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Posted

Considering trying some armour for a break from USN planes... most likely Allied or German WWII tank (or armoured car/half track). What sort of things should i look out for

1) scale? 1/72 1/48 1/35?

2) any manufacturers that I should avoid (have built Tamiya in the past but none of the newer ones)

3) anything fundamentally different about building armour vs planes....

thanks (know its a bit vague but any thoughts much appreciated)

  • Like 1
Posted

ok here we go

all the manufacters are ok dragon beware of the instructions bit confusing at times

scale wise 1/48 is ok for space 1/35 for detail

if you make a mistake ref a tank you can cover it with mud

Posted
ok here we go

all the manufacters are ok dragon beware of the instructions bit confusing at times

scale wise 1/48 is ok for space 1/35 for detail

if you make a mistake ref a tank you can cover it with mud

thanks... will see what I can find to start me off....

Posted

Tamiya do some excellent kits, not as detailed as Dragon, but a very enjoyable build and one that you can improve on should you wish with after market parts, never had any issues with Dragon, despite what people say about the confusing instructions. But for a first bash at it Tamiya in 1/35 scale would be best. It seems all you have to do with the Tamiya kits is shake the box and they come out already made!

Posted

I know it's a 'what-if' BUT if you want to try armour and looking for something relatively cheap try the Hobbyboss VK1602 Leopard. Just enough complexity to stretch you (the tracks mainly), it's got a bit of etch in it that won't overwhelm and it fits very well. I know cos I built one and loved it :)

Posted (edited)

tamiyas pkw iv is good starter kit . merkva, or one of the tigers all good . aslo have a look at a metal gun barrel makes a big difference to the build . Hobbyboss modern german leopard ,s are good kits aslo tamiyas challengers

aslo welcome to REAL :speak_cool: modelling no more silly planes :pilot:

Edited by hood
Posted

If you want a good primer kit for armour, then you couldn't go far wrong with a Tamiya Cromwell in either 1/35 or 1/48, both go together well and build up into excellent replicas.

Andrew

Posted

If you fancy some armour as a break, and you're a 1:48 modeller (I think you are?) you could get a few 1:48 kits, which are becoming pretty good these days. If you think it'll be a long term interest, and you want to get some more left-field stuff, then 1:35 is the way to go. For something simple, to try, get a kit with band-type tracks, and not much in the way of road-wheels. Take your pick on the manufacturers - if it's a newish tool, it should be ok. As someone mentioned, Dragon kits can sometimes be a bit complex, but I managed an M1 Abrams as my second armour model, so they can't be that difficult :dunce:

Mainly have fun with it, but look up the tips & tricks for weathering armour, as that's what makes or breaks a model IMHO. There are plenty of builds and articles out there if you're not frightened of having a look ;)

Posted

thanks all.... thinking to start simple (Tamiya?) rather than a build full of etch etc... i normally build 1:72 so I think 1:48 would be a good start size (or 1:72 - love the old macthbox kits with the bases....).... but will see - just watching the evil bay to see if anything grabs my eye....

Posted

As I'm prone to saying, the world is your lobster... pick up tips as you go along, and before long you'll think your first build was a bit rubbish. Be warned - it's a bit addictive :blush:

Posted
As I'm prone to saying, the world is your lobster... pick up tips as you go along, and before long you'll think your first build was a bit rubbish. Be warned - it's a bit addictive :blush:

if its as addictive as scratchbuilding the entire interior to a Helldiver you can house me when SWMBO chucks me out ;-)

Posted
As I'm prone to saying, the world is your lobster... pick up tips as you go along, and before long you'll think your first build was a bit rubbish. Be warned - it's a bit addictive :blush:

if its as addictive as scratchbuilding the entire interior to a Helldiver you can house me when SWMBO chucks me out ;-)

Posted (edited)

Tamiya kit would be excellent for a first time, smaller parts counts, but still accurate in dimensions. Something to consider when choosing a scale is the option of posing figures with your finished build - 1/35 obviously has the widest range. Also be aware that some armour types have more road wheels than others. Having to paint all that rubber is tedious and might put you off. Then again, there are those that revel in this. So trying an armoured car would be a good consideration.

regards,

Jack

Edited by JackG
Posted
Of course you could ignore all our advice and get yourself a 1/35 scale railway Gun, "Dora" that will give you nightmares for years to come!

but if he put the inside in 1/72 scale planes it really wont bother him how about academys tiger with full interiour ???

Posted
but if he put the inside in 1/72 scale planes it really wont bother him how about academys tiger with full interiour ???

If theres enough reference pictures I will try to scratchbuild most things

Posted

Well that's that. First kit... tamiya pz2... one with the guys running. Slightly cheaper than from shop so maybe get some AM for it

Posted
Well that's that. First kit... tamiya pz2... one with the guys running. Slightly cheaper than from shop so maybe get some AM for it

Better still That kit is set up for a motor! So you could Motorise it matey!

Posted
Better still That kit is set up for a motor! So you could Motorise it matey!

Hahaahahaha maybe... this is the first tank in probably 30 years, lets just get me getting the wheels on right......

Plus figures for me to work on....

Posted

next newbie question - I assume that

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/RB+Mode...RBM35B25/14378/

would be the right barrel for the PZII (F/G) - will it fit the Tamiya kit? is it literally a replacement for the kit part (or would I need to do some work to make it fit - not a problem and for the cost it looks worth it for me to try metal barrels)... not sure if I will get more AM fo this specific kit or look for more armour kits to boost the stash and address AM as I get more involved in the genre.....

Posted

I second the Cromwell Tamiya 1/35. Nice easy build one colour, and plenty of room to experiment with stowage etc.

Also a saw a nice one, Acadamy late Hetzer 35th scale less than 20quid.

The parts look good.

Posted
next newbie question - I assume that

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/RB+Mode...RBM35B25/14378/

would be the right barrel for the PZII (F/G) - will it fit the Tamiya kit? is it literally a replacement for the kit part (or would I need to do some work to make it fit - not a problem and for the cost it looks worth it for me to try metal barrels)... not sure if I will get more AM fo this specific kit or look for more armour kits to boost the stash and address AM as I get more involved in the genre.....

Hi Rob

Of course it's your choice but personally I wouldn't throw a lot of money at this kit in the way of after market items. It's a very, very old Tamiya kit, as someone mentioned, from their "motorising era". By the time you spent loads of money you'd have been better off buying a much newer kit with finer, more accurate detail etc. It's certainly a good kit to get you back in the swing of building armour without the worry of say messing up a Dragon £50 model but not one I'd lavish lots of money on.

Tamiya have always included some of their very old kits in their catalogue, sometimes they've even add figures, new boxart and released it as a "new release" so it can be a bit of a minefield in choosing from their range. Don't get me wrong whatever you buy of theirs will be well engineered so as to go together without major issues, good well laid out instructions, just some are a little long in the tooth. Ask say here before you buy and I'm sure the members will give you the low down on the kit you are thinking of.

Main thing is to enjoy your modelling.

Alan

Posted
Hi Rob

Of course it's your choice but personally I wouldn't throw a lot of money at this kit in the way of after market items. It's a very, very old Tamiya kit, as someone mentioned, from their "motorising era". By the time you spent loads of money you'd have been better off buying a much newer kit with finer, more accurate detail etc. It's certainly a good kit to get you back in the swing of building armour without the worry of say messing up a Dragon £50 model but not one I'd lavish lots of money on.

Tamiya have always included some of their very old kits in their catalogue, sometimes they've even add figures, new boxart and released it as a "new release" so it can be a bit of a minefield in choosing from their range. Don't get me wrong whatever you buy of theirs will be well engineered so as to go together without major issues, good well laid out instructions, just some are a little long in the tooth. Ask say here before you buy and I'm sure the members will give you the low down on the kit you are thinking of.

Main thing is to enjoy your modelling.

Alan

Thanks Alan. Hope to start this this week - WIP will follow when I do

Posted
next newbie question - I assume that

https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/RB+Mode...RBM35B25/14378/

would be the right barrel for the PZII (F/G) - will it fit the Tamiya kit? is it literally a replacement for the kit part

Should do Rob - A metal barrel is a great addition to any armour kit where the barrel has a seam down it, or the muzzle brake isn't very detailed. They're relatively cheap, and add a lot in the way of crispness to the finished product :)

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