SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

What is the best model kit ever?

33747 views
60 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
What is the best model kit ever?
Posted by Yann Solo on Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:10 AM

I don't know if that question have been asked before but I think it could be interesting to know in your opinion which kit is the best ever.

No matter if you like doing armor or ships or aircraft, which model did you like to most.

Personaly I like big scale models for the level of details. But you, which kit did you enjoyed the most and why?

Tell me which kit will be the next that I buy.

No matter where you go ....... there you are.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:30 AM

Man that is a tough one. If I had to narrow it down to one. I would have to pick a kit that is difficult to get. As it came out in the mid 80's as far as I can tell.

 It is a Hasagawa 1/32 OA-4 M Skyhawk High Grade Series No 6. Kit #ch006:4800.

Reason being is. It comes with white metal landing gear with separate pieces for the brake pads, rubber wheels and photo etch. Albeit the etch is thin aluminum. ( I think). Complete with a labeled cut out section on the instrution sheet for the seat harnesses. And all buckles needed for the office.   

You actually have to cut the nose off the fusalage halves to put the blister nose on, plus part of the tail and fusalage to get the avionics hump. So there is a little bit of everything going on in this kit.

The detail on this kit is very good for it's age. I know the made other kits in the High Grade Series, but being a jet junkie this was the only one in the only jet in the series I believe.

They are hard to find. If you can get your hands on one they are a blast to build and they look great when done.  

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:48 AM
A lot of people think the answer is difficult, or impossible to answer given that not everyone sees the same things in the same way. They're wrong!

The best model kit ever is the next one you want, and don't yet have. Smile [:)]

So long folks!

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: NJ 07073
Posted by archangel571 on Thursday, March 23, 2006 10:48 AM

 Bgrigg wrote:
A lot of people think the answer is difficult, or impossible to answer given that not everyone sees the same things in the same way. They're wrong!

The best model kit ever is the next one you want, and don't yet have. Smile [:)]

best answer i have seen so far EVER.

-=Ryan=- Too many kits... so little free time. MadDocWorks
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Southeast Louisiana
Posted by Wulf on Thursday, March 23, 2006 5:30 PM
Anything OTHER than Revell!!

(gee Wulf, tell us how you really feel about Revell)

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
Posted by Yann Solo on Thursday, March 23, 2006 6:12 PM

 Wulf wrote:
Anything OTHER than Revell!!

(gee Wulf, tell us how you really feel about Revell)

I can assure you that I never expected to see a Revell kit in any favorite category!!!

These are poorly engineered model kits, unless someone else show me a good one.

No matter where you go ....... there you are.
jwb
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Parkton, NC
Posted by jwb on Thursday, March 23, 2006 8:35 PM
I've been out of this hobby for a long time, but I recall building a 1/48 scale Monogram B-25- the one with the 75mm cannon in the nose. I don't recall if the kit was the best produced- probably wasn't- but I had more fun on that one than any other. I built it during summer break, spent a lot of time detailing it, and just generally had the most fun I've ever had with any kit. It was one of the few aircraft I built that I actually felt good enough about to enter in a contest at a local shop. Didn't win anything, but I got some nice compliments, and the guy who ran the shop said "Good job kid". Made my day. ;-)

Jon Bius

AgapeModels.com- Modeling with a Higher purpose

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 23, 2006 9:48 PM

Since I'm new to modelling I haven't come across so many kits yet.

Hasegawa makes nice models, they have a Zero here in Japan with lots of metal parts. It was quite expensive too, ~$60. Hasegawa is Japanese quality, not like the Tamiya crap.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Tochigi, Japan
Posted by J-Hulk on Friday, March 24, 2006 1:20 PM
 Homer wrote:

Hasegawa makes nice models, they have a Zero here in Japan with lots of metal parts. It was quite expensive too, ~$60. Hasegawa is Japanese quality, not like the Tamiya crap.

Hi, Lars!  
Yes, Hasegawa makes nice models, but the kit you're talking about sounds like the Tamiya kit, a company that you apparently think is crap (an opinion I completely disagree with). To my knowledge, Hasegawa makes no Zero kit in the $60-dollar range (Tamiya does), and the 1/32 Tamiya Zero comes with loads of "metal parts."

The 1/32 Tamiya Zero is so good, in fact, that some may consider it to be the "best kit ever."

Are you sure you don't have your companies mixed up?

By the way, those of you who dislike Revell should try building the 1/48 Rafale, or any number of their more recent releases. Excellent stuff.

Oh, and the best kits? The free ones, of course!

~Brian
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
Posted by Yann Solo on Friday, March 24, 2006 1:46 PM

I'm waiting to receive my first aircraft model, it is the Academy 1/32 F/A-18 Hornet and I will be able to compare with what I call my best kit ever which is the Atomic city 1/12 Mercury spacecraft kit.  That kit is awesome, outstanding details, decals are sharp, all parts fits perfectly and the result is a huge 6" wide by 24" high model.  I enjoyed that model a lot and I recommand this kit to each of you, no matter if you usually build aircraft or armour or cars! You can see some pictures of it on the space forum.

I like what I have read so far about all those models you like or dislike, it is so subjective, that anyone can argue on each post but it will make a good "I gotta have this one" list at the end.

Thanks all!

No matter where you go ....... there you are.
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: NJ 07073
Posted by archangel571 on Friday, March 24, 2006 11:19 PM
 J-Hulk wrote:
 Homer wrote:

Hasegawa makes nice models, they have a Zero here in Japan with lots of metal parts. It was quite expensive too, ~$60. Hasegawa is Japanese quality, not like the Tamiya crap.

Hi, Lars!  
Yes, Hasegawa makes nice models, but the kit you're talking about sounds like the Tamiya kit, a company that you apparently think is crap (an opinion I completely disagree with). To my knowledge, Hasegawa makes no Zero kit in the $60-dollar range (Tamiya does), and the 1/32 Tamiya Zero comes with loads of "metal parts."

The 1/32 Tamiya Zero is so good, in fact, that some may consider it to be the "best kit ever."

Are you sure you don't have your companies mixed up?

By the way, those of you who dislike Revell should try building the 1/48 Rafale, or any number of their more recent releases. Excellent stuff.

Oh, and the best kits? The free ones, of course!

The slightly crappier zero Tamiya made 1/48 was from 1973.  And they still builds to be a nice A6M2 with two really nice figures.  Their 1/32 zero is something i'd drool on if I hadn't pulled myself out of the 1/32 aircraft catergory and getting those 1/32 F-14A and F-15C ready for sale soon.

-=Ryan=- Too many kits... so little free time. MadDocWorks
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Saturday, March 25, 2006 4:20 PM
That Hasegawa 1/8 Fokker Dr.I that I've got sitting in the box looks kinda nice. Wink [;)]

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Nashotah, WI
Posted by Glamdring on Saturday, March 25, 2006 4:29 PM

All I know about the best kit is that I haven't built it.  Big Smile [:D]

 

But of all the kits I have built, the best is problably Academy's Roman Trimene.  Simplistic, but my list of completed kits is rather short.....

Robert 

"I can't get ahead no matter how hard I try, I'm gettin' really good at barely gettin' by"

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: Drummondville, Quebec, Canada
Posted by Yann Solo on Saturday, March 25, 2006 8:29 PM
 Glamdring wrote:

All I know about the best kit is that I haven't built it.  Big Smile [:D]

 

But of all the kits I have built, the best is problably Academy's Roman Trimene.  Simplistic, but my list of completed kits is rather short.....

What is that?

No matter where you go ....... there you are.
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Nashotah, WI
Posted by Glamdring on Sunday, March 26, 2006 8:37 AM
 Yann Solo wrote:
 Glamdring wrote:

All I know about the best kit is that I haven't built it.  Big Smile [:D]

 

But of all the kits I have built, the best is problably Academy's Roman Trimene.  Simplistic, but my list of completed kits is rather short.....

What is that?

 

A Trimene is an ancient Roman warship.

Robert 

"I can't get ahead no matter how hard I try, I'm gettin' really good at barely gettin' by"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, March 26, 2006 6:05 PM
 J-Hulk wrote:
 Homer wrote:

Hasegawa makes nice models, they have a Zero here in Japan with lots of metal parts. It was quite expensive too, ~$60. Hasegawa is Japanese quality, not like the Tamiya crap.

Hi, Lars!  
Yes, Hasegawa makes nice models, but the kit you're talking about sounds like the Tamiya kit, a company that you apparently think is crap (an opinion I completely disagree with). To my knowledge, Hasegawa makes no Zero kit in the $60-dollar range (Tamiya does), and the 1/32 Tamiya Zero comes with loads of "metal parts."

The 1/32 Tamiya Zero is so good, in fact, that some may consider it to be the "best kit ever."

Are you sure you don't have your companies mixed up?

By the way, those of you who dislike Revell should try building the 1/48 Rafale, or any number of their more recent releases. Excellent stuff.

Oh, and the best kits? The free ones, of course!

J-Hulk; you're right, I have them mixed up. Sorry about that! I found it on Internet. Oops [oops]

My bias towards Tamiya could be based on my childhood when Tamiya was most famous to me for their radiocontrolled cars. Those looked nice, but quality was aweful. I should give Tamiya another chance, the figures I built from them lately were quite nice.

  • Member since
    September 2011
Posted by fightnjoe on Monday, March 27, 2006 10:34 AM

for me the best kit has been the revell/monogram p-40b that i did for the hawk build.  not because it was the best engineered but because i took the kit and scratchbuilt an engine compartment and pit.  it was not the best built, it was not the best paint job.  but to me it was the best kit so far.  but i do have the 1/32 trump kit on the shelf waiting for me.

 

 

joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

Where you can find me:

Workbench on FaceBook  Google Plus  YouTube

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Thursday, March 30, 2006 10:03 PM
Well it was Tamiya's Tiger I Late, but after seeing Dragon's new Tiger I, I'd say it's got all the bells and whistles to be one of the best all-around armor build ups.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 30, 2006 10:06 PM
I'm impressed with everything I've seen from Dragon so far. Great details and not so much clean up needed on the parts.
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • From: Manila, Philippines
Posted by zeke_ on Friday, March 31, 2006 7:28 AM
imho it would be the kit you enjoyed building. and for me i think it was the Dragon 1/72 Leopard 2A6. well....i enjoyed it coz i spent a week copying the Strv 122 camo on it hehehe. now if only Dragon would come out with a 2A6 with alternate parts to build  the Strv 122 then that for me would be the best so far
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Left forever
Posted by Bgrigg on Friday, March 31, 2006 8:28 AM
 Glamdring wrote:
 Yann Solo wrote:
 Glamdring wrote:

All I know about the best kit is that I haven't built it.  Big Smile [:D]

 

But of all the kits I have built, the best is problably Academy's Roman Trimene.  Simplistic, but my list of completed kits is rather short.....

What is that?

 

A Trimene is an ancient Roman warship.



I think you mean Trireme?

So long folks!

  • Member since
    May 2010
Posted by personman906 on Monday, December 20, 2010 11:41 AM

Yes, Revell/Monogram is crap, but Revell of Germany makes some good stuff. Sure, it might be a bit soft on detail, but there are many detail and upgrade sets for these kits.

In Soviet Russia, MODEL BUILD YOU!

Still Building: Dragon 1/144 HH-60H

Ready for First Coat: Academy 1/35 MH-60G, Tamiya 1/35 Chieftain Mk5, Trumpeter 1/35 KSK Commandos

Finishing Touches: Revell 1/35 PzH-2000, Dragon 1/144 SH-60F, Revell 1/48 F-15E

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 20, 2010 12:55 PM

That Linberg Japanese Sub must rate up there...

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Monday, December 20, 2010 1:10 PM

Yann Solo

I'm waiting to receive my first aircraft model, it is the Academy 1/32 F/A-18 Hornet ..........

 That is a GREAT kit. I've done the "C" and "D", tons of parts, very tedious, lots of options, but an excellent kit!

Right now, my favorite kit has been Accurate Miniature TBF.

If I had to choose only one manufacturer for the rest of my building career, I'd go Revellogram all the way!!!

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Monday, December 20, 2010 1:27 PM

Two kits come to mind- for an aircraft it is Revell's 1/32 Hawker Hunter. An beautifully engineered, highly detailed, well fitting, big beauty of Fabulous 50's Aviation. For armor Tamiya's Cromwell/Centaur kits have to be the tank kit to build for ease of assembly, quality of detail, and just pure armor building pleasure.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Monday, December 20, 2010 1:39 PM

Much like the age old question...which base/post/port is best?

The answer being the one you were at last and the one your going to.

I find myself taking almost this same mind set with kits. "man I loved that last kit , and I can't wait to finish this one so I can get to that  next kit which looks really cool."

Bottom line...for me it's a never ending search.


13151015

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: UK
Posted by Jon_a_its on Monday, December 20, 2010 3:38 PM

Anything I manage to finish.......Embarrassed

East Mids Model Club 32nd Annual Show 2nd April 2023

 http://www.eastmidsmodelclub.co.uk/

Don't feed the CM!

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Utereg
Posted by Borg R3-MC0 on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 4:07 AM

The best (price/fit/detail combination) kits I have ever build where the Tamiya 1/48 N1K1 Kyofu and the Academy 1/72 Me-163.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 10:42 AM

Anything by Wingnut Wings. I currently have two of their kits with a third one on the way and I'd have no regrets in replacing half of my existing stash with all of their releases.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Austin, TX
Posted by DoogsATX on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 10:51 AM

Depends on your definition of "best", really.

IMO, in terms of accuracy to the subject, quality of the molds, quality of fit, and innovations that drive the hobby forward, I'd be highly tempted to call Tamiya's 1/32 Spitfire line (Mk. VIII and IX, so far...) the best kits ever. 

I've got $200 in birthday money that I'm terrified to take into the LHS with me. Sure, I need some more tape and a bottle of paint, but I know I'll walk out with the Mk. VIII...

 

On the Bench: 1/32 Trumpeter P-47 | 1/32 Hasegawa Bf 109G | 1/144 Eduard MiG-21MF x2

On Deck:  1/350 HMS Dreadnought

Blog/Completed Builds: doogsmodels.com

 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.