I’m looking for suggestions for a model to use in a build-up for an article I’ll be doing. We’ve seen so much good discussion in these forums that asking for input here just seemed the natural place to start.
Here’s the angle: It’ll be a first-time armor modeling week-end project how-to. The idea is to show what kind of model somebody with basic modeling skills can build with basic tools start-to-finish (including painting) in 48 hours. To keep with the spirit of the game, the 48-hour limit should factor in eating, sleeping, rest room breaks, etc. [;)] We’re probably really talking about a 10-15(ish) hour project, which leaves detailing pretty much to what comes in the box. What would be a good kit to use for this project? I’m thinking it should be a tank…and it should be something that:
Is readily available
Is a reasonably popular subject
Is 1/35 scale
Is not too complex (remember we’ve only got a weekend)
Doesn’t require a ton of seam filling
Has a monochrome paint scheme (it’s a non-airbrush project–I’ll probably paint it from a spray can)
Whaddya think? Keep in mind that I’m not an Armor Guy myself (yet! learning fast–and really enjoying it), which explains why I got this assignment.
How come nobody mentioned any German armors?. They were kings of the
battle (before the demise of the Third Reich). I’d recommend you take the German Panther tank. According to Squadron’s “Panther in Action”, “An unofficial rule of thumb in the U.S. Army was that it took five Shermans to knock out a single Panther. The German built 4,814 Panther tanks; the U.S. built 52,000 Shermans”.
Panthers 1:35 are easy to find, from most major model manufacturers like
Tamiya, Italeri, Academy, in so many editions (A/D, Early/Late)and can be finished in one color - German Gray or Dark Brown (Sand Color used by German Afrika Korps)
(Dragon also produces Panthers and can do better than all the rest. But their
individual track-link makes it too complex for beginners, so I don’t recommend.)
To have some clues of how the project could end out or turn out into, look at
this one-color Panther :
I will also vote for the T-34, easy-cheesy build, and alotta fun. Only one color, too. GREEN! LOL I also had more fun than usual with mine; gave it a good mud bath! I’ve posted a pic of it elswhere in this forum, if anyone’s interested to take a look.
moses! i do the same thing! watch history channel! i build a 1/35 t34 in 1 night. i started at 5:00 pm and ended at 10:00 am the next day. my parents were pissed but i made the deadline [;)]
hi for me it has to be the italeri DUKW kit , basic build out of box 4 hours rest spent in the small details and paint job , all in your time scale and can be painted with spray can , cheers ian
The Tamiya M-41 Walker Bulldog is the easiest kit I have built recently. Squadron sells it for under $11. (I know this isn’t an issue with you guys but a first time builder would want something cheap). A spray can of OD, a little gunmetal and black. Bing…Bang…Boom you have a real nice display piece
My first thought was the Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog that jdelta suggests. My 9 year old daughter just built the Tamiya Panzer II Ausf. F/G in 2½ hours while we were at an AMPS meeting. Of course she did not paint it, she will select an appropriate color and will hit the booth tomorrow. The kit cost about $8 and it would take a little longer if you blank over some of the motorization holes (she doesn’t bother with this). Quick and easy weekend build, superb entry level armor kit for a youngster just starting out with glue tank kits.
Just to be the oddball…how 'bout one of Tamiya’s half-tracks? Easy build and a good transition model from autos to armour (not to mention they just look cool).
Yeah, a T-34 would be nice ‘n’ quick, from both the easy kit and simple vehicle standpoints.
How long did it take 'em to make the real ones in that frenzied time? Less than a day? Surely you could beat that!
a halftrack is a easy kit to build but it has several sub-assemblies. the german halftrack with the aa gun in back is a hard kit. i forgot the name but its from tamiya. whatever u do dont get it. the roadwheels supporters are very brittle and track is too tight. not a good combo.[:p]
I was thinking of the American personnel carrier specifically but the mortar carrier might be a good choice as well. I wouldn’t recommenn any German arnour except early war because the camo patterns got to complex for a spray can. American armour you can just sprau on a coat of OD paint the rubber on the road wheels and go. I have built 3 of Tamiya’s American half tracks and any of the three could be done in under 15 hrs. incl. figs and look good.[:)]
A Russian T-34. Tamiya and Italeri have a couple of easy-to-build versions. Like what the others said, painting is easy as its usually just green. Like the real things, these models were uncomplicated and easy to put together. Shermans would be next on the list but that would be because of its monochromatic paint scheme. DONT DO ANYTHING GERMAN just yet.