Kit Manufacturers

[KevinK.]

Are there any there any Manufacturers that generally rate better than some? Or does it break down by each kit?

Maybe the P-51 from "A" is better than the one from "B".
Or is it more "A" makes models a lot better overall than "B"?
"A" makes 1/72 great, but terrible at 1/24.



Or does each kit have to be looked at individually?

[Dave998]

That question used to be easier to answer than it is now, because of at least 3 main factors:
A) Some companies (notably Revell Germany) are buying up old molds/tools from other companies and re-packaging them. Watch out for crude oldies in pretty new boxes with flashy decals!
B) Numerous companies sell each others' products through various marketing agreements.
C) Some healthy, growing companies are continually upgrading their quality and manufacturing technologies, but continue to produce and sell their older kits, forcing the buyer to pay attention to the "when" of the kits.
I strongly recommend paying attention to reviews/previews of kits in modeling magazines and websites because sometimes a kit that looks great in theory turns out to be a stinker to build. Careful about "short-run" kitting technology. That said, I generally like the newer kits, because of their upgrade technologies like resin and photo-etched parts, and modern decals usually just rock! This is truly a golden age for models both in terms of variety and quality, so enjoy while it lasts!! Happy modeling.

[zoomar]

I would agree that repackaging old molds and remarketing other manufacturers' kits makes it very hard to judge quality without reading reviews or buying the kit. In the old days, plastic models were relatively cheap but not any more, so you need to read up.

As has been pointed out, it also depends what the model is of and whether or not you want an all injection molded styrene kit or something with mixed media like resin, photoetched metal, vacuform as well. That said, I'd tend to go for Hasegawa, Tamiya, and Trumpeter among common brands, but the best planes to come out recently have been Roden, Eduard, and Wingnut WWI kits. Right or wrong, I stay away from US brands like Monogram.

[tail end charlie]

when I used to make models my family would occasionally buy presents none of the Revell kits ever went together I still wont buy one after the two halves of a B17 just wouldnt fit together,,,hopeless.

[Crimea_River]

TEC, Revell can make some nice kits. I have their 1/48 Mossie and it's a beaut.

Kevin, IMHO, it also depends on what you're looking for. In addition to the factors mentioned by the others, some manufacturers, even the notables, have tended to mess up details of their kits, sometimes getting proportions noticeably wrong.

As an example, ICM has top marks for arguably the most accurately represented 1/48 Spit IX, but fit and flash are issues on their kit that you won't find as much on others. ICM also have great value, often including tons of detail parts in their kits. But they take a little more patience (and more filling and sanding) to make a great build.

I have liked Tamiya kits but they aslo disappoint me sometimes. My 1/48 Spit Mk I is beautifully molded and goes togther like a dream but the decals are a complete disappointment.

So, to quote Forrest Gump, models are like a box of chocolates.....unless you do some research on each kit so that you do end up knowing what you're getting. Lot's of reviews on the web. Just Google the kit you're thinking of getting and you'll get lots of hits.

[KevinK.]

Thanks guys for the input. Sadly most of the larger chain type of stores only carry Revell, and really nothing else. But the little corner hobby store a bit down the road tucked away in a forgotten part of downtown carries plenty of models and a bigger variety of paint.

They did look very nervous when I bundled in the kids (12 years, 10 years, 8 years and 1 year) reminding all that touching will not be tolerated, and violators will be beaten. I do jest, but the kids got the idea and were very well behaved.

The old boys were a bit shy and cautious maybe because I wasn't a regular. But I've gone there often enough in my youth with my father (he's a train guy) to know the place.

It looks like I might have to do some online shopping. For some reason going to a shop, taking my time, talking with the old guys, and looking at all the boxes stacked on shelves or on display are really part of the whole experience if you ask me..

Cheers!

[vikingBerserker]

For some reason going to a shop, taking my time, talking with the old guys, and looking at all the boxes stacked on shelves or on display are really part of the whole experience if you ask me..

A fricken men! To me that's half the fun.

[mikewint]

KevinK, you bet, just like here and you don't have to worry about the kids touching.
the big chains carry Revell because they are relatively cheap and i tend to agree that the quality is poor.
mods, i don't know if this is a advertisement, but i get most of my kits from Ebay and what i can't find on Ebay from the local hobby shop. I've found unavailable kits on Ebay, some were shipped from China. Just watch your prices

[zoomar]

Also, the small tucked away specialist hobby shop usually isn't just selling kits to people buying presents for their 13-year old grandkids. Once you make yourself known as an interested hobbyist, they often will open kits for you so you can see the sprues and their quality for youself - and give you good advice. That won't happen at WalMart or Hobby Lobby. If you don't live near a store like that, I'd buy online. Check around. There are several of online stores and manufacturers that provide all kinds of information and show sprue pics to help you make an informed decision. Check out the Wingnut site if you like WW1 planes.

The thing is, though, plastic kits just cost so damnmuch these days. When I was a kid, $5 might buy six or seven Airfix 1/72 WW 2 fighters, three or four 1/48 Monogram WW2 fighters, or even one big 1/32 Revell or Hasegawa plane. You could take a risk on quality, ease of assembly, or your own skills (or lack thereof). Not to mention that paint cost less than 25 cents. Today, depending on manufacturer, one good 1/72 WW2 fighter built out of the box and painted accurately might run somebody up to 40-50 bucks when all is said and done. True the quality of the kits are much better than what I built as a kid in the 1960s and the options for producing museum-quality pieces more available, but that's just too much for most people. Today, I ususally just go to hobby shops and drool.

[Matt308]

They did look very nervous when I bundled in the kids (12 years, 10 years, 8 years and 1 year) reminding all that touching will not be tolerated, and violators will be beaten. I do jest, but the kids got the idea and were very well behaved.

The old boys were a bit shy and cautious maybe because I wasn't a regular. But I've gone there often enough in my youth with my father (he's a train guy) to know the place.

Cheers!

Crimenee... sounds like US gunshop and stereo (hi-fi) owners. Cranky bastards who act like their customers are a nuisance instead of their bread and butter. I would tell them so. And if they don't change, kiss them goodbye in 10 years or so. Idiots.

[Lucky13]

....especially if the shop also offer tea or coffee, like mine does!

[Airframes]

What? You actually drink that stuff?!! Well I never ......

[AvoidGround]

Revell are a very inconsistant manufacturer. Their new tools seem to be very good: their Herten flying wing is delightful. But their oldies are really rocky...I've buit a couple of their 1/72 WW1 models....which I built when they first came out in the 1960's and were groundbreakingly good compared to what Airfix were then making.... and they really were barely fit fot human consumption. And their matchbox re-packagings are.... Matchbox repackagings. What really gets me about them is the ludicrous variety of scales they use. I'm very tempted by their Rotodyne, but 1/76?? Get real. Their warships are even worse, no two appear to be the same scale.

[KOMET163]

Frankly, I don't go to many retail shops anymore since my LHS shut down. I do find that airfix kits are getting better and are generally cheaper than tamiya. If you want to start out with a kit in 1/72 scale, the new mould airfix Spitfire Mk I is an excellent starter kit.

[BombTaxi]

Revell Germany acquired moulds from Frog and Matchbox on the demise of those companies. These old moulds can be rough, as they date back to the 60s in some cases, but they are the only game in town for some British subjects like the Shackleton, Victor and Sea Venom. They are also reasonably cheap at retail, although they can get pricey on eBay - as I found out in the last few days, trying and failing to obtain the ex-Frog Shackleton at a sensible price.

Matchbox were themselves inconsistent in quality, and often skimpy on detail - my Prowler doesn't even have separate ejection seats in the cockpit. The best call with any Revell product (and Airfix, for that matter), is to head to a website like ModelingMadness or Scale Model Aircraft Kit Reviews (SMAKR) and read up a few reviews so you know what you're letting yourself in for. At least you will know if you have a 40 year old ex-Frog mould coming your way or not!