I got back into modeling about a year and a half ago. Since then I’ve done a few models, including two ships. However, I really want to start doing Armor. I currently have three kits waiting to be built. Unfortunately, I haven’t paid that much attention to “finish”. I paint the models but never really worry about seam lines, injection marks, etc. What I would like is a tank that has known fit problems that are relatively easy to fix, and is also relatively inexpensive. Something to hone my skills before ruining a more expensive model (particularly Tamiya’s T-55A). Would prefer if it had a camo pattern as well.
So my question is: Does any one know of such a kit?
Tamiya’s old panther (1/35) had some problems mostly in lack of detail and mold lines. There are some fit problems too, but with some work it could make a good model or a testing ground.
I just finished Tamiya’s T-55A and [wow] that doesnt need much clean up at all
Well master I dont know about any armor models with bad fits, all the ones that I have done have been fairly good fitting. How ever I did have to use filling putty with my 251 ausf D Halftrack, that haowever may have been more me than the model. Now back to the original question. I do however know that the Revell Monogran 1/48th Scale Spitfire was a poorly fitting model that I had to do quite a bit of filling to get it to fit and even after it still didn’t look right. Its not armor but if your looking for a model to help you get better at filling and fitting then this should be the model you could use. Also it is only about 12 bucks at Walmart or KMart.
If you really want to learn how to fill seems and blemishes, buy any old aircraft kit (i could be shot for this here). But they all have seams on the fusalge (two halves), wing roots, wings, sometime the horizontle stab’s too. Anyway, if you can do a clean job on an a/c model you can do anything! Most armor really isn’t that bad for seams, except the barrels. If yo ucan do a barrel and keep it looking round you’re there too!
If you are looking for a simple and inexpensive tank kit with some problems I could recommend Tamiya T-3485 Tamiya or M-42 Walker Bulldog. Or if you really up to the challenge, try one of those Trumpeteer 1/35 Tank kits.
From what I understand about all that is involved with the new T-55 is tossing a bottle of glue in the box, shutting the lid shakin it up and out pops a tank…
Dragons Night Fighting Panther G has some peculiar areas on it… Particularly the engine deck and the hull sponson bottoms that require some filling. The kit is going for around 15 bucks right now… Also you can have a go of the indi links… This is a good practice kit I think… But then I am partial to the Panther…
Oh one more thing… It ain’t a weird question you asked… Its pretty smart actually… Good thinking… !!
Same thing goes with painting… Most of us probably have some paint dummys laying around that we practice on. I prefer the old Tamiya King Tiger for that purpose… Anything thats cheap and big…
Academy’s M1A1. Although it may be too modern for your taste. The turret goes together a little funky. But not too bad. Or the old tamiya m8 I did. That needed some heat to get the forward hull together.
If you can get a hold of Lindburgh’s T55 it can give you some real challenges and make you appreciate that Tamiya offering ever so much more. The Lindburgh kit is pretty cheap, but you may have to Ebay or garage sale to find it.
I have read other posts about how well Tamiya’s T-55 goes together and wanted to avoid something that goes together that easily (for now anyway). Now all I need to do is finish that ship I’m working on and turn to the darkside
I am surprised that my suggested manufacturer has not been mentioned yet… Personally I think just about any Italeri kit would fit the bill for you. I would say that Italeri kits are a bit fidgety and they are notorious for mould lines. As far as filling goes, well every kit could be improved with a little putty. Italeri kits are usually pretty cheap and they build into some great models with a little time and patients.
