Does anyone know of a good web site or source for accurate reviews of available 1/72 aircraft kits? I’m new to aircraft modeling and I would like to know who makes the best kit for a particular plane before buying. It seems the best choices are H or T from Japan, but which one of these is best? A comparison between maunfacturers in the review would be very helpful.
Thanks
You can’t go wrong with either Hasegawa or Tamiya. I prefer Tamiya but just barely. Subject matter is a much larger determining factor between the two manufacturers. Since you are considering similar aircraft types I would go with Tamiya, but you should let us know which kit you are interested in. I’m sure somebody in this forum has built one or both. Both companies make well molded, flash free models with high detail and parts that fit excellently. If you grew up building Monogram and Revell models as many of us did, the difference in building one of these kits will be like the difference between night and day for you.[:D]
Very few if any kit reviews will do a detailed comparison of kits from different manufacturers. Your best bet is to post the subject you want to build and get specific advice on choices. Tamiya arguably make the best detailed and engineered kits in 1/72, but their subject range is very limited.
If you are thinking of a specific kit, you may be able to find reviews in FSM, Scale Aircraft Modeler, SAM International, or online at HyperScale.com. Not every kit gets a review, and very old kits least of all. If you are looking for unique subjects, the Eastern European makers have them, but many of them require some serious work to produce anything like H or T straight from the box. That said, you should investigate new tooling releases from Revell and Italeri. Many of them are excellent. Look carefully, though, because both of the latter manufacturers put old wine in new bottles.
I’ve found some reviews done by modelers by simply typing in the scale and kit on a search engine for example Hasegawa 1/72 scale F-8 Crusader. I’m sure not all kits are to be found that way though!
I personally find the Hasegawa models have more detail , but are slightly harder to build then the Tamiya models . But both are very good model makers . I’ve made a few of each and I like the Tamiya models better.
This type of review is more frequent in sites of model groups, as IPMS. Beyond Hasegawa and Tamiya the Hobby Boss kits are excellent with one upgrade in cockpit.
One point to note is that in 1/72, Hasgawa kits of smaller WW2 subjects tend to hve somewhat limited interior detail - almost as if they think that if you can afford their prices, you can afford aaftermarket stuff to dress up the cockpit. Also, Hasegawa kits of modern subjects tend to have limited - if any - underwing stores. Tamiya kits suffer from neiter of these issues, but as as been said, their range of 1/72 kits is somewhat limited. Also, remember that most Tamiya kits of post-war subjects are actually Italeri kit, often of indiffernt quality, re-boxed.
Don’t ignore other manufacturers. On their day, Fujimi and Revell GErmany can produce kits the equal of both Tamiya and Hasegawa. in the case of Revell Germany, prices are usually significantly lower, and decals better.
Best thing is to let us know what subjects you;re interested in. Often there’s no clear-cut ‘best’ kit - all the available models have their strengths and weaknesses.
Cheers,
Chris.