Shopping, references, etc. Here are a list of sites that I frequent and have found to be helpful. I am collecting them here mostly so I never forget them, but if anyone should stumble upon this site, I hope you find them as useful. I have not purchased from all of them, as several do not deliver the the United States, but I still hang on to them (kind of like a "stash").
Disclaimer here --> I am not a business and am not endorsed or compensated in ANY way for these links and nothing I say here should be viewed as a direct endorsement. (But if you are on the list and want to float me some free stuff ... call me :) )
Contents
- Shopping
Shopping
Model Kits
These shops typically carry a fairly good range of kits. Some from more genres that others. As I span Sci-Fi, Aircraft, Gundam and Warhammer stuff, there may be a fair mix in here. I'll try to call them out for what they have available.
- Airfix (Military/Civilian Aircraft, armor and vehicles)
- I really like Airfix kits. They build nice but are affordable and are less intimidating to the beginning/intermediate modeler (as I am).
- Airfix USA
- Airfix UK
- AK Interactive
- CultTVman's Hobby Shop
- All sorts of stuff Sci-Fi. Into Star Trek or Star Wars? Probably gonna find it here. Models and aftermarket details
- Eduard
- Can't be into modeling without having heard of Eduard! They seem to specialize in resin, photoetch and other aftermarket details. They do offer model kits, often packaged with various aftermarket bits.
- Fantastic Plastic
- I have not bought anything from here yet ... but it's just a matter of time. They have all the "edge case" kits. Kits that are not being mass produced but still capture the imagination. I think of them mostly when I am looking for SciFi projects. If you've ever done anything from them I would love to hear about you experience.
- Federation Models
- Specialize in resin Star Trek kits. If you're looking for something off the beat and path, this may be the place to get it! I have used them mostly to get more detailed decals for my 1:2500 Enterprise builds but they have expanded the range of 1:2500 scale ships to build!
- Hannants
- Located in the UK this retailer has tons of military kits and aftermarket items.
- HobbyTerra
- Huge selection of model kits, including figures. Mostly military, not so much SciFi
- HDA Modelworx (Sci-Fi)
- I have looked here for mostly aftermarket details but they have more. Lighting, models and masks.
- Hobbyworld USA
- Online presence for a little bit of everything chain of Hobby stores. They touch on nearly everything. Models, supplies, paints, aftermarket items like photoetch (not so much resin).
- MegaHobby
- Another one-stop shopping location. Always worth a pass through when looking for something.
- Multiverse Models
- More Sci-Fi/Star Trek models.
- ScaleHobbyist.com
- Sprue-Brothers Models
- One-stop shopping. I was particularly interested in the Quinta Studio 3D scale rivets.
- Round2
- Can't buy anything here, but it's fun to keep up with the various brands they produce. Lot's of cars but also Star Trek and Batman stuff!!
- UMM-USA
- A bit of everything. I typically visit here for aftermarket details and supplies (sanding sticks, panel line engravers, etc.)
Paints, Weathering and Paint Supplies
- Airbrushes.com
- AK Interactive
- CultureHustleUSA.com
- Saw this somewhere and they claim to have the "mirroriest mirror chrome paint". Seemed to warrant a bookmark. I may get back to them some time. If you've tried them, I would love to hear your experience.
- They are also the creators of "BLK 3.0". I have seen this used as diorama paint on the fantastic Boylei Hobby Time YouTube channel.
- Hataka
- You can't actually BUY Hataka pains from their site but it is definitely the best resource for learning what they have available.
- SprayGunner.com
- Met these guys at the Tampa Bay ComicCon this year (2022) and learned that they are local to the area. They have a showroom and the ability to try out that $200 airbrush before you buy it! Can't wait to give that a try! Only problem is that they are only open 9AM - 5PM ... oddly enough the same hours I am working! May be worth some time off though to learn more about.
- Vallejo
- Another manufacturer that you cannot purchase directly from but the best resource for learning about what they have available. Once you know what they have, you just gotta go find it.
Tools
- MicroMark
- While they offer more than tools, MicroMark is most well known for their small, hobby-sized tools.
- K&J Magnetics, Inc.
- I haven't used magnets in my builds yet but was told that this was a place to go to get the magnets I need. Soon!!
- UMM-USA
- A bit of everything. I typically visit here for aftermarket details and supplies (sanding sticks, panel line engravers, etc.)
Aftermarket Details
- CultTVman's Hobby Shop
- All sorts of stuff Sci-Fi. Into Star Trek or Star Wars? Probably gonna find it here. Models and aftermarket details.
- David J. Parkins
- I have found several aftermarket "bits and bobs" here. They may have more stuff, but it's the after market resin and photoetch that I associate them with.
- Eduard
- Can't be into modeling without having heard of Eduard! They seem to specialize in resin, photoetch and other aftermarket details. They do offer model kits, often packaged with various aftermarket bits.
- Green Strawberry
- Photoetch, Masks, vacu-formed canopies and lighting effects for Sci-Fi model builds.
- Hannants
- Located in the UK this retailer has tons of military kits and aftermarket items.
- HDA Modelworx (Sci-Fi)
- I have looked here for mostly aftermarket details but they have more. Lighting, models and masks.
- HGW Models (Military)
- Not a lot of anything but a little of everything.
- Nice resource for seatbelts!
- Lake Monster Details
- Not a deep catalog, but some interesting add-ons for your Star Trek build. Particularly with colored clear parts, if you are looking to light up an Enterprise or two.
- UMM-USA
- A bit of everything. I typically visit here for aftermarket details and supplies (sanding sticks, panel line engravers, etc.)
- Werner's Wings (Military Helicopters)
- Decals, Resin aftermarket and a couple of pilot figures.
Decals & Masks
- Caracal Models
- Fantasy Print Shop
- I have not yet shopped here but try to bookmark anywhere I can find aftermarket decals. You never know when you might need something!
- Federation Models
- Specialize in resin Star Trek kits. If you're looking for something off the beat and path, this may be the place to get it! I have used them mostly to get more detailed decals for my 1:2500 Enterprise builds but they have expanded the range of 1:2500 scale ships to build!
- G-Cals Decals
- Aftermarket decals for Star Trek.
- Lubos Vinar Decals
- I have not pulled the trigger on this one yet, but I think that he will do custom decals. With WHITE backgrounds, which makes a HUGE difference if you're decaling a darker surface. If you have any experience with this service I would LOVE to hear about it!
- Orbital Drydock
- Small selection of excellent Star Trek and Battlestar painting masks.
- Printscale (Military)
- Range of aftermarket decals, resin and photo-etch.
- JT Graphics (Star Trek)
- I really like him for his Ambassador class decals.
- Sprue-Brothers Models
- One-stop shopping.
- Quinta Studio - I was particularly interested in the Quinta Studio 3D scale rivets and rib tape.
- TwoBobs Aviation Graphics
- Aftermarket decals for scale model military aircraft. Love their stuff!
- UMM-USA
- A bit of everything. I typically visit here for aftermarket details and supplies (sanding sticks, panel line engravers, etc.)
- Werner's Wings (Military Helicopters)
- Decals, Resin aftermarket and a couple of pilot figures.
Figures
- AK Interactive
- PJ Productions
- Range of scale Pilot figures
- Werner's Wings (Military Helicopters)
- Decals, Resin aftermarket and a couple of pilot figures.
Landscaping/Dioramas
- I know I have some stuff around here somewhere ... gimme a minute.
Lighting
- Evan Design
- Lighting supplies. %mm, 3mm, chips, nanos, etc.
- Green Strawberry
- Photoetch, Masks, vacu-formed canopies and lighting effects for Sci-Fi model builds.
- HDA Modelworx (Sci-Fi)
- I have looked here for mostly aftermarket details but they have more. Lighting, models and masks.
- TenaControls
- Lighting kits and supplies for lighting Star Trek and other Sci-Fi kits.
- The Fiber Optic Store
- Exactly what you would think a store with this name would carry.
- TSDS
- Lighting kits and supplies for lighting models
- VooDoo Lighting
- More lighting kits for Sci Fi models.
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