Purely in terms of quality, whose PE is numero uno?
Without a doubt Aber, but every time you use one of their kits on a model, you are guaranteed that 2 years have just been taken off your life. No other PE manufacturer has figured out how to make my blood pressure rise quite like Aber has.[:(!]
Their stuff is nice, but I really like Royal. What in your opinion puts Aber over the top? Some of the later Eduard stuff is good too. This is all just my opinion though, a’course.)
I personally like eduard, in terms of quality it may not be as good as aber, but it is more than enough for what your doing (unless your a real glutton for punishment) and the price is easier on the wallet. I cannot comment on royal as I have never used them.
I like Aber, but Eduard is also good. I have never used Royal models.
mark956
Aber is superb, very fine, thin PE with much relief manufactured in. Eduard tends to be thicker and the detail is very flat.
That being said, if you want certain vehicles (like modern US or Japanese), you will find them in Eduard’s line. Aber’s line is very limited and while they make some Soviet and Polish and even US PE, they specialize in WW2 German PE.
I’ve only worked with Eduard and Tamiya. For Tamiya, just grilles for the rear deck. Nice pieces. I used Eduards Zim, but I found that it lacked detail. From what I’ve heard in the grapevine is that Aber is probably superior, but they have lousy directions.
I found the Royal sets for the Sherman to be top grade … a little pricey but the quality more than made up for the price.
- Aber
- Eduard
I have a few sets of Lion Roar PE but haven’t tried them out yet.
As far as “quality” I think you get more brass bits for the money with Aber and they are more detailed than all the other PE I have tried. So, I would say that Aber is the best quality. BUT I personally like the Royal Model kits because they include parts that I will actually use!! Aber supplies you with some ridiculously complicated or minute assemblies most of the time. The only Eduard sheet I have used came with a lot of missing, or completely wrong details.
[2c]
I have used Eduard and Aber and while I prefer Eduard, I am certain that using Aber will slowly drive you insane. I had to quit while I had some brain cells left. However those cells that are still alive have been marked for doom by the resin kits in my closet. I haven’t had the opportunity to work with Royal Models p/e.
So far i have only used Aber but i have 3 Eduard set waiting for me (inc one for the Panther build!)
I do think Aber are much better detailed and acurate, the Aber Panther fenders are better looking than the Eduard ones.
But and a BIG but there are far to many little tiny bits in the Aber sets that only the very expert could even atempt.
On pure quality i would have to go Aber, on cost an usability it would be Eduard.
Royal model i havent used.
Aber is #1. Best stuff around for ad nauseum detail.
Eduard is also very good, and produces stuff not available in the Eduard line.
When you can find 'em, the Show Modeling PE sets are also very good. Not sure if these folks are even around anymore.
Gip Winecoff
How’s that again, Gip?[;)]
The Show Modeling is still in business, and their sets are readily available here in Japan.
Aber is the best for absolutely insane detail, but is also the most likely to drive you absolutely insane. Also, in my opinion, a lot of what’s on the frets won’t really improve on the styrene it’s designed to replace.
I find Eduard to be of high quality, easy to use, and I appreciate their pragmatic choices of what to PE-ize. I’ll usually use the whole Eduard fret.
I like Royal Models PE too, for the same reasons. I used a lot of their stuff on my E-100. Good stuff, and they usually include resin pieces, too.
I never used any PE before , but latedly i order a lot of eduard for my inventory of models.
however from the diagram i see the older eduard is much simpler and not as detail ? or covered the whole model ( cover certain parts like the hull of a tank not the turrret etc.)
But one thing they do improve for the newer ones . in terms of direction . i cant wait to use them now.
one thing good about this forum i get to learn new things from all u guys thanks as in the opinion on aber .
I wouldn’t know, i’ve never used pe. but I do have some eduard on order right now for the tamiya pink panther.