Need some advice from "Armor" modelers, please :).................

[JimJ]

I am getting ready to commence on my first "armor" build..........and while I have a pretty good idea what is involved, I don't want to start out in my "chosen" scale.
As strange as that may sound, I think the larger stuff will take a bit more finesse & kit-bashing, and be quicker to show mistakes. So, I would like recommendations from you guys as to a good kit in a smaller scale to "practice" on.
Bear in mind, I'm 64 & disabled, so bad eyes, etc.
My first instinct would be to go with 1/25 scale, but I haven't seen or read much about what's available, and there seems to be mixed reviews.
I am hesitant to go with 1/35, as I'm afraid it might be too small for me to comfortably work with and I DON'T want this to be an exercise in frustration!!
Hence..........my dilemma.
I would like a recommendation on a kit that is quality, fits well, has good detail, and that is not too "fiddly". I prefer WWII subjects, not too choosy which ones.
I'm more after a kit I can have fun with & be proud of the result.............then, be able to go after the "Big Boys" with confidence.

Jim J.

[Joker56]

Hi Jim
If I recall correctly Academy have a Panther & JadgPanther in 1/25th scale , Tamiya also do Tiger in 1/25th ( full lnterior)
Hope this helps mate

[TheTroyster]

I have the feeling you're going to get a lot of responses here. I hear you on 1/24 but that might be somewhat more difficult believe it or not, I think the 1/32 scale is much harder than the 1/48 scale as a personal example, and nobody has worse eyesight than me - just had too many details.
I
I think if you're willing to move beyond the wwII era stuff, although many would work, Cold War or modern is great in 1/35 scale i.e. Just finished an M48 Patton and it's a nice larger size model - 8" x 5" and since it's a Cold War era tank no funky optics, awesome Vietnam era tank - even has playboy bunnies for decals - throw on some tunes like The Animals and you'll be in the zone. Of course some of the larger WWII stuff is big as well Tigers, Panthers, KVs - you know the big boys. Tamiya, although I have my reservations at times, are about as easy to build as one can hope - You can drink five or six beers and still put them together with no problems they are that easy.

I really liked this 1/35 scale M48A3 Patton tank by Tamiya I am building right now - thread is under the armor thread in works in progress, and hey it cost me $19.95 - their Chieftan is excellent and in the $20 range as well. I even loved their T34 - a little smaller but comes with two figures, and a couple of cool guns - although the tracks blow ass, and in the $20 range.

That's my two cents.

[wookiee76]

As long as you avoid the likes of dragon and afv club you should be fine with 1 35 especially tamiya, there are reviews for pretty much everything on various sites and youtube which will prove helpful in determining if the parts are too small, also no matter how cool it looks avoid trumpeters t90 like the plague, awesome kit but a monstrous parts count, 1300+.

[CharleyGnarlyP290]

Agreed on the above. in my opinion, Tamiya would be the way to go. Pretty much guaranteed to fit together well. The instructions are easy to follow. Detail is good without having all of the tiny parts some kits have.
As far as the scale, 1/25th would probably be good. The parts aren't going to be very small, and the end result will be nice. As mentioned above there is the Tamiya 1/25th scale Tiger 1 with interior. Don't be scared off by the interior. The interior is pretty basic, but looks good when completed, especially when looking through the hatches. The kit first came out in 1969, so it is not chock full of small detail stuff, and it is all plastic (no photo etch), so you don't have to worry about that either. I built on years ago and enjoyed it... enough that I am just now starting one again.
Whatever you decide keep us posted.

edit: As a matter of fact, I just did a quick review of the contents of the box that might give you a better idea of what to expect. Just click the link below in this reply and you will be directed to my Youtube channel.

[JimJ]

Agreed on the above. in my opinion, Tamiya would be the way to go. Pretty much guaranteed to fit together well. The instructions are easy to follow. Detail is good without having all of the tiny parts some kits have.
As far as the scale, 1/25th would probably be good. The parts aren't going to be very small, and the end result will be nice. As mentioned above there is the Tamiya 1/25th scale Tiger 1 with interior. Don't be scared off by the interior. The interior is pretty basic, but looks good when completed, especially when looking through the hatches. The kit first came out in 1969, so it is not chock full of small detail stuff, and it is all plastic (no photo etch), so you don't have to worry about that either. I built on years ago and enjoyed it... enough that I am just now starting one again.
Whatever you decide keep us posted.

edit: As a matter of fact, I just did a quick review of the contents of the box that might give you a better idea of what to expect. Just click the link below in this reply and you will be directed to my Youtube channel.

I have been looking at some 1:35 Tamiya stuff, but to be quite honest.......the stuff looks a little "fiddly" for me. I think the 1:25 would serve me better.
The Tamiya Tiger looks interesting, but the interior spooks me a little, but I'll do some more research..................