I just spent some time looking at the model lots on ebay. Very tempting to get six models for about $35-40 with shipping. So for I have resisted temptation because I know nearly nothing about the quality of the kits and haven't even heard of some of the brands. I keep saying to myself 'do I want to build that model?'. But a whole group of kits cheap.....

This is how you end up with a shelf of kits you never build isn't it?

Actually, Dragon's Smart Kits are designed to use fewer parts (than their standard kits) and easier to build without sacrificing the level of detail many modelers demand. If a regular Dragon kit is a graduate level build, their smart kits are designed for undergrads.

Most of Tamiya's older kits were designed to be motorized. Because of this, the detail is more robust so it can be handled without breaking off tiny bits when replacing batteries or bumping into the couch. They are also easy to assemble; think junior high school level with newer Tamiya kits being high school level.

Armor is addictive, there's so much available to builders and really interesting subjects. Almost daily we're seeing new products that we'll never have time to get. Take a peek at the MIG and AK lines of pigments and weathering, this is only a start but I still can't believe whats out there for us..it's a great time to build!!!!

I agree with some of the others that its better to start on easier kits, I'm a little worried about jumping into a Dragon Smart Kit with a million parts and their poor excuse for instructions. I've found mismarked parts, steps missed, etc. Unless you know your subject it's very easy to make a mistake. The vintage Tamiya kits are available and you'll use every part in the box. They can be built into a great kit and you can experiment with AM products like I mentioned. Every so often I'll build one just for piece of mind from these other kits.  

Kolvir

First I want to thank everyone for the good suggestions. I went to my LHS(local being 30 miles away), and looked at the Dragon smart kits and was very impressed. However, the ones I liked the most were in the $45-65 range. I did find a 3.7 cm Flak 37 smart kit for $20, so we shall see how that goes. I will likely get a Tamiya kit too; with the frequent 40% off coupon at hobby lobby it is hard to pass up. I have to be careful, I may get bit by the armor bug.

Kolvir,

I'm glad you made a selection. Clearly, you jumped in further than you planned to as well! Hard not to with all the great new things in modeling. I hope you learn what you need to learn and get to your ships quickly. Happy modeling. And welcome to FSM.

Hi Kolvir,

personally, I do not complete kits...

So many temptations - so little time.

The oldest WIP is 25 years and that is perfectly OK :)

Very Best Regards

Johan

I also recommend Dragon website.  Usually some great deals there if you are not too picky of the subject.

However, the Dragon kits, in my view, are much more difficult to build than any Tamiya I have built.  That is what many people want, a greater challenge, and possibly more detail, but be aware.  Dragons instructions are far inferior to Tamiya's also.  Single-link tracks on almost all the Dragon kits.  Again, that is what many people want (I have yet to make a set come together properly, but that is more a comment on my skills).

I don't regret any purchases (well, maybe one), it was great experience, and the sale kits on their site probably the most bang for the buck anywhere.

Good luck.

Man, some of those sales on Dragon's site are good. I have to avoid temptation. You guys always build what you have on hand before buying another kit, right? :)

I actually am going to wait, probably, but I'm impressed so far with the smart kit range. It is so nice that they show parts and details on the back of the box and have many pictures on the web. Other makers could learn from them.

All the best and don't hesitate to ask anything. As you see here there are a lot of great ideas but the common thread is that all want to help you get going.

Happy modelling m8 :) Don't resist!

First I want to thank everyone for the good suggestions. I went to my LHS(local being 30 miles away), and looked at the Dragon smart kits and was very impressed. However, the ones I liked the most were in the $45-65 range. I did find a 3.7 cm Flak 37 smart kit for $20, so we shall see how that goes. I will likely get a Tamiya kit too; with the frequent 40% off coupon at hobby lobby it is hard to pass up. I have to be careful, I may get bit by the armor bug.

If I may chip in you might want to watch Dragon's website- they run periodic sales- they have a Spring sale going on now. Some good deals though I didn't see much for less than twenty bucks. 

Their 'Orange Box'  kits are older, a little more rough, and generally less detailed but the price is pretty good, they generally come bundled with a couple of extras, and they can be built into nice models with a bit more work. 

Squadron is generally one of the more expensive mail order companies out there but they run an interesting 'Mystery Deal' that changes every few days with a random item - I'm assuming whatever they have a surplus of stock of. More dependable is their daily special, about five or so items marked down, Tuesday is the tank and armour day- again you never know what will come up but I'm guessing it's what's not selling at the time. Still you never know when something that tickles your fancy will pop up.

Hi Kolvir,

Welcome to this Forum :)

The modelling world has definitely changed a lot in the last 20 years.

Internet has provided a step change in the way customers can communicate, both with the manufacturers but more importantly with each other on Forums like this.

And the impact on the quality of the kits is remarkable!

If  you are looking at 1/35 and under 20$ you might find that your choices are limited.

I would like to recommend Tamiya's 35285 Hetzer. Link and length tracks, not to complex palette, single style road wheels. Painting options all the way from one color monotone to ambush scheme complex.

But the price tag is in the 40$ range.

And...

Trumpeter have a nice range of modern stuff that is reasonably priced. Accuracy might be so-so sometimes but fit is OK and the finished kits usually look the part.

Zvezda have released a T-90 and a Tiger I that both come decently priced. The kits have some issues but build up OK.

Mini-art have some really nice stuff out there, instructions are sometimes a bit vague and attachment points are sometimes difficult to find but the enthusiasm of the team levees nothing to wish for.

Dragon, Hobby-Boss, Bronco, AFV, MENG...Google away and you will find what you are looking for :)

Very Best Regards

Johan

I learned a long time ago to listen to people who know more than me. There you have it, Kolvir. I still think the Tamiya kit is a great, inexpensive way to learn to do things without worrying about taking chances in order to learn. Some experience with PE parts would help, though.

BarrettDuke

Kolvir,

Dragon kits are definitely better in many ways, but you will pay more for that. The Tamiya kit you would buy at Hobby Lobby is going to be Tamiya's newer tooling, not the decades old kits people talk about. If you buy on eBay though, you could run into that. Others on this site have recommended the Tamiya Panzer II as a great starter kit as well.

In the end, you need to buy what best matches your needs and interests as best as you can figure that out. You won't go wrong with a new Tamiya or a Dragon IMHO.

No, the $15 Hobby Lobby Panzer II is the decades old kit people have been talking about. The new Tamiya Panzer II is in the $40-50 range; a lot of money for a small kit. The Dragon kit runs about $25-30.

If you aim for Dragon's "smart kits" that tend to have fewer parts and most are new tooled, they can be built straight OOB with little extra effort.

Just remember that Google is your friend; it never hurts to do a quick search looking for reviews or build ups and read what issues other modelers may have had. Some issues that purists had (wrong number of bolts on a road wheel, incorrect markings for the variant) may not be issues that matter to you.

I do want something accurate. I did some searching here and found a thread with a old Tamiya kit that needed a lot of work.

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/3/t/156783.aspx

The Dragon kits look nice, but I am worried about cost. I have two projects that may be money sinks waiting and I don't need a third. However, if the Dragon kits are are can be built out of the box, it may save money overall compared to a cheaper kit.

Kolvir don't forget to use the online 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby. Our store has a limited kits but a large selection of cars and aircraft, few AFV's but that takes a $30 kit under 20 bucks.

I would suspect the older tamiya kits would need a LOT of work to keep you happy, as they are pretty crude by modern standards and not usually very accurate.

I would recommend something from dragon smartkit range. The models are more detailed, often come with etch and metal, and need less scratch work as a result of the modern moulds and techniques. Something like dragon sig 33 #6259 if you like quirky subjects, or the stug III F8 #6644 if you like something a bit less fiddly and more macho!

Might be a bit expensive though but good prices abound on ebay etc.

I'd say you want something with enough variety in it that you get exposed to a lot of different aspects of model building.

That is exactly it. I have some experience, but I need to ease back into things. I'll check out Hobby Lobby soon. Thank you.

Welcome, Kolvir. I agree with Jibber on brand. Tamiya makes a good model. The plastic is easy to work with and the instructions are pretty good. I'm working on a Bronco model right now, and I can tell you its instructions are not nearly as clear or complete as Tamiya's. The plastic in the Bronco model is a little softer, too. There are a lot of good choices in the under $20 range. I'd say you want something with enough variety in it that you get exposed to a lot of different aspects of model building. Any of the Tamiya Panzer Kampfwagen kits would be good for that. There is a fairly new kit of the Panzer II out right now. I was in a Hobby Lobby the other day and they had three on the shelf. I think they were under $15. While I hate to recommend it, you'll find a bunch for sale on ebay, too.

I hope this helps. Happy building. Welcome back to modeling.

First welcome back and you're in the Armor Forum so I'm thinking you may be looking for something along these lines.  Why not check out some vintage Tamiya kits, they're relatively cheap and well built, I think they would be a great place to start although there are any number of manufacturers that offer nice kits these days. This is a GREAT time to be a modeler with all thats available out there. Keep checking FSM different Forums and ask questions, we have some very talented and generous modelers here.  

All the best my friend.