For me, probably my P-47 from Tamiya. I have not built it yet, and won’t plan to, until I finished my Corvette. So many small parts and paints needed, zero experience in Silver Paints, and so detailed.
The next hardest kit is my 1996 Corvette. Too many parts that need different colors, my first car model, and my first model kit with that many parts (Except Gunpla).
I am curious as to what your hardest kit was or is.
Back in the early 90s Dragon issued a Scud TEL, I think it was about 40.00US. Best 40 bucks I ever smashed. Next would without a doubt be ANY B-17, love that plane but cant build one to save my life.
Tamiya P-38. So many fiddly parts. For me the kit is like restoring Glacier Girl: No end in sight. It’s been sitting on my shelf of doom for about a year maybe half finished.
I’d say it’s a tie between any Lindberg,MPC, and AMT kit. Lindberg(paddlewheeler boat)kits because of the poor parts fit and parts seldom labeled on the sprue. Any of the old AMT semi truck kits(Mack trucks) because parts are seldom labeled and the vague parts placement on the instructions. MPC, well come on, you probably know why but any of the reasons above describe MPC kits. So, why do I still build these kits, they make unique subjects and I like a challenge.
The Revell AG 1/72 Leopard 2s (Leopard 2A6, Swedish Leopard 2, Leopard 2A5/A5NL). These kits have defeated four attempts to build them. The problem is that you have to glue the suspension arms to the hull, the wheels to the arms, then bend two lengths of hard plastic track around the sprocket and the idler.
1st attempt Leopard 2A6: didn’t work too badly, except that one of the idlers broke off and I had to pin it back on. It was only after I finished that I realized that I’d bent the arms down, and the tank was now too low (All. my. friends. wanna be a lowrider…)
2nd attempt (2A5/A5NL) Three suspension arms broke off, and the track broke in two places because I didn’t let it soak long enough in warm water.
3rd attempt (Swedish): I used a hairdryer (Acme Corporation, I think) to warm up the track. Unfortunately it warmed up the suspension arms, too, and they pointed in all directions.
4th attempt (2A6) This time there was going to be no guesswork. After setting the suspension, I cut pieces of .040 plastic and glued the tops of the wheels to the bottom of the sponsons, which allowed me to press down on them. It worked. Of course I couldn’t do the complete run, but as they say, sideskirts hide all sins. Sadly, after I’d primed it I realized that the rear end was jacked up.
5th attempt (Border Models Leopard 2A6): Shake and bake kit gave me a perfect model after two days of building. Expensive, but after all I’d spent on the Revell kits… The end.
Being a newer modeler I started with Tamiya models for the easier construction. They have been a blast and went together pretty well. So far-Tamiya A6M2 Zero 1/48 no problems there. The F6F5 Wildcat I don’t recall any headaches. F16 a little trouble with some of the landing gear assembly but my favorite build so far. Ferrari F189 had a major issue with the top body mating with the lower section. Everything else with that build was great. Two MK.1 Spitfires that was super fun. Had trouble with PE belts and the canopy on one but that was self inflicted. Tried my skills with an old AMT indycar. Tons of flash and cleanup but I didn’t have any problems. Currently building the Toyota GT one and it’s been a pleasure.
So I only bring that up because Im also building my first Hasegawa kit. The F15E. Its kinda kicking my butt. The cockpit went together great but now I’m on the intakes and it’s been a chore. After hours dry fitting I can’t figure out how to avoid the major gap between the intake and fuselage. The entire intake assembly has been a head scratcher. On the positive side, it’s teaching me trouble shooting skills and I’ll get more practice with filling seams. I’m sure it’s gonna be great when completed but it’s testing me for sure.