What is a good kit for a first time armour builder?

Good ideas so far, but I've got a great alternate suggestion for ya (especially your pocketbook!). The only thing it doesn't fit is German or American. It's the Russian IS-IIIm by Trumpeter. A cheap kit (around sixteen bucks!), a good model and the thing is a beast. Truly scary looking, huge and squat, like a really big, old Nile crocodile.


(Note this pic is just intended to show what an IS-III looks like -- this kit is a fancy build-up with all kinds of AM stuff on it.)

What a monster this thing was! Designed to lock horns with King Tigers and the like, it was used by Arab armies until the late 60's. The Trumpeter kit even gives you decals of a fancy black eagle emblem so you can paint it sand for the Egyptian army in 1967. Or you can just use it as a Soviet tank. This thing would have made the Pershing sweat! But luckily we never had to fight them -- AFAIK they were not used in Korea.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman Bill, I can tell you for a fact that the Late comes with indies. I just expected the others, due to their high cost, also included them. My apologies for misleading anyone. Confusticated?

Yeah, CON-FUSE-TI-CATE-ED

Comes from my kids description of something that doesn't work...

BUST-I-CATE-ED


I'll check my Tamiya Tigers when I go home for tracks.

Bill, I can tell you for a fact that the Late comes with indies. I just expected the others, due to their high cost, also included them. My apologies for misleading anyone.

Confusticated?

QUOTE: Tamyia's Tiger family is well respected by the community, but they do come with the indy tracks.

Eric, as far as I know, only one of Tamiya's Tigers comes with the indy tracks. Is it the mid or the late? I can't remember! Crap! Maybe it's the other way around and only one of them comes with vinyl tracks! I'll have to look. Now you done and got me confuseticated!

I saw your new thread Jeff, and I called you on it.

Welcome to another wing-nut. You want big and bad eh? Well you've got some good choices. I'd also recommend DML's Elefant, but that might be too advanced for you at this time. Tamyia's Tiger family is well respected by the community, but they do come with the indy tracks. Like Jeff said, they're not hard but overwhelming for a first timer. If you want a brute without the indy tracks, look no further than Tamiya's King Tiger with Production turret. It has the one piece tracks and goes together like butter. It does have a mesh screen to cut out. To further enhance it, I'd look into some engine grilles made by Eduard or even Tamiya. Can't go wrong with it. Good luck.

I caught ya Rodc. I have built the Tamiya Tiger I and dont let the indy tracks fool ya, they arent too bad. I did hand Zimm on my first one and wouldnt suggest it for you. Now I am looking for more armor (got a personal build with Tigerman when our schedule collide again , hoping I had forgot that huh lol)

Rod, one thing more. The Tamiya Tiger I Late has independent tracks also. One other thing you might want to consider that no one has mentioned... Academy has two Tiger's out with full interiors. They retail for $55, but you can get them mail order for less, and ocassionally find them on sale. (Great Models had them on sale for the last two weeks, but I don't know if they still are.) There are a couple of articles (one on each) on the Missing Links web site.

www.missing-lynx.com

The interiors aren't totally accurate, but from what I've seen, look real cool when built. (And they come with both "rubber band" and independent link tracks!)

Good luck.

Rod,

I agree with Foster7155. Go with a Tamiya for the quality of fit and one piece vinyl tracks, for your first tank. You requested something that looks "Bad A** coming at you" and less expensive. Although both are post WWII, I suggest:

The Tamiya M41 Walker Bulldog for about $20.+/-



and

The Tamiya IDF Merkava I for about $25.+/-



Whatever you decide on building, show and tell us about it.

Welcome to our world...dark though it may be.

I'd say a Tamiya Tiger would be a great choice. I had never touched an armor model when I built one a year ago and now I'm hooked for good. I prefer DML now - for their individual track links - but I wouldn't recommended them the first time out. You're gonna love the darkside!

Enjoy your modeling...

The Dark Side????? Is that something you guys coined yourselves or something the Aircraft builders gave you??? Pretty funny....I may lurk around here more often.

Seriously though, thanks for the input. It would appear that the Tiger may be in the lead for a first kit choice. Probably Tamiya just because of the quality.

Cheers,

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk The Dragon E-100 should be able to satisfy all the criteria you mentioned!

Hey Brian, the Maus has been rereleased, too! Wonder how long it will be around this time.

Welcome to the darkside, Rod. Any of the Tamiya Tigers or the Panther G's are great kits. For about half the price, you can go with any of Dragon's Panthers, but you'll have to contend with their independent link tracks. Their Elefant and Ferdinand models are nice, too. There's a lot out there to choose from.

Good luck and let us kono what you decide on.

hi ,i dont build to many tanks at this time,ijust wanted welcom you to the darkside. i you listen to the others in the foum you cant go wrong,

gdarwin[roy]

The Dragon E-100 should be able to satisfy all the criteria you mentioned!

If you want something impressive, I would recommend a modern era U.S. Abrams. I know that you would prefer a WWII tank but the Tamiya Abrams with the mineplow is a great kit and it looks quite intimidating. Good luck with whatever you choose.

For American, the Tamiya M26 Pershing is a good kit and you do not have to worry about elaborate paint schemes.

For a German tank, the new DML King Tigers or the Tamiya King Tigers are impressive looking tanks. Tamiya kits will be easier to assemble than DML.