Question for the armor guys---first tank

If you are looking for something with good fit that goes together without too much difficulty, you can't go wrong with a Tamiya kit.

stymye,

I bought a panzer I Ausf A from Dragon at a local show.  It was my first armor model in more years I care to admit.  I'm one ahead of you for all intents and purposes:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6289.htm

It went together well.  Treads were a challenge, but came together.  Tamiya has a good reputation as well and maybe better for true novices, but since you claim intermediate skill consider Dragon, too.

A heads up.  Dragon has a reputation for building a good/great product, but their instructions routinely have mistakes which was born out during the Panzer I build and my current Panzer II build.  Look for builds online of the Dragon model you choose for one avenue of assistance as well as asking around here.

My $.02.

Carl

Carl has a really good point. Dragon kits are really good builds too. The only reason I did not recommend them is because you seemed to suggest you wanted a relatively straightforward build. Unfortunately, the errors in Dragon instructions, and the relatively larger parts counts, can make them a bit of a challenge.

Still, don't rule them out. They are great kits.

For ease of build and a nice kit....    Tamiya

Trying to remember the armor kits at Hobby Lobby the last couple times I was there about two weeks ago. I know they had the Tamiya USMC M60A1 RISE/Passive kit (which is basically the same as the Tamiya M60A3 kit). I'm pretty sure they had the M4A3 Sherman kit as well. I'd recommend that kit, good detail and fit. You'll often find their M2A2 Bradley and M1A1 Abrams on the shelf. Both are good kits.

Be advised, a couple of ancient Tamiya kits lurk on the shelves. One is the M41 Walker Bulldog, a great starter kit for someone learning to model, but lacks detail OOB. The other is the ancient Panther Ausf. A. Just a dinosaur of a kit that suckers buy because it says "Tamiya" on the box.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions , It sounds like Tamiya is a great first option.

Rob thanks for the heads up on the 2 older kits

                     The orange box editions from Dragon are a great way to start ,and there are many to choose from. Theres a roar from the crowd I do believe the Vikings may get there first win.Gotta go.

                                                   Greg"Detailfreak"Rowley

My first Dragon kit was their JS-2. It was very easy to build and it was my first experience with indy links. I managed them fine and if I knew what I was doing then as I know now, they would have been even easier.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations , I've been looking at all the  Tamiya and Dragon kits .. now the hard part ...so many great tanks to choose from !

I'll post a build when I get going

styme,,,,,    That choice will have to be yours..   Your're right,   many many excellent choices.

Best of luck!

Bill

ahhh nice one tigerman , thanks