Tamiya 1/32 P-51 vs. Revell Germany 1/32 P-51

The price difference reflects the level of detail and quality in the kit. Revell tend to aim at the cheap end of the market with less detail. Quite often you will find no engine. They are OK for those with a low budget.

The recent WWII Tamiya kits in 1/32 are really very nice kits. Stuffed full of detail and, like Zoukei-Mura, produce show stopping highly detailed representations of the P-51. They are the top end of the market and are a much better build experience with detailed engines, office and much more.

my recommendation would be Tamiya or ZM if you have the money. The Revell kit looks ok when done, but the Tamiya or ZM look far better in the cabinet and with a polished aluminium finish will draw the eye.

snapdragonxxx

Revell tend to aim at the cheap end of the market with less detail. Quite often you will find no engine. They are OK for those with a low budget.

The recent WWII Tamiya kits in 1/32 are really very nice kits. Stuffed full of detail and, like Zoukei-Mura, produce show stopping highly detailed representations of the P-51. They are the top end of the market and are a much better build experience with detailed engines, office and much more.

my recommendation would be Tamiya or ZM if you have the money. The Revell kit looks ok when done, but the Tamiya or ZM look far better in the cabinet and with a polished aluminium finish will draw the eye.

What he said.

The price difference reflects the level of detail and quality between the kits.

http://www.finescale.com/product-info/kit-reviews/2018/07/workbench-review-revell-germany-mustang

http://www.finescale.com/product-info/kit-reviews/2011/09/tamiya-132-scale-p-51d-mustang

Here are links to the FSM Reviews of both kits.  I have both kits in my stash but I haven't built them yet.  Based on what is in the boxes, the Tamiya will be the more complete build.  There are so many options in the Tamiya kit (poseable gear and engine, cockpit, filleted and no-filleted tail, photoectch, etc) versus what is included in the RoG kit.

Having said that, it depends on the end result that you want.  If you want an early 'D' version without an engine, RoG is the way to go.  If you want all the bells and whistles, Tamiya is the go-to.  Based on what I've read and 'In Progress' build threads I've seen and followed, either kit will build up to a very nice representation of a P-51D.

Thanks for the replies guys. Just the answers I was looking for to help me decide. 

The Revell of Germany Mustang can be quite a display piece having adequate details that can be enhanced with some additional detailing keeping the pricing at a more reasonable range.  Yes ZM and Tamiya’s Mustangs are more detailed but when it comes down to which looks better, the builder is the one who makes it or breaks it. A bad paint job, sloppy construction etc. kills even the most expensive kit. 

The ROG kit is of the early variant but the plug in tail signals the possible release of the later model.

I've currently got the Tamiya Mustang on my work bench.  If you want to have a smile on your face through the entire build, the Tamiya kit is the one to go with.  It's an amazing kit and simply doesn't dissappoint.

I built the Revell Germany Spitfire, which was literally $100. less than the Tamiya. The Revell kit had very good exterior detail and moulding for the price, and is a very good representation of the aircraft.

The Tamiya kit has staggering interior detail and also figures and engine.  So it is up to the individual and what you want to spend.

The newer Revell 1/32 kits are certainly not junk. Just saying.

There's only one thing to do....

Build both! 

That way you can amortize your investment in books and paint.