Kit Manufacturing

Depends what you want to build... Tamiya have excellent kits, but so have companies such as Revell, Pro-modeler, Italeri, Dragon, Trumpeter... Cost is also an important factor... Italeri's kits are sometimes as good as Tamiya's, but at a fraction of the cost (well, here anyway, in Europe...).

What are you interested in?

A lot also depends on your skill, dedication, and finances. Tamiya and Hasegawa are generally very good, but small details can often be improved or added to either with scrap materials or with photo-etched or resin aftermarket sets. Many kits made in Eastern Europe are of intriguing subjects, but the state of the production art there is sometimes well short of the major Asian, European, and US makers. Having selected a subject and a base kit, you have to decide how far you want to take the realism and detail, research it, and figure out the best way to get the result you want. Some models may take a long time, others less.

I would agree with jcarlberg, Tamiya and Hasegawa are top of the line. These two companies consistently produce good quality models. I build a lot of Tamiya kits for several reasons. 1. Parts fit, you will need very little filler if at all, the best.
2. Overall quality, finely scribed recessed lines, no flash, small details captured well.
3. Accuracy of subject being modeled

A few things that I don't like are:
1. Lack of detail in cockpits, there are lots of aftermarket details available though.
2. Variety of aircraft subjects, but getting much better
3. Price

You may want to start with a less expensive kit just to get your feet wet again.

Goodluck and welcome back

Here are few suggestions...

I find that the web is a useful tool. You can find reviews on the web that are very good. Do a search such as "P-51D+1/48+review". There are a number of sites out there devoted to scale modeling. Here's an example of one. Check out the "reviews" tab.

http://www.hyperscale.com/

There are several companies that produce reference books on certain subjects. Squadron and In Detail and Scale are examples. They often list the available models in all scales for that particular subject. I'm sometimes surprised at who really has the best model available.

Finally FSM and some other modeling magazines offer reviews of kits. They sometimes do comparisons on a subject as well.

Hope that helps.
Dave

Start with less expensive kits. Tamiya and Hasegawa and others may go together perfectly but buiding these models wont improve your skill level as much as a model that requires extensive; filling, sanding, panel line repair, rivet restoration, and scratchbuilding.

Doesn't help the skill level if you get so frustrated that the model takes a short final flight to the wall!

If you want "bang for your buck" (aka "good value"), then I think Revell-Monogram is the way to go. They have good detail and shape. You just have to get used to the less-than-perfect alignment of fuselage halves, and the molding seams on landing gear. Academy is a bit more pricey, but also a good value.

I agree with Jugman - buy a few Revell-Monogram kits to warm up on, and then move on to the higher quality ones like Academy, Tamiya and Hasegawa. For the most part, you can't go wrong with them. Get back into the modeling groove with the cheaper ones first. You'll be amazed at how things have changed; there's so much more out there now than when you were younger (and this forum is one of the best!) Happy building!