then kicked myself years later as I could not find them again when I started getting back into modeling and buying kits 👍🏻🇦🇺 I would love to see them again once you touch them back up a bit ;)

[@TheNoviceModeller]

I have a few of them new in box but the Stug 3, Wespe and Panzer 4 long 75mm look like pretty easy fixes. As i haven't airbrushed a 1/35 yet and i think i will have a go at them in the next month or so.

[@donstevenson2660]

Always nice to rehab some old projects, maybe throw together a convoy or retreat diorama.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @donstevenson2660 and thanks for watching. I reckon i will have a go at doing something with most of them even if just for practicing some knowledge gaps on.

[@claytonmcclain182]

Some fresh paint, and you save a butt load of money on some kits. I'll be looking for the update. 👍 God bless.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @claytonmcclain182 and thanks for watching. I reckon i will be having a go at re-freshing the Wespe, Stug 3 And Panzer 4, a few of the others i have a "new in box". BTW "butt load" i have never heard that, in the UK our version would be "shed load" as shed's are always full of stuff, i do enjoy learning new terms from my international viewers in the comment box. Be seeing you. andy.

[@manningjackson2723]

I’m thinking a massive convoy diorama, “the advance to Kasserine Pass” 👍 geez you must have been unemployed for ages you lazy pommie caaanht! 😁 what a massive collection! A bit of weathering and on the models and they would make a fantastic diorama! Keep up the great work mate 🇦🇺👍🍺👍🇦🇺

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @manningjackson2723 and thanks for watching, LOL you Aussies and your sense of humour. I think i was off for a month, the collection was actually bigger by perhaps 10 to 15 unstarted kits though they were sold on Ebay a year or so after i was forced back into employment LOL. Diorama's and convoys yes hmmmmmm lets just say i have a rather large kit stash to work through, i am actually hoping to construct a small hut out of kit boxes that will shield me from the rather unpleasant weather we pommies are forced to endure. I

[@manningjackson2723]

Thanks mate and look forward to what ideas you come up with for the dioramas! 👍🇦🇺👍

[@jeremyalam480]

A maintenance and repair depot diorama comes to mind with these. Damaged equipment with pieces missing can be depicted as stuff being cannibalized for spare parts. Definitely, everything is ripe for weathering practice--rust, battle damage and normal wear and tear can all be simulated. Mini Art and Master Box make German repair crew figures, so get hold of a couple of these if you want to go this way. Also a good opportunity for you to try your hand at a diorama base-and figure painting. Have a go!

[@TheNoviceModeller]

LOL Jeremy you are almost clairvoyant, remember My AFV Rommels Dorchester and my thoughts on replicating the box art? i actually wanted this to be part of a larger diorama based in a ................ sort of temporarily static mobile repair depot. to include Miniart 35331, 35589, 35366, Italeri 419, Tamiya 35180, AFV 35279, IBG 35006 which i have in my kit mountain and all the other accompanying associated chaos, alas i do not have a warehouse sized space, the time or the money to build this. So doing some of this on a smaller scale is something that hopefully will happen at some point.

[@Leviwalker617]

Also i think you should make 1 massive afrika corp diorama with all thd figures, it will probably take a long time but the end result will be worth it

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @Leviwalker617 and thanks for watching. i would indeed love to make a massive Afrika korps/8th Army diorama, the desire to do this is the driving force behind my return to modelling. i posted this kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGawnIp9d7ilaNk a couple of months ago and this is a scaled down version of what i want to eventually do, alas space is always an issue

[@Leviwalker617]

@TheNoviceModeller yes a lovely build he has, great builds still what paint did you use for them?

[@manningjackson2723]

Geez you must have been unemployed for bloody ages mate! What a massive Africa Corp collection! 😁 bloody lazy pomms! 😁 a bit of weathering on the models and you’re ready to go for a great diorama ! Keep up the great work mate!! 🍺🇦🇺🍺👍and cheers , beers and no bloody queers from Darwin in the Top End 🇦🇺👍🇦🇺

[@rogerswope9881]

The prices for re acquiring many of those kits has become really expensive. This lead me to keep most of my kits so I’ll have them after retirement.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @rogerswope9881 and thanks for watching. A good plan, probably what lead me to keep these for so long, i suppose i always thought i may have another crack at this modelling malarkey at some point. I will no doubt have another crack at some of them though others i may just use for practicing new skills on.

[@miceric59]

Still an impressive collection mate well done

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @miceric59 and thanks for watching. it has nearly gone in the bin on several occasions, i guess i always thought i would return to this modelling malarkey at some point LOL.

[@ewmhop]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN,I GOT KITS TWICE AS OLD AS YOUR THAT NEED WORK.TIME IS ALL MODELERS ENEMY.YOU COULD ALWAYS DO A AFRIKA KORPS REPAIR DEPOT DIORAMA.JUST HAVE FUN BUILDING AND MODEL ON GLUE TROOPER. TAKE CARE

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Thanks @ewmhop, i think some of it is salvageable, bit of stripper here, bit of glue there, repair depot possibly, battlefield damaged, probably good for camo experimentation and weathering experimentation.

[@ewmhop]

THAT WHAT MODELS ARE FOR ,FUN AND WAYS TO RELAX FROM TODAY STUPIDITY.I GLAD YOUR CHANNEL IS GROWING.MODEL ON@@TheNoviceModeller

[@c123bthunderpig]

Hey Andy, great nostalgic look at the old kits, I'd say they look pretty damn good and with all those extras you could build one hell of diorama. Little touch up with the spray gun and some dry brushing on the figures after all they were in the desert, and you're set to go. The only thing you didn't have when you built these which you do now, is " libation" - lager, cider beers Sake, - that can make a big difference in today's modeling world. I found an old 54mm figure of Patton I painted decades ago and I actually painted his field ribbons on his jacket - I couldn't do that now :-) Looking through the old stash is a fun time trip for sure. Have your mates at work found your channel yet ? Cheers Bob

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hi Bob, some of it i will probably give some TLC to, might try stripping one to see what happens, possibility of some battlefield wrecks, plenty of options for practicing weathering, camo schemes, battlefield damage etc. good job i kept them all this time i guess. Your Patton figure with ribbons sounds impressive! Nope no one has found my alter ego yet, am just putting the finishing touches the decals to the MUFC Spit, my first varnish kit. Will post the vid for it shortly.

[@brealistic3542]

Very Cool !😉

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @brealistic3542 and thanks for watching, hopefully i can improve them at some point.

[@philjones6054]

Great upload. Really enjoyed that! ✌️

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Thanks Phil i rather enjoyed filming it, some junk some salvageable, some good for practice. Lucky i kept it, always kind of knew i'd give this modelling malarkey another go.

[@russellmay7347]

Mega model collection you are lucky to have been able to set it up ! my own 1/35 scale collection is expanding rapidly LOL. it was the pandemic shutdown and ending a job that I had hated for years before I really got INTO large scale modelling!! mainly having been a 20mm "wogeller" including the soldier figs. worked away from home fr yrs but had a large stash of "EYE CANDY" models that I only was able to do modelling justice to at time said!! NOW I'm forming those dream military formations : an IRANIAN ARMRD / MDRN BR.ARMY CHALLY SQN / AN ISRAELI UGDA and other IDF AND MDRN FMNS NATO etc along with spt softskin vehicles ,troops etc etc !! you have received some great positive comments from you tubers and I can only add my own ! WELL what's not to like about D.A.K. and NORD AFRIKA themed modelling ...an ELITE OF ELITES ! my own DAK FMNS have a way to go including 3 of the REVELL GREIF 1/2 TRKS (not easily sourced today ) that I and an erstwhile modelling buddy bought as a shop discount over 10 or more yrs ago ,indeed lol.yeah! it's meant to be an enjoyable hobby and it's good for mental welfare. VETERANS GRPS have realised this and as most ot us worked on these AFVs etc or OPS and tac exercises it's a nostalgia thing to better times. good luck for future and guys like yourself do wonders for the everyday modelling guys CHEERS!

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @russellmay7347 and thanks for watching. Well it's a collection of 20 year old relics from when i thought paint thinners was for cleaning brushes, i think i am going to try and improve some of them so hopefully they can be used at some point. i built them like i said in the vid when i was made redundant, it was also shortly after my Granddad died, he was 8th Army, Palestine pre war, Tobruk siege 41. i am not sure how exactly that relates to an Afrika Korps collection, i can only assume that back in the day, there was more Tamiya German equipment than British available in the local model shop and lets face it the German gear is a bit cooler than the British; interestingly i actually had a Revell Greif, though it and about 10 to 15 other kits were sold on Ebay when i was forced back into work. Like yourself with your "eye candy" collection i have amassed a rather huge and ridiculous collection these past 6 months, recently managed to get 2 LRDG command cars and probs my favourite of all a 1974, 1/24 Monogram, Rommel's Rod by Tom Daniel, though obviously i still need to get my hands on the SDKFZ Griffin. My bank manager and my therapist are horrified by this excess, but it makes perfect sense to me LOL. Yes i have received some very positive comments of which yours is one of the nicest, the channel has been monetized and has now passed the 1300 subscriber mark, which to be honest is all kind of baffling, since i often describe myself as a "muppet who makes models badly", when i started in February i was hashing Spitfires together in 15 to 20 mins. Hopefully in a year or so i will be able to change the channels name from Novice to Mediocre, i think i'll be pretty happy when i reach that level of improvement LOL. Anyway thanks for your kind words and interest, hope to chat some time in the future, good luck with all your interesting formations Be seeing you. andy.

[@russellmay7347]

Ok great ANDY thanks for prompt reply ! IVE always thought that the ordinary guys such as we ...are a credit to the modelling fraternity TBT. THERE are a no. of blogs and modelling websites that are less than user friendly and way too many that consider themselves AN ELITE. the veterans like myself DO NOT consider ourselves an ELITE ..but we have worked on and no only to intimately the AFVs etc. It being prohibitive by cost to own that CHIEFTAIN or centurion or more likely a land rover we can only resort to a model collection of those AFVS ETC. Many veterans struggle to make a good job of a kit and are of limited modelling skill !? BUT could tell (and do so) many a tale of OPS (operations) on various AFVs. My own case initial with SARACENS then Spartan APCS then HUMVEE : CHINOOKS PUMA WESSEX Helis etc land rovers later RECCE L/ RVRS MORE RECENTLY I've been very lucky to have been "involved and invited" to work with some great para reenactors riding in AIRBORNE JEEPS ! REFERENCE to your grandfather WELL a rare breed generation with much respect does not really tell their story !! MY OWN GRANDFATHER was ww1 vet 36 ULSTER DIVN YPRES AND SOMME whose post war life wasn't good and he ended up with an alcohol health issue !! WE think he may have been 16 yrs old at the SOMME??!!! I've been making models since boyhood ,and kept making them during HM FORCES service 2 Regular regts and 1 TA I'm 64 yrs and I plan on a lot more years of it! THE COST of models is excessive today I was recently in employed for a spell but got back into WARGAMING with an old M8 another ex soldier ! BUT DURHAM WARGAMERS want £100 fr a yearly group fee?????!!!!! not this side of 2024 lol. Cheers ANDY

[@TheNoviceModeller]

No probs always happy to do a bit of chin-wagging. I have not visited any forums or modelling websites, or investigated any model clubs even though one or two viewers have encouraged me to do so. Though i do kind of hear what you are saying, though have not really encountered anyone too elitist on here. Though what i will say about many of the modelling channels on youtube is that most produce kits that are of near work of art quality, and i found this actually rather intimidating, i know that is not their intention, its just how i felt; whether i set this channel up as some sort of challenge to the status quo, i am not really sure, i just thought it would be fun to see what happened; then i fell down the rabbit hole so to speak. LOL you are correct about the limited possibilities of owning Chieftain or Centurion, where would i park it LOL. i have chatted with a few U.S vets on here, like yourself they seemed to build kits when they were in the military. Unfortunately its an all to common story about your Grandfather , the age of the soldiers, conditions and lack of any support after the end of WW1,i know my Great Grandfather was a WW1 vet, who apparently drank himself into an early grave, though that is about all i know. I have some fantastic plastic to stick together tomorrow so i'll be off. My first 1/700 warship in ermmmmm 30 odd years, gotta be up early.

[@stevesmodelbuilds5473]

🤣 I had a ton of my stuff -- built and unbuilt -- in cartons for years. Wish I'd kept a couple. Luckily, many of the same kits are still available -- which means we get to buy and build 'em again... 😂

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hi Steve, I think a lot of it is salvageable, bit of stripping and TLC, some of it i will probs use for practicing new things like weathering, battle damage and camo schemes, some of it i have boxed new so i can like you say "build em again"

[@stevesmodelbuilds5473]

@@TheNoviceModeller Yes, I've heard them referred to as practice paint mules... 😎

[@TheNoviceModeller]

I have 12 Spitfires i refer to as my "Dirty Dozen" for practicing new things on, that was the theory anyhoo LOL.

[@Leviwalker617]

Hi andy i heard you brush painted some of the models, what paint did you use?

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @Leviwalker617 and thanks for watching. the paint wouldve been Tamiya /Acrylic Desert Yellow xf59, LOL i actually meant to open one of them up on screen but forgot, the xf59 after 20 years is very sludgy though with a bit of thinning possibly still useable i think.

[@Leviwalker617]

@@TheNoviceModeller thanks👍

[@Seamus1966]

In My childhood, I had a huge collection of Army figurine's. All from the 70s. My cousin bought all my toys when i moved to Cambridge with my Dad. Lost every toy. I'm absolutely devastated..

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @Seamus1966 and thanks for watching. i had about 30 1/72 kits that i sold to a school chum for a £10 WHSMITH voucher and £5 in real money when i was about 15. My original intention was to rebuild those "lost" kits on here, but i have fallen down the stash building rabbit hole and have somehow managed to acquire 300+ kits for "youtubing purposes" LOL and i still dont have all the original "aged 15 kits"

[@Seamus1966]

@@TheNoviceModeller Good hunting Sir..

[@tonyrobinson362]

I tend to think they are all salvageable some of mine are in loft over 30 yrs built and painted? Good one.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @tonyrobinson362 and thanks for watching. i tend to agree that most of it is potentially salvageable with a bit of TLC even if i only use some of them for practice purposes ie battle damage, weathering, testing camo schemes etc, no doubt one or two of them will pop up in the future having been altered or improved in some way.

[@twatson4887]

Nice bide. My father recently passed away and going through the house I found my old 1/35 kits that are RC namely a KV1 Type C, a Panther (both wired for RC) and a Hanomag. whether they are functional who knows :)

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @twatson4887 and thanks for watching. I think the best thing to do would be to check the wiring and try get them going. Sorry for your loss by the way.

[@twatson4887]

@@TheNoviceModeller Thank you, I plan to do that, After 40 years off modelling I got back into it - just moved up to 1/16th RC stuff and enjoying it!

[@IanPotts-lv6os]

I had these back in the day but unfortunately they got sold nice memories though

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @IanPotts-lv6os and thanks for watching. LOL, these very nearly ended up in the bin on several occasions, i guess i just knew that some day i would have another go at this modelling malarkey and i might just find a use for them.

[@eddyjohan8650]

that is buried treasure guys. For avid scale modellers, collectors, lightbulbs are flashing in their heads right now. So many ideas flooding in.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @eddyjohan8650 and thanks for watching. TBH this nearly ended up in the bin on multiple occasions i guess i saved it as always thought that one day i might just get back in to this modelling malarkey.

[@berniescheid5286]

The Nebelwerfer. It werfs Nebeles! Haha 😂🇨🇦

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @berniescheid5286 and thanks for watching. LOL please come again, amusing comments always appreciated.

[@warrenchambers4819]

My question is what was your plan in making all those vehicles? A big diorama maybe?

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @warrenchambers4819 and thanks for watching. thats an interesting question to which i have no answer LOL. Since starting my journey with this modelling malarkey and youtube lunacy 6 months ago i have managed to acquire 3-400 kits, if you were to ask me the same question about these i would have to offer the same answer PMSL.

[@garycousino]

The war in north Africa has always been one of my favorite reads. hate you sold those kits on ebay

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @user-so1mv9po2f and thanks for watching. The North African campaign is one of my favorites reads also; My Granddad died around the same time as these were built, he was 8th Army, Tobruk Siege 41, when i was in school i wrote a short essay on his experiences, he gave me his medals after we had talked, said i could keep them, they are framed and hang on the landing, the essay was lost so was his memories of that time, the kits i sold they can and to a certain degree have been replaced, kinda wish i still had that essay though. On a slightly more jolly note i intend to refresh a lot of these kits and add to them in the future, i have a few diorama plans but they will most likely be a long way in the future, hope you have chance to follow my model building journey. regards andy

[@garycousino]

@@TheNoviceModeller Oh man I bet he had some stories to tell.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

TBH no, according to my mother he never really spoke about it to her or my uncle, in contrast my other Granddad was in the Merchant Navy and did a couple of the Arctic convoys to Russia, jeez he never shut up about freezing his balls off to go help the Ruskies LOL, "you're cold boy? you don't know the meaning of cold"

[@steve1315]

Yes it's certainly a kick in the teeth being made redundant after 25 years 😠😠.A nice haul of older kits ,looking forward to the Panther videos . Any reason why the desert campaign is of interest to you?

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hi Steve LOL was only 11 years, i was 27 at the time, had worked there since i was at school, was a retail job so nothing too fancy, though i was mid management so was a shame, the company went bankrupt so was just one of those things. My Granddad was 8th Army, served in Palestine pre war and was in that neck of the woods until 46 i think. He actually died just before i was made redundant so that may have had something to do with it, though this is all Afrika Korps not Desert Rats so its a bit of a topsy turvey reason, though at the time the choice was pretty much Tamiya or Tamiya as far as the local model shop was concerned and even now options for German kits far outweighs that of British kits, plus lets face it the German stuff just looks cooler. The Panther vids will be up one per day for 3 days, followed by a comparison vid on the 4th.

[@steve1315]

@@TheNoviceModeller A good reason for Tamiya DAK 👍👍. Was just Airfix or Tamiya in the 70s 😂😂like you say not much Allied stuff out there. Hat 🎩🎩off to your Grandfather for his service .Was emphasizing with you I got redundant after 25 years 😭😭.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Cheers i have his medals framed hanging up on the landing. Ah sorry i misunderstood, jeez 25 years and made redundant, it is a shame but happens, I went on to work in the motor industry and was dumped again about 5 years later, ended up going to Uni at 33, so sometimes disappointment has its benefits LOL.

[@michaelnaven213]

I see in your future a diorama.😁

[@TheNoviceModeller]

I have many cunning plans..................just lacking in erm space.

[@aronthompson9878]

You can make a nice diorama with all that

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @aronthompson9878 and thanks for watching. I think at some point i will have a go at refreshing some of these and yes perhaps i will have a go at a diorama using some of them. Though as i have plenty new kits to build some of them may be used for practicing things i need to learn like weathering, battle damage etc, sure i will find use for them.

[@aronthompson9878]

@@TheNoviceModeller Nice to see the old model's definitely bringing back some old memories seeing them

[@davidmc1489]

Im 55 and can find some Sherman's i built when i was 15😊

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @davidmc1489 and thanks for watching, i am not too far behind you, i had a large 1/72 airgroup that i sold to a mate when i was about 15, for i think it was £5 real money and a £10 WHSMITH gift voucher. DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@StephenBaird-cp1fc]

You can get individual link tracks from Tamiya for those panther kits

[@TheNoviceModeller]

hello there @StephenBaird-cp1fc and thanks for watching. LOL as a novice i am not really at the stage of investing in add on after market parts just yet, i am currently building the 35065 though will be leaving the other two better Panthers till a later date. The 35065 will be the first 1/35 kit i have built in 20 years, TBh i have a few Miniart and other kits with the individual track links and they currently terrify me, so for the future perhaps but not right now LOL.

[@nickturner7812]

Nothing wrong with hand painting. I have hand painted over an airbrushed tank as the finish was much too smooth. Tanks are a bit rough!

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @nickturner7812 and thanks for watching. Nope nothing wrong with hand painting, i actually find it quite calming and stress relieving, thrse were rush jobs and i know i can do better now either by brush or airbrush.

[@jaymorris3468]

Sounds a bit of Merseyside, Wirral, Lancs there, prob got a motorcycle too, ( like myself of course, im projecting), Subbed, 👍

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @jaymorris3468 and thanks for watching. My accent? I have lived in North Wales most of my life, just over the border from Chester, yes we do have a bit of a Merseyside/Wirral twang, also lived in Cardiff (4yrs) and Manchester (4yrs). No motorbike, 4 bicycles and about 400 model kits.

[@jaymorris3468]

@@TheNoviceModeller ha ha, well I was quite close, I worked in Chester for yrs and my friends where from Flint, Bangor the Wirral and Broughton, that's prob why I recognised that accent and put it together that way, I have way less kits, but getting into TANKS for some reason, 1:35. Happy Modelling and Cycling.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Ah i see, chester is a decent place to live and work. i find that i am picking up a lot of new expressions off international viewers commenting on here, i picked up "butt load" today which i quite like. LOL i can rationalize the bicycles quite easily; the kits however, no matter what excuse i use, i find that i get scolded for by my therapist and bank manager, they just don't seem to understand LOL.

[@jaymorris3468]

@@TheNoviceModeller I get it, with hobbies my Mrs went mad cos I have too many so she said I had to reduce them and make a decision cos it was her or the hobbies, So I was forced to do the right thing, I've not seen her now for over 20yrs, 😂

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Probably the right course of action, i split up with my last girlfriend 2 years ago because "we didn't have anything in common" despite all the things we actually had in common; i have just checked my channel analytics, apparently my female viewership is 2.2% so i reckon i'm pretty safe from their lunacy for a while.

[@OFFCODEV2]

Did you purposely write your name like that ? Cuz it looks just like the Toy Story Font

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @OFFCODEV2 and thanks for watching, LOL Toy Story the honest answer is no but after i uploaded the vid i did think "dammit i should have reversed the N" like in Toy Story.

[@Zillagod100]

Has a mouse been eating the corner of the box?

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @Zillagod100 and thanks for watching. LOL if that is the case i will have to sack the cat.

[@martryan2060]

Big question can you fit in the same jeans size 😂😂😂 The kits haven't aged but we have Shame you didn't do a french aircraft month for the Olympics Lots of hellier kits

[@TheNoviceModeller]

LOL a terrifying question, the answer would certainly be no, too much pizza and beer over the past 20 years. HMMMMM i have a few French aircraft, that couldve been a good idea, unfortunately i have two kits lined up to build during Olympic time that are time sensitive, so i will have to press on with original plan.

[@harveytadman]

Give it to someone who will love it if you don't.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @harveytadman and thanks for watching. Most of these have possibilities for refreshing and completing, some for practicing new techniques like washes & weathering etc the trucks may find a use as roadside wrecks, i may try some paint stripping on the very old kubelwagens and figures and see what happens, TBH having kept them for 20 years it seems likely that i always unconsciously thought i may return to kit building at some point. I will probs do an update at some point over the next year when i decide what to do with them all.

[@harveytadman]

@@TheNoviceModeller well done A experienceny. A winter project no doubt. The best models are not those showing the vehicles/ scenes in pristine condition. But rather in everyday situations after hard use by armies at war and short on resources. All the best mate, keep up the good work.

[@harveytadman]

Sorry about the automated spelling correction. It's a real pain.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Thanks @harveytadman you are definitely right vehicles with battle damage, dust and grime are far more interesting, unfortunately i am yet to have a go of weathering etc though have some of the gear, will be practicing "factory fresh" for a while yet, until my basic skills improve a bit, i reckons.

[@furryfriendification]

Only need 1 color for north afkica, have a guess ...🐪🐪🐪

[@TheNoviceModeller]

Hello there @furryfriendification and thanks for watching.................ermmmmm orange?

[@grahamprice3230]

The title was on for longer than 20 yrs..Quite a quick reader myself.

[@TheNoviceModeller]

A fair point, tactfully delivered. Was trying to introduce the hoard, add context, perhaps i'll try something different next time. I am actually quite dumbfounded that 10000 people clicked on to a vid whose thumbnail is the side of a box with my handwritten title on it, but this is KZbin and not much of it makes little sense LOL.