Quality of different brands

[SEBa111]

Hello guys, For a long time I wonder what branch was the BEST .Since I started to view the amount of company's out there, more doubts find a place on my mind
So, being quick, I want you guys yo star making your own top 3 (or more) worth-money branches
Thanks before u answer

[sheppsea]

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by branches? Do you mean shops or manufacturers?

[GMahaffey]

From what I gather from the information, I believe that what they're saying is manufacturers. In that case, I can speak for aircraft. I would say Tamiya, AMK (AvantGarde Model Kits) and Wingnut Wings if you're going World War 1. Copper State Models is similar to Wingnut Wings as they are near knock offs.

[SEBa111]

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by branches? Do you mean shops or manufacturers?

Yes, sorry for my basic english

[SteelScooter]

My top 3 branches: 3 - Elm. 2 - Yew. 1 - Oak.

Seriously though folks: 3 - Meng. 2 - Dragon. 1 - Takom.

Special mentions for Tamiya for their consistency from the 90s on and Trumpeter/HobbyBoss for interesting subjects and value. I am primarily and Armour/AFV modeller with some 1/48 and 1/32 Aircraft.

[TheNordus]

My overall favorite model brand has to be Tamiya. I can't really talk about runner-ups because I either don't have enough experience with other brands or there are major caveats, but here are my thoughts on the major armored vehicle makers:
For example, Dragon's model kits are wildly overpriced these days, but you can't beat their mid-2000s production kits if you can find them for a decent price.
So far Meng and Takom have both had really impressive kits but I have only built one or two per manufacturer so I can't speak for their whole range.
Trumpeter and Hobby Boss both have some darn decent kits too but they're definitely more work to build properly than the other brands I've mentioned.
Italeri is consistently the worst vehicle maker I've dealt with.
I don't build airplanes or cars so for those I can't speak.

[Twokidsnosleep]

It depends on the subject of the kit what manufacturer is "best"
Sometimes you have to suffer with a poor kit if the subject is rare and add your own details
Space: Bandai
Aircraft/Autos: Tamiya, Fujimi enthusiast

Trees: Maple, Cherry, olive and Arbutus

[sheppsea]

Can't say what the best is, simply because I don't have enough experience to compare

But I do have a soft spot for Airfix and particularly Revell, but only because they are the kits from my childhood

[SEBa111]

Now, no more branches on my plastic

[DarkFusion]

I'm really enjoying what Rye Field is doing at the moment. Built the M1A2 with interior and it went together like a dream.

[digger303]

Age of the subject molds plays a part as well. I just threw a Tamiya Hanomag sdkfz 251 a couple of days ago and this little marvel (not ) was originally conceived back in 1973. Forty five years ago and you can tell. I didn't like it at all. Parts did not quite fit sometimes ( wheels ) or where very loose axles too long and loose as well. Tracks too short, so I didn't enjoy it that much. However the current tooling's are excellent as far as fit goes. So it is hard to be exactly definitive.
I think generally and with exceptions .....Tamiya, Meng, Takom, Dragon, Tasca, Bronco, Riich, Miniart, ICM would be all close to the top of the pile if you only consider their latest ( last 5yrs ) offerings. I am only considering AFV and soft skin type vehicle's. No doubt there are others or close runner ups.

[Stokesy44]

There's a cost factor to look at too.

The below observations are based on modern toolings

With aircraft in 1/48 for example, Airfix new tool kits are very nice and well priced (for the most part), Tamiya and Eduard kits have better detail but cost more. Tamiya's 1/32 WW2 aircraft series are really the gold standard of aircraft kits and they are not cheap - but you do get what you pay for. I've seen their 1/32 Corsair described as 'the best scale model ever made'.

Modern Tamiya AFVs are beautifully engineered and a pleasure to build. Dragon, Meng, Takom, AFV and Rye Field make you work a bit harder but their kits tend to come with extras like PE grills and fixtures and sometimes turned metal gun barrels. They tend to cost a bit more but you do get more for your money.

More and more modern manufacturers (not Tamiya) are releasing AFVs with workable individual tracks, they complicate the build and bump up the price but you get a better result than rubber tracks.

Tamiya have been described as shake and bake kits, no challenge in the build as they're so easy to put together. It depends on what you want out of a kit. Personally I have no problem with Tamiya kits. I also like the other manufacturers listed above - IF the subject interests me and I think there is good value in what's in the box.

Welcome to the model multi-verse!

[SEBa111]

Thanks for the help about quality, also, what means AFV?

[Stokesy44]

Thanks for the help about quality, also, what means AFV?

Armoured Fighting Vehicle

[SEBa111]

So bad that on my local store they sell only tamiya and italleri. I think that my country its a little bit on the 90s of the modelling stuff

[digger303]

So bad that on my local store they sell only tamiya and italleri. I think that my country its a little bit on the 90s of the modelling stuff

your lucky to have a local shop. I have none and have to mail order everything.