I have been looking at P-47 kits. What are peoples opinions of the Tamiya vs. the Academy kits. Other than the obvious razorback and bubble canopy difference. Thanks.
T/A
IMHO there are two main differences cost and quality.
The Tamiya offering is more expensive than the Academy kit but for me it’s worth it. The Tamiya cockpit is excellent (no need for any resin replacements here), the kit is accurate, the level of detail is outstanding and it basically falls together. I know this sounds like a commercial for Tamiya, but you would really have to work at making a mistake on this kit. On the other hand, the Academy kit is good but not great, the detail is OK (although pretty marginal in the cockpit) inside and out and the fit is all right, but not superb and it looks like a P-47 when complete.
If you are primarily concerned with cost go Academy, if you are after a better quality kit (IMHO), then go Tamiya.
Cheers
Darren
See the Tamiya jug in my signature…
Steve
I agree with Darson. If you can afford the 40+ dollar price tag of the Tamiya Jug, its very worth it. It is possible to find the kit cheaper via some hobby internet sites. Check some of the sites in your FSM magazine. I got my bubbletop for around 28 dollars at, plasticmodel.com I think. I cannot comment on the Academy kit since I’ve never built any of Academy’s products as of yet. I will say that Tamiya is about as good as it gets when it comes to accuracy, detail and ease of construction. I’m finishing up Joe Foss’s Wildcat from the Tamiya Kit as we speak.
No, I’m not a spokesperson for any of the aformentioned companys.
Happy Modeling
Joe
I also would agree with the others. Do some looking around to find the Tamiya kit at a cheap price. It’s not that the Academy kit is that bad, but for the difference in price, you make up what you might have added in aftermarket details.
In short - I would say the academy kits are nice and the tamiya kits are beautiful!
Leon
I found the tamiya kit for $35 at a LHS and the Academy kit for $27 at another. Money is not really a factor. So it sounds like Tamiya wins. Thanks all.
T/A
The Academy kit is good value for money, but the Tamiya kit does have more to offer in terms of detail and quality-if you can afford one, buy the Tamiya-it’s worth it.
You didn’t specify scale, but the 1/48 Tamiya is the best, while the Hasegawa kit is a good alternative if you want a Bubble Top for a little lass $. The Academy kits are OK, but not as good as Tamiya or Hasegawa IMHO.
Regards, Rick
Consider this another vote for the Tamiya kit. The Tamiya kit is alot easier to build than the Academy kit, and is more accurate. The decals aren’t brilliant in either kit, but they’re useable. The level of detail in the Tamiya cockpit is alot higher than the academy kit. And the general level of detail and fit of parts on the Tamiya kit is alot higher.
However, for the price, the Academy one is a good kit. It builds into a fair representation of the jug.
Gotta agree with the others… I bought the Tamiya 1/48 Bubbletop and the kit almost built itself. Kid you not. A four year old could have built it and it still would come together looking good.
I have to agree with the masses on this one…
But I have one suggestion… If you can wait and you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can get either Tamiya P-47s when Hobby Lobby has their 50% off sale… Tamiya kits at half price??? Well worth it, believe me!!
Thanks for all the replies. I am not sure if there is anyone from Utah here but Earl’s hobbie hanger has the 1/48 kit for $35. I am also starting a 1/5 kit of a Jug as an R/C and I wanted to do them together, in the same scheme. I will send pics as I go.
T/A
The tamiya kits are of course excellent I have both of them, I also have several Hasegawa and 1 Academy and would general recomend them in that oder but if you are really looking for a cheap P-47 Walmart usually carries the Monogram kit for 7.97. I know that whenever they have them in stock i usually try to sneak 1 or 3 in the cart while the wife isnt looking. Of course the level of detail isnt anywhere near the Academy kit but what the hell for 8 bucks I build them just for fun and to work on new techniques.
I would go Tamyia all the way.
As for price I buy my Tamiya kits from Hobby Link Japan. I live in the UK and HLJ sell the Tamyia P-47 for about £1.30 cheaper than you can buy the Academy kit here in the UK!
It’s 2500 yen which is about $23!
I’ve got my eye on a couple of Tamyia kits at HL and waiting for their next sale. One of them is the Razorback P-47D.
You know the beauty of Hobby Lobby? Those 40-50% off coupons!!! Got my badger 150 there for 36 bucks and two bad the closest is two hours away.
Well, I’ve just built a P-47 “D” Type using a revell kit scale 1:37 I think. I don’t know I don’t know where the kit box is at the moment. However, the kit is pretty neat. detailed cockpit and pilot although you have to do quite alot of sanding and fix some gaps but that’s normal in plastic modelling. This kit has 2 bombs on both wings and a fuel tank underneat the fuselage but it doesn’t have a rocket launcher. The plane is called “Look No Hands”. I suggest you have a look at it. I don’t know about Tamiya or Academy P-47’s… never built them before.
I am not worried about the money thing. I am looking for overall quality. My wife is a beleiver in good quality so she doesn’t care how much I spend as long as I am happy. So that makes it nice. Thanks for the replies.
T/A