discussion Brands

[Sennbix]

Currently using Tamiya/Revell. Not tried any of the other brands. But wondering if I'm missing anything. Media says Tamiya is probably superior in fit but not the biggest catologue of models. Any opiniins gratefully recieved

 

[Geoffers]

Depends on what you’re building really and when the kit was released. The more modern ones tend to go together easier.

If it’s aircraft then the newer Airfix kits are good, nice amount of detail and generally fit well.
Tamiya tend to go together superbly well even the older kits but can have less detail than some other manufacturers.
Eduards newer kits are highly detailed and go together well but their transfers need to be treated differently than the usual types to get the best out of them.
Trumpeter/Hobbyboss are generally well detailed and go together ok but can be inaccurate if that is a concern for you.

I would recommend you have a look at Scalemates before you purchase anything. Here you can find the moulding history, reviews and download instructions to see the construction process.

https://www.scalemates.com/

If it’s Armour or other genres then I’m sure some of them other guys can help.

Cheers,

Geoff.

 

[Sennbix]

Thank you for the info.

George.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

For armour, I do like a Meng kit.

 

[Tim Marlow]

If you have something in mind, you can always ask on here. Someone will probably have made it, or one close to it George.

 

[pjgtech]

Maybe I've been lucky but don't think I've had a "bad" kit since I got back into the hobby. Yes, I've had some kits that were more challenging than others, but nothing drastic TBH. In the last 18/24 months I've built kits from Airfix, Tamiya, Dragon, Academy, Revell, IBG, Matchbox, Italeri, Hobby Boss, AFV Club, MiniArt, MB Masterbox, Gecko, Emhar, plus maybe a couple of others? Even done a few "vintage" kits that were ok.
I'd say just go for it and don't worry too much about what brand it is, if its a kit that appeals to you, then just buy it and put it in the stash....

 

[flyjoe180]

Hi George. I echo Geoff's advice about reading or watching reviews before committing your hard-earned pennies. You can always ask here if anyone has built a certain kit and if they had any issues during the process.

 

[Miko]

Maybe I've been lucky but don't think I've had a "bad" kit since I got back into the hobby. Yes, I've had some kits that were more challenging than others, but nothing drastic TBH. In the last 18/24 months I've built kits from Airfix, Tamiya, Dragon, Academy, Revell, IBG, Matchbox, Italeri, Hobby Boss, AFV Club, MiniArt, MB Masterbox, Gecko, Emhar, plus maybe a couple of others? Even done a few "vintage" kits that were ok.
I'd say just go for it and don't worry too much about what brand it is, if its a kit that appeals to you, then just buy it and put it in the stash....

You're exactly right, in the past twenty odd years there has been no really 'bad' kits. Subjective of course, there are some modelling forums, one in particular I probably shouldn't name seem to enjoy harshly criticizing kits because they see them as being 1mm out, describing them as 'unbuildable'! This generally means they aren't good modellers and looking to blame the kits for their lack of skills in this hobby of ours! . . . probably?

You mention kits being 'challenging' , this is my thought too, it's great we have kits from Tamiya that go together easily, but sometimes we need to push ourselves a bit and build something more 'challenging', this makes kits with problems more valuable that 'shake n' bake' offerings, it's why I have stuff in the stash who's molds are around half a century old

I suppose it depends on whether you see the thrill in the build or the finished article, a journey or destination sort of thing?

Miko (philosophical today)

 

[Bugatti Fan]

What kits you build is often driven by subject matter.
Sometimes an older kit that needs a bit of work might be the only one made.
Due to the complete lack of a kit of any description, sometimes I have had to start scratch building. But that is another ball game altogether.

 

[PaulTRose]

You mention kits being 'challenging' , this is my thought too, it's great we have kits from Tamiya that go together easily, but sometimes we need to push ourselves a bit and build something more 'challenging', this makes kits with problems more valuable that 'shake n' bake' offerings, it's why I have stuff in the stash who's molds are around half a century old

Even tamiya have their dogs of kits (shudders at bad memory of Porsche 959)

I like older kits just for the challenge..... Taking a nadgerly old kit from 40+ years ago and turning it into something presentable is really rewarding

 

[Miko]

I like older kits just for the challenge..... Taking a nadgerly old kit from 40+ years ago and turning it into something presentable is really rewarding

Exactly! That is what scale modelling is all about!

 

[Miko]

What kits you build is often driven by subject matter.
Sometimes an older kit that needs a bit of work might be the only one made.
Due to the complete lack of a kit of any description, sometimes I have had to start scratch building. But that is another ball game altogether.

Yep, been there done that, Matchbox were good for rare 'only game in town' kits, lots of inter war biplanes and two seat Lightnings for example, but only came in the export T55 version so needed and Airfix F1a/F3 ventral tank to represent an RAF version, Matchbox kits were usually good but often had problems with super heavy panel lines as we all know

But now, it's like we're in a second golden age, more kits of rarer types than ever before thanks to low pressure bronze injection molding many out of the Czech Republic and Ukraine, so now we have Sword two seat Lightning T4/5, never saw that coming twenty years ago!

Miko (Like Frog kits, becoming increasingly rare, appreciated and valuable with age)