best academy kit

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

What is the best Academy kit?

2

Again, purely opinion…no to modelers are going to agree completely on this. I like the Academy HMMWV series…looking forward to working on my M997 Maxi-Ambulance.

3

IMHO the latest offerings from Academy are among THEIR best in terms of details, fit and price. I have recently done their M-51 Super Sherman and M-36 Jackson and I found it very good kits. Their Tigers I’s with interiors are also great kits.

4

I think the Academy M36 Jackson is a great kit. Their M18 is also good.

5

I have the M-18 and it looks nice enough. I have heard endless raves on the Tiger I with interior. The M-36 and M-10 look pretty good though.

6

I like the M10 and Achilles, if you’re into Axis stuff the Tigers are both excellent kits. I recently finished the M4A2 Russian Sherman and found it to be a pretty good kit, I plan on buying the M4A2 Marine when it comes out.

Just my choices…

7

Oh BTW here’s a preview of the M-36 I am currently finishing up. I have already modified the hatch position and added the antenna and some more stuff to it. I can say that this is one of the best kits I worked on OOB. Of course I am not sure about the accuracy but fit and details wise, it is just like Tamiya in quality for less.[:p]

8

How do you achieve that worn look Dwight?

9

maybe there M10 Duckbill

10

My apologies to ygmodeler4 if it looks like I am hijacking this thread but I just want to reply to Tigerman.[:p]

  1. Base paint
  2. Post shading by AB (with a bit darker color than base paint) on corners, panel lines, nooks, etc.
  3. Add chipped off paint effects, scratches, rust and drybrush on areas likely to become worn out.
  4. Apply a weathering wash
  5. Retouch if necessary to achieve desired look (drybrush, rust, chipped paint)
11

Academy also has some nice A/C kits as well. Their helicopter line has some nice kit available. As far as Armor I’d have to get with the crowd and say the Jackson, with high hopes for their latest Sherman.

12

and therefore, there is no “best” kit.

13

Merkava.

Gip Winecoff

14

I haven’t built many of their kits, but I’d have a toss-up decision between their M60 and M-51 Super Sherman. Both kits went together very well, come with very nice detail moulded in, and plenty of extras.

15

Depends on which one the Merkava II is awsome but at all COST avoid the Merkava III It has serious scale and width issues needs heavy modifying to be representive of the real thing.[:(]

16

Jessiahkinnamon,
I’ve built the II, and have the II with the mine plow, and you are correct; they build into incredible models. Interestingly, I haven’t heard anything bad about the III until now. Please provide some more information, as this was a kit I wanted to get my hands on.

Thanks.

Gip Winecoff

17

I’ve built their Tiger I with full interior and loved it. Also build their M10 Duckbill and M3 Stuart “Honey” and liked both as well despite some minor hull joining problems introduced by certain interior parts but easily overcome. Watch out for some of their older, cheaper stuff as it tends to be reboxed and varys greatly in terms of quality and accuracy.