Need suggestions on good OOTB subjects

[holmerz]

Hi all

Now that I'm limited to a couple of hours modelling once a week, I think I'll have to put the Elefant to a side and start on an easier project. So I was thinking of doing the "out of the box" thing. Well now I need some advice on which kit(s) would be suitable for this. I was thinking of DML's 6290 Smart Kit Pz.Kpfw.38(t) w/Interior (as it's on sale), does anybody have this kit? Of couse the interior I won't use, so it might be a waste of a good kit.

Any suggestions are welcome.

In advance thanks

\Erik

[lquah]

Erik

How about Tristar's 38t's? They do not come with interior (sold separately) and the fit is very good. I built one OOTB in one weekend.

Or you could build any of Tamiya's kits for example the Stug III B, Stug III G, Pz III L, Hetzer etc. Fit is very good and you don't have to worry about the instructions or too many small fiddly parts.

Lawrence

[Uruk-Hai]

I think this depends on what minimum standard you want.

Dragons Panter G is a good OOTB-kit, but so is all post 1990 Tamiya-kits.

Tristars Pz I are also great models OOTB.

Cheers

[Richard Craig]

You want a really nice kit out of the box ...Tamiya's Cromwell ..I loved it

Rick

[James Tainton]

Dragon's Panzer IV F2/G was a nice build. Check one out.

[Sticky]

I vote for the Tristar 38(t) series, very friendly and not too many parts.

[Primus]

How about KV's from Trumpeter? You can build it in 2 days.

[Panzergrenadier]

I would recommend the Tristar Pz 38 series, Pz I series, Trumpeter KVs or any Smart kit from Dragon.

[greybeard]

DML's PzKpfw 38(t) is drop-dead gorgeous, and builds without fuss apart from the fit of the rear hull plate, which needs fifteen seconds worth of tweaking with a shard blade to seat properly. You don't have to use the interior (also very nice) and can stash it to tweak a Marder down the road. If it's on sale, it's a very good choice.

I'm also really impressed with the PzKpfw IV Ausf E and early T-34s from DML/CyberHobby. The T-34 Model 1940 needs help with the rear engine deck, but it's no big deal to open the holes and add a screen and some louvers underneath.

I also have the Trumpeter KV-1 Model 1942 (Lightweight), but was disappointed with it. The tracks are "length and link" and have several hundred pin release marks that need filling; there are some sinkholes in some parts, including along the length of the fenders; the roadwheels/drivers/idlers were moulded slightly off-center on my example and the detail on the driver sprocket hub was not as nice or as accurate as the old Tamiya kit (IMHO). I don't know if it would qualify as a SFB kit, since the engine air intakes are solid and require some aftermarket or scratchbuilding to install the screens. It's still a pretty good kit, but nowhere near as good as the later DML kits I'm building. That said, it's about half the price, so you get what you pay for.

I'd echo the recommendations to look long and hard at the recent DML kits as a first choice. The "Smart Kits" come with most of the aftermarket goodies you'd expect to buy already in the box, including a brass fret, aluminum barrel, individual track links and in some cases pre-formed wire. Do be sure to read as many reviews as you can find and look through the builds on this site to double-check what's in the box, as some of the kits have been "dummied down" in later releases and had some of the goodies removed.

Cheers
Scott Fraser
Calgary

[holmerz]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advices. I have the Trumpeter #311 KV-2, but it's just so ugly. I think that I'll go with the DML Pz.Kpfw.38(t) Smart Kit, although I'm tempted to try out all the other suggestions as well, especially the Tristar 38's and the DML panzer IV F2/G.

thanks

\Erik

[Kreighshoer]

... although I'm tempted to try out all the other suggestions as well, especially the Tristar 38's and the DML panzer IV F2/G.

you won't regret it! both kits are killer and make very good ootb vehicles :)