Who makes the best plastic models?

I basically only do armour, other than 1 a/c for my son so my experience is a little limited. Here is what I've learned so far: Tamiya kits go together really well but are pricey. Dragon has great selection, offers indy links and PE for most of their kits, but their intructions are really poor. The one Academy kit I've bought was reasonably priced for a kit with an interior, but I haven't built it yet. The a/c that I built was a Monogram, and it was terrible. Basically a box of flash. Can't remember who in the Mad Tiger Day GB used that line, but it was so good that I had to use it myself.

From Winston-Salem, North Carolina - The best models I've seen are made by Ian Holohan, Dave Pepper, Mike Gibson, Tim Treadway, Todd Amick, Frank Collins..........

Oh, you mean which manufacturers...........NEVER mind.

like evryone else says, it depends on the kit, the subject, the modeling field, and of course the taste of the modeler himself...

Also depends on scale. I think Tamiya and Haseqawa rule the roast for 1/24th and larger car models but Provance Moulage, Tameo, Scale43 would be leaders in 1/43rd

1/72 armour: the new dragon
1/35 armour: tamiya/trump/dragon

1/72 aircraft: Hase
1/48 aircraft: tamiya and hasegawa
1/32 aircraft: Trumpeter
1/24 aircraft: trumpeter/airfix/bandai [certain ones only]

uknonw ships

cars: revell, tamiya, hasegawa, amt.

I really like Tamiya, though thier paint %age directions are a bit of a pain.

I also like Accurate Miniatures

I can't really say one is better than the other though, they all have thier high's and low's.

its all according to what the subject is. i haven't been modelling but a little over a year, but i find myself returning over and over to the tamiya 1/48 P-51D!! i love this kit/subject!! the D is my favorite a/c of all time. but, i have found other manufacturer's to be excellent as well.............like hasegawa and Acc. Min. later.

For aircraft: Accurate Mini's, Tamiya, Monogram Pro Modeller and even some Revell.

Ships: only built one ship since getting back into this and it was a Revell Germany model... was a great build with lots of detail!

Haven't built a tank in ages, although I am thinking about doing one if it reached out and smacked me and said "Buy me!"

Yes, the question has been asked, many, many times before, but it's all good
You asked a very subjective question. First off, what you build has a huge impact on which manufacturer you're going to go with. Aircraft, it would be either Hasegawa or Tamiya. Cars/Bikes and other vehicles, well, that's subjective again. People like Tamiya because of their quality of fit, but I personally hate car models without a full engine, so thumbs down for Tamiya from me.
Armor, again the field is varied. I personally do not like Tamiya as their range of subjects is not that great, and mostly it's very expensive. Dragon is great, and lately Trumpeter is getting up there. My last few armor kits were all from Trumpeter, and I can't wait to build them.

My favorties for ships are Heller, Tamilya, and Hasagawa.
For planes; AM, Tamiya, Hasagawa.

Far as prices, I shop and get lucky a lot. Use to buy Heller ships from Squadron for less than $10. Ended up having every ship they made. Have gotten my Tamiya F4F for $6 and the Bismark for $27 at 1/2 price sales. Bought four 1/48 Hasagawa kits at an auction for $4. Even got mu AM SBD for $14 at a closeout sale.

I build a ton of Revell/Monogram, but only if I really want to do a lot of filling and sanding and if I can get them for under $10. (Garage sales and ebay)

This topic depends on what you like in a kit.As for me I cannot say who is the best due to that each manufacture does things different.Some when it comes to making airplanes,shows raised panel lines others don't.This also depends on the plane that you are doing because in real life some had raised panel lines.This was in part due to revitting an aircraft.The same goes for tank and ships so it is hard to say which is the best.I do like Tamiya but also Academy along with dragon and Trumperter are good at what they do to.You just can't say who the best because I along with others have found mistakes in all the kits we have bought.Tamiya is good and high priced but I have found things wrong with there kits,like the barrels on there tanks:some are not perfectly round.If out of one of these companys were the best,you would not have a need for after market parts to fill the short comings of there kits.So like I say there is not one who sticks out as being the best.The only way that these kits are the best is do to the time and effort put in by the modeler him/her- self.Digger

I'ii join the bandwagon for tamiya.
I find it interesting that when ever a post is made about the qualiety of a kit that price is always mentioned. In regard to this I mainly build cars and have found that for a very similar price you can get a tamiya kit of a rally or similar style kit for about the same price a revell AG kit I know which one I'II go for ever time.

Cheers Trev

I like Tamiya kits, but I hate the price tags attached to them. Same with Hasegawa. Academy are becoming one of my favourites, good prices for good kits. They might not be on the level of Tam or Has but they are cheaper. It really depends on what you build.

But, if we're talking kits, and dis-regarding price, then I'd definitely have to go with Tamiya. The only problem is that they don't have a huge range.

i like the detail Tamiya puts out. but you can never go wrong with a Revell kit. in the way of a/c, i havent built much, but have found Academy to be my favorite. and AMtech's are really nice too, but ive only got one of theres and cant figure out how i wanna build it. just MHO. later.
Jon

bless academy. on the whole they are really very friendly. they are well-priced, and usually fun to get together. sufficient details to keep most happy, good price to keep newbies in the hobby

For armor I say Dragon. I base this on the subjects at hand and the value that they package at an affordable price. Tamiya though very good has dried up in the new offerings for 1/35 and the prices are generally quite high. Still they good together nicely and with great attention to detail.

I say trumpeter and icm. While I know icm sucks in fit, look at their spitfire ix detail and option parts. wow.

Have to agree with the others really depends on the category and also how old the model is.
Many companies also release kits by other companies under their own label so quality even within one maker will vary.

Also depends on what you are after in a kit, I like Bike Models but have started to turn my back on Tamiya as their new offerings are not too my likings(design, detail level, etc).

I'm a big fan of Tamiya kits, but they don't cover everything I am interested in modeling. Other excellent kits are available from Hasegawa, Accurate Miniatures, Eduard, Revell/Monogram, Dragon/DML, Trumpeter, and on & on. It really depends on your interests.

Regards, Rick

It depends on what categories. Also, I'm ditto with cirikili, "to each his/her own".

isn't the hobby kinda........"to each his own.......?"
not sure if i can be objective but, Accu. Min. banner and box art sure flashes bright in my minds eye..........
...& you're right Banjo......there's a number of threads 'bout this & it's
always interesting........