With some of my wing-thing friends building an armor kit (or two), I thought I would take the plunge. Can someone point me to a relatively cool kit/manufacturer that is relatively easy. I have built armor kits before, the 1/32 Monogram kits, the Fujimi 1/72 Stuart, and the 1/35th Tamiya Unversal Carrier, but that was when those kits were brand new…circa 1975-76. Any suggestions? I have heard some positives on the Heller M4 Sherman (1/35th), the Academy Panzer IV. Also has anyone done any of the new 1/48th Armor kits? Thanks in advance for your help!!
There have been some good reviews around here of the new 1/48 kits, although they aren’t everybody’s cup of tea. The last time I read anything here about Heller kits it was all negative. The new DML M4A1 is supposed to be very good, but I don’t know if its on the shelves yet. I seem to remember the Academy Panzer IV getting rubbished, but I can’t vouch for that. With DML and Academy, you have to make sure you get a new release, and even then DML generally only gives you independant link tracks. You may not want to do that just yet. DML’s instructions also tend to be terrible. For fit and ease of assembly, Tamiya is still probably best for a beginner. I’m sure someone will be along in a bit to recommend some specific kits.
hey elfkin, how about trying a DML panther they are a fun build,
so have fun in what every u decide to build
regards Aaron
Tamiya newer 1/35th kits feature great fit, simple construction and one piece tracks, however they are pricey. Dragon’s 1/35th have a broader range of subjects, but can be tricky to build. Their Red Army Sherma has 1 piece tracks, but the rest have mutiple (and I emphasize MULTIPLE) pieces. The last Dragon kit I did had about 95 links per side. Now, they are not as hard as you think, but they take a little patience. Dragon’s M4A1 is a good looking kit, but it hit Great Models and sold out in a couple days. Some are still floating around Ebay. I am not familiar with Heller, but the Academy PzIV is not a very good kit (The Tamiya Pz IV is MUCH better). So, if you like WWII I recommend the Tamiya Sherman family if allied is your cup of tea, or the Tamiya Panther G family (avoid, no run away from the Panther A). Their Tigers are also quite nice. Actually pretty much all their offerings are nice. If you want something modern, their M-48 is nice and inexpensive. They also have a very good Abrams and a fantastic T-55. I have no experience with the 1/48th kits, but they are supposed to be fantastic
[#ditto] with Tamiya. Their King Tiger is really good. But it is expensive.
Rather than overload you with ideas, build the Tamiya panther G. Great fit, great looks and no indi tracks to drive you away from the dark side. Have fun
Anything by Tamiya will probably go together with a minimum of fuss. Pick a subject and price that appeals.
“Anything from Tamiya…” Some of their earlier offerings are quite toylike. If you really want to chomp down on some very good out of the box kits, maybe consider these 1/35 ones:
Tamiya Pz III ausf L
Tamiya Cromwell or Centaur
Tamiya Pz IV ausf H (new tool)
Tamiya Pz IV ausf J
Tamiya Mobelwagen (37mm Flak version)
DML M4A2 Lend lease sherman
Italeri M47 Patton
Italeri M4A1 (just replace the barrel)
Tamiya M4A3 or M4A3 (105mm)
Tamiya Panther G
DML Panther A or Panther D
DML Tiger I (3 in 1 kit)
DML or newer Tamiya Tiger II kits
Tamiya M26
Tamiya T55
Tamiya M8 or M20 armored cars
AFV Club Long Tom
AFV Club M3A3
AFV Club Pak 40 AT gun
DML M4A1 (indy links though)
Academy M12
Tamiya Marder III
Tamiya Marder III M
Tamiya Wespe
Tamiya Steyr 1500A
The recent 1/48 releases from Tamiya have created a big stir:
Tiger I
Sherman M4
StuG III ausf B
Kettenkraftrad
Kubelwagen
Schwimmwagen
M4A1 (later)
M10 tank destroyer (later)
Tamiya’s Marder III, Wespe, Panzer III, And Shermans are newer and easy to build with great results. Check your onlines for better pricing.
If you wish to have a flawless as possible fit, you’d have to go with Tamiya. If you’re just looking to practice, I suggest any of their T-34 series of tanks. They’re older kits, so cheaper, but still have great detail and fit. Dragon kits are fun builds, but keep in mind that they all come with individual link tracks, so that is something you want to be aware of if you don’t wish to contend with that. There are a variety of other manufacturers out there, so you’ll probably have to be specific in terms of what subject matter interests you. Academy kits, IMHO, are very good and come with plenty of bonuses. Trumpeter I love because of the diversity of kits, but their stuff is generally more modern, post WWII vehicles.
I agree with all that’s gone before. Couple of omissions, The new Academy M4A2 USMC is supposed to be the “2nd best” Sherman out there right now (DML M4A2 Red Army the best). Academy’s M10 series and M36 are all supposed to be pretty good. Their M3 and Tigers with interiors are really nice, although the interiors aren’t strictly accurate, but they are complete).
Lots to choose from. Best bang for the buck…DML.
Easiest, best fit, best instructions…Tamiya’s newer kits.
Best interiors…Academy.
Now, if you’re talking something other than 1/35th…totally different story!
Wow guys (and gals), thanks for the responses! I have been eyeing a couple of Tamiya kits, the consensus seems to start with these. Again, many thanks!