Model Kit Manufacturers....Which do you recommend?

Depends on what you build, although most kits released nowadays by Tamiya, Hasegawa, Revell Germany, Dragon, Trumpeter and a few more can be considered safe purchases. However, there are exceptions as mold swapping abound between manufacturers and I'm not necessarily talking about brand new molds here!

If you build small scale AFVs, you'll probably prefer another set of manufacturers than if you're building larger scale AFVs. Possibly the same applies for aircraft and civilian vehicles.

At the end of the day, it also depends on exactly what you want to build. F-14s and Panthers are plentiful, but if you want a DFW T-28 of WWI fame or a Dassault Rafale, there's not as much choice around...

it really all depends on the mold itself. cause some compainies will have fewer or more models that are more accurate than others.

Take a look at Accurate Miniatures! After painting and weathering their Dauntless cockpit I did NOT want to glue the two fuse halves together! What a work of art! Same goes with their line of B-25s (any of the variants). In my honest opinion, Accurate Miniatures is right on par with, if not better than, Tamigawa in terms of quality (and I love my Tamigawa kits too). Very interesting subjects too.

Eric

Dragon/DML makes good armor kits if you like individual track links.

It all depends on what you build, how much detail you want, and what you're willing to pay. I don't know much in terms of Aircraft and Auto models, but in terms of Armor, everyone will probably tell you that Tamiya is king. Personally, I like them, but it's just overpriced for me. I like Dragon and especially Trumpeter.

Thanks for all the info. I build 1/48 scale aircraft and am going to look into the Accurate Miniatures, specifically the B-25. Dragon models sounds good too. I heard that Dragon distributes Hasegawa or something like that in North America, is that correct?

Ryan

that's dragon models.

also very good are the NEW mold revell and revell germany, trumpeter (several have some minor problems) and icm (good but hard to fit togethter)

i am not going to voice an opinion on any of the mfg's, the others have done a good job of that. i will however say that if all you have done is revell a/c kits then you have a good foundation to do just about any of the brands mentioned.

joe

Don't forget about Testor/Italeri they do make some good kits on subjects that others don't.There quilitly is not bad ether.As for me,I tend to go with Revell of Germany,the old Monogram kits and some of the pro-modeler,Tamiya and Haswagana in aircraft.Tamiya,Academy and Italeri in armor,thought I have put together a Dragon which is ok.Dragon to me still needs some work in instrutions and fit,but are ok kits.As ships go,Revell of Germany and Tamiya.Digger