Tamiya

[hotreds]

Is Tamiya still considered the best model maker? Haven't done much in 30 years but remember they were far and above the "numero uno" in plastic modeling back in those days.

[Dietrich Maerz]

No. Have a look at Academy, Dragon, Trumpeter, Revell Germany, Aoshima, .....

[Woolgar]

Also Hasegawa and Italeri were nice kit makers but Im not sure if the latter is still manufacturing

Nick

[Luis22]

Tamiya was number one back in the 70s, they still produce the kits on the best plastic but when it comes down to detail Dragon and Italery are better...

[Matthew]

still numero uno for me

Old molds are just that-a bit outdated at best, lots of new better models came out meantime but still...I think Tamiya can take a pepsi challenge with any of the above-especially Academy et al. That and they still produce new models as well-my favourite next to Hasegawa. You will not be disappointed.
cheers
Matt

[Federico Perez]

Tamiya has "forgotten a little bit" armor/ship modelers, I think mainly because their main focus in the 1990's was RC cars and trucks, most of it's 1/35 line up is the same offerings of the late 1970's early 1980's. Is not until recently that they have retooled several original offerings and made others compleatly new to make it to todays stadards of detail.....quality of moulding and parts finish NEVER have been a problem with them in all my years as a modeler....no matter how old the kit is!!!

Dragon LTD has one of the bigest selection of 1/35 scale figures, tanks and variants...some of them quite obscure, their quality is very good and similar to Tamiya.

Italeri...they make a wonderful out of the box WW2 1/35 scale PT-Boat gun boat and German S-100 topedo boat.

AFV-CLUB have some very interesting subjects, but these can become quite expensive sometimes. Their line of detailing accesories is amazing!!

Trumpeter has a lot of interesting 1/35 subjects and quite detailed...but sometimes the fit of parts/assembly instructions/diagrams is not the best, making a check/re-check of parts fit a must.....but hey...who else is on the way to offer an almost compleat assortment of locomotive AND armored train cars in 1/35 scale!!!!

There a lot of other smaller manufacturers with great kits out there, but again depending on the subject and amount of detail, the price can be high comapared to Tamiya and the above manufacturers.

Hope it helps!!

[Mike Swan]

I think it's fair to say that Tamiya is the prime choice if you want ease of assembly and totally flash-free parts.

Reviews of their new 1/32 Spitfire IX have been superlative.

If you wish to become a raving lunatic, by all means buy a Dragon Sherman with the multipart track links !!!!!

Good luck with your renewed interest in modelling.

Mike