Go easy on me - its my first post. I’ve only recently found this site (fantastic btw) and have been literally blown away with the models that you are all all making, converting etc etc.
Anyhow, to give a quick background as a child I used to make models, air, auto and a few military mostly Tamiya but a few others… my how things have changed in 20 years! just looking at these builds with people making zimmerit, metal barrels, PE mesh and gril kits etc… its mind blowing.
Anyhow I am just returning and at Xmas got the ‘Band of Brothers’ DVD boxset and after having watched them all, I’d love to try and build a WW2 peice of armor.
However, with the above noted (and a very similar post floating around as well) I’m looking for peoples suggestions for a good starter kit for a returning modeller.
I’d prefer to probably have a go at a tamiya kit as always thought these were well made in the past, would like to go with 1/35 scale but the the killer is I don’t have an airbrush system ( or yet) so would prefer to go for a kit that has a solid colour only ( so that when I do get an airbrush set I don’t have anything complicated to start with)
I’d also like this kit to also have a bit of PE parts either with the kit - or PE parts easily available to a UK modeler (grills etc)
With the above in mind I think I’m looking at the Tamiya Tiger 1 early, fron the box art work there is one in a solid grey Tamiya Tiger 1 Heavy Tank (pn35216)
I can also source the Eduard PE set for this kit - is this a good brand for PE parts and is this kit suitable for this tank?
Can anyone comment upon the suitablitiy of the above kit as a good place to start - or should I start off with something like a smaller Panzer Tamiya 35292 panzer II ausf. a/b/c Sd.Kfz.121?
I’m in the process of building my first armor kit in 17 years - and opted for Tamiya’s 1/35 M4 Sherman Early Production. It’s an easy, fast build, solid color, and the tracks were taut on the real thing so there’s no problem with the vinyl tracks and not sagging.
If you’re not determined to do German, I’d highly recommend giving the Tamiya Shermans a gander. Built up this much of the thing in two hours…
Yes, that would be a great kit to start with. Yes, Eduard is great stuff and is perfect for that kit (as long as its specifically for the Tiger I). The Pz. II ausf. a/b/c has individual track links I believe, so just be aware of that, but its a newer (and very good) kit, and has a few PE parts… so I guess its your choice. They will probably have about the same number of pieces, not including the individual track links you’ll get with the Pz. II.
I built one back in the spring and it took only one weekend to construct. Very nice fitting and well detailed for the most part. It also comes with a very models Photo Etch fret as well.
The Tamiya Tiger is a decent kit as well but like I told the other gentleman… it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all those wheels and such. If you have some patience then by all means, have at it. The Eduard sets (like most others) usually tell you which kit the set is for. Even if it doesn’t most of the detail parts would fit about any kit with the exception of structural pieces like fenders and such, which need to be tailored to a specific kit.
That Tiger kit you mention would be a good choice. It does have several different paint schemes and come with few options so you can choise slightly different versions. There is also the Tamiya kit 35277 which is a Tiger I used in North Africa so is also a single colour scheme if you want somthing other than grey.
personally i would go for Aber PE, but they can be very off putting if you are not used to PE, so eduard might be your best choice if there is any for that kit. But you just want PE grills and are not to worried about all the other PE parts, Tamiya do seperate PE grills for the Tiger.
As mentioned, the newer Pz II kits come with tracks you put together. But there is also the slightly older Pz III Ausf N kit.
Based on the conversation thread so far - i think that the Tiger might be out for a first build and something slightly easir (or less complex)
The Panzer kit mentioned is a strong favorite, particularly as it comes with a bit of PE.
The Sherman is a close second, but I’m not sure - can you get PE bits for this tank?
The merits of the Sherman however is that if I do this kit then It could be a start of a ‘Normandy’ collection which Id like to start, and then when I’ve got some more confidence, particularly with the Airbrush then a later Panzer of Tiger could be on the cards later in the year.
I do however have a 'paint question - would you suggest the recommend Tamiya paint for either the panzer or the Sherman - or paint from another range?
Another great Tamiya kit for consideration is the Sturmgeschütz III Ausf.B (Sd.Kfz.142) it comes with some PE and an interior and a great decal sheet and one piece tracks and builds like a dream.
biffa has a good point. That would be a great kit to start on.
Tamiya paints will be perfectly fine. There are plenty of other brands, i use xtracolour enamels from Hannants. But tamiya Acrylics will be easier to use and will save you figuring out which are the right paints to use.
The Stug is on the shortlist - but only at number 3 for now.
I have a question about the Panzer II thou. There is a French Campaign 292 and Polish Campaign 299 kit numbers.
The Polish one has a rounded front hull armour - does anyone know if one or either of these kits with the option to build either rounded or squared off version… or rather, were both versions used in both theatres?
They are basically the same kit, just with different markings. One allows you to build an A,B or C the other just a C. But the differences are minor. Not sure on the reason why one has a rounded front and one is squared off.
Dru, I believe (could be mistaken) that the squared nose (heavier armor) was introduced after the Polish campaign due to suggestions from the field. It was an upgrade for the French Campaign. I suspect you could find the original round nose still being used in France but I don’t think the square nose was available during the Polish campaign. Again, I could be mistaken as i’m speaking from memory rather than going to dig out my books on the Pz II… Someone please correct me if this is not right.
Edit: I will go dig out my Pz II refs to check… be right back.
K-dawg I think you might be right. I have just found some pics which show Pz II with the rounded front and they seem to be earlier. One is of an Ausf c as opposed to C. It seem clear that the rounded fronts were earlier tanks. So it is likely that the A,B and C tanks used in Poland were then upgraded.
From what I can find the square nose version was simple an Applique over the original round nose of the early Pz II C. Many (but probably not all of them) were upgraded with this armor kit for the French Campaign.
Also, apparently some were upgraded with the Late C commanders cupola.
Looking into it a bit more, I see there is an older Tamiya kit (without PE parts) for the Panzer Kampf II Ausf. F/G.
It comes with figures but look like its for a Desert campaign. It does say that comes with different marking etc - does anyoe know if one of them would be a solid grey from either the French or Polish Campaigns?
The Ausf F didn’t enter service until 1941 so would not have taken part in either of those campaigns. And to be honest that is not a very good good. Much better to go with one of the newer Pz II’s
The Tamiya Cromwell would be a good choice. It was used in Normandy, a solid color, one-peice tracks and very easy to build.
There are about 4 PE kits available from Eduard and a resin kit from Verlinden that are made for this model. I also believe 3 set of tracks are also available. I comes with a decent figure and some options like the Normandy cowling and a hedge cutter.
I’d second building one of the Tamiya M4 Shermans, especially as a first kit. It’s the first armor kit I built and it prepares you for the more difficult kits, you’ll encounter.
The single color, the vinyl tracks and fewer road wheels, make for a simple build and a great display piece, when finished.
