Best first Tank

Yup, I asked for all your help and in the end ignored it.

In my possession now is a Tamiya "Mobelwagen Sd.Kfz 161/3 3.7cm Flak auf Fgst Pz. Kpfw. IV (Sf)". Yow, now that's a name!
Anyway, it's the Anti Aircraft tank with the single gun as opposed to the 4 small ones.

Having not built "Armor" before, is it possible that I have bit off more than I can chew?

I've never been one for detail, so this will be my first model that will be more than one color (camo).

Thanks for the help. I know the Hobby store has a good Tamiya selection but I am not sure about the other brands. Judging from what I have seen here and in other topics, Tamiya is the way to go. My favorite from the Tamiya site is the #35237 AA Gun Mobelwagen.

I like models with an unusual look. I just hope the store I go to has this tank. (I'm a "have it now" type, so ordering is unlikely. If the store doesn't have it, then I'll get something else.

Sounds great to me Bill. Certainly look forward to your next visit.

QUOTE: I accept your challenge to a Buffet Duel

Robert, I never said anything about a duel! That would be like a Sherman coming up against a kubelwagen! I am definately out classes and plead "no contest"!! lol

Don't get me wrong, I like the occasional buffet, but never feel I get my money's worth! But the next time I'm up in Alberta, we'll have to see what we can do!!

Bill

Hiya,
Another problem for the uninitiated Dragon builder are those huge moulding gates right in the middle of fine detail parts euck! .
Don,t stop me building em tho (Great kits but tricky ).

Seeya, Gotter.

Jim,

Good choice ! Treads are a little simple but I liked it .


http://www.soundamerica.com/sounds/movies/S-T/Star_Wars/giveself.wav

Very true Bill ... the Panther and Tiger indies aren't that bad .... but to a first time armour builder, not a seasoned pro like you, they can be a back breaker.

But let it be known that I accept your challenge to a Buffet Duel .... [slap, slap with an oven mitt]. Bring it on !!!!!

QUOTE: indy tracks, avoid them like the plague !!!!! They make great kits but the tracks are a killer.

Robert, Robert, Robert...What am I going to do with you??? Indy tracks aren't that bad. Just the Sherman (and a few of the German) ones are. The Tiger and Panther tracks are a breeze. Of course they take longer than rubber band tracks, but it's all kit building, right? I'm going to have to come up there and force feed you a Chinese Buffet if you don't stop!

Have a good day!

Bill

I would go with the Tamyia Panther tank as a starting point.
mark956

to the Dark Side Jim.

Be careful Jim ...... the Darkside has trapped more than one wingy-thingy builder and never released them.

Good choice on the T-34 !!!

Glad to hear that Jim. Good to have another follower in the darkside. LOL.

Well after reading this string, I guess I did OK on my first time out! I just got a Tamiya T-34/76 (1943 Model) for my best man. He's a history buff and loves Russian armor. I'm more of a wings and bombs than tracks and guns kind of guy so I'll be stopping by quite often. Any suggestions will be greatly appriciated. I just washed the kit tonight and I was impressed with it. I'm looking forward to my journey on the "dark side".

Jim

I agree with Sherm. If you don't want to have headaches in your first tank (like I did) try to go Tamiya way first.

Said it before and I'll say it again .... nothing from DML is a good first tank ... indy tracks, avoid them like the plague !!!!! They make great kits but the tracks are a killer.

Something from Tamiya is a perfect place to start.

I think the best tank to start with is the M-41 by Tamiya. It cost about 10.00 bucks at Great Models and is easy to build. The detail is ok and the instructions are easy to follow. One of their M-4's is a good one also.

Actually Ron the Mark I would be a good first tank-no exposed wheels or turret or pioneering tools...

(Emhar makes good ones in 1/72 and 1/35).

Nothing's near Utah...We're in our own world out here!! lol

(But I love it!)

Bill

I always thought the best first tank was the British Mark I.... Okay, it's my Friday. Going to eat Turkey tomorrow (the bird, not the country).

By the way, isn't Turkey near Utah someplace?

Ron.

Just pick one with steel wheels and bogies so you don't have to paint those rubber rims!

Don't let them convince you that 1/35 is the best thing for you.. LOL.. Smaller scales, 1/72 - 1/76 namely, have a fantastic selection and better prices! Dragon, Revell-Germany, Italeri/Esci, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Emhar, Roden,..., from WWI to Irak, are just a few 'mainstream' manufacturers with great kits...

If you ever get tempted, I can give you a few recommendations! Good luck!

Domi

ngc;

Welcome to the dark side of the model world. (Nobody seems to know why it's called that, but it seems to be a pretty universal concept! Maybe it's because tanks are in the dirty, old mud and planes are in the nice, clean air!!)

There are a lot of threads on the armor forum that have asked the same question. Be sure to look back through some of the pages and you'll find them. The most common answers are Tamiya's Panther G series, T-85's, and Tigers. They are all great kits. If you want to try your hand at an interior (all be it, not necessarily accurate), Academy has some nice stuff out there. The M3 series and the Tiger I's are pretty awesome and not too pricey for what you get. My personal favorite, if you go by the # of kits I have yet to be built, are the Dragon releases, especially the recent ones. However, a big consideration is that the Dragon kits come with independant link tracks. These usually look fantastic when completed, but they are a lot more work. There are usually 150+ links per side. Some tracks (e.g the Nashorns and Panthers) have only one piece per link, but some (the Sherman's and Kettenkradrad) have two or three pieces per link. It sounds like you've had some pretty good experience with models, so you shouldn't have any problems. I personally like the indy link tracks, but many don't.

AFV makes some impressive kits, too.

If you're wanting to build in braille scale, the best kits are made by Revell Germany and Dragon. (Dragon's are just hitting the US market. There have been a couple of in box and one build review in the armor forum during the past week and a half or so.

As was stated above, the big thing is decide where your area of interest is and go for it. See what you like, find a kit you like, and ask the forum members about it. We're always willing to tell you what we think!!

Hope this helps.

Bill

I agree with Build22.
First, you need to decide what you like: German? Allied? WWII? Modern?
Second, do a search in this forum for best tank or armor; then, if you have specific questions, come back here and ask 'em. You'll get plenty of good answers and suggestions.
Like everyone else, I think Tamiya probably makes the best in terms of fit and finish. But don't discount Academy (Tiger, Merkava, Stuart) or AFV Club (Walker Bulldog, Hellcat, etc.) even a little bit!

Hope this helps some
Gip Winecoff

ngc - check this out

Might be what you're looking for

http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10445

Just about any of the Tamiya armor series would be good. I've never seen a severe problem with any of their builds. As for specific one, you're going to see alot of opinion, basaed on what each member likes best. My vote would be for the 1/35 Panther. Very decent kit.

demono69