Do anybody know which of the producers make BEST models of aircrafts from World War II[?][?][?]
Wow, what a loaded question. You’re going get a lot debates on this one, but I’ll chime in with 3 of my favorites in terms of ease of built and details. Tamiya, Haseqawa, and Accurate Miniatures.
I will agree with Waikong, Tamiya, Haseqawa, Accurate Miniatures, and add Eduard, and ICM
Thanks for answer. I wanted to buy boeing b-17 and p-51 mustang. But i am not sure if any of them is making that warbirds. I’am one of many begginers.
I have a Tamiya P51 'tang and it looks to be a great kit. Nice detail and the dry fit of the main parts seems good.
I’m not sure who makes a good B-17, but Tamiya and ICM both make good P-51’s with good detail and not too difficult for beginners.
I very like challanging models with lots of parts and details despite I’m a beginner [:)].
I see you are in England. Airfix made a nice B-17G in1/72 (if that is the scale you are interested in). It’s acutally a re-issue of the Academy/Mini-craft Fortress, but includes both the Boeing factory and Cheyenne modified tail turrets so you can build an early or late version. I have bought a couple through eBay just lately. Academy also makes a good P-51 Mustang (again in 1/72), and it’s quite a bit cheaper than Hasegawa, but comparable in quality (in my opinion).
I’ve been impressed with the Accurate Miniatures kits I’ve bought, though I have yet to build them. But the detail and quality of the casting is really impressive.
I picked up a Tamiya F4F, and it looks really great too.
I’m finishing up a Revell Spitfire Mk. II- I don’t like it at all. Their P-51D was OK, but if you can spend the money, I’d go for a better kit than Revell.
Tamiya cant go wrong with them easy kits to build and good plans
Hasegawa same as above
Accurate Miniatures Same as what every on else had said.
If you like lots of details and challenging builds, you won’t go wrong with ICM’s 1/48 Spitfire series. You get what I 've heard many say is better accuracy than Spitfires from either Tamiya or Hasegawa at about half the cost and none of that “Shake and bake” ease of construction nonsense[:)]
If 1/72 is your game, Academy have some nice ones in their range. I can personally say that their Me-163 Komet and P-40 M/N kits are real little gems.
If you want 1/72 with challenge and money isn’t a real issue for you, you may want to look at MPM or one of their affiliate banners like Special Hobby or Azur. I just got a look at MPM’s new 1/72 Lockheed Hudson at my LHS yesterday and its gorgeous!
Adam;
a inexpensive kit that’s in 1/48 scale and makes a great kit is ICM’s P-51’s most critics said it’s a mirror image of the Tamiya’s but at 1/3 the cost, another for your pocket book would be the Revellograms (Revell/Monogram) but it’ll need some work (and it’s about 30 years old too) and if money is no object then you have your Hasegawa’s & Tamiya’s but for 1/72 scale you have the Academy, Airfix, Hasegawa, Hobbycraft, Minicraft, Revellogram and Tamiya, as for the B-17 the only one out there in 1/48 scale is the Revellogram,but in 1/72 scale Academy, Hasegawa, Minicraft and older Revell (this kit is in it’s 50’s years of age) made these and the Hasegawa is quite nice
I will second the ICM Mustangs. I haven’t built one, but I have compared them to the Tamiya kit. The parts are laid out differently, but they are identical to the Tamiya kit. The Tamiya P-51s are probably the best in 1/48. The early model P-51s from Accurate Minniatures are also excellent.
For a B-17, there is a Revell B-17F and a Monogram B-17G. Revell-Monogram is now one company, but they own the only 2 B-17 molds in 1/48. I’ve heard that B-17F molds were damaged and may have been retired. In any case, the G is the better kit, though it is about 30 years old. Revell-Monogram currently has it on release in the US for about $20, which is a pretty good bargain for what you get.
Back to your first question about the best kit makers. As others have said, Tamiya, Hasegawa, and Accurate Minniatures are the top tier and it’s tough to go wrong with one of their kits. There are many fine kits from other makers too. Eduard makes some great kits too. Some Revell kits are great, while some are very poor. Italeri can be all over the map too. I’ve heard some ICM kits have fit problems, while others are excellent and close to on par with the best. Trumpeter kits tend to be very new technology molds, but they have made some huge blunders in their research and some of their kits are technically excellent but ugly representations of the real thing. Other Trumpeter kits are very close to the real thing. Dragon can be very good too.
If you are thinking about a kit, let Google be your friend. I often research by type in the kit I’m curious about and review. If it’s a kit released in the last 10 years, I will often find at least one online review.
Bill