Alright so i’m trying to get my lil bro into the hobby but i would like to know what kit to buy i was thinking either the 1/35 Trumpiter KV-1 (it’s a nice easy to build kit that’s affordable nice looking and easy to paint with its one tone scheme or Acadamy’s panzer four for the same reason (it could be done in plaine dark yellow).
Any other suggestions for an easy to build affordable kit that paints up well?
Trump KV-1? I dunno… I’d either get him something like an old Tamiya kit, or maybe a plane. Possibly a Revell/Monogram jet.
I have Tamiya’s PAnther A, and while for accuracy it’s pretty much garbage, it flys together. Whenever yo go into Trumpeter, Dragon, even some REvell, you might open a can of worms.
Though it’s a relatively simple kit (based on the OLD Tamiya IV Ausf.H) Academy’s kit leaves a lot to be desired. The parts fit isn’t the best, the moulding is pretty bad and if you’re considering the one with shurzen, well, you need 3 hands to get that on and aligned neatly. It takes a bit of basic modelling skills and patience to get it looking decent. The only thing it has going for it is that it’s cheap, but it’s a true case of “you get what you pay for”.
Another one you might consider is Tamiya’s Pz III Ausf.L It’s a very nice, detailed kit which goes together well and there’s a single-colour paint scheme which should be easy enough.
**PHIL H:**I built the Acadamy one without the schurtzen, but i suppose there were some fit problems, Never thought about the Pz III, but i have no experience with that so i couldn’t help him out as much.
Boba: I was leaning more towards armor due to my experience in that to give him a hand (i’ve only built three airplanes and a star wars x-wing) but it’s worth some consideration. I was thinking about tamiyas but couldn’t find a kit that was in his price range, i’ll be sure to look into that.
thanks guys
Tamiya M-41 Walker Bulldog. Hobby Lobby even has em. Usually. Run about 13-20 bucks. thats about as cheap as they come for 1-35 scale. This is the kit I got my kid to get him started. It really isn’t a bad kit for anyone. Except maybe the bolt counters out there. When its done it looks great. I have even seen a few build up with a bunch of PE and all the extras they could find to make it into a really great model.
Anyway for a first time build you cant go wrong with the Bulldog.
How old is your brother and what kind of skills does he possess?
Tamiya kits are always recommended for newbs, because they have a fewer parts count and usually require little drama as far as fit goes. Many of the oldest have motorization issues with the bottom of the hull (no big deal) and the drive-sprockets and idlers. That being said, their T-34’s are very easy, except the tracks suck, as is their Sherman Early. I also endorse the newer Pz III L kit (there is an older Mk III M). You really can’t go too wrong, especially with the newest releases.
I’m sure someone will push Tamiya’s 1/48 on you too. Good luck.
That PAnther is only $20, and if you scrounge around, You’ll robably score $15. See if there’s a model show with auctions, stuff like that. I picked up a $100 Gundam kit for $5. I also bought 5 raffle tickets, and a big raffle ticket. Total cost, $10. Total winnings? Well, I picked up well over $100 in small kits (Dragon natter, and a custom dioramics scene. I gave a friend another ticket) then I could’ve had a 1/16th Trumpeter T-34. I got a 1/12th Mercury Redstone for my dad though. Try out stuff like that, your bro 'll be building models till he 50!
I would suggest a Tamiya kit, old or new, there all better then trumpeter and there not that expensive.
Hi-
How about taking your lil bro to the store and let him pick out one. Who knows, he my see an X-wing and want to build his own.
IMHO once he see’s all the boxtop artwork of planes & trucks & tanks & ships his imagination will take-off and he’ll be hooked for life. I was.[swg]
Good luck and remember- Keep your stick on the ice,
-Ray