My 1st armor kit in ages...

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hello all. I need some advice on which kit to build. [^o)]

I was thinking of Tamiya’s 1/35 M13/40 or the Bronco 1/35 Hotchkiss H-39.

I have been building model aircraft for ages and am very experienced in super-detailing cockpits and engines ect. I would like to give armor a try…[:D]

It the interior detailed in the Tamiya kit? Is the Bronco kit an easy build?

Thanks in advance for any advice…

2

Try the Tamiya kit first, they are know to have a great fit of parts which is good for starters. Realize if the kit is from their MM series and under 20$ the molds are antique yet still worth a go. Simple scratch built details like wire grab handles, light guards, styrene or a aluminum barrel turned in a variable speed drill will allow the vintage tank to stand proud on a model contest table against newer kits.

3

I concur about the Tamiya kit. A great teethbreaker. I have the Bronco kit, and the only thing daunting about it is the indy tracks. Very tiny little guys.

4

I’ve got to agree with these guys… go with the Tamiya kit. It is a nice way to get back into the armor side of things. Your experience will certainly help you. The Bronco kits builds up nicely but my experience with them is that they do require a bit extra work. Certainly try your hand at Bronco kits as they’ve got some great subjects.

Cheers

Dave

5

About 12 months or so ago, Tamiya reissued the '70’s (?) vintage M13/40 kit with a retooled hull, some PE parts, aluminium barrel and link and length tracks as kit #35286. The kit does not contain any interior detail, but builds up nicely.

6

Thanks guys! What about the new Italeri L6/40 light tank?

7

Newer Italeri kits are great builds, I would save this one you mentioned for after you built a few others. Stick to tanks with simpler camouflage schemes first. (Even mono tone ones are a challenge to execute) Like mentioned above go with offerings around the 20$ range and build up from there.

Parts count can be intimidating on the more expensive DML kits and ones with individual track links, save the complex stuff for when you have a few completed and work your way up to the subjects you want for your collection.