why we build certain brand model being ship armor or anything

Have to admit that for the most part I have only been interested in building everything I was on or in during my little Army stint. So far I have the jeep, 3/4 ton, 2 1/2 ton, 105 towed, 155 towed, 175sp, Huey, Chinook, APC. I may do some again and try and improve. Still missing the 5 ton (not made) and the C130.

I've been looking over some the comments on some of the kits.  I have hundreds of models over the decades I've been building kits, so maybe it's just major experience talking, but I never had a problem with a DML or AFV kit or other.  I just built a AFC M60a1 and no issue with it at all.  Same for Dragon kits.  I've built dozens of them.   It may just be big time experiance, but I never have had any problem with a plastic kit.

I do like the details on kits,  I've never really measured a kit for accuracy or spent any time on it.  That's me.  When they are all piled together fender to fender and wingtip to wingtip, minor details all fade 

Usually stick with good multimedia kits that have good fitment. The kit usually attracts me for some aesthetic reason. Typically build tamiya, some newer revell, got some meng and trupeteer special interest ones too. Tried my first eduard photo etch on a tamiya panther, not a big fan. Don't mind it for engine fan covers and other larger items that dont require a ton of bending. Most of my kits are researched to death before I spend a cent on them. Any impulse buys have usually let to scrapping or ripping out my hair. I totally despise kits that do not fit correctly, are lacking in detail or have useless instructions. I'm by far not the most patient person and I dislike when my relaxing hobby gets my blood boiling.

Don Stauffer

Subect matter!  If the biggies don't release a kit of the subject I want, but I can find a Lindberg or Glenco or something like that, I buy it!  Who else would offer a Curtiss Condor airliner, other than Glenco?

 

Hi,

Like Don, Stikpusher, DasBeev, and a couple others have also noted, I think I too mostly pick my kits mostly based on Subject Matter.  For me, I often buy a model kit to learn about the subject that a kit is modeled after, but the actual building is sometimes more about trying different techniques and/or doing what-ifs etc, so I don't really ha ve a problem with buying an unexpensive and simple kit, even if it may not be 100% accurate.  And, in fact I think that I probably prefer a cheaper simpler kit over something more expensive and complex, because I think I'm probably a lot less intimidated about hacking, cutting, and/ot trying other stuff on a cheap and easy kit than a really expensive one.

Overall I think my favorite recent builds have been a 1/400 scale Ark Model (ex-Heller) Battleship Potemkin, the Lindberg Q-Ship, and a couple what-ifs I'm working that started from a Lindberg 1/900 Shangri-La and a Revell Ford Mustang Snapkit.

On the other hand I do have a handful of more expensive Armor models, a 1/350 scale Battleship Suvorov and the 1/72 scale Revell (ex-Matchbox) flower class Corvette, none of which I've been able to work up the nerve to start yet, because I'm just not sure my skill level is good enough to try and tackle them yet. 

Pat

I'm with the guys that buy base on subject matter - I pick the 'best' kit of the subject that I find of interest. So anywhere from limited run to fully equipped kits. Just haven't gone as far as Vacform ones.

This is an interesting question. Back the mid 70s when I first took up the hobby, auto kits were dominated by Mongram (remember those cool Tom Daniels Design kits?), AMT, MPC, and Revell. Maybe an occasional Lindbergh kit too. Aircraft and armor were Monogram mostly and Revell. All were great kits in that time. 

Fast forward to early 80s after I graduated from high school. I discovered a hobby shop downtown so one day, I decided to check it out. I was like a kid in a candy store. There were Hasegawa, Fujini, Italeri, Tamiya and others in aircraft, ships, and armor kits besides the usual Revell and Monogram I was used to buying. That day, I bought my first Hasegawa kit. I was hooked on the brand. Then Fujimi and Tamiya followed.

So the question begs which brand do I choose over others? I don't because it all depends on the subject. For auto kits, I will choose AMT or mpc because I've always liked the option to build in different versions - be it custom, stock or drag. I like to mix it up if possible. 

Aircraft - I will choose Hasegawa, Fujimi, Tamiya , Airfix, or whatever brand to my liking. Again, it depends on the type and decal options. With so many aftermarket stuff out there - especially decals, it really doesn't matter what brand I get. I will research and read kit reviews of a particular aircraft kit brand for fit issues, inaccuracies, or whatnot. 

Armor and ships I don't really get into those much. I've done them but the mood to do one are rare. 

@Pat, You really should start your Corvette. I built one of these years ago, sadly it met it's demise due to lack of space. The hull is a solid build made up of four sections, which once together will inspire you to complete the rest. Once the main deck is in place, each area of superstructure can be treated as a unit on it's own, so you can pick up or put down when the mood takes. The one main thing I would change if I did it again, would be to buy some proper railings and stanchions. Go on get your glue out, you never know , you could always add radio control too :0)

The only available brand when starting my modelling hobby in the 60's, was Airfix. And as I only had pocket money this meant either single engine aircraft or military vehicles. But they got me hooked. These days, it will be Zvezda (softskin), HobbyBoss (PLA AFV) and occasionally Tamiya (German AFV). And then I will choose something either just that little bit different, or if I have a specific project in mind. Increasing kit costs and available storage space have a great bearing on my choice too.

Hey Glenn H, If I recall Italeri popped a five ton, I think,it was WAY back in the early '90s, they called it a Bigfoot. As for the topic, I try to stay with one brand simple for scale fidelity however many companies produce many cool things and I'm like "SQUIRREL" LOL.  I think for me it's more scale than brand, if it isn't offered in the scale I want I probably can live without it. Odds are someday it will pop.

Yes, Italeri made a pair of 5 Tons about 20 some odd years ago. They did one with the "dualy" rear tires 10x6, and another with the later single tire 6x6 configuration.

Italeri released the US Army 5 ton in three versions. The M923A1 Bigfoot which came with the 6x6 wheel set up used by the A2 version. It came with canvas cargo cover and .50 cal ring mount. Then they did the M925 10 wheeled version which came equipped with the front winch, but no cargo cover. The M925 came with and without a shelter to sit in the bed.

There is a 4th version out with armored gun truck add on.

I've been building since the early days of plastic kits while wood ones were still available.  I like some that go together easily, especially now tha I'm losing the ability to build.  HOwever I still look for certain kits that I wouild want to build, like the Thunderceptor.  It's large, 1/48th scale, but won't take too much to detail it unough to be respectable.

As far as not working on some kits because they don't come with everything, how are you supposed to build your skills at scratch building?  You need to be able to find or make parts that you don't have.  You can't rely on some company to do all the work for you.  Sometimes scratch building is the best part.  That way you can have detail that wouild not normally be there, or use your new and budding skills to make something never seen before, especially when working on dioramas, fantasy, figures, or science fiction, or just about any subject you can name.

Many times it's in the challange to be different, better, or unique.  That's where new skills comein handy.  All you need to do is try, and keep on tryong.