What are good beginner kits?

mer,

The Tamiya 1/48 kits are extraordinary. They have great detail, fit, and aren't too expensive, plus they cover most of the major WWII fighters, so finding a subject you are interested in shouldn't be a problem. If worried about kit complexity, Hasegawa also makes some very good kits. Their selection isn't quite as good, but is still fairly comprehensive. Academy is also a good choice.

If you could be more specific as to what kind of bird you want to find, it will be much easier to find a kit for you, as all model manufacturers have their hits and misses. It's really tough to narrow down a really good kit with several hundred in production from various groups.

Let us know what you like, and we'll give you some more precise suggestions.

demono69

QUOTE: Originally posted by demono69 It's really tough to narrow down a really good kit with several hundred in production from various groups.

ah, excellent point demono69. Well here's the thing, I'm just getting ready to paint my first ever plane, the Revell 1/48 P-38. Today, I'm starting the initial stages of the Monogram Hawker Typhoon. Next items up, I hope, will be a Corsair, Warhawk, or Thunderbolt. So as of now, I havent even completed 1 plane, but I'm so enjoying myself that I expect to jump in to others. I just dont want to get too over my head too quickly.

Thanks again for the advice!

Airfix can also be good for 1/48 WWII birds.

I've seen both their late model Spitfire and Seafire kits from a few years ago and they are beauties.

Revell Monogram can also be a good choice, they are usually a good balance between detail and price. The cost of some Japanese kits can be very intimidating and if, for whatever reason, the kit does'nt work out, you have the cost hanging over your head.

If your just starting out, you don't want to break the bank on a model that your skills may not be up to.

The only one I'll warn you against is ICM's 1/48 Spitfires. They are drop dead gorgeous kits in every way, loaded to the brim with detail, but definitely not for beginers. Typical of Eastern European produced kits, exact parts location is not outline extensively in the instructions and there aren't any guide pins and holes on the parts to help you line them up perfectly.

Definitely kits to consider when your skills are more developed.

I'd recoment Revell Monogram for beginers, mainly for the afor mentioned balance of price and detail. Most of their kits have sufficient detail straight out of the box to please a beginner. Their kits are also much more forgiving of a beginner's mistakes than some other companies kits can be, this means a beginner can have a chance to undo their screw up and still come out with a good looking model.

mer,

It seems as though you are already reaching the problems that alot of us face: balancing the build on multiple kits at once. Trust me, there's nothing wrong with that in the least. I'm probably one of its champions.

I agree with upnorth. The R/M kits are a great way to start out, if only to build the basic skills needed to advance your modeling to the next level. I've always been one to push myself a little harder than I should, but not everyone shares my outlook. The bottom line is to find a kit that you think you would like and is in your price range.. Most manufacturers have a difficulty scale on the box, or just ask the furom, and we'll be glad to let you know the particulars of certain kits. We're here for you. As Radio Shack says, "You've got questions, we've got answers."

demono69

Great! Thank you so much for the tips. It sounds like I'm on the right track with the R/M kits though I clearly should have asked this question before I built my P-38 as upnorth just enlightend me to the fact that I built the one (of the 2 revell p38 kits) that's a complete bear. Live and learn. I'm off to see what i can find in the way of an affordable, not too complex Corsair. Wish me luck and thanks again for all the great advice!

mer

older 1/32 kits, specially from revell of germany

Hi there,

Hope its not too late to give you a suggestion... Try buying ARII (formerly Otaki) kits.. They're quite accurate and are value for money since they're low priced and relatively well manufactured kits..... They are of good quality and come with accurate painting instructions... Especially the WW2 aircraftin 1/48 scale...
are perfect for beginners as the colour scheme is simple(Mustangs and Jugs).....
Cheers,
Nandakumar

I started with the 1/48th scale Monogram Spitire and followed up with the P-47 Thunderbolt. I bought both at a local drug store for about $8.00 and must say they were well worth the money. Some work is needed on putty and proper gluing but they make good looking models when complete. I'm also a beginner but got alot of good tips from advanced modeling friends. I have now started the Monogram 1/48th scale A-10 Warthog which is a complete headache in itself. Hold off on this kit...unless you enjoy migranes.

1:48 isnt the only scale out there. Tamiya has a fair collection of 1:72 WW2 kits. They may be smaller, less detailed, and a little complicated to paint, but there gorgeous. Ive managed to peek into the box of a Tamiya 1:72 Spitfire. had their paint selection been more complete, I wouldve thrown my money on the counter.
Anyways, thought youd like to know that single-engine propeller planes are great kits for beginners.

Hi there,

single engine prop aircraft... true... but try to get the tail draggers otherwise putting ballast etc can be tedious. 1/72 aircraft are good especially from makers like tamiya but I thought the parts being really small (esp the WW2 aircraft) cause problems in sanding and fixing. As a beginner I had problems with the really small parts. But I guess if you have the right tools to handle them things can be easy and fun. Zeros, Jugs and Mustangs normally have 2 colour camo scheme which is easier to paint so I feel these are good beginner kits....

Cheers,
Nandakumar