Kits to look out for - kits to avoid

[Guest]

My LMS seems to have aircraft from every modelling company going - i'm just wondering if anyone can rate the most common manufacturers - i'm really looking for parts fitting together properly, amount of filler needed, detailing, accuracy - i'm finding that my Revell B-17F instructions are really hit and miss with paint letters that don't exist, decals with question marks, wrong instructions for fitting parts and top sections of wing being longer than the bottom sections. Thanks in advance, Mike

[BarryW]

Tamiya generally are tops for fit and have clear instructions though they could do the colour call-outs better in my view. Their new range of WW2 1:32 scale fighter are amazing kits, expensive but well worth every penny, they are in a class of their own.

Newer moulds with other manufacturers do tend to be much better than they used to be. The new Airfix 1:48's for instance are a match for Tamiya but their old kits are pretty lamentable.

I suggest that before buying a kit to Google to see if there are reviews. Put in the manufacturer you are thinking of, the scale and name of kit and review. I do this all the time.

[stona]

I'm with Barry. Kits vary greatly even from the same brand. It depends on how old they are,or more specifically the molds are,to a large extent. Modern C.A.D.and mold cutting techniques make for more accurately fitting kits,whoever has their name on the box. Things are complicated as both molds and rights get sold on so you can easily buy a Hasegawa kit in a Revell box (as I have done recently with my current Bf109K project) for example. There are many other permutations!

Even newer kits from smaller companies are likely to be a bit more challenging as they are made in limited runs and there will be financial constraints on what they can achieve and remain economically viable.. I recently built a Pacific Coast Models Hurricane. It was tricky but builds into the most accurate 1/32 Hurricane you can get.

If you are contemplating a kit give it a Google,as Barry suggested. You can also always ask the members here,if anyone has built your intended victim they will be able to give you an unbiased view of it.

Cheers

Steve