Tamiya 1/16 Tank Models?
Discussion
Morning,
I am after buying one of these kits, have always wanted one but put off by price. Now found myself with a lot of spare time in the week and figure it would be quite good and therapeutic to start a build.
I have read a few threads from different forums and understand they are very detailed and time consuming but that’s what I am looking for. I work with someone who is into his military models (static) and through chatting to him and hearing about paint techniques, weathering, rust and all sorts of different details I would really like to have a go.
Few questions -
Which is the better WW2 kit to go for? I really like the Sherman but read somewhere it’s one of their oldest kits and quite basic?
With regard to full option kits, I think I would like to go for one with lights etc but also note you can add exhaust smoke modules - are these compatible with any of the kits?
Few build threads suggest investing in an airbrush for painting but can these be done by traditional method too?
Clearly lots of options, mods available but stock out the box is there anything which should be changed during the build to save a future strip down?
Any help pointers would be grateful.
Si
I am after buying one of these kits, have always wanted one but put off by price. Now found myself with a lot of spare time in the week and figure it would be quite good and therapeutic to start a build.
I have read a few threads from different forums and understand they are very detailed and time consuming but that’s what I am looking for. I work with someone who is into his military models (static) and through chatting to him and hearing about paint techniques, weathering, rust and all sorts of different details I would really like to have a go.
Few questions -
Which is the better WW2 kit to go for? I really like the Sherman but read somewhere it’s one of their oldest kits and quite basic?
With regard to full option kits, I think I would like to go for one with lights etc but also note you can add exhaust smoke modules - are these compatible with any of the kits?
Few build threads suggest investing in an airbrush for painting but can these be done by traditional method too?
Clearly lots of options, mods available but stock out the box is there anything which should be changed during the build to save a future strip down?
Any help pointers would be grateful.
Si
I've got 2 - Tiger 1 and KV 2
Untitled by MBBlat, on Flickr
IMG_20170121_150635 by MBBlat, on Flickr
Tiger0002 by MBBblat, on Flickr
1st note - they are big, I would not recommend trying to brush paint, even a standard modellers airbrush might be a bit small.
In terms of details the 2 I have are about on par with 1/35 scale kits just sized up, but they are designed to be used outdoors so the more delicate parts have a tendency to get lost. Having said that there is a thriving after-market for these to add as much as you want.
The KV has after market etch, bracing for the idlers and metal tracks, the metal barrel came with the kit, the tiger has (tamiya) metal barrel and etched grills. KV was (mostly) airbrushed, Tiger rattle cans + natural weathering (ie I ran it through some mud). I may strip down and repaint the Tiger at somepoint, panzer-grey is not strictly accurate.
As supplied the full option kits come with motors, sounds and lights, you just need to add the RC transmitter & receiver and battery.
I've used Axels Modellbau for some detailed parts, no problem shipping to UK at the moment.
Untitled by MBBlat, on FlickrIMG_20170121_150635 by MBBlat, on FlickrTiger0002 by MBBblat, on Flickr1st note - they are big, I would not recommend trying to brush paint, even a standard modellers airbrush might be a bit small.
In terms of details the 2 I have are about on par with 1/35 scale kits just sized up, but they are designed to be used outdoors so the more delicate parts have a tendency to get lost. Having said that there is a thriving after-market for these to add as much as you want.
The KV has after market etch, bracing for the idlers and metal tracks, the metal barrel came with the kit, the tiger has (tamiya) metal barrel and etched grills. KV was (mostly) airbrushed, Tiger rattle cans + natural weathering (ie I ran it through some mud). I may strip down and repaint the Tiger at somepoint, panzer-grey is not strictly accurate.
As supplied the full option kits come with motors, sounds and lights, you just need to add the RC transmitter & receiver and battery.
I've used Axels Modellbau for some detailed parts, no problem shipping to UK at the moment.
Wow they both look great! Interesting what you say about airbrushing - that was a cost I hadn’t factored in initially.
Are they both Tamiya kits?? How did you find the build process for them?
The aftermarket business for upgrades seems huge and I have read about the braces, motor mounts, metal tracks to name but a few.
Couple of builds I read through talked about relocating the battery as it was in a difficult spot for charging/swapping over - how have you found that??
Thanks for tip on the parts supplier.
Si
Are they both Tamiya kits?? How did you find the build process for them?
The aftermarket business for upgrades seems huge and I have read about the braces, motor mounts, metal tracks to name but a few.
Couple of builds I read through talked about relocating the battery as it was in a difficult spot for charging/swapping over - how have you found that??
Thanks for tip on the parts supplier.
Si
I have an M26 Pershing and a Tiger I. Think I've posted pictures on here before but can try and dig some out.
They're excellent ways to while away time.
Buy two and also get the Battle System
Great fun.
Get the std full option kit first, then once you have that licked, consider upgrades to spend more time on them.
Agree that spray paints for the bigger bits are the way to go.
They're excellent ways to while away time.
Buy two and also get the Battle System
Great fun.Get the std full option kit first, then once you have that licked, consider upgrades to spend more time on them.
Agree that spray paints for the bigger bits are the way to go.
Both mine are Tamiyas.
Mechanically the build is pretty simple, the gearboxes are ready assembled and the electronics are plug and play. Its the big plastic kit that goes on top that takes the time.
I would suggest getting a cheaper, smaller kit of the same tank to practice your painting/weathering etc, this was mine:
Cute KV-2_008 by MBBlat, on Flickr
If nothing else it made my decision not to go with a whitewash for the big one and to go from Tamiya dark green to proper 4B0 Russian green. As an aside as far as I can find there is precisely one photo of a KV-2 in whitewash while in Russian service.
Mechanically the build is pretty simple, the gearboxes are ready assembled and the electronics are plug and play. Its the big plastic kit that goes on top that takes the time.
I would suggest getting a cheaper, smaller kit of the same tank to practice your painting/weathering etc, this was mine:
Cute KV-2_008 by MBBlat, on FlickrIf nothing else it made my decision not to go with a whitewash for the big one and to go from Tamiya dark green to proper 4B0 Russian green. As an aside as far as I can find there is precisely one photo of a KV-2 in whitewash while in Russian service.
First one of mine started as a stock Heng Long Tiger, but nearly everything got replaced. Second was a ground up build of a Stug III from parts. Both have recoiling barrel and HID main gun flash. Stug has fibre optic cable for MG34 barrel flash. Stug also has winter tracks fitted. Really enjoyable projects, but expensive.
Both have their own wooden ammo crates for storage.
Both have their own wooden ammo crates for storage.
InitialDave said:
Do you know anyone doing a Japan trip in the near future? I suspect they're much cheaper there - I like Tamiya's RC cars, and the prices I've paid in Japan are half that of the UK.
The boxes are huge! No way to squeeze one back in a suitcase - could post i suppose, but could/would you get stung for taxes? Ive used stella models a lot in the past.
Never had a tank but built most of the 1/14 trucks. The builds were quite easy, the fun comes in making the accesories and the painting
The Sherman dates from the 1970s, was re-released around 2000 with digital unit and new motors/gearboxes (I have that one) then revamped again a few years later with much more detail, full turret controls, sound, lighting and improved tracks. Unpackaging them and building them is quite enjoyable in its own let alone running them. They are expensive but the quality and engineering is really good and they will last forever. I was holding on to see if they bring out a long overdue British tank, failing that I wouldnt mind the JS2.
Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff