I don't have one, but I almost sprung for a Ryefield Panther at a model show. It was cheap. The thing that kept me from buying it was it's 1000 plus parts. I haven't built any of the Meng, Takom or Ryefield kits, but have read positive reviews. I do have the Dragon Late G Panther and have heard it's a great kit. Much easier build then the Ryefield.

I started tinkering with a Tasca (now Asuka) M4A1 mid production Sherman kit. It is so very nice.

I guess it would depend on which subject you want and the level of complexity you're looking for. I don't think there's a perfect kit for an overall view. Even if you're looking for a Tiger, there are several companies who make fine kits, but some have more parts than others. I don't want a full interior but you might. What's prefect for one person may be too complex or too simplistic for another.

So with all that said, can you narrow it down a little?

modelcrazy

I guess it would depend on which subject you want and the level of complexity you're looking for. I don't think there's a perfect kit for an overall view. Even if you're looking for a Tiger, there are several companies who make fine kits, but some have more parts than others. I don't want a full interior but you might. What's prefect for one person may be too complex or too simplistic for another.

So with all that said, can you narrow it down a little?

 

Exactly- “top of the line” does not equal an enjoyable build. A high cost/high parts count kit with all the goodies included may not be as enjoyable a build as a middle of the road kit that falls together with no headaches. Tamiya’s 1/35 Centaur or Cromwell kits are great builds. Just replace the kit tracks as in both cases, mine broke after painting and installation.... 

stikpusher

 

modelcrazy

I guess it would depend on which subject you want and the level of complexity you're looking for. I don't think there's a perfect kit for an overall view. Even if you're looking for a Tiger, there are several companies who make fine kits, but some have more parts than others. I don't want a full interior but you might. What's prefect for one person may be too complex or too simplistic for another.

So with all that said, can you narrow it down a little?

Exactly- “top of the line” does not equal an enjoyable build. A high cost/high parts count kit with all the goodies included may not be as enjoyable a build as a middle of the road kit that falls together with no headaches. Tamiya’s 1/35 Centaur or Cromwell kits are great builds. Just replace the kit tracks as in both cases, mine broke after painting and installation.... 

I agree, the Rye Field Models M1A1/A2 kit with interior is an awesome, but intimidating box of plastic. But the 1/48 scale Tamiya M1A2 is an awesome little kit that looks like it will be an enjoyable build.

There's no such thing as the "perfect kit".....

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

There's no such thing as the "perfect kit".....

 

 

Honestly, I don’t have a favorite kit. I just enjoy building them with or without issues. Sometimes I like the challenge of tackling a complex 500 part kit of sorts.

While I do not have a favorite kit, I do really enjoy some of the newer Tamiya 1/48 scale armor kits. The M26 Pershing and M1A2 Abrams are very simple kits that are well detailed and fairly inexpensive. They do a pair of HMMWVs, both a soft top and hard top that built nicely as well.

There was also a Bandai Star Wars TIE fighter kit I got very cheaply that I was quite pleased with.

Not sure I'd call it perfect but a quick simple fun build is Trumpeter's E-100. The tank was so friggin' big all the parts are giant size- it's almost like working on a 1/24th scale kit. So it's hard to lose stuff.  Perfect fit. And since it never entered service you can paint it (within reason) however you want. 

Go for "excellence" over "perfecton".

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

There's no such thing as the "perfect kit".....

 

Sure there is -- the next one!

ugamodels

 

 

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

There's no such thing as the "perfect kit".....

 

 

 

Sure there is -- the next one!

 

In your dreams...