What model do I chose?

Following my last post, the new persons returning to the hobby or just now starting, are faced with another dilemma.

What is the easiest model to start ?

How to choose My first kit

After we have approached the tools department, is now time to start approaching another controversial theme, what kit brand is the best to start on the hobby?

This is again a very fractional question and the answer not that simple. When asking this question, you will get a zillion of answers and only a very few consistent ones.

The more purist modellers will be telling you that Tamyia would be your best option, and to be honest, very right so, while others might say Eduard but will this be your best options?

Either you are re-joining the hobby or just starting, you don’t want to be splashing a load of money on a model that in the end you might or might not finish.

So, what would be the best option?

With the use of new technologies on the designing and production of scale models, we have seen a lot of new companies appearing on the market with great detailed models at very affordable prices. I have been through the past couple of years coming across some of this brand and getting incredibly surprised with the quality that they present and the amount of detail in the model. On the military vehicle side of the models you will have IBG Models, they mainly produce 1/72 armour vehicles but the amount of detail presented to us by them and the quality of the fitting is amazing they also produce some trucks and now venturing in some airplanes and their price tag is very attractive ranging from £10.00 for a little 1/72 tank up to around £30.00 for the 1/35 models, which considering the quality and the PE sometimes offered is a great price.

http://www.ibgmodels.com/

Another company that I have just come across is Arma Hobby. They produce 1/72 airplanes and again the quality is simple astonishing. They have produced so far a couple of hurricanes and a wild cat at 1/72 and never have seen them at the shop for more that £16.00. And believe me they are worth every pennies. https://www.armahobby.com/

Now the most controversial one, some people hate it, others just love it like me. I’m talking about the Airfix.

Their old models are in most cases appalling and details are non-existent to say the least, their new range is amazing. They have redesigned a bunch of models and with the new tools the quality have improved through the roof. I have recently got hands on a 1/72 model from Tamyia and have compared it to the same model from Airfix and details wise they are not that far apart at least to justify the price tag that separates them, almost £10.00.

You can easily find the Airfix one for just over 8 quid while the Tamyia one goes for around £18. Having said that, do your research properly and stay away from the old models and go for the new ones. Fittings are amazing and quality as well. I have built a few across the years just like Spitfire, Mustang P51-D, the Gruman wild cat and all of this are 1/72 scale.

So having said this, you can dive in to the hobby and have a go without busting your piggy bank. For less than £20 you can choose a model and have a go an decide if you enjoy the hobby or not, This kind of models will allow you to have a nice first experience in to the hobby and allow you to make a informed decision if you want to carry on the hobby or not.

I believe that there are more brands out there that can offer the same quality and low price tag but this ones are the ones that I have experience with and have built. I will over the next few weeks start top share some of my builds and the thoughts about it.

Alternatively If you want to see them being built live you can pop on my Twitch channel and drop a follow to get the notification of when I go live.

Hope this has been helpful and if you have any questions, please let me know and always happy to answer to them.

Thanks for your time

Plastic Alchemist