If anyone here is getting used to me, then they know by now that I am constantly working on three or four progects at a time. On the bench now is a 1/25 AMT 57 BelAir, a 1/72 Revell JagdPanther(nearing final completion in a matter of days), a 1/48 Revell Spitfire Mk 11, and a 1/72 Revell P-47 Thunderbolt(just opened!)!!! So, with my baby, the JagdPanther nearing completion, I need a new armor kit, the Jagd… was my first armor kit and I loved it!!! So I’m looking to build something else, first off, I like 1/72 scale, small, cheap and less suplies, so I want to stick to that, second off, I only have hand painting abilities now due to the weather here in icy Ohio. So, let me know, I prefer WW2 armor, German more specifically, and I was considering a good, Howitzer, or something, anyone have ideas on what I should build??? Please, I want to have a good FUN build and know you guys are full of tips! Thanks!!![:-^]
Since I build only 1/35 scale kits I probably couldn’t recommend a good company, but I have heard good things about Dragon’s new 1/72 line. They have German tanks abound. I know of an Elefant, Panther, Sturmtiger to name a few. Some of the braille scale pros will have to guide you on this one.
The best 1/72 models (braile scale) that I have seen come from Revel. I have their Tiger, Panther and Sherman. If I were you, I would go with their Panther A/D. That is the one I have and it is really good. I haven’t built one yet, but I’ve read that their three different Panzer IV’s are the best around. Those are next on my to list[;)].
I’ve got first hand knowledge on the new Dragon 1/72 scale kits. The four I’ve got are the Elefant, Panther, M1A1 and M1A2. The Abrams kits mediocre at best and I only plan on using them to update my Revell kits. The Panther belongs to my daughter, the diecast metal parts have some fit problems. The Elefant (same problems with its twin the Ferdinand) has vinyl tracks that are way too big. Some link and length tracks would make it a winner.
My money goes to Revell in 1/72 scale, but there are some nice ex-Esci kits in Italeri boxes as well.
I am totally pleased with my Academy Early Tiger. Lots of detail and not a bad price @ 45$.
The academy tiger you’re talking about Critr is in 1/35 scale, right? It really is an amazing kit. I find academy to be releasing some really nice armor kits lately.
glenoakdrummer2005, I can’t give any advice to 1/72 scale kits, as I’ve never paid them much attention. The only thing I can say about them is that revell are probably the only one’s I’d bother with
I can wholeheartedly recommend all the 1/48 scale kits though! I started with those, and they’re just great. Fairly nice scale to work with, good detail, and good, fairly cheap prices. Haven’t seen much german armour in that scale though, at least not recently. Mostly modern stuff. Maybe someone else out ther knows of some german ones… I personally would love to know
If you’re looking for teenie tanx, check out the 1/76 Fujimi JS-II or Tiger I late, or any of the JGSDF series. Excellent kits!
Some of their other 1/76 armor kits are older and less amazing right out of the box, but the above-mentioned kits are stellar. (My fave is the JS-II)
My 2 cents…
I’ve got a bunch of braille Revell, and DML, one each of ESCI, Airfix, and Hasagawa.
Revell and DML are at the top of the list. DML kits are much easier/faster from a parts count point of view. Revell/Germany has more add on detail (tools, lift rings, etc.). DML has some subjects you cant’ get anywere else (yet) in braille (…Sturmtiger, Ferdinand). DML is using the color picture instructions sheets. These can be a problem with 1/35, they are sometimes very difficult with 1/72. They also seem to set a standard of one or two misprints per instruction sheet. My M1A2 showed the turret basket on backwards! But their overall detail is nice. Revell/Germany has beautiful, crisp detail and the builds aren’t bad. Some parts are very small and subject to breakage. I am replacing the entire shurzen brackets on my Kpzw IV with photoetch, if I can ever find a powerful enough magnifying glass!
The ESCI kit I have (Jadgpanzer IV) is a mess. I’ve seen very few kits as bad as this one is. Of course, I just finished working on the Revell/Germany Kpzw IV, so maybe that tainted my view. Hasagewa is certainly not up to standards of their 1/72 wingy thingy kits. And Airfix is typical Airfix.
I think your best bets are Revell/Germany and Dragon, if you can get around the instructions!
Thanks guys, I will say, the only armor kit I’ve built was a great build! It was a 1/72 scale JagdPanther from Revell and allthough I wish it had a bit more in the parts count area for the detailing, it’s still a great build!!!How about artillery?