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What's your favorite kit of all time?

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  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Lakewood, CO
Posted by kenjitak on Saturday, January 19, 2019 4:43 PM

My favorite is the 1/48 Revell/Monogram F-105F/G. Even with raised panel lines, it really captured the look and feel of the Thud. Right there with it is the 1/48 Crusader. 

Ken

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 12:09 AM

Monogram. It's not hard to find.

Takes about four bottles of Alclad but it is a nice model.

 

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: 29° 58' N 95° 21' W
Posted by seasick on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 11:47 PM

There is a kit out there that's a 1/72 scale B-36 bomber. I spent an eternity working on it as a kid. I hung it from the celling. After six months the string snapped and I found the remains on the floor when I got home from school. 

Chasing the ultimate build.

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by PFJN on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 10:11 PM

Hi,

In response to the original question posted, I got thinking about all the kits that I have built (or at least the ones that I can remember).

From my earliest days back in grade school/high school I can't really say that I recall any of them as standing out as a "best kit" in terms of "kit quality".  (Which is not to say that I don't have fond memories of many of them, such as the Revell 1/426 scale "USS Arizona" or the Airfix/MPC 1/72 scale "Brewster Buffalo" for example).

Nowadays though, I have managed to pick up some relatively new kits that I have high hopes for (such as the Takom 1/35 scale Mark V Heavy Tank from WWI) hich seems to have many favorable reviews.  But since I haven't started building it yet, I guess I can't really say from personal experience how good it actually is.

PF

1st Group BuildSP

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Roanoke, Virginia
Posted by BigJim on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 9:44 PM

Rob Gronovius
But one kit that will always have a spot in my heart is the old Monogram TBF Avenger. I built it as a kid and loved the folding wings, retractable landing gear and torpedo dropping action. I know it is more of a toy than a model by today's standards, but I have fond memories of that one.


I agree.
I also liked the "Phantom" Mustang!

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • From: Close to Chicago
Posted by JohnnyK on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 2:49 PM

I like the 1/48 Monogram/Revell B-29. When it is finished it is one big beautiful bird.

Your comments and questions are always welcome.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 1:34 PM

My favs are based on total enjoyment experienced, not scale fidelity.

I had to think long and hard (a sure indicator that the question is a good one!), and it has to be Monogram’s 1/48 SBD Dauntless at the top.  It had it all - a cool WW II warplane with moveable parts that actually worked well (which went a long way to facilitate precision dive bombing attacks on Lego warships as well as hair raising carrier landings in the hallway), seated crew figures, simple assembly, AND I had just watched “Midway” in the theater with my dad when he got the kit for me.  I think for the amount of pure fun and good memories, this kit wins hands down.

My favorite armor kit is the old Tamiya 1/35 Chieftain Mk.5, just because it looked so cool!  I got one as a Christmas present from my mom in 1979, and have recently acquired another one to enjoy again, inaccuracies and all!

Despite being a sci-fi modeler, no specific kit jumps out from the pack.  I suppose going with the enjoyment factor, it would be the MPC X-Wing.  Me and my friends were so excited when the kit showed up at the LHS, and I remember us riding our bikes down to the store to get them.  I built three in total.

So yeah, I sound like an old fart waxing nostalgic about out of date kits from a bygone era (each one of those kits has a high quality, modern equivalent).  But it’s that spark of fun and excitement that made the hobby enjoyable.  It’s kind of like playing cowboys as a kid versus actually working as a cowboy as an adult.  It’s become more serious now, and thus a little less fun.  But that’s a subject for another thread!

Oh and BTW, I confess to not playing “cowboys” as a kid - we played “spaceman”.  I was a child born during the space race, and was lucky enough to have gained sufficient sentience to watch the moon landing and understand what it was about.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Monday, January 14, 2019 11:51 AM

Tojo72
hogfanfs

Tojo, it's interesting to see your answer now compared to 12 years ago.

Was trying just to be funny resurrecting a zombie thread while just hanging and watching football,but it might be interesting to see how some things change,but some kits hold up over time.

I'm glad you did resurrect it, Tojo!  I missed this one, in the time I've been a member.

I'd have to say that my favorite is a toss-up between Monogram's P-41B and P-51B.  I know there are more detailed kits of those subjects, and better-engineered, perhaps.  But I count my enjoyment, too.  They can be built into good models of the subject, and I have fun building them.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, January 13, 2019 2:50 PM

GMorrison

Aircraft forum, BTW.

Tamiya P-51D in any scale is hard to beat.

 

Yeah, I know, but it's a hundred year old post and in an aircraft scale.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Tucson, AZ
Posted by Archangel Shooter on Sunday, January 13, 2019 2:50 PM

For me it would be the Tamiya 1/32 F-4J. Love those Phantoms!

 Your image is loading...

 On the bench: So many hanger queens.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Sunday, January 13, 2019 2:43 PM

Aircraft forum, BTW.

Tamiya P-51D in any scale is hard to beat.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Sunday, January 13, 2019 1:16 PM

Tojo72

 

 
hogfanfs

Tojo, it's interesting to see your answer now compared to 12 years ago.

 

 

 

Was trying just to be funny resurrecting a zombie thread while just hanging and watching football,but it might be interseting to see how some things chage,but dome kits hold up over time.

 

Watching the Patriots play some good football. I started tinkering with the Tamiya 1/48 M1A2 kit, and while it is a rare version not widely fielded, it's a pretty decent casual kit.

I hope they produce different similar versions like the M1A1 or M1A2SEP.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Sunday, January 13, 2019 7:29 AM

hogfanfs

Tojo, it's interesting to see your answer now compared to 12 years ago.

 

Was trying just to be funny resurrecting a zombie thread while just hanging and watching football,but it might be interesting to see how some things change,but some kits hold up over time.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Saturday, January 12, 2019 11:04 PM

Yes!  Will be interesting to compare given the 11 year lapse.  My favorite would be the Tamiya 1/12 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR - or any of the recent Tamiya bikes.  They are really fun to build and engineered and fit better than any other model I've built given the complexity and detail of a motorcycle in 1/12 scale.

AIrcraft wise - I have to go with the Tamiya P-47s, Spitfire Mk1 and P-51D - after 11 years they hold up.

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Saturday, January 12, 2019 9:46 PM

Tojo, it's interesting to see your answer now compared to 12 years ago.

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Saturday, January 12, 2019 8:01 PM
I really enjoyed building the GWH Mig-29,it assembled very nicely,was well detailed.Another nice one for me was the Eduard Me 109 Trop Profi Pack,same thing,nice detail,and flawless assembly.

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Friday, March 30, 2007 12:33 PM
It might have been, Mike. That was so long ago for me that the name of the manufacturer escapes me (heck, I can't even remember what the box art looked like! Wink [;)] ), but I do remember seeing that Mammoth kit built up.

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Friday, March 30, 2007 12:15 PM

ruddratt - I remember those as well, I had the woolly mammoth kit. Was it from Pyro?

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Smithers, BC, Canada
Posted by ruddratt on Friday, March 30, 2007 12:08 PM

 ted jayson wrote:
I also have to agree with Ruddratt about the dinosaur skeletons. I'd be afraid to find out how much I'd spend if I found one!

Ted, I've looked high & low for those kits with no luck. The only skeleton kits I've found are molded in resin, up to almost 2' long, and go for about $400. Shock [:O] But I'll keep lookin'! Thumbs Up [tup]

Mike

 "We have our own ammunition. It's filled with paint. When we fire it, it makes pretty pictures....scares the hell outta people."

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Friday, March 30, 2007 12:04 PM

From when I was ten or so during the 1960's I would spend my allowance money at a local discount store. It woud, cost me $.69 for a Monogram 1/48th scale aircraft model. My bedroom had recessed book shelves next to the beds and that became my "aircraft carrier hangar". I would build two or three at a time of Wildcats, Hellcats and Avengers. They would all be stored with their wings folded there on that bookshelf. There was alot of wear and tear and replacements were always coming in. 

There was one other kit of a Douglas F4D Skyray in about 1/48 scale. I don't know which company made it, it was an easy build with a scale engine and an opeing compartment door to view the engine. This was about 1970.

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 30, 2007 11:49 AM

I would definitely say the Eduard P-39 Profipack... the weight they provide for the nose is totally cool.

Just picked up the Eduard FW190A-5.  Wow!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Friday, March 30, 2007 9:48 AM
Monogram 1/48 F-102A has to be my favorite.  Other very close kits would be Hasagawa 1/48 F-8E and F-14A.  For 1/32 scale it would have to be the Hasagawa F-16A and Tamiya F-4D/E/J. 

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Friday, March 30, 2007 6:01 AM

For overall fit, build pleasure, detail and "I would build this over and over again" factor... in no particular order:

1/32 Rog Fw190D-9

1/48 Hasegawa P-40E

1/48 Tamiya P-51D (or "B")

1/48 Tamiya Me 262

1/418 Eduard P-39

Marc  

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Montana
Posted by mshaneyfelt on Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:25 PM
In the past few weeks I have gotten on a 109 kick and I have to say I really like Hasegawa's Bf 109F's and G's. They always have interesting camouflage and lend themselves to weathering. Great kits to practice on.
  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by el_jere on Thursday, March 29, 2007 10:07 PM

Hi guys! one of the best kits I ever build is the Tamiya 1/48 Gekko, the detail is great, (except for the seat belts decals -I use tape insted-) the fit is also great (no gaps to fill) and was one of my best jobs also the perfect combination.

another personal favorite is the Special Hobby FMA Ia 58 Pucara (from the malvinas -falklands- war) the detail is very good, and the fit %&%"@$·0 jajaj but I wait one decet pucara kit for many years.

regards

 Jeremias

Res non verba

  • Member since
    February 2003
Posted by ted jayson on Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:17 PM
The revell re-issues of the old kits are just what the doctor ordered for this arthritic old fart! I've picked up the fishing boat and the '57 Ford so far and look forward to many more. I actually bought two of each so I could build one and reminence with the other! The original packaging is the best! I also have to agree with Ruddratt about the dinosaur skeletons. I'd be afraid to find out how much I'd spend if I found one!
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Thursday, March 29, 2007 11:02 AM

Tamiya 1/48  P-47's    Me-262   Corsair

Hasegawa 1/48 F-18F    F-15C   Me-190E

they all just fell together and i was extremely happy with the results

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Singapore
Posted by albert_sy2 on Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:19 AM
Hasegawa 1:72 F-16CJ. Those were the days.....
Groovy baby
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: From Vernal UT OH YEA!!
Posted by raptordriver on Monday, March 26, 2007 10:12 PM

Revell now makes or use to anyway,Monogram Classics.There reissues of really old kits.I think they are better than any other 1/48 Models.Evil [}:)]

Andrew

 

 

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