Tamiya tanks.

heironymuss

Member since
October 2004

Tamiya tanks.

Posted by heironymuss on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:50 AM

What Tamiya tank would be a good introduction for a beginner modeler?

Thank you.

Reply

spector822002

Member since
December 2003
From: Southern Maine

Posted by spector822002 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:00 AM

I am working on the Tamiya German Panther Late G , It goes together great , and the detail is nice and crisp on all the parts , I am doing this one with lots of aftermarket parts on it , However the parts included in the kit are just fine , and not too many small bits to deal with .Many of thier allied kits are great as well , ( not an allied tank man here myself , but there are many in the forum that could point you in the right direction here ..

Reply

JWest21

Member since
December 2002
From: PA

Posted by JWest21 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:01 AM

Any of their Panther Gs or their Jagdpanther. They are really a dream to build- no fit problems at all, one piece rubber-band style tracks. I built one of each. Here is my Jagdpanther
http://jasonwest7529.fotopic.net/c307100.html

Jason "There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." -D. Barry

Reply

Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:01 AM

Tamiya's M41 Walker Bulldog is a simple tank kit that builds eaisly. Not recognized as the most accurate, but it is well engineered and is a fun kit to build. Cheap too.

If German armor is more your cup of tea, then Tamiya's Panzer II Ausf. F/G for the same reasons as the M41.

Reply

MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:40 AM

I was going to recommend the Bulldog too, if only because the color sceme is the simplest. Solid olive drab. Testors sells olive drab and matt dark green in rattle cans. [I know some are a gloss green but gloss colors would tend to make the kit "toy like" in my opinion.]Anyway You can't get any simpler than that for a beginner. It's cheap and it would be simple to weather. Just water down some sable brown or burt umber acrylic and brush it on and let it dry. The kit also comes with one fig so you can get some practice with that as well. i have one that I've done in desert tan for no other reason than to be different. I call it the Desert Dog!LOL

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:54 AM

If you pick one of the German heavies,pay close attention when building the wheels.They overlap and you could find yourself in an irritating jam if you get them wrong.

Reply
Edit

J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:58 AM

I'll throw in a third vote for the M-41 Walker Bulldog!
Nice kit, cool tank!

~Brian

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:01 AM

I thought the M1A1 Abrams was rather easy to build. Great fit little-to-no cleanup.

Reply
Edit

zokissima

Member since
July 2003
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Posted by zokissima on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:32 AM

I would suggest the Tamiya T-34. It's a very simple build, that won't give you any problems. Great for starting out.

Reply

MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:38 AM

I have not built the tamiya Abramc only the Trumpeter one which the general consensus is that it's better [and cheaper!lol]. Still the Tamiya Abrams is a $40 kit while the Walker sells for less than $20 depending on where you shop. I personally would rather screw up the walker first before moving on to the Abrams. Spending a lot of cash on a tank, a lot of hours on assembly, and then screw up the paint might disallusion a beginner. My first tank I ever built was the ESCI M-60 Blazer and and like I have said many times before, after i fooled with those link and length tracks i didn't touch another tank for 10 years!lol

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

Reply

bobbaily

Member since
November 2003
From: Nashville, TN area

Posted by bobbaily on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 11:58 AM

No real preferences-just check the old issues of Fine Scale Modeler-there was a 'weekend build' on a T-34. Most recent issue has a good build of a Sherman.

I'm starting on a Sherman for the Battle of the Bulge Group Build-maybe we will see you there!

Bob

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 12:49 PM

As mentioned, the Tamiya Pz II, T34, or Walker Bulldog would all be good starter kits because they are relatively inexpensive and if you are not worried about accuracy they will all build into nice little kits. They have simple construction with relatively little cleanup needed.

The Tamiya Panther Gs and the King Tigers are also easy to build, but you will have to shell out $35-$45 for them. I think as a new modeler, you may be more willing to experiment with a kit that costs less.

Good luck!

Reply
Edit

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 3:11 PM

My first ever tank was the Tamiya PZ II.

Great little kit to start with. I still have it too!!

Reply
Edit

ygmodeler4

Member since
October 2004
From: Northern Virginia

Posted by ygmodeler4 on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 5:23 PM

My first tamiya tank was the King Tiger ardennes forest. Its simple if you pay attention to what your doing. But it costs a lot of money.

-Josiah

Reply

Spamicus

Member since
April 2003
From: Central Wisconsin

Posted by Spamicus on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 5:28 PM

Welcome to our little community. I can't agrue with any of the above, but I'll vote for Tamiya's T-34 family. The kits aren't real accurate, but they're low cost and easy to build. They make a very nice repilca of the real McCoy. We've got a couple of very friendly T-34 guys in the community as well and they're a lot of help if you get stuck on something. Welcome again and good luck with the build you choose. Smile [:)]

Steve

Reply

Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 5:33 PM

A M41 or T34 will be a good starter kit. Having built the T34 I am sure you will find it easy to build.

Reply

tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 6:04 PM

Most anything. I vote for the Sherman Early. Fit was amazing. The King Tiger is a good choice also, some small parts, but nothing I woudn't think you can handle.

Eric

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:07 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by MartianGundamModeler

I have not built the tamiya Abram only the Trumpeter one which the general consensus is that it's better [and cheaper!lol].

I heard that to but Having built the Dragon , Tamiya , and Trumperter kits I can tell you it is not true, the kit is a tough build none of the turret or hull parts would go w/o a pound of putty, anyways I agree w/ the general vote for the Walker Bulldog Hobby lobby has them for $12 and its half off this week so you could get it for $6, that is if they have hobby lobbies where you are.

Reply
Edit

tigerman

Member since
March 2003
From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA

Posted by tigerman on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:13 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by jessiahkinnamon

QUOTE: Originally posted by MartianGundamModeler

I have not built the tamiya Abramc only the Trumpeter one which the general consensus is that it's better [and cheaper!lol].

I think the Tamiya fits better, but is less accurate. Doesn't come with the anti-skid texture and the front of the hull is nothing like the real thing.

Eric

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:53 PM

Any tamiya kit is a good one to start with imo. the tamiya models i have built are:
Churchill croc
Pak 40
hanomag (251)
8-rad (232)
panther

heh, it seems all my 1/35 tanks are tamiya except for one. they all went together good and easy.

Reply
Edit

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 8:59 PM

I will also recommend the Walker Bulldog Kit.

Reply
Edit

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:41 PM

I would recommend the Tamiya Walker Bulldog OR the Panther A.. They are both cheap kits, go together smoothly, and are very reasonably priced for a "starter" kit..

Reply
Edit

JCon

Member since
March 2003
From: Northeast Washington State

Posted by JCon on Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:32 PM

The Walker Bulldog or Tamiya PZ II kits are both great kits to start with. Nice detail and lots of fun and forgiveness for the beginner! Whatever you chose have lots of fun!

Happy Modeling, Joe Favorite Quote: It's what you learn after you know it all that counts!

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 4, 2004 11:14 AM

First tank I ever built was a Tamiya 1/35 M3 Lee The kit fit togather pretty good except some minor sanding that needed to be done on the turret to get it to sit right. Also the 75mm hull gun came in 2 pieces which made it hard to get rid of the seam in between. Other than that it was a great build.

Reply
Edit

diggeraone

Member since
July 2003
From: Ozarks of Arkansas

Posted by diggeraone on Thursday, November 4, 2004 12:23 PM

If you want simple easy first round Tamiya kits to build,here is a small list to choose from.Just the first Leopard tank,Walker bulldog,T-34,KV-1,M3 Lee or Grant,Sherman early production,SAS Jeep,The Centurion and the M-48.These are some great beginner kits that are simple and are easy to modify(scratch build add ons).They will bring hours of enjoiment and will help you in your skills to build.Digger

Put all your trust in the Lord,do not put confidence in man.PSALM 118:8 We are in the buisness to do the impossible..G.S.Patton

Reply

MartianGundamModeler

Member since
November 2003
From: Tennessee

Posted by MartianGundamModeler on Thursday, November 4, 2004 12:49 PM

I have never bult the Tamiya SAS jeep but i have built the Italeri one. It had lots of small parts. I had "tweezer fire" all night long. My old office carpet has eaten many a small part!lol It was still a joy to build. I'll finish detailing it one day.

"Some men look at things the way they are and ask ' Why?'. I dream of things that never were and ask "Why not?".--Robert Kennedy taken from George Bernard Shaw's "Back To Methuselah" (Thanks to TomZ2) http://martiangundammodels.50megs.com/index.html

Reply

heironymuss

Member since
October 2004

Posted by heironymuss on Friday, November 5, 2004 8:35 AM

Everybody's been most helpful. Many thanks.
Heironymuss

Reply

THE MAGAZINE

CONTACT US

RECENT ARTICLES

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT REVIEWS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT REVIEWS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT VIDEOS

POPULAR TOPICS

RECENT THREADS

CATEGORIES

NEW PRODUCTS

OUR STORE

CURRENT ISSUE

SEARCH FINESCALE.COM