Hello, there!
Ive gotten the itch to buy myself my first tank kit, but I dont really know what is out there. I have a 40% off cupon to Hobby Lobby, and would like to get myself a nice kit, for not too much $$.
What would you recomend as a good “newbie” kit?
thanks
OWL
Saturday I got the Tamiya Stug III at Hobby Lobby for $32, 40% off on clearance. It was recommended in this forum and looks like a good 2nd kit for me. Lots of parts and some photo-etched, but does not look difficult. It came out in 2005.
I got the Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog there a few months ago as my 1st model in 18 years. This was OK, but it is an old 1970s reissued kit and has some fit problems, but not many parts. It was only $10 after the discount. I also looked at the old Tamiya Panther kit, but read lots of bad reviews on it. It is about $17.
The Tamiya Cromwell was also highly recommended, but I did not see that at this Hobby Lobby. It’s about $30 online.
I decided to spend a little more on a good kit, instead of fighting a old one with problems.
Any of the newer Tamiya kits are an excellent choice. Since I don’t have a Hobby Lobby, I can’t tell you what’s out there. I do believe some Dragon kits exist, but are rare. Either way, since you’re looking for something simple enough, go with any of the newer Tamiya releases.
Tamiya fit well yet are pricey and simplistic.
Dragon usually stuffs many extra parts on sprue frames in the box for other variants or optional versions. Great if you plan on building more say… 1/35 scale German armor. Don’t let the parts count throw you off, take the total and divide by least 1/3 to estimate the # of parts used. Look for 'Magic tracks’ They are individual links that don’t require clean up and snap together. They are pricey as well yet top quality.
Trumpeter is the best value for your $. Expect NO interior detail or extra parts. The tracks are usually ‘rubber band’ type. AM track replacements will still give you a great looking tank under the cost of the rest. Avoid metal tracks until you are willing to pay more than a few kits just for tracks.
Hobby Boss packs full interiors into their kits. No variant options and good detail / value for $. I would avoid this B/C unless you are keen on interior detail most will never be seen. Besides a tank should be… tanking not on display like a auto show & shine!
Scale is another factor. a 1/72 scale tank will cost less than 10$ and be a good introduction. For these wee metal monsters I highly recommend Dragon’s newer series of tank kits. 1/48 scale is back in vogue, the hype over ‘metal hulls’ is over rated and makes detailing difficult. I would stick to 1/35 scale for your first tank.
Pick a tank and decide on scale. There are plenty of reviews online to choose the kit.
My personal recommendations:
1/35 scale Trumpeter KV series with AFV club AM tracks.
1/72 scale Dragon newer series. Check reviews as some are not as good.
After the Mig-29 a tank will be fun, easy build between more complex projects![t$t]
Jason
wow. [:|]
Thanks Jason! Very informative!
I was thinking of doing a smaller scale tank. About how big would the different scales be? I have an Idea of how big airplanes would be in scale…but not tanks.
What is the guestimate on the price of a Tamiya tank? The consensus seems to be that they are pretty good, and I know the local HobbyLobby has a bunch.
Newer (and far superior) Tamiya kits are going to be in the $45-$65 range… but that’s not bad with the coupon. I’d recommend ANYTHING from Tamiya (that hobby lobby carries) that is recently produced (not an older kit). To figure out whether the kit is newer, find the small copyright date on the box. That should be a good indicator. Hobby Lobby usually carries Tamiya Marder III’s, the new (and good) Stug, the sdkfz 222 (armored car), a sherman or two, and a French B1 Bis… I’d recommend the stug, or the French tank… Just get whatever looks cool, and whatever is dated newer- also I’d recommend whatever is more expensive- its worth it with your coupon. That’s a deal. Just be sure to get Tamiya- that’s the best that hobby lobby carries. Also, get 1/35 scale- they will range from about 6 to 8 inches in length… Tamiya’s the best for people new to armor.
Just make sure you get a new kit, not some old 70’s reproduction
Mig-29 you say, was it the Academy kit in 1/48?..if it was you could be big help.
No, mg.mikael , it was the old Monogram Mig-29. I dont know how similar the 2 kits are, but I’ll try to help you out if you have any questions
in other news, I made my selection. When I said that the local Hobby Lobby had a lot of Tamiya, I need to correct that to say “all they had was Tamiya”
I chose the M41 Walker Bulldog. With the cupon, it only cost me about $10. I’m not too picky about iffy fits–Im used to building some of the older revell/monogram (airplane) kits. and seeing as this is my first tank…I wont be too upset if I mess it up a little!
Tanks for all the help you guys!
OWL
Good choice to start with. I am almost done with my Tamiya M41, my first kit in 18 years. Here is some build websites on this model:
http://www.guntruck.com/M41WalkerBulldog.html
http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/misc/jacksonm41.htm
I used these to add some detail to the kit, like the lifting loops on the front from wiring terminals. Also got ideas on how to paint it.
Leave those darn antennas off until you are done painting, they are a pain. I also should have left off the travel lock, I broke that during painting.
One aircraft builder to another… Nuthin’ wrong with the Bulldog… It’s a great Noob kit, builds confidence in armor kits, and it’s a scratchbuilder/superdetailer’s dream…
Same with the old Panther A and T-34/75 kits… And you can’t beat the prices…
Quick little tip for adding some detail to the Bulldog… The storage bins on the sides are incorrectly detailed as having smooth panels… They actually had an “X” shappe stamped into them (to increase rigidity in the sheet metal)… A couple pieces of stretched sprue, sanded flat to a half-round shape, applied to doors and liquid cemented in place will go a long way towards improving the accuracy of the kit…
