I am now moving into 1/32 aircraft I just need to know whats out both good and the ones to avoid I already have a tamiya 1/32 tomcat and all the extras I can throw at it on the way.
Cheers and thanks Peter
Cheers and thanks Peter
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Wow, that’s a big question.
I have built well over 70 1/32 aircraft over the last 12 years or so.
What is right for you very much depends on what you want.
The 1/32 Tamiya Tomcat is an old kit that is not up to their later kits. I have not built it myself, choosing instead, the Trumpeter F14. Being Tamiya you should still find it a fun build.
As for other Tamiya 1/32 kits:
modern jets first;
The F15 is a good kit, again an old one but newer and better than the F14. With this be careful of a ridge on the top wing/fuselage join. Perhaps join the top wing to the fuselage before adding the lower wing.
The F4 is a good but old kick, again not one I have built.
The F16 is the best of a Tamiya’s 1/32 jets and has all the great fit and engineering we have come to expect from Tamiya.
Then we have their 1/32 scale WW2 warbirds. These are simply some of the best aircraft kits produced by any company in any scale. Tamiya have so far produced the following:
Mitsubishi Zero (two versions)
Supermarine Spitfire (three versions, Mk VIII, Mk IX and Mk XVI)
P51Mustang (three versions, a D, a D/K and a F51 Korean War bird)
Corsair (three versions including a birdcage and later versions)
Mosquito (one version, a fighter/bomber and an amazing kit)
Other brands to look out for:
Zoukei Mura - these are outstanding kits, though their later ones are better than the early ones. They have a unique engineering style that helps you understand how the original aircraft were constructed and the instructions are simply the best you can get. They have superb detail, right down to their ‘signature’ moulding in the pistons to the engine blocks, yes each in the correct position. A bit of a show-offy gimmick perhaps. I tend to build my models ‘closed up’ apart from canopies that I mostly prefer to be open to display detail but these offer all the internal structure and detail so you can have open panels. I do love these and have built several.
Kotare are worth a mention. They have just started releasing models starting with an outstanding Spitfire Mr1. These are the old Wingnut Wings team.
Hong King Models have produced some good kits in 1/32, notably a B17 G and F, a Lancaster as a Mk I/III, Grand Slam or Dambuster version, a B25, do335, A20 Havoc (Boston version about to come).
ICM, Italari, Trumpeter and Hobbyboss all produce interesting kits, many of them excellent.
Revell also produce in 1/32. I am not a big fan of theirs, even their newer ones. But they have produced a new Hurricane that’s pretty good and their AR196 is very good as well.
There are others who produce in 1/32 but the above are the most notable.
A few pics of some of my 1/32s.
Zoukei Mura Raiden and Ta152
Trumpeter P47, Avenger, Dauntless, and Swordfish
ICM Gladiator and I-16
Tamiya F16, Mosquito, Corsair, Mustang, Zero and Spitfire the Corsair is a conversion to an FAA clipped wing bird.
Hobbyboss Sturmovik
A few of my favourites Peter. Enjoy manscale. -
I have very little experience with 1/32 aircraft, but I will recommend that you don't buy the Revell Mosquito, however cheap!
PeteComment
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WELL Peter while im waiting to get tiger back to the pond in 6 months i have an was goin to build my super tomcat in 1/32 scale but if you are goin to do one then i'll stand back an let you do yours as i can then see the pitfalls an learn from you on how to build mine but it would be nice to see you do the e/e lightnig as ive always loverd that plane as its been a good part of my younger life
atb
chrisbComment
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Now I've done it I have just ordered a hk models 1/32 LancasterComment
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