Those who have been in the modeling racket longer than I have already know what companies make the best kits (answer: it varies from subjedct to subject). But I’d like to ask, what company makes the best instructions?
Having kits from several manufacturers, I’ll throw in a vote for Dragon. They are clear enough to follow, have paint reccomendations for several manufacturers, and are printed on a thick, durable, glossy foldout–in color, no less.
I’m also fairly impressed with the instructions for my Testors SR-71. The written instructions are in plain, clear English, with only a picture or two per step. Granted, good jobs can be done with just pictures, but hey, it’s nice to know that somebody speaks the language.
I find the Accurate Miniatures instructions to be very easy to understand. I only have one of their kits, so I don’t know if all of their instructions are exactly the same. It’s like a book! A whole page is devoted to each step. The pictures are nice and big so it’s easy to see, which makes it a little easier to understand how to put the thing together. They even go into detail of how to paint the pieces and where to put them. One thing that’s kind of nice, they also use the names of the parts, not just the numbers. I even have something good to say about the paper; it’s thick, not that cheap thin stuff! I guess since they don’t try to make everything, they can spend a lot of time putting together a really nice manual, not to mention the kit! Just by looking at it, you can tell it’s good quality.[8D] But that’s my opinion.[2c]
I’ll second Aviator’s thoughts. They gave a really good historical background of the Dirty Dora. They also add a dash of humor into their instructions, and i think that’s awesome.
Instructions ? Real modelers don’t need no stinkin instructions !! [:D].
Seriously, of the ones I’ve built, Accurate Miniatures rates pretty high. I haven’t built any of the newer Dragon kits, but from what I’ve seen their new format looks good, as does Trumpeters.
Who makes the best instructions? Mackie, no doubt.
But since were talking models I’ll go with the popular answer of AM. I’d also like to cast a negative vote for the people who print up disasters like Revellograms P-61 instructions.
Some of the bigger kits from Trumpeter have very nicely laid out instructions. The older Dragon stuff is just confusing. One of the easiest have been the old AMT car kits that I built as a kid.
Ditto with Tango. Dragon’s instructions are a bit hard for me because they require you to do so much in one little step. I might forget something that will remain off after discovering afterwards.
Bandai also make great pictoral instructions, and verbal instructions, if you understand Japanese.
I don’t really build planes but I would have to go with Accurate Minatures as well. Really likesd how every part was called the actual name and even the way they lay out the instructions like it is someone sitting there telling you how to do it.
zokissima - You obviously never built the old AMT firetrucks. Those are a disaster. 500 parts and not hardley a one numbered and arrows pointing to the back of things where you can’t even tell where to put it.
[tup] have a ton of Ikea stuff from when my wife and I were young and broke. Wait a minute, I’m still broke! LOL
I must have 30 of those little allen keys! [:D] The unit I use for my computers is Ivar shelving with an extension table and pull out keyboard drawers. Rock solid after 8 years of use.
When I was based in Saudi, we bought our first bed at Ikea(Jeddah), it got moved to the UK, then to the USA, still going strong, it’s now in the spare room.
And yes, those damn allen keys[:D]