1/35 ww2, I need your advices

[Deleted]

Hi,
I stopped with the scale modelling hobby about 30 years ago. It's long. At that time, we had not a great choice of models and stuff, Tamiya & Italeri was the leaders and best bet, humbrol was the choice for paint, ... oil painting wasn't so much used, it happen later, I think with Verlinden figures.
Anyway, I was looking for what was new and, it have a lot!!!
I'm very confused because the choice is so big, I can't get all info I need, such as: what brand to avoid (bad quality, ...), what is the differences between 4 or 5 figures in 1 box by Masterbox vs 1 figures from Airborne miniature or Alpine (it's an example) when Masterbox is even cheaper? if you buy Alpine figures, would you be able to put it with other figures brands, etc ... Tiger 1, panther, t34, sherman, ... : almost all brands making 1/35 armor are doing these models, what to choose: I know, it's maybe difficult to answer but you can maybe help me to know which brands are doing better job than other, which brands are doing good job for cheaper than other, ...
I tried to read some reviews, read and look some great diorama, ... but it don't help me so much.
I don't ask for new stuff like paint, ... just models and figures.
I hope you can help me to clear about this.
Thank you

[johnt]

Hi mate
I'm no expert and others will have more or better information than me. But generally across the board, models are better than they used to be. Theres probably some lemons here and there. Tamiya are the easiest to build in my opinion. For WW2 German armour, I think Dragon are the most accurate though they can have a lot of parts and be daunting. Meng, Takom are the new kids on the block with some fresh subjects that have not been done before, that are proving popular. And the quality is okay, not perfect. I don't think any kit is perfect.

The PMMS site has the best reviews in my opinion: www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/index.html

I reckon the best advice I could give is: have fun!! Try to not let it overwhelm you. People on good forums like this one will love to see you have a go, and answer questions.

Cheers
JT

[TRM]

Thanks JT...well said!

Hey Fred, JT speaks the truth...#1 thing is to have fun. If you are just getting back into things, you may not want to lash onto a 100 part monster unless you have prepared yourself. Tamiya has some great kits. Dragon has some excellent kits, but the parts count can be daunting for someone getting back into the hobby. Construction is straightforward...quick and easy and can render a fantastic looking model when you are done. Now though, kits do get a bit pricey and if you want to save a bit of money in the "getting back on the horse" time period, find a local shop, or better yet, a local model show, and find some cheap kits to bang around with.

Narrow down what you are interested in and pop up some ideas and we can help narrow down some of the best options for finding something that will work for your needs!

Best of luck!

[Leon]

Hi Fred! The figures you mentioned are all good. I have used Master box figures and they are great for the price.HTH

[Deleted]

Thank you all.
Yes, I already planning to go for a kubelwagen or schwimmwagen for start. I'd like to have fallschirmjager with the car but I don't know what can I find here (I'm in Thailand, big city but choice is very limited). That's my first option. I think it's not so complicate. I'd like to make a diorama with it and I was thinking about Crete invasion (not so difficult, work on soil mostly, no big trees, ...) but it seem paratroppers used donkeys! no kubelwagen or schwimmwagen. The only pictures I get (Fallschirmjagers and vehicles) are from Normandy. They had sidecar in some operations or kettenkrad but don't know where they used it (Italy, and?)



don't know where is it? Maybe Crete. What do you think?


Even if I stopped for 30 years, I think, it's like bicycle, you never forget. But sure, I will do step by step.

I had a look on Dragon and they seem to have a lot of stuff.

Regarding price, of course, I'm looking and I still don't really understand the differences on prices. 4,5 times more expensive is a lot!

What can you tell me on material difference: plastic injection vs resin ( I never worked on resin figures ). I know what is resin as I worked with resin casting but not scale models, other kind of work (jewelry, accessories).

And another question is on decals. I know onlt decals from Tamiya, ... the kind you put in water then on your model. I understand it have different ways. Do you have great links for explanations?(I will do some research on it).

Today, I started to make bricks for molding (planning to make diorama). I will do other stuff, like fountain, ... everything in my mind that can be nice to have in hand, then make some molds for plaster or resin casting. I have to do something, waiting to get a model to build.

[TRM]

Working on the diorama is a great way to keep things going until the models show up! Things are pretty much the same as they were 30 years ago...still plastic being glued together, but now, the plastic is much more detailed (mostly) and the glues are thinner.

Resin kits...often most resin kits can be better than mold injected plastics....all depends on who you are getting the kits from and what resins they used to make the kits. More often than not the kits will be a lot more expensive than the plastic version.

Dragon does have plenty to offer in the world of what you are looking to build and while the larger tank kits have tons of parts, the smaller kits like the bikes and "swimmer" vehicles are manageable.

Decals are much better than in the past...Dragon uses Cartogrf decals which are excellent for the most part. A good decal solution like MicroSol or something comparable is great to have as it softens the decals nicely and seats them down well.

[afvfan]

Be VERY wary of almost all east European kits. They generally can be found at a very attractive price, but quality is sadly lacking.

[Deleted]

I find only 3 website in Thailand selling scale models. Not a large choice! but I find a guy involved with it for long time, so I contact him, it can surely help me to find what I need.
Look at his showroom:
showroom