Hello, I have always been doing aircraft models,and want to do a 1/35 WWII armor model.What model/maker/country/accessories/refrences should I get? Comments much appreciated.
-Nick
I like Tamiya
Most any newer release from Tamiya or Dragon(DML) would be a good start. Tiger 1s and Panthers are always popular.
Aber and Eduard make good PE.
Frieulemodel and AFV club make good after market track.
Tamiya and Model Master acrylic paints are widely used.
Warrior makes good figures. Jaguar figures are also good but harder to get.
There are a host of resin companies that produce armor conversions such as Verlinden and Royal models but they can get pricey.
Tamiya stuff usually goes together really well, but Tamiya is more expensive. I’ve read in the past that the Tamiya M-41(I think!) is a really good kit for the first time armor builder.
That’s true, if you don’t mind the price, Tamiya is a good one to start with. However, it shouldn’t be a problem for you to choose cheaper but (standard wise) not that good models. That’s from what I read that you’re also doing Aircraft models.
Right now the squadron shop has a good sale on some of the Tamiya stuff and there M-41 is on sale for $6.99 which would be a great kit to get started on.Digger
So many, so little time. [:D] Many of the older Tamiya kits (T-34, Stuart, Pz II) are easy and affordable, but aren’t up with the times. Dragon offers the best bang for the buck, but most newbies get intimidated by the indy tracks. They aren’t that difficult, just time consuming. Newer offerings like Tamiya’s Wespe, Panzer III and Marder III’s are easy and beautiful to put together. If price is a problem, try ebay or www.greatmodels.com
For a newcomer you might try some of Italeri’s new offerings. They’re generally in between Dragon and Tamiya as far as price goes. They’ve just started with a line of LVT’s and I’m currently building the LVT A4. It’s a nice simple build and so far is going together well. And no indie links. Unless of course you can catch a sale on the newer Tamiya kits.
Thanks all, I was just one Internet Hobbies and saw a 1/35 Tamiya Pzkfw V Panther Ausf A for 16.50$.Any opinions on that kit?
It is a much older release. Of course it is easy to build, cheap. and looks nice when done. Would make a good first kit. If you had contests in mind it is not as accurate as the newer releases.
That sounds like a nice kit to get you going. Build a few that you LIKE and can afford. It’s all about the fun baby!! After that,and you find you like armor… JUST GET THEM ALL!!![8-][party][swg]
for a beginner id make sure you got a tank with vinyl tracks, not independent track links (very time consuming and annoying). any sherman is probably a good place to star or a tiger 1. good luck.
Me too…along with Tamiya paints.
I’m working on a Tamiya 35216 Tiger I kit. This is my first build in a little over 10 years!
The fit and the quality is outstanding on Tamiya kits.
I would have to say anything Tamiya or Dragon also.
I am planning to try the LVT(A)4. This will be my first model since middle school age (more years ago thatn I care to remember), so I am glad to hear the generally positive reviews. I am thinking of one of the Trakz conversion kits to make the vehicle “correct.” Have you tried one of these kits?
Well, before you get anything, see what is it that you WANT to build, in terms of whether it’s modern or WWII. Additionally, axis or allies is also a choice to make. After that, start looking at what kits would interest you. As stated, some of the earlier Tamiya kits are great to start with, they’re vey simple builds, and are quite affordable. I would suggest one of their earlier T-34 kits. Great price, great subject.
I’d recommend a Tamiya Sherman – a nice kit, not perfectly accurate but that’s ok. It has one-piece tracks and it was amongst the most widely produced tanks in WWII.
A good alternative might be a Tamiya Panzer IVJ – doesn’t require zimmerit. (An early H might also squeek in under the no-zimm line, but I don’t recall if they all had zimm or not.)
These are workhorse tanks and are more representative, and IMO more interesting, than the Tigers and Panthers you see in everyone’s collection.
P-51ace65,
I think a lot of your choice depends on your skill level when it comes to building. If you have a good bit of experience with the aircraft you should be O.K. with about anything you choose.
How concerned are you with accuracy? Are you willing to work with kits that are somewhat “fidgety” as far as fit?
The older Tamiya kits fit well, but as been stated not the most accurate you can get. One kit that was considered a very poor kit was the T-62 Russian tank. It’s a kit I’ve built several times. I didn’t care about how accurate it was, I just had fun building it.
Dragon / DML have fine kits. Poor instructions and sometimes fit problems.
Italeri is somewhere in between the two.
My personal preference would be Tamiya. If you can find one at a price you like I think it would be good for a first build.
Joe
I would go with any thing Tamiya. Any model you get from them is going to be a great build. I would go with there Panther Ausf A that they make. Its a real easy kit only bad thing some of the shaps are worng of course you could get one of the later ones the Pather G they cost about 40 dollers now were the Panther A is under 20. Or mybe there Russian T-34 they are about 20 dollers these can be built quick.