Hi,

I mostly build armor but love AC too, especially WWI and WWII. My question; I'm not really up on the AC kits like I am on armor, what would be a good kit for someone who wants a straight forward, well detailed but managable AC kit?

I mean, no rigging (guess most WWI is out of the question), no metal finishes, etc.

Now, I'm thinking about 1/72 scale too. Are the new Tamiya kits good in this scale?

I know this is a very open question, but I'd like to see if I can get any consensus.

Thanks,
Steve

Sniper

The Tamiya 1/72 aircraft are very good, but they are rather overpriced for what you get. Academy also do a pretty good range, especially their newer kits, at more reasonable prices. However, some of them may have shortcomeings where accuracy is concerned.

I just finished the Tamiya 1/48 F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair. That is an excellent kit with great detail and no extra effort required to get a great looking out-of-the-box kit. I only used putty in one very, very small spot and I probably couldn't gotten away without it. You should be able to find this kit for about $20.

Hasegawa has a nice selection and good qaulity. Tamiya is very good, not a large selection and a little expensive. Italeri is also good qaulity,not many kits but easier on the wallet than the other two. Good luck

I just finished academy's p47 razorback and it was fun to build !
The bf109 and fw190 by italeri/revell are good also.

Don't forget some of the Monogram 1/48 kits, especially since they seem to pop up and WalMart recently at prices about as low as the Academy 1/72 critters and with nice new decal sheets. The P-47D "razorback (now in a Revell boxing) was a really good deal recently at $7.95 and with two decal options.

I am almost finished with the 1/72 Tamiya F4U-1D Corsair........Great kit.....I recommend all of Tamiya's newer 1/72 aircraft kits. They are a little more expensive, but you seem to get what you pay for. Just a random thought from an armour guy........Otto

I´d add Fujimi 1/48 Me110 I built years ago. The details are nice and it´s one of the best fitting A/C of the 120 ones I built before the age of fifteen...Hasegawa´s 1/48 Me109 series is also very nice.

Toni

I'll second the recommendation for Tamiya's 1/72 Corsair. I did pay $15 for it, but here's what I got in return; great fit - no putty needed, good detail - all the details you'd notice are there, and it builds up to a good model. Mine looks good up there on the shelf, and now that I've turned into a 'serious' modeler I know the next one will look great! (notice the appropriately placed winking smiley! )

YodaMan

I recommend one of the Accurate Miniatures P-51s. They made several and are still available. They make the only Allison-engined Mustangs like the P-51, P-51A, A-36 (dive bomber version) and a few of the Merlin-engined P-51B and P-5C. They also make an RAF Mustang II, but I don't know if it is an Allison- or Merlin-engined plane. It is the only one I do not have.

I was thinking of the Tamiya new 1/72. I know they are a bit pricey, but I hear their Bf109 is great.

Have heard some good things about Accurate Miniatures too. They aren't going out of business are tehy?

Steve

Accurate Miniatures closed down in June 2001, but acording to a report in the July 2002 issue of FSM, they're about to make a comeback under a new name. They'll now be known as Accurate Hobby Kits

I don't build a whole lot of WWII props, but I recently completed a Tamiya 1/48 P-51D, and it was a really nice change of pace. Talk about a 'shake and bake' kit - this one practically builds itself. Very easy to build, and I had the entire plane completed and ready for paint in two days (which is quite a change of pace from 1/48 and 1/32 jets).