Is there any manufacturers that are better than others?

[Guest]

Hi,

As I've said on a previous post i'm just starting to get back into scale models after a long while and i'm just wondering if there are particular manufacturers that are better than others?

I would have previously pretty much just of made Tamiya kits as thats what my local shop only stocked but what about the other makes?

I haven't any strong leaning towards any particular modelling areas, i fancy making a M4A3 sherman, some sort of WW2 battleship and maybe a f15 strike eagle as well as a classic mini if that makes any difference.

Are there any makes to stick clear of in particular?

[Guest]

Rob, I don't know much about planes & ships, but for AFVs, I'd always rate Tamiya highly for their general level of detailk & ease of construction.

Greater detail can be found in Dragon kits as with AFV Club but they're often much more expensive.

Basic builds, quite pleasing ones, can come from Italeri kits, but avoid the older ones as they're often inaccurate & fit poorly.

Cheers

Patrick

[geegad]

No idea in planes never built one...but in afv dragon all the way but as Patrick had said a little on the expensive side but worth the money in the long run..

Geegad

[AlanG]

It all depends on the subject matter you are building (and how much you are willing to spend). I have some 15 year old kits that are still fantastic to build and very well detailed. There are also alot that i wouldn't touch with a barge pole. Even some modern kits are a pain to build and sometimes can be too detailed to make it fun to build.

I tend to stick to Tamiya and Revell. But i do have a few kits from the likes of Airfix, Hasegawa, Academy, Italeri and Trumpeter.

Best thing to do is research the kit you want and make a choice from there. Also ask on here as i'm sure people are more then willing to advise

[Guest]

I have a real soft spot for Academy, I think they produce nice kits for those on a budget. but Tamiya, Hasegawa & Dragon are hard to beat if price isn't an issue in my opinion.

I have recently built a 1;72 sabre from Airfix (last years club freebie) and the quality of that was astounding. And I read a few good reviews about the "new tool" stuff.

[Guest]

for armour i like tamiya but i also build revell and italeri. for other kits e.g trains rail guns etc i only use trumpeter, for boats i like italeri it really depends on what you are looking for.

Scott

[Ian M]

Well for my ten cent's I would add that I think it depends a lot on what you want to build. Sometimes there is a choice as the same kit is made by several manufacturers, so its down to detail, accuracy and price. An example is the 1/48 spitfire from Tamiya a very good kit and builds well. The detail is good and "experts" will say the fuselage is the wrong shape. for the Same price you could buy two or three ICM spitfires. IMHO the detail is better as is the shape. It will give more of a challenge in the build though. The Academy kits. Not bad if a bit lacking in detail. Italeri and Revell also do a couple of Spitfires are also a good kit. Most important is that they ALL will build in to a good kit, some will just take more effort.

The New tool Airfix kits are also in a whole new league. Their New Tool Spitfire, Seafire and Me 109 are great little kits.

Lastly It pays to search the interweb. Google the kit you are interested in and you will normally be able to find loads of reviews and the like. You might be lucky- European makers; Revell, Italeri etc often have "lend/lease" agreements with the Far Eastern firms. The Tamiya Stuka is the Italeri kit (just almost twice as much). The Revell Harrier was the one from Hasegawa......At well under half their price.

Ian M