Ok, this may be kinda long so please bear with me.

I just started into armor after a 12 year lay-off and have some questions about some models for my next project (and future ones). I just need to know if these models are any good and if any of you have built them any comment you may have. Here we go:

1/35 M48A3 Patton by Tamiya #35120-2000
1/35 M2 Bradley IFV by Timiya #35132
1/35 SPW Sdkfz 251/1 Ausf. D by Tamiya #35195-2200
1/35 88mm Gun Flak 36/37 by Tamiya #35017-2200
1/35 Stug III Ausf F/8 Sd kf2 142/1 by Dragon #9013
1/35 German Panther Type G Early Version by Tamiya #35170-3000
1/35 M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles by Modelcraft #35-9006
1/15 M41 Walker Bulldog by Glencoe Models

Everyone has told me that Tamiya models are the best but some have told me that you have to be careful for the old ones. Which ones are old and how do you tell? Also, I saw some models by Trumpeteer that the guy in the store said was made and packaged in China using Hasigawa molds. HELP! Thanks!

hello mate,
the Hanomag 251 is a very nice kit but you might want to buy some detail kit for the cabin as it is a bit on the sparse side!
Try looking at the Verlinden parts and the Eduard photo etch accesories!
The 88mm makes a lovely Diorama centre piece and looks just as impressive with the wheel gear installed on it!
Go buy them and enjoy!

1/35 M48A3 Patton by Tamiya #35120-2000
Good kit, been out for 20+ yrs

1/35 M2 Bradley IFV by Tamiya #35132
Another good kit with interior, is an early Bradley and has been out for almost 20 yrs

1/35 SPW Sdkfz 251/1 Ausf. D by Tamiya #35195-2200
Unknown, but it is a relatively new kit

1/35 88mm Gun Flak 36/37 by Tamiya #35017-2200
Unknown, one of Tamiya's original 1/35 scale armor kits

1/35 Stug III Ausf F/8 Sd kf2 142/1 by Dragon #9013
Unknown, relatively new kit

1/35 German Panther Type G Early Version by Tamiya #35170-3000
Unknown, this is their new Panther

1/35 M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles by Modelcraft #35-9006
Unknown, copy of the Tamiya M2A2 which was the M2 kit above minus the interior and a new sprue with the uparmored sides

1/15 M41 Walker Bulldog by Glencoe Models
This is an ancient kit originally made by Renwal. It is over 30+ yrs old. The Glencoe release does not have any of the original metal parts that are necessary for the running gear to align properly or any of the parts to "motorize" the kit. The model is crude by today's standards, but comes with a superb decal sheet. Too bad there is no good kit to use the decals on.


The oldest are the ones with the kit numbers below 35100, but this doesn't mean that they're all bad. Many of the armor kits below #35130 were designed to be motorized at one time and have hull holes that have to be dealt with. Most kits above #35160 are new, but they do have a bad habit of tossing in a new sprue to an ancient kit and giving it a new kit number, like the T-34 series and the M-42 Duster. Best thing to do is ask about a particular kit like you just did.


Yes, Trumpeter copied a lot of Tamiya and Academy molds for their early armor kits. Steer clear of any US armor but the M1 series tanks, word is they are good. The M60 series are bad copies. Some of the Soviet tanks are nice, some are Tamiya knock-offs (like the T-72), all are designed for motorization.

HiRob;
That´s was a real modelling lesson, I´m in the business for about 15 years and most things you said was new to me, like the numbering on Tamiya boxes...
And I´m glad to know that I do have a M48A3(unbuilt) a very good kit out of production...
Cheers

Great info guys. I have a B-day coming up at the end of next month. I will be looking for either a M1 Abrams or M2/M3 Bradley. which kits are good and which ones should I stay away from for these 2 pieces of modern armor?

For an M2/3 Bradley, your only choice is the Tamiya kit. The Modelcraft and Academy kits are knock-offs. Tamiya makes 3 versions of the Bradley, M2 with interior, M3 with no interior (same basic kit as M2 minus interior), M2A2 used in the Gulf War. This too is the same basic kit as the old M2/3, but a new sprue is added with the uparmored sides and a few other parts. No interior.

As far as M1s, there are quite a few to choose from, but only 4 basic ones (makers). Stay away from the AMT/Ertl/Esci M1 or M1A1. Very horrible kits.
The next choice is the Tamiya kits, their M1 is OOP, but they have 2 different versions of the M1A1, one with and without mine plow. Decent enough kits that can use a lot of accurizing. It will look like an Abrams built out-of-box though. Tamiya cheated and just updated the turret and hull and added a few sprue to their basic M1 kit to get the M1A1. Easy to build kits, they even made wired remote versions of these tanks.
The next is the Academy kit. Not a great kit, a lot is "borrowed" from the Tamiya kits. It's OK if you get a good deal on it though.
The mother lode comes from DML (also known as Dragon, Shangai-Dragon). They produce 5 boxings of the same basic kit. An M1A1 with crew, M1A1 with mine plow, USMC M1A1 with wading trunks, M1A1 with nothing and the M1A2. These were the best ones to hit the market after the Gulf War and were the mainstay for the last decade. The are fairly accurate and have single length tracks. The detail is rather delicate and the kit is a difficult build for an armor novice.
The new-comer on the scene is Trumpeter. Word on the street is that these are the best M1A1/2 series tanks out there. They borrowed heavily from both DML and Tamiya and came up with a good kit. I have not bought one of theirs yet since I was burned on their knock-off M60A3. They have versions with or with outmine plow and mine roller. Some of the ones out there are motorized.

The shop I was at had the Trumpeter M1A/2 tanks for $17. Maybe I should pick one up and do a review.