What is the best starter model for an autism kid?

Kentucky Colonel

My cousin is thinking about getting  one of her grandsons started with his first model.

I told her a smaller Tamiya tank kit would be easy enough plus as rough and dirty a real tank is it would be easy to cover up mistakes with dirt and "battle damage".

Did I do the right thing?

 

Meng wartoons kits are nice. they snap together well. they are so tight priming and painting before building means scraaping off paint. from my experience the tiger 1 is nice but the tow cables are molded so tedious to paint if that is an issue. I would recommend the KV-2, T-34 or King Tiger. i have built all 3. ofc i am doing camo and weathering all typical model guy stuff but they are fun. currently ready to prime a PZ-38.

Kentucky Colonel

Thanks guys!!

 

I had forgotten all about those snap kits and ever Star Wars. I bet he's more into Star Wars than military.

 

The Revell Star Wars kits from the Rogue One, Force Awakens, and Solo movies are designed to be played with. There are quite a few of them like the First Order Tie Fighter, X-Wing, Falcon, AT-AT, Hans' speeder, U-Wing and a few others.

Very simple kits that look good, have some moving parts with lights and sounds. The TIE is my favorite, the others my son built, I got a TIE for myself.

Kentucky Colonel

My cousin is thinking about getting  one of her grandsons started with his first model.

I told her a smaller Tamiya tank kit would be easy enough plus as rough and dirty a real tank is it would be easy to cover up mistakes with dirt and "battle damage".

Did I do the right thing?

 

Yes, you did the right thing.

I recently put together a scale modeling gift basket for our Autism support group to raffle off at our Holiday Party to help support our boosters group. It had a Squadron P-51, a Revell pirate ship and a Revell race car, all snap tite and pre-painted, along with a pair of side cutters and a tri-grit sanding stick. The young man who won the basket was all smiles as he showed it off while going back to his table.

Let you cousin know that Hobby Lobby has a good selection of such kits, at least in my area. of couse it all depends on age, interests, etc. I put a selection of kits in the basket to hedge my bet but I'm sure your cousin can found out what works best.

My youngest daughter is on the Spectrum and she has expressed an interest in modeling and I have an Accurate Miniatures 1/100 scale BF-109F that she wants to build. It's not snap tight but it is pre-painted. It's just a matter of finding time. 

I hope this helps.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Thanks guys!!

I had forgotten all about those snap kits and ever Star Wars. I bet he's more into Star Wars than military.

Yes, small tanks are fun and easy.  If she wants to get him a small kit that needs very little glue and paint, I would  suggest the link below.  These are two italeri russian t-34 battle tanks.  They are about  10 pieces which almost snap together ( I did glue mine for extra strength) and the only basic colors he will need are, olive drab, black or gun metal( for the track and wheels), and optional white or brown (if he wants to do camo on them).  Also, they have about five water slide decals per tank, if he wants to try decaling(but they are not needed and it still looks good).

So hope these help and you don't have to get this type either, italeri makes many different types of mini easy build tanks.  I just chose this one because I  have had personal experience with them and they are pretty cheap, only about $20-$25 encluding paints.  Good luck to him one whatever he builds. 

1/72 t-34 battle tanks

Rambo

if it's his very first kit I would start with a snap kit like a Bandai Star Wars kit then after that a Tamiya kit to start teaching the basics

 

Yeah, I would suggest a Bandai Star Wars or Gundam kit for a starter kit. Unless the boy is really into military stuff, as opposed to sci fi, then I suggest something like the Revell Snap Tite M1A1, Humvee, or aircraft kit. Pegasus Models also makes some good snap together kits as well. Both sci fi and military...