good first armor model

Trump's KV kits are awesome if you want to show something knocked out: the hull and suspension breakdown is very similar to the actual tank, enabling you to show pieces knocked off. I picked up a KV cast turret for under $20 recently, and a set of Friuls for it for just a tick more. The link and length tracks they come with are also very  good if you want to go that way.

The Trump KV kits are also very close to accurate OOB, and build well.  I did one a few years ago, OOB except for Friuls, and still like it.

I'll also agree that the later Tamiya kits go together very well, reasonable parts count and good accuracy as a rule. For example: their M26 Pershing is accurate OOB for an early-Korean war version, assembles like a dream, and looks very good when done. I've built a couple, and am currently using one in combination with the HobbyBoss Super Pershing to "fix" things in the HB kit I'm not happy with. I picked up the Tamiya kit for $23 at a show.

Rob's suggestion as to where to look for a kit is good, also check the buy/sell board on Armorama. Same advice, try to stay with sellers in the CONUS.

You don't have to motorize them, those bit don't come with the kit. It just has holes in the bottom that allow this to be done. But once built, you can't see them. I get some pics of the Su 85 I am doing posted tomorrow so you can see what I mean.

Well I can say the motorized version doesnt thrill me much I have done the rc thing and I am trying to get away from that

Hi hazegry1,

I have been where you are now a couple of month ago.

With good advice given on this forum I decided to start with the Trumpeter KV-1.

The kit is a shake and bake - don't worry about the parts count.

The real concern here is what Russian Green is supposed to look like :)

Yesterday I got my hands on Tamiya's Hetzer. 100% recommended after a quick dry fit of the main parts.

Parts breakdown is modest, you have to deal with 8!!! road wheels only.

Comparison: The Tiger II I was (happily :)) talked into by my good LHS man has 36 road wheels with a total parts count of +100 parts.

And also the tracks are link and length and look OK (to me :)) out of the box.

The internet provides a lot of information with numerous options for the final camo scheme.

Happy Modelling M8 :)

Zack

I think of myself as an "advanced newbie", so I've been there not long ago, looking for the perfect kit to start with.

I'm 100% with Rob on this one : while you don't have to pay over 100$ for your first kit, please don't go on the el cheapo route. Sometimes shelling just a few dollars more will get you a nice and easy kit to begin with, and not something that you will want to throw in the trash after a few minutes. AND for plastic's sake, get a vehicle that YOU like, because, trust me on this one, you will loose interest and won't finish it.

One more thing : I would suggest to try a 1/35 scale kit first, for a very simple reason : size ! Very easy to assemble, paint and put nice details on it.

1/72 scale vehicles are cool (believe me, I've done my share in this scale) but many parts are so tiny that you need microscope instead of your eyes ! 

Like most others said, an original Tamiya tank is a great choice as your first kit.

Enjoy !

Wow, that's a great resource Rob, thanks for that. I had to bookmark it.

Steve

Some good advice already given, but just a word of warning; older kits do not always mean they are easier to assemble nor are they always cheaper. Some of Dragon's older kits are pushing 25 years old, most are difficult to assemble and sometimes over priced.

Tamiya's are often the easiest to build, but be warned that several of Tamiya's kits are not their kits inside the box. They have Italeri, CMK and Fine Molds kits inside some of their boxes.

A good place to look for very inexpensive kits are armor modeling websites that allow buying and trading. Missing Lynx's private sellers forum is a great place for some good kits in the $20-30 price range. It's better to spend a few dollars more and get a good quality kit than to spend almost $20 on a 40 year old Tamiya kit that began life as a motorized toy.

I'd just make sure to check that the seller is in the USA or whatever your home country is; international shipping can make what looks to be a great deal into a bad trade. You sometimes end up paying as much for shipping as the kit itself.

www.network54.com/.../47214

sorry misst someones question about  preference of scale, time period or nationality.

I dont really have a pref, but I do like oddball stuff that the general public my not know about. After I do this first build maybe I can do something a bit less conventional.

Thanks guys I will check those out and start a build thread once I get back. Internet is spotty till I do.

Yep, I vote Tamiya, also check eBay. a good place for very inexpensive older models. You can also find "lots" of 2 or more. The older the kit, the decals deteriorate.

You can pick up a Tamiya Panzer II F/G kit that comes with a few German infantrymen for $15.00 USD at your local hobby shop.  It's a very simple kit (albeit an old one) and should give you some inexpensive practice.

I second the Tamiya, either an all gray German or Green Russian,

The usual recommendation is a Tamiya kit. Their very early kits from the 70's are still around, they were designed to be motorized, but despite there age are still nice kits. Do you have a preference of scale, tie period or nationality.