I'm sure this has been asked before ... but could I get a couple 1/48 scale kit suggestions for a 12-year old boy to make with his grandfather? They have been doing this for a couple years so they aren't completely new to the hobby. That said, we're talking basic construction and lots of glue thumbprints ... no airbrush, no fancy tools, etc. I myself have been modeling a long time now (ships mostly) and have a good sense of manufacturers, can steer them on paints, etc.

I would appreciate a 1/48 jet and a prop suggestion as I'm not sure yet which he would prefer (need to check with his mom). The Phantom is out as an option as they just made one. I was thinking an F-16 or an A-10 (or a Skyraider or Corsair) if there are good options available.

Appreciate any help ... gotta bring in the next generation!

Tamiya's Skyraiders are really nice straight out of the box.
The USAF A-1H boxing has a LOT of optional weaponry to excite any 12 year old! Minigun pods, rockets, bombs, CBU dispensers. All sorts of cool stuff.

Hope it helps.


I really should build mine now I've bigged it up.

Id go with some of the newer Hobbyboss "Easy Build" kits-- there's quite a selection, they go together pretty well and there's lots of detail at a good price. I believe they come in 1/72 and 1/48 scale-- the P61 Black Widow is pretty big for 1/72. I know they have a Corsair, not sure about the Skyraider. They're designed exactly for what you have in mind. My local Hobby Lobby carries them, so if its an Xmas present and you want to avoid shipping at this late date, I'd go there
VR, Russ

the old 1/48 tamiya kits of the Spitfire VB, F4U-1 corsair, FW 190, F4f-4, and P-51B are all great kits, pretty simple and fit very well, plus you can usually find them for a pretty good deal.
Also, maybe a bottle of Tamiya extra thin to help with the glue finger prints? teach the joy of capillary action!

I agree with Russ and others. Pretty much any of the newer Tamiya aircraft jet or prop would not be a bad choice. I do think as you move into 1/48 jets the cost and brush painting may not be ideal.

For jets - Tamiya: F-16, F4D Skyray, F-84, Meteor, Mig-15, Revell F-15E.

You can get the Tamiya F4U series fairly inexpensively at Amazon right now. I have thought about getting a couple and doing a joint build with my daughter. Same for the P-47 and Skyraider. Good on their own and some scratch detailing would not be hard to do.

The Monogram 1/48th American jet fighters. The 1950's/60's etc. F-105/F-104 etc The colors schemes can be basic grey, natural metal. Nice kits and not expensive.

Revell's 1/144 474-8 makes a big, impressive model with a simple colour scheme and uncomplicated build.

Just wanted to come back and thank everyone who chimed in with a suggestion. I live close enough to Stevens International / AAA Hobbies in New Jersey to drive there and look at kits in person. I narrowed it down to Tamiya's P-47 and F-16. I went with the F-16 ... it will push their limits but Mom said my nephew preferred a jet. And Eric, definitely a good call on the Tamiya extra thin cement ...