Never mind the cooking…[+o(]…it is the all night partying in the room next door that keeps folks awake…
The benefit to forums broken up by scale is that if I have a question regarding a 1/72 scale or 1/48 scale model, there are expert modelers in that forum that will be able to answer my question quickly and accurately.
Two of Aurora’s old model kits were once reissued by Monogram. They released the M4A3E8 Sherman and the retooled Panther. The Panther was a mixture of marks and not much of a serious model kit.
Frog reissued many of the Bandai kits in the 1990s. They died on the shelves and I bought a handful of them from Squadron for $5 a piece.
I tend to build a lot of 1/72 scale armor. If I ask a question in a regular armor forum regarding a 1/48 or 1/72 scale kit and specifically state so, nine out of ten modelers will answer the question based on a 1/35 scale kit. That will normally be useless information based on my build.
A shame I was out of the hobby at the time or i would have definitely purchased the re-issued Bandai kits. Now I know why I have not seen them in any re-releases.
I recall seeing the Monogram re-issues of the Sherman and Panther in their Fw-190 vs Sherman / P-51B vs Panther. I had built the Panther kit while still an Aurora product and knew of it’s faults even at that time. The kit initially was a practice vehicle for applying zimmerit and later I utilized the engine decking and other “greebly” for my Sci-Fi projects.
Unfortunately, the only Aurora kit that did not become greebly was their M-46 "Patton " kit- still un-built…the assembled AURORA tank kits ended up as Sci-Fi greebly as did most of the Bandai kits after Star Wars was released.
Speaking of 1/72 armor, I am just beginning to purchase Revell 1.72 link and length armor kits so you may yet see one of my posts on one of the 1/72 forums.
I would strongly recommend that you try one of the Hobby Boss 1/48 scale armor kits. While the experts say the Sherman (5 different ones) series suffers from some profile issues, all agree the T-34 (4) and KV (nearly a dozen different ones) tanks are outstanding. They went for under $20 and you can find them on eBay or Squadron. The T-34 series includes full interiors like the old Bandai kits.
The ex-Skybow 1/48 scale Tiger I early, late and Sturmtiger by AFV Club as very nice kits as is their Sd,Kfz. 251 halftrack. They can be found around the $20 range as well.
You will be pleasantly surprised with any of the above kits.
Those crazy young whipper snappers! They should get a hobby!
I heard that partying is their hobby…[:O]
Thanks for the info.!
I didn’t realize Squadron stocked those Hobby Boss 1/48 kits.
I will check on the other brands, as well!
Airfix also does a new series of modern UK softskins and armor in 1/48 scale that have been well received.
I heard Airfix produced a couple of kits but knew nothing of how good they were.
Here is some shots of the Airfix Warrior.
www.network54.com/…/Airfix+BAe+Warrior
And many of the softskins they do.
www.network54.com/…/Some+Aifix+Herrick+stuff+including+the+Warrior
Ooooo…bar armor ![:O][:D]
They are nice kits…
…and the figures are nice !
1:48th scale armor has increased in popularity, but they stay well hidden. There is some pretty nice stuff out there, you just have to know where to find it.
Well those Tamiya 1/48 kits are pretty sweet. At least the Panther G that I am building for our AMPS chapter GB is. If the rest of their 1/48 series is engineered as nicely all I can say is where is everybody else? Modern armor is sadly under represented in 1/48.
Let me continue this threadjacking about 1/48 scale vehicles ! [:P]
I’m with Rob on this one : I’ve built 2 Hobby Boss kits (both KV tanks) in 1/48 scale and they were both a joy to build, with an almost Tamiya level of fit. And like Rob said : I got both for less than 20$ each, so there is no excuse not to buy them. And while I’m not 100% sure if they are completely accurate, they were both very well detailed.
Talking about 1/48 scale, I heard great things on both Italeri Autoblinda kits (I haven’t bought them though).
Back to the subject, while I’m a big time lurker on many forums (some mentioned here in this thread, some in french like fighters.forumactif.com and master194.com/forum), the only one I took the time to subscribe and participate on a regular basis is FSM. Mostly because, like another poster said, here it feels like a big welcoming family.
Even if most of my completed kits are quite ugly compared to pros like you, I’m sometimes tempted to post pictures and ask for hints and tips.
One last thing :
For those interested in 1/72 scale vehicles, I suggest you take a look at this site : www.onthewaymodels.com/index.html
No worries about hijacking for 1/48 armor[;)]
I just finished an order from Squadron just prior to hearing of the Hobby Boss kits so I need to find enough stuff to make up another order …and Squadron has sold outa a lotta product so it may take a while.
Merci for the info on other forums…
fighters.forumactif.com I have run across during web searches, the other two are new and look interesting and worth investigating.
Speaking of armor…a French language armor website
http://www.chars-francais.net/new/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
I need to look into that Tamiya Panther kit.
I have an old bandai Panther kit but want better tracks and $40 for Fruil 1/48 track links is just too much [bnghead]
Well, A.N.:
I have to tell you. I came to any site late in the game. FSM and SCALE AUTO are my faves .That is followed closely by Papermodelers and A website for wood carvers.
The woodcarvers is a rare visit ,maybe once or twice a year .Just to keep up on wood staining and surface treatments . I find usually that here, we have such a plethora of different levels of building skills and knowledge . And it’s fun to banter and joke with those who share your passion, believe me .
Around where I live I think except for trains, there isn’t another modeler between here and Austin or San Antonio. I am sure there is ,but, I’ve never found them. I don’t go to shows and contests much and even less since they moved the venue and I got lost in S.A. trying to find it !
So these sites entertain me and let me share my knowledge accumulated over the years . I can still remember back to the " Beginning" there was no internet and such. If a neighbor kid and you built models into adulthood that was great.The old fashioned fabric of lifelong friends who live on the same street was changing .
This affected modeling friends .So yes ,FSM and Scale Auto are number one and two in my book .Oh, thanks for asking . T.B.
P.S. , I also spend time on an international ship modeling forum that goes deep into the history of the various ship types .