Unless someone shows me otherwise, I am sold on these models. I have built a number of different company offerings and these are simply quality kits as far as I am concerned. The history provided is nice. The paint descriton is very good. In fact, I think excellent in helping me get the right colors. The history descritons however are excellent. In addition, the directions are straightforward, reasonable detail but most importantly, the fit is right on. There is nothing I hate more than putting a cockpit in the fuselage and have it go this way and that way. No guide pins or nothing, good luck. Then a little warp to the fuselage plastic and forget it. You have unbleiveblae glaps. I am building the Kawanishi N1K1 Shiden type 11 right now. The cockpit rests on 3 platforms basically between the fuselage halves. What a great fit. This is my 4th Tamiya in a row and I am sold.
However, the prices are steep. But, you get what you pay for. If you pay 9.00, expect a lot of putty and prayer. Thank goodness you can get things on ebay as well. Before I leave though, accurate minatures is certainly right there.
My only beef? There seems to be a paucity in pacific US fighters. Tamiya needs to get on the nandwagon and put together a nice avenger and Dauntless. Anyway, my 2 cents worth.