What kit(s) do you consider a "must build"

Well, even though I'm a helo guy, I've got one kit that I could build over and over and over again... if I could afford it! The Trimaster FW-190D kits are phenomenal. I've got three now and absolutely love building them. They're much better than the later DML releases of them. The photoetch, metal gun barrels and white metal landing gear make it a BEAUTIFUL model. The fit problems are easily correctible. Of course, at a minimum of $60 US nowadays, they're rarer'n hell and too costly to build. But still, if you get a chance to build one... DO IT!

While I don't know if any kit can be called a "must build" ( I agree with darrenbb's assessment), one of the most enjoyable kits I've ever built was Tamiy's 1/32 Zero. Great detail, easy to build, and accurate, as far as I know.

Definitely the Monogram 1/48 Zero. You would be a master modeler if you managed to make it look accurate. =)

It's hard to say that any kit/s are must builds. People choose subject matter for very different reasons. What makes me interested in a kit will not be the same reasons why you are. Lets take your B-17 for example. Now I eat sleep and breath airplanes seven days a week. It's my career and hobby rolled into one. I love them and can't get enough of them. Honestly though, I have zero interest in building a B-17 and more than likely will never. I've been hanging on to a B-25 that I just can't seem to start. Bombers are not my thing. I'll take any of the century series fighters any day of the week , and twice on sunday . Does this make your kit any worse or better?... not in the least!

Recommending kits is a hard thing to do.

Darren

I've enjoyed all the resonses here (especially the Monogram one- I feel the same), but I don't think we've attacked my origional question much!

It doesn't really matter what era or scale- just what is a great kit that everyone should have the joy of building? Sort of like your first love and best friend all rolled in to one (whoah, that's sort of scary)!

For a "must build," I would go with Hasegawa's A6M kit, any variant (except the old type 52 with the raised panel lines.) Looks like a Zeke from all angles. I think everyone should have some fun (frustration ?) masking canopies, and this one's got 'em !

Oh true, very true, but I thought we where talking about A/C only, I have other kits that are not Military minded, but we'll save that guy for later

I totaly agree with you cuda but tamiya makes mor military than domestic models and they dont make musclecars.

the real questions are what era?, what scale?, and of which country?,
for me if the WWII is the subject then a really good kit would be the Tamiya's P-47D
or the 50's would be the Tamiya's F4D Skyray
for Vietnam would be Tamiya's A-1H
for Today's would be Hasegawa's F-16's
the reason I'd chose the Tamiya's kits is because unlike the old Monogram kits of the 70's & 80's Tamiya has realy come a long way, there is very little need for filler unlike the Monograms but I do agree the old Monograms did set the standard for all model kits but they really need to update their kits with new molds like have all their kit come with resessed panel lines, lighter molding thickness and go with the light grey colors instead of the molded in color stuff, Don't get me wrong I love the Monogram kits they make the kits no one else would do or feel wouldn't be a good seller but Monogram has proved their point that modelers like us would love their subject matter, I get tired of companies making so many P-51's, FW-190's, Bf-109's or even the Spitfire's, but give me an A-5 or a A-3 kit then we're talking modeling is back for good