Besides Tamiya, what are other companies that make detailed models?
Dragon,Meng,Trumpeter,Rye Field Models,Great Wall Hobby,Takom,Hasegawa,Asuka,Tasca,AFV Club,Bronco,DasWerk,Hobbyboss,Airfix,Eduard,
ZoukeiMura,Amusing,Border,Kinetic,Panda,Miniart,Minicraft,Revell,Monogram
These are just a few of the ones who make detailed kits
Depends on what you want to build,companies have strengths and weaknesses and things they do better.
You forgot Lindberg…
…though most of the detail in those is hideously wrong. [;)]
[:'(]
Bandai for sci-fi models. Loving their 1/72 Millennium Falcon. So meticulously detailed I had to take a break from it, but its been an amazing build experience so far.
im thinking of the Forrest Gump things you can make with shrimp scene.
NNGGHH![:S]
how much detail can you deal with?
Bill
I think I may have phrased the intent of my question incorrectly.
If you were to choose a model from just three companies, who would you choose?
Tamiya, Hasegawa, Monogram.
He said besides Tamiya
Depends on what you want to build
Takom, Trumpeter, Hobby Boss. (depending on when the kit was released with HB)
Beside Tamiya, most of my built collection is DML and then Academy then AFV Club. I never understood the complaints about DML instructions. I build mostly tank models, and all the kits I want are mostly done now in plastic by the main companies. Time to retire.
I would include ICM. Their detail casting is great. However, sometimes the tolerances are too close. Often I have had to insert a part into a channel, where the tolerancene is so tight that the painted part will not fit and I must scrape the paint off of tiny bosses and grooves. I am learning to mask some of these areas before I paint, or paint after joining if possible.
Many companies make really detailed models, but even the almighty Tamiya has a lot of dogs in their line.
Tasca/Asuka is the place to go for Sherman tanks.
Fine Molds has the best WW2 Japanese armor kits. They also have some extremely accurate 1/72 scale Star Wars kits, which unfortunately, are out of production. The price of several of their Star Wars kits have gone through the roof.
With so many high quality companies it is better to narrow your genre to a specific focus. For example, WW2 German fighters, WW2 US bombers, ships, modern armor, etc.
There is usually a company that “specializes” in one or two areas.
After Tamiya, I really like Monogram, Revell, and Trumpeter. Monogram’s older warbirds can serve as great super-detailing and scratch-building platforms but many of their kits, particularly their 1/48 bombers, are very well detailed right out of the box.
I’d add the new release Airfix kits. Somewhat depends on how much you want to spend…
Dont forget about Zvezda kits, those can be very detailed as well. Who makes detailed kits totally depends on what your subject is. Armor, AC, Auto, etc. Completely depends on which subject within each major type as well. Some manufacturers make one type well and others not so well. First, determine what exactly you want, then ask “who makes detailed kits of this subject?”
BK
Zvezda is one of those companies that is literally all over the map. Some of their original kits are quite poor, take a look at their T-60 light tank.
They also reboxed a lot of older Dragon/DML kits, Italeri kits (and some of the old Peerless Max kits too).
They now do some nice kits of their own, but you almost have to do some research on the model kit to see what is inside the box. It could be good or a worn out mold repopped Dragon kit.
I agree with you Rob especially the early Zvezda kits! The low prices lure you in and then disappointment sets in after you’ve purchased the kit and open it at home.
Different answers for diffrent subjects. ICM doesn’t make WWII or modern ships ships where Tacom just makes ship weapons as an example. Hasegawa makes just about everything. Bandai just makes Sci-Fi and Gundam.
What subject are you looking for?
Planes
Ships
Armor
Sci-Fi
Figures
Cars
Trucks
Gundam
That will help narrow down the answers. Kinda like a search engine.