I usually build armor so I need some advice on an aircraft question. Who makes the best kit for an F117 or B2? I am interested in both aircraft. Bigger scales are preferred, 1-72 is as small as I would like to go but much prefer 1-48 if possible. I have the old Testors B-2 kit but from what I understand it lacks some accuracy.
I don’t think there is much variety in the way of B-2 kits but I know there are a few F117’s to choose from. Could anyone steer me to a good choice or keep me away from a bad one? The more accurate and detailed the better.
Thanks guys.
There are only 2 B-2s as far as I know…the Testors 1/72 kit and a Revell 1/144 kit. The Testors kit is very plain and lacks alot of interior detail. I don’t know anything about the Revell kit.
As for the F-117 there are a few options in 1/48: Tamiya, Academy, Testors, AMT, Revell and Monogram. Actually, the old Revell kit may be the same as the Monogram kit. But there is a “new” Revell kit I believe.
The best 1/48 kit is going to be the Tamiya F-117 (I have one in the stash). I hear that the Academy 1/48 F-117 is pretty good but not as good as the Tamiya kit mostly because the Tamiya kit has positionable control surfaces and a detailed bomb bay. And one boxing of the Tamiya kit includes a Humvee truck. I don’t really know anything about the AMT, Revell or Monogram kits but if the Testors kit is the same quality as their 1/72 kit then its pretty good (I say this because I built one).
As for 1/32: Trumpeter, Testors and Italeri each make one. The Trumpeter kit just came out a year or two ago and looks very good. And again, if the Testors kit is the same quality as the 1/72 kit, then its going to be good. I don’t know anything about the Italeri kit.
Let us know what you get.
The 1/32 Italeri F-117 is a rebox of the Testors kit. I have both the 1/48 and 1/32 Testors F-117s. They are decent enough kits, but need work in the bomb bay if you plan to build that open. There is no center dividing wall, and the doors are molded with the hinges to swing outboard when open, rather than inboard as on the actual aircraft. Both are easy fixes.
Other than the B-2 Stealths listed, the only other ones that come to mind was an F-117/B-2 combo pack by DML in 1/200 and a pseudo-B-2 Stealth by Revell in 1/72.
Yeah, I forgot about the bomb bay doors opening incorrectly. Heck, I built that kit when I was about 16 or 17…many moons ago.
As usual you guys are full of great information. I will do a bit more research narrowing in on the 1-48 Tamiya and the 1-48/1-32 Testors. Wasn’t expecting to see anything in 1-32 so thats great for me.
thanks again
Well in 1/32 I think the Trumpeter kit will take the cake. Here’s a review.
Here’s a review for the Tamiya 1/48 kit. : Tamiya review.