scootsmgoots Posted November 4 Posted November 4 Hi all, I recently finished up a Takom Stug III model, and the step by step instructions were absolutely terrible. I couldn’t see where parts went or how they were oriented. Worst part is when I finished, it didn’t look finished. I couldn’t find anywhere in the instructions when or where to install parts that I would swear were missing. I guess my question is, is this a Takom thing? Do most brands have the odd model like this? Any insight into models that others have had issues with? I’m hoping for some feedback and maybe some models to avoid with similar issues. 1
Stef N. Posted November 4 Posted November 4 Dragon kits are notorious for their vagueness. They're tough kits to start with.... 😬
Tahir Posted November 5 Posted November 5 (edited) Try an older Legend kit. You get some pics of the completed model, with luke, you see all sides and with try and error you can sort out, what to fit first... Takom looks ok, for me, I build a few kits.Meng is one of the best, the newer kits, Tamiya is always ok, Dragon, well errors are sure, and if it is a newer kit, you have sprues with identical numbers to deal with... Tiger Models is ok, sometimes some parts are missing on the instructions, same with AFV Club kits. Trumpeter is a win or loos game, same as the kits. ICM is the one I have the most problems, to much turning the build, in the building process It is always wise to dry fit first and read a little in advance, to get the feeling of the build. Edited November 5 by Tahir Spelling 2
Raggety Posted November 5 Posted November 5 I've got a couple of Takom Tiger I kits, both of which come with optional parts to build different versions. Unfortunately, Takom don't tell you which parts belong to which version... Lovely models though. 1
jenko Posted November 5 Posted November 5 18 hours ago, Parabat said: Early Kinetic kits are legendary for their vagueness. Later kits are just as vague. Trust me. 1
szeregowy Posted November 5 Posted November 5 I think some manufacturers have a very loose understanding of words "assembly instructions". And that's not an issue that is only associated with AFVs. The worst ones are where you have a multiple steps on one page and you have to figure out in which order they go in. 2
Stef N. Posted November 5 Posted November 5 5 hours ago, Raggety said: I've got a couple of Takom Tiger I kits, both of which come with optional parts to build different versions. Unfortunately, Takom don't tell you which parts belong to which version... Lovely models though. The RFM Firefly was like that. All the parts to make a pre or post D-Day version but zero explanations.
szeregowy Posted November 5 Posted November 5 1 minute ago, Stef N. said: The RFM Firefly was like that. All the parts to make a pre or post D-Day version but zero explanations. It's because they had no idea about the difference, so included everything they could 😄 3
scootsmgoots Posted November 6 Author Posted November 6 12 hours ago, Raggety said: I've got a couple of Takom Tiger I kits, both of which come with optional parts to build different versions. Unfortunately, Takom don't tell you which parts belong to which version... Lovely models though. Im still a novice when it comes to this hobby. Ive mostly built only Tamiya and was looking forward to trying a different brand. I even had a look on Scalemates at some of their galleries and reviews. Oh well, live and learn.
Stef N. Posted November 6 Posted November 6 Airfix, Academy and Copper State Models have good instructions if you want to try something different. 1
Raggety Posted November 6 Posted November 6 19 hours ago, Stef N. said: The RFM Firefly was like that. All the parts to make a pre or post D-Day version but zero explanations. I've done quite a bit of research to work out what goes where on the particuler versions of the Takom Tigers I want to make, so I guess I shall be doing the same again for the Firefly. Hey ho... 1
Raggety Posted November 6 Posted November 6 12 hours ago, scootsmgoots said: Im still a novice when it comes to this hobby. Ive mostly built only Tamiya and was looking forward to trying a different brand. I even had a look on Scalemates at some of their galleries and reviews. Oh well, live and learn. Don't be put off. Takom, Ryefield, Meng etc make some excellent kits, they just need a bit more work than, say, Tamiya. And once you've made one you'll want another. 😉 1
Keeff Posted November 6 Posted November 6 Having built a few different brands, here's my take: Airfix - pretty good with instructions that have some logic as the person producing them is building the kit as they go Eduard and Tamiya - very good and easy to follow Takom - can be confusing if the kit can make various versions and the parts are included. A bit of time is needed, but before starting I tend to look at the version being built and circle the letter or number of it on the instructions so I'm sure RFM - I've built one of their kits and found the instructions really good, but it was a single version I always have a good look at the instructions to get an idea of the steps and to work out sub assemblies, what can be painted before assembly and the parts for versions. Keith 😊 1
scootsmgoots Posted November 7 Author Posted November 7 4 hours ago, Keeff said: Having built a few different brands, here's my take: Airfix - pretty good with instructions that have some logic as the person producing them is building the kit as they go Eduard and Tamiya - very good and easy to follow Takom - can be confusing if the kit can make various versions and the parts are included. A bit of time is needed, but before starting I tend to look at the version being built and circle the letter or number of it on the instructions so I'm sure RFM - I've built one of their kits and found the instructions really good, but it was a single version I always have a good look at the instructions to get an idea of the steps and to work out sub assemblies, what can be painted before assembly and the parts for versions. Keith 😊 RFM was one of the first kits I built and I found the instructions to be pretty good. All the tiny parts were a bit intimidating and frustrating for me though. I might be ready to take a stab at another. I’m currently building a hobby boss German LWS and the instructions are night and day compared to that Takom. 1
szeregowy Posted November 7 Posted November 7 3 hours ago, Tijuana Taxi said: I find Miniart to be good as well. I agree. MiniArt have a tendency of overcomplicating some assemblies, especially on the interior versions, but instructions are quite clear and easy to follow. 1 1
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