Are you looking to get into a large scale model tank kits building? Or is your kid interested in trying out one? Then this article is for you. Building a model tank kit is one of the most rewarding forms of entertainment.
No other form of hobby enables you to imitate scale models of real-life items with such detail and no other can look more difficult than the world of model tank kit assembly. Yet, picking up your first large scale model tank kit can be confusing! With the number of accessible items to achieve, just trying to figure out what to buy is difficult. That’s why here we are.
Model tank kits are some of the most prominent among model builders. Tanks are an outstanding choice for those who like undergoing methods. Various aircraft, tanks are usually utilized in terrible circumstances. Therefore, there’s a large probability of enhancing mud, dirt, dust, snow, rust, and many other weathering effects. Tanks are however in amongst the best kits for diorama lovers. Building such a complex model kit is one thing, but building the kit and placing it in a practical setting of a diorama is on another level entirely.
It’s tough to give someone an enclosing recommendation on what is the best large-scale model tank kit since everyone has various interests. In this post, we reinforced some of the best model tank kits that have been released over the years. In addition, we hope to take a look at some of the model tank kits that could be considered the best by many. Here, you’ll find our top three picks, read on!
Table of Contents
Best Model Tank Kit For Beginners
Model tanks are essentially miniature replicas of real world tanks. They are usually made from plastic or resin and painted to look like their real counterparts. The kits usually come with detailed instructions and parts that allow you to build them easily.
It’s an easy and fun thing to do in your spare time. So, lets take a look at the best models you can find on the market today.
Tamiya M4A3E8 Sherman “Easy Eight” 1/35
This is a newly released modern tool kit from Tamiya illustrating the outstanding Easy Eight version of the Sherman medium tank from WW2. The kit has exceptional details and is very simple to assemble making it an incredible option for amateurs.
The tracks provided with the kit are Vinyl type. While vinyl tracks normally don’t look as promising as distinct or link-and-length tracks, they are incredibly easy to assemble. Besides, if you are achieving some experience on them, no one will see that they might lack some details. The gun barrel is made of two-piece plastic. We would probably look at some aftermarket gun to make the assembly and cleaning easier, but it’s not a must.
There’s also a figure of the tank commander in the kit which is, unfortunately, becoming a variation in the last few years. The commander figure looks a bit like Brad Pitt in the Fury movie.
Pros:
- Easy to builder
- Great details
- Figure included
Cons:
- Plastic barrel
- No photo-etch parts
- Vinyl tracks, not a con for all
Best Cheap Modern Russian Tank Kit
Zvezda 1/35 T-90
Zvezda Models 1 35 T-90 Russian Main Battle Tank. The T-90 is a Russian main battle tank that arrived in service in 1993. It has been evolved from the T-72B and encompasses many characteristics of the T-80U. Fans of Russian AFV model kits had to wait a long time for a kit of the T-90.
Zvezda, a Russian-based company, answered the call in 2012 by releasing this kit. The kit is designed in gray styrene and surprisingly doesn’t feature a pre-molded tower or lower hull tub. Both must be designed first. The details of the kit are sufficiently done.
Nevertheless, it would not hurt if the manufacturer included some photo-etch parts. Some plastic mesh pieces are included, which are manipulated to create grilles. A length of a silver string is given as well. There’s no turned metal barrel in the kit, so you will have to deal with a barrel made of two plastic halves.
Pros:
- Low price
- Well detailed kit
Cons:
- No metal gun barrel
Best Abrams Model Kit
Rye Field Model 1/35 US Main Battle Tank M1A1 / A2 w/Full Interior
The M1 Abrams main battle tanks were designed in the 70s, arrived in service in 1980 and its variants are quiet in competitive production. The tank has seen various confrontations including the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, or the Iraqi Civil War.
This model kit enables you to build the second or third mainline production variants of the tank, the M1A1, and MA1A2. The disguise options are as follows, the M1A1 can be built in either the NATO three-toned camo or the modern desert tan camo, the M1A2 enables you to select from two units in the desert tan technique.
An amazing feat of this kit is the fact that it comprises the full interior of the tank. Of course, possessing to build the interior makes the building process much more challenging than a standard model kit and we would not recommend it to complete beginners. The parts count is staggering 2,108 pieces, most of which are the parts used to build the tracks. 112 photo-etched parts are contained, improving the overall look of the model. All in all, this is a great kit for progressive model makers.
Pros:
- Excellent details
- Two variants to choose from
- Photo-etched parts
Cons:
- The tracks will test your patience
- Plastic gun barrel
Buying Guide
How to Select the Best Model Tank Kit?
Several factors should be considered when trying to decide which model tank kit is going to be the best one to purchase. Let’s have a look at them now.
Complexness
Some model kits can be very problematic and impossible to build. Tamiya gives an increase to models that are well detailed and very easy to build. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell beforehand whether a model kit is going to be simple or difficult to build. A nice way to check the kit is to look for build logs from other modelers who had already built the model.
If you are a beginner, you should assume getting a kit that’s not too confusing to build. Otherwise, you may get stress and frustration if things stop going the way they are thought to. Some manufacturers give their models a difficulty rating. Generally, a less complicated shape of the subject usually means the easier the kit to build. However, it’s always best to do some research.
As your model-building skills increase, you can start grasping the more complicated and pricier kits.
Period
Do you need to build modern subjects such as the American M1 Abrams main battle tank or perhaps the Israeli Merkava tank? Or would you rather build a tank from WW2 or even WW1? That’s something you must determine on your own. Great kits are accessible for pretty much any period.
Scale
This is again something you must assume on your own. The most prominent scale of tank model kits is probably the 1/35, followed by 1/72. However, there are of course other scales available as well, such as the huge 1/16 tanks or the tiny 1/100. Usable storage space is likely the most significant factor to consider when deciding upon the scale. The 1/48 scale tanks can be quite big. On the other hand, the 1/72 scale tanks are a bit fiddler to develop and paint and are often barely less detailed. Our recommendation would be to try the 1/35 scale first.
Expense
The larger the scale, the pricier the kit. Larger models are always more elegant, there’s no way around this. Prices vary a lot between the manufacturers.
Again, if you are a complete beginner, it’s not a bad impression to buy one of the super cheap ancient Tamiya kits to get some experience. They are not always bad and your first kits will most likely not look too good anyway, so why waste potentially hundreds of dollars on your first kit?
Detailing Sets
Advanced modelers may wish to spice up their models with more details which are usually provided by aftermarket manufacturers. They usually come in the form of photo-etch or resin sets. If you would like to use these sets, make sure they are available for the kit you are planning to purchase. These sets may not be available yet if you are glancing at a model kit that has been released just recently.
Metal Gun Barrels
Some kits, especially the high-priced ones, come with gun barrels made of aluminum or brass. These look tremendous and are easy to use since you don’t have to assemble the barrel from two plastic halves, a task that usually requires filling and sanding. If the kit does not come with a metal gun barrel it is usually possible to obtain an aftermarket barrel. It’s also possible to find whole metal guns with nice muzzle breaks but these cost quite a bit more.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, if you’re an avid modeler or simply fascinated by the intricate world of tanks, exploring large-scale tank kits can be an exhilarating journey. The range of options available today ensures there is something for everyone, from historically accurate replicas to fantastical designs. Whether you seek the challenge of assembling a complex kit or the satisfaction of creating a masterpiece, these kits offer a rewarding experience.
So, if you’re ready to embark on an exciting and rewarding modeling adventure, don’t hesitate to explore the world of large-scale tank kits. These kits offer a gateway to unleashing your creativity, expanding your knowledge, and becoming a part of a vibrant community.
With a diverse array of options available, there’s no shortage of incredible tanks waiting to be assembled.
So grab your tools, dive into the world of large-scale tank kits, and let your imagination run wild!
