Best Armour Kits to Model

All companies have good and bad kits.  The better question is what are you interested in building?  If you can narrow it down to a few vehicles or vehicle types, we can recommend who makes the best kit of vehicle X.

Gino is right. Narrow down the search parameters and you'll get better results lol.

Since you mention you are new at this then ignore the rather simplistic answer given and begin a search of Tamiya kits.

Recent issues are quite detailed and accurate as well as easy to assemble. They have a variety of vehicles and at least one should strike your fancy. Ignore the urge to purchase a lot of aftermarket items. That will come along in due time. 

Dragon, Trumpeter, Bronco et al are more detailed, but infinately more complex to assemble.

Hone you building and painting skills first, then step up.

Check out Brindo's excellent M41 build right here on this page. Lots can be done with an old Tamiya kit. It's fun too. 

As a general rule of thumb, you can't go far wrong with Tamiya. They have nice detail, build up nicley, a good price but not to over engineered.

I'll second that. The Tamiya Panther ausf. A is not the best kit to start with. I've been working on one for years and it just needs to be finished... someday. I don't think I'll ever be really happy with it. Probably just settle for "its not bad" eventually lol.

Since it's one of my favorite tanks I will eventually have to get a better kit of it for my growing collection of armor.  :)

thanks for the tips. I have a Takom and a few Tamiya kits so I shall see how I go with these. I have been painting figures and busts for a couple of years and was looking for a change as I like the weathering concept. 

Cheers

Marc

If you want to read reviews on certain armour kits you want to build, go to :

www.scalemates.com

Type in the armour in the search box, and scroll down what tickles your fancy. Not all kits do provide a review though.

I will be the dissenter on Tamiya.  A lot of their models are dogs.  There are many new companies out there that are just as easy to build and much better detailed.  Tamiya is not the top dog any longer.  Just because you are a beginner doesn't mean you have to settle for poor quality because it is perceived to be easier to build. 

I will state again, tell us what you want to build and we can direct to a good kit of it.

EDIT:   I missed your reply above.  Takom is one of the newer companies I am talking about.  I would start there and, depending on the kit, leave the Tamiya ones alone.

Welcome! I would say Tamiya. Almost all kits are well molded with clear instructions. They also have vinyl tracks which are far easier than multiple links. I would also recommend going with a kit that is 1 color such as an Olive Drab where you can paint with a sray can without the complexity of multi-color camoflague. Paints-again can't go wrong with Tamiya. Good luck and most of all enjoy the process. Don't be discouraged by some of the masterpieces you see in the magazine. They have decades of experience behind them !

Gino,

Your newer Tamiya stuff is really top drawer,I can't think of a dog among them.

JS-152,Jagdtiger,Mark IV Male,Jagdpanzer,Isherman,BT-7,Panther,Easy 8,Somua,

Perhaps you mean some older kits because I haven't heard a bad word about the newer stuff.

Tamiya T-55...a delight to build...

Revenant

Tamiya T-55...a delight to build...

Yup, but missing lots of details and simplified in many areas as well. 

Isn't that typical of Tamiya though? Along with overly thick headlight guards and such. They do make it easy to practice painting and effects. Plus they look good on a shelf right out of the box (to most people). Obviously I like them just for the fun of scratch building up all of the goodies and details.

All and all, I have to agree that Tamiya kits are very good kits for all ranges of skills. Especially beginners. Good instructions, good fit of parts, and good decals. There are a few examples of excellence and a few of poor quality, but mostly you're going to do well with a Tamiya kit. Just keep in mind that a lot of them are from the 70's and 80's and the molds are sometimes in need of some attention.

I wouldn't start anyone off on a recommendation of Dragon (DML) or AFV Club and for reasons most of us are familiar with already lol.

Thay make some beautifully detailed kits, but for the price (and frustration) I wouldn't start with any of those. Just my recent thoughts on the subject.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

If you want to read reviews on certain armour kits you want to build, go to :

 

www.scalemates.com

 

Type in the armour in the search box, and scroll down what tickles your fancy. Not all kits do provide a review though.

 

Or better still, check out the hundreds of reviews in FSM's Workbench section. The most recent are subscriber only, but the vast majority are available to anyone.

Cheers, Aaron

HeavyArty

 

 

Revenant

Tamiya T-55...a delight to build...

 

 

 

Yup, but missing lots of details and simplified in many areas as well. 

 

I have to agree with Gino on this one.  Tamiya is hit or miss.  Whoever said good price must be talking about older prices.  90 dollars for an m1?  No thanks.  I just picked up revell ag leopaed 2a5.  Noce kit, good detail, amd easy build.  Price was about 35 bucks.

Well,the new tooled Tamiya Easy 8 has reviewed very well and can be had for prices in the forties,not bad.

And again, with recent releases,I've heard of no bad misses.

Also Tamiya Tusk can be had for much less then $90.00

Agreed about the Tamiya M4A3E8.  Just about every review has been positive, it's (relatively) inexpensive, and it will fit together like a Tamiya kit.  I'm considering it for my next build with some aftermarket PE.