Brother Armor Modelers !
I have been a die hard Tamayia 1/35 scale builder for years. What’s the real deal on the 1/48 scale line by Tamiya? I have been thinking of buying the M4 on line but I would hate to be disappointed.
PS When will somebody build or reissue a 1/35 Centurion ? It’s one of the most important AFVs ever built ?
Best to all !
Tanker 5th BN 73rd Armor
Pretty decent little kits. Quick builds but the detail is not as plentiful as on 1/35 scale kits by Tamiya and Dragon. Not disappointing to me in the least bit. I’ve got two of their M4 Shermans, one of their M4A1 Shermans and the M10 Wolverine. Worth the $20 to buy one.
The 1/48th scale Tamiya kits are pretty good, but not nearly as good as a modern Tamiya 35th scale kit. If you compare my latest 1/48 project (the Stug IIIB) with the M26 Pershing in 35th scale, the Pershing is going to win this comparison. The fit is better, and the detail is better.
It will take you 1/4 of the time to build the 1/48th scale kits.
The 1/48th scale kits remind me of big and accurate 72nd scale Hasegawa kits, and they are worth a try. I think that you’ll still enjoy building the 35th scale stuff as I do.
I hope my input was helpful.
Grant
If you are interested in a great 1/48 kit have a look at either of the Skybow Tigers, they are both excellent kits (regardless of scale) IMHO. I am currently working on the late Tiger I and the detail is as good as almost any of the current 1/35 kits around. The only weak point on the kit that I can see is the rubber band tracks, but if you feel the need there are a couple of AM companies that provide indi track sets for this kit.
Cheers
Tanker,
I’ve built the M4, Tiger I, a Kubelwagon and the Citroen staff car. Enjoyed each build. They are all easy builds in my opinion. The details on the M4 are nowhere near what you get on the 1/35th model, most of the small parts are molded in place, not as many options, i.e. open or closed hatches and such, least not without modifications. Don’t know about the Tiger compared to the larger scale but I did have issues with the tracks. Not a lot of fun but I managed anyway. All said I’d say go for it. They’re good kits and I hope they release more 1/48th kits in the future. Hope this helps.
Hud
I would agree with both the praise and criticisms of the above. There is likely another inducement for the scale, however. Numbers. Tamiya alone issued some 20 kits in 2005, and will likely exceed those numbers in 2006. Additionally, Trumpeter and Skybow can be expected to add to the total.
It seems the quality improves with each new release from Tamiya. They are fun to build, and the zinc hulls give them heft. You can display them in a variety of scenarios in less than half the space required for larger models. I suspect this year will see another manufacturer or two test the 1/48 market; not necessarily to the detriment of their established 1/35 line, but rather as a alternative option.
I’ve seen a couple of these kits in person and they look reasonably nice. My problem with them is the price. I know you can probably get them online at a decent discount, but at my LHS they were $28!!! For not much more I could but a 1/35 Dragon kit and have more/better details…they can keep them… as far as I’m concerned those kits shouldn’t be more than about $15.
These kits are excellent. I’m just about to start on the new M4A1 Sherman.
Price-wise, I know they’re expensive overseas, but here in Japan they ARE under $15 USD! I only paid about $12 USD for the new Sherman. Unfortunately shipping, and more importantly, import fees raise those low prices for the overseas markets.
Geez, the built-up Tamiya Master Works 1/48 models are only about $30 USD here!
They seem to be good little kits.
Tiger review:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/tamiya/tam32504.htm
Sherman review:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/tamiya/tam32505.htm
CHeck out Perth’s site for a review of the full line. Personally, I don’t see the appeal. They are fun, quick builds, but just don’t have the appeal of 1/35 models.
Here’s some appeal for you, Zok! [;)]
My Naniwa Sensha-tai clubmate Kaz Yoshioka built this amazing diorama, which is on the Tamiya website and has also appeared in Tamiya’s FSM ads.
Awesome!
See more here: http://tamiya.com/japan/products/series_48mmv/index.htm