Ok, most of the way through my Tamiya Spit and starting an Eduard Mig 21. As you all know a few unbuilt kids is never enough. Next I want to build another 1/48 jet fighter, possibly American. How are some of the older Tamiya jets (F-15, Harrier, i know the A-10 is crap)? Here is my criteria: No NMF finish US fighter 1/48 scale Recessed panel lines Less than $40 Well detailed and somewhat easy to build. Probably not Tamiya (need to mix it up). Alright, I’m sure someone has some great suggestions. Go! Thanks!
There’s nothing really wrong with the Tamiya Harrier or F-15, but both are pretty old and neither have recessed lines. There are better versions of each. You may want to try the Revell F-15E Strike Eagle. It’s a very good kit, has all the features you’re looking for and can be had at Michaels with a %40 off coupon for around $25.00. Probably the best “Bang for the Buck” out there. I think you can even get the Hasegawa F-22 for around $30 on a lot of websites.
Well, it is not 1:48, but look at the new Airfix A4B in 1:72. It is amazing quality- super-crisp molding, at a bargain price. Also a PE set available for it from Eduard. It is in the queue to my bench. Cockpit detail is far beyond usual 1:72 jet.
Another vote here for the Revell 1/48th F-15E. Really sharp kit.
The Academy 1/48th F-16C is a nice kit for way less than the Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.
The 1/48 Revell F/A-18E is definitely a good kit and a good value. You can find them for $20 with no coupons.
Academy’s F-85 is really nice. Make sure you get aftermarket decals though because the ones supplied with the kit are garbage. I don’t know if they’ve fixed that problem or not. Hopefully they have.
the Monogram F-84s are absolute gems, too.
It’s too bad you’re limiting yourself with respect to the panel lines. There are lots of amazing kits out there with raised lines that would fall within your budget. I think you’re really limiting your selection to Hasegawa and Tamiya for the most part and it might be kind of difficult to find a jet of theirs for less than $40.
Eric
not nit picking, but, Eric means Academy F-86, and even though it is a Sabre, you can get markings for it that are for a camoflage painted aircraft, the Germans come to mind first off
Revell F-18F Super Hornet, or Italeri Mirage III (not American but in a great desert paint scheme) Hobbyboss NA/AW-10 Thunderbolt.
I forgot to say, Academys new 1/48 Phantom is supposed to be excellent.