SAYING HELLO FROM UK...

dirtym

Member since
April 2008

SAYING HELLO FROM UK...

Posted by dirtym on Monday, April 28, 2008 7:23 AM

Hi to everyone on FineScale.com forums.

As a boy, I was a keen modeller, spending hours building plastic kits (mostly military aircraft and other vehicles) even winning a national competition in the '70s, but was never any more than an enthusiastic novice.

Now, in my 'middle years', I'm rediscovering the pleasure to be had modelling as I introduce my youngest son to the hobby. He has yet to develop the patience necessary or been at it long enough to gain much in the way of skill. But, it is an enjoyable way to spend time together and he is encouraged by my 2 older sons, now grown up and left home.

I am interested to hear peoples' opinions of the relative merits of the different model companies' kits - level of detail, quality and fit, ease of instruction (and construction) - and which were generally considered to be the better or superior brands of those available (Hasegawa, Fujimi, Dragon, Academy, Trumpeter, Airfix, Revell, Frog, Hobby Boss, Tamiya, Italeri, etc).

My son and I occasionally purchase new (usually 'old' stock sourced from eBay) kits to add to his growing collection and would like an understanding of what the different brands offer and why the varying costs associated.

I look forward to hearing the opinions of the 'seasoned' regulars...

Kind regards.

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Huxy

Member since
April 2008
From: Kristiansund, Norway

Posted by Huxy on Monday, April 28, 2008 7:41 AM

Welcome, Dirtym.

I haven't built kits from so many manufacturers, but Tamiya is outstanding when it comes to 1/48. Their planes are a nice fit and their ground military serie is very detailed.

As for what I've heard and experienced for 1/35, Dragon is the best. Their infantrysets comes in dozens of part and are a great fit. I have yet to try one of their vehicles.

A little bird also told me that Academy are the best when it comes to tanks, but may have changed during the years..

So let's wait for the experts to come ;)

Hope you have a nice time building models with your son, and welcome to the forums!

-Huxy

"Every War Starts And Ends With An Invasion".

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rjkplasticmod

Member since
February 2003
From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State

Posted by rjkplasticmod on Monday, April 28, 2008 7:48 AM

Welcome to the Forums . In general, the major kit manufacturers will offer the better engineering & fit. For 1/48 aircraft, Tamiya, Hasegawa, Accurate Miniatures, Eduard all make some outstanding kits. But they make some duds as well, so it's best to decide what prototype you wish to model & then post a query as to who makes the best kit for it in the scale of your choice.

Regards, Rick

RICK

At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...

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namrednef

Member since
September 2012

Posted by namrednef on Monday, April 28, 2008 8:15 AM

Hello and dirtym!!!

You will find much help available here for the asking. Happy you are getting your son involved!

As mentioned above, every manufacturer has issues with certain kits but very few are considered strictly awful. Tamiya and Hasegawa seem consistantly good. Very few complaints about Academy, Accurate Miniatures and Roden too. The old Monogram/Revell kits all have certain problems, but as your skills get sharper, they still make nice models.

I'm speaking about aircraft as that's all I build or know about!

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dirtym

Member since
April 2008

Posted by dirtym on Monday, April 28, 2008 8:42 AM

A big 'thank-you' to you and the other forum regulars for the warm welcome and kind wishes...

Edouard, Accurate Miniatures and Roden are 3 other manufacturers mentioned (but, as yet, untried by myself). Some universal praise for Tamiya (I have made a few of their 1/48 kits over the years and am very impressed by the detail, accuracy of instruction and, in general, the fit. We will shortly be commencing on his 1/35 M113 by Tamiya.

Also mentioned by some is the inconsistency in quality from Revell. I too have experienced this but find their weakest trait is the unreliability and inaccuracies of their instructions, particularly with numbering of parts. My son doesn't like the fact that so many of their kits, particularly smaller scale ones, don't have figures (pilots)!

Do any here have any experience or knowledge of Okati kits?

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namrednef

Member since
September 2012

Posted by namrednef on Monday, April 28, 2008 12:35 PM

Figures............pilot and otherwise with A/c kits..........sometimes fabulous, usually a Daywalker blob of plastic.

Face it.....in this digital age, you'd think someone could make an accurate 1/72 pilot! The larger scales should be easier......but it seems hit and miss. (Great idea for a new topic, though!)

Sorry Frankie

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Daywalker

Member since
September 2003
From: South Central Wisconsin

Posted by Daywalker on Monday, April 28, 2008 5:36 PM

LOL Nam!

I have to agree with the others:

Tamiya and Hasegawa make some excellent kits! SOme of the older ones can take a bit more finesse to complete, but they are generally good as well. Acc Miniatures, Roden, Eduard and a few others are pretty good- the most recent releases are excellent but some of their older ones leave a bit to be desired. (Has anyone tried any of the old Eduard short-run WWI kits? )

Just my , hope that it helps!

Frank

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Gun Tech

Member since
August 2006
From: Oromocto, Canada

Posted by Gun Tech on Monday, April 28, 2008 7:25 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Jean-Michel "Arte et Marte"

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dirtym

Member since
April 2008

Posted by dirtym on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 6:29 AM

Gun Tech wrote:
Welcome to the forums!

Thanks for the warm welcome, Gun Tech...

I see the Italeri logo as part of your 'signature', does this mean they're a brand you rate?

Does any one have any experience of (or opinion on) a 1/32 Me262 NIGHTFIGHTER VINTAGE KIT by REVELL? I'm considering this as a larger scale project for my son and I to tackle.