Model Kit References

Rob Gronovius wrote:

Best thing to do is ask the specific question about a specific kit (ex, How's the Italeri M4A1 Sherman?) or a general question (ex, What's the best F-18 in 1/48 scale?).

Maybe this will help a little.

http://modelingmadness.com/splfeat/kr/researchfeat.htm

Tony Hodun's work on the Hasegawa kits is extraordinary.  God bless him!

snarlyq wrote:

Rob Gronovius wrote: Best thing to do is ask the specific question about a specific kit (ex, How's the Italeri M4A1 Sherman?) or a general question (ex, What's the best F-18 in 1/48 scale?). I see your point,however, I have MANY kits in question. That's why I was searching for something in print. That being said, looks like I may have one of the best references right here, the FSM Forums. Thanks Rob.

Here are some of the top, up-to-date modeling review sites
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/index.html (armor)
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/ (all genres)
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews.htm (armor)
http://www.hyperscale.com/ (armor and aircraft)
http://www.ipmsusa.org/ (all genres)
http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/default.aspx (armor)
http://www.ontheway.org.uk/default.htm (1/72 scale armor)
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/ (sci-fi)
http://www.track48.com/ (1/48 scale armor)

There's a plethora of information on the web regarding model kit reviews. It is highly doubtful that you would run across a relatively common model of any sort without a review existing somewhere online.

As many kits as you have questions about, there are more people here (and other websites) who know the origins as well as a thumbnail review (good, bad, ugly) of the kit.

snarlyq wrote:

Is there a publication, or internet site out there somewhere that lists all of the kits manufactured by year, and shows if a kit has been re-issued with another company. I see alot of kits that have been discontinued with one company only to be re-packaged as another company's kit. I was recently hunting for a discontinued kit without much luck, only to find out that the kit, which I thought was a "higher quality" kit, was re-packaged by a company I would consider "lower quality", however it was the same kit.

 There is a list on Cybermodeller with the new releases which shows if its a reissue.

 http://www.cybermodeler.com/special/2007_acft_subj.shtml

 though this doesn't answer your question it might help to venture another avenue...

I was able to pickup an....Encyclopaedia of Military Models 1/72....published by TAB BOOKS Inc. (out of Blue Ridge Summit,Pa. 17294), showing printed 1988. The book covers aircraft,missiles, sci-fi,vehicles,artillery,figures and warships. I do not know if TAB Books Inc is still active or if they have expanded their line of research/printed reference material.

Brian

CHRH53D wrote:

though this doesn't answer your question it might help to venture another avenue... I was able to pickup an....Encyclopaedia of Military Models 1/72....published by TAB BOOKS Inc. (out of Blue Ridge Summit,Pa. 17294), showing printed 1988. The book covers aircraft,missiles, sci-fi,vehicles,artillery,figures and warships. I do not know if TAB Books Inc is still active or if they have expanded their line of research/printed reference material. Brian

ESM 72 is a quarterly magazine published by Model-Aire International. It started off as our original book, Encyclopedia of Military Models 1/72, which was published in France, England, the US and Italy starting in1985. It's 204 pages packed with full color box art, examples of completed models and parts layouts. Long out of print, a small supply of the American edition, originally sold for $28.95, is available from MAI for $15.00 plus postage. ESM 72 was designed to follow up on the original book. When we included a listing of almost 5,900 kits and models of aircraft, vehicles and spacecraft in the original book we had no idea that the hobby would skyrocket the way that it has. We have listed over 15,400 aircraft and 4,600 vehicles kits and models with tons of b/w Illustrations. Starting with Vol.7 each issue also contained color front and back color pages. The quarterly format also allows for coverage of other subjects such as figures, after market aircraft and vehicle sets, ships & boats, and the like. Vol.9, #4 is currently in the works. Subscrption is $25.00, all back issues are availableby the volume for the same price. Prices are slightly higher outside the US. Tom & Lynne Young for MAI/ESM 72 38 Prince Royal Passage Corte Madera, California 94925