Let me add my thoughts on the best OOTB build I've done...and that was the first model I did after getting back into the hobby, and that was the Tamiya Challenger II (Desertized). I loved it so much, I got two more of them that I haven't touched yet. Oddly enough, though, for those second and third builds of that kit, I bought a horrendous amount of aftermarket stuff! Some of it because I wasn't to add to the kit (upgraded and slat armor from Accurate Armour), but I also got photo etch for a build that I want to do, just to make the base kit 'better'. I'm not sure how much better it will be, though

Any Flyhawk kit (1/72 armor and 1/700 ships). OOB in this case includes the included PE.

The Tamiya Challenger II was one of the first kit I built when I got into the too. Beautiful kit. I did mine in Green/Black camo. Still looks good next to more recent kits.

I loved my Tamiya vietnam M113 built way back in the dawn of time, wonder what ever became of it? It had a full interior which was pretty unusual for it's time. More recently the AFV Club LVTiv was great fun with lots of nice detail, maybe not as easy as the M113 but very satisfying.

For me it was the Trumpeter 1/35 KV-1. Was fun to build, was easy to build, went together with 0 issues and looked great when completed. It was also relatively cheap!

The only possible downside were the length and link tracks which were a tad finicky but even then you are provided rubber band tracks if you so choose.

Howdy Y'all
Great posts, I would like to respond to them all so give me a little time to do so. Forgive me if I misspell anything, I'm an Engineer, not a writer although that shouldn't be an excuse.
@TotemWolf-I have one of the GWH P-61 kits. I haven't taken a serious look at it after it went into the stash but now it's back on my radar. Thanks for the info.
@rfbaer-The Tamiya Leopard have gotten a few nodes, must be a good kit.
@brekinapez-I have the Hasegawa Ki-61 kit in the stash and read some great reviews. I've got to look out for the Bronco V-1 kit, perhaps at a swap meet.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"

Continuing on...
@Mathew "Kharkov"-'The most easiest to assemble? (that's not proper English me thinks, oh well...)' Dude! You're from England, you've got to keep the rest of straight. All kidding aside, "best" is your definition. The T-72 looks like another vote for Tamiya.
@Peter "Trisaw"-Thanks, yet another vote for Tamiya. The Type 90 isn't on my "must build it" list but that could change. Tamiya's 1/48 scale Type 10 is definitely on my "must build" list. I love those 1/48 kits.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"

DML Flak 88... my first "armor" kit; it just fell together.

All O-o-t-B (well the case of Bud on the hood of the '57 Chevy was AM). No contest medals (most of them not even entered in any contest). My little happy completed models world. Yes I know it is a little dusty but hey I live in the desert.



Cheers

Interesting that the Tamiya Char B1, the Cromwell and Mk IV tank feature here. I've made them all and I have to agree with the ease of assembly. I actually had to will myself to slow down on the Char B because it falls together that easily! Having said that, I know for a fact there are a couple of accuracy issues with it - the missing "pigtail" on the gun mount for one, and a blank mudchute for another.

But I think my favourite was the Famo with trailer (well it was kit of the year Ogri!). I know there are now lots of extras you can get, but mine was OOTB as I was returning to the hobby after a long layoff and it was quite enough for me as it stood! "Made" me spring for a new airbrush and finally get a compressor too!

BTW Robbie, you have the same cabinet I have, but I got a local welder to put some extra shelf supports in and bought some glass shelves to double the capacity!

@cabasner-I see your point but in the interest of simplicity I will say "best" is your definition. We all have our reasons to build and "accuracy" is surely a part of it. From some of the posts we can see we still add some AM to our 'best OOTB' builds, and that's cool.
I would not want to disparage our 'rivet counter' friends. I think the increasing quality of today's kits is in part thanks to the 'rivet counters' demands and standards.
BTW, thank you for starting the original OOTB thread. It certainly has caused us to pause and reflect on our hobby but above all, we've shared experiences, opinions and philosophies.
Thank you and take care,
Don "Lakota"

For me Tamiya Leopard 2A6 all but perfect fit. Still have a few more in the stash to serve as a base for other projects.

Takom's T-55AMV with the ERA!

Super-detailed right from the box, great fit in most parts, LOTS of fun and (OK, for ME) VERY interesting subject portrayed in real detailed glory. Nice amount of PE that complements the build without being mostly-redundant fiddle-faddle better done in styrene. Oh, and LOTS of "modeling pleasure" for the bucks - meaning, for me, lots of bits and lots of stuff to fiddle with while constantly seeing real visible progress after most steps in the Big Book of instructions.

Yes - there are things which need careful attention and a certain amount of exercise and technique (the road wheels are a major case-in-point), and lots of parts which need careful scrutiny before cementing... But then "best" or even "good" has never meant to me just being easy to build! The total outcome - appearance of the final build, quality of molding, fit during building, engineering leading to solid and straight construction, and relatively good accuracy all count. And this kit is a WINNER on all fronts, in my book.

PS: I convinced a good friend to try out doing a closely-related Takom '55 kit as a buddy-build. First tank he's done in decades. (Experienced modeler mostly into aircraft, resin kits, and figures...), and he found it just absolutely fun and thrilling as a building experience!

We must both be gluttons for punishment!

Without a doubt it would be the Tasca Luchs
Gary

I really liked this kit also. Well detailed, but my tracks came apart after about 2 years.

Tamiya M1A1, for me, even if I had to do the anti slip.

Cheers

Everyone, thank you for the responses!
@Rick "clovis899"- I have a friend who said the 1/35 Tamiya Cromwell was the best kit he ever built. He encouraged me to buy one. Alas, I did not listen to him. Great choice, glad someone verified this.

@Stef-A Takom kit gets a nod! I was wondering when that would happen. The Chieftain Mk. 5 isn't on my radar but that could change. I'll have to read up on this kit. What decals/markings are in the box?

@Stephen-The Airfix 1/32 M3 Lee is an "off the grid", old school choice. Who would have thought of this one (except you)? This one will be going in my stash, as soon as I can locate one... I've never built the Italeri kits you mention-will be taking a closer look at the Iwo Jima Sherman in the stash.

@Jesper-I second that!

@Nikos-The shotgun approach. No fair!

Take care,
Don "Lakota"

Torn:

I love pretty much all of the newish Tamiya kits I've built.

But I think the "best" OOB things I've made--

The Tasca Sherman (in my case Jumbo version). Just very very perfect OOB.
And the Meng Char 2c. Pretty much perfect, an that wonderful combination of bizarre, ugly, and amazing!

When I was a teenager--more decades ago than I care to admit to--I built a Tamiya Tiger I. When it was finished, my dad (who was a builder of museum-grade models) looked it over for a minute and then said, "You can almost hear the engine exhaust on that one." I probably built better OOTB models after that, but that comment from my old man gave me a warm glow I've never forgotten. Somewhere in a box in the back of our storage unit I still have that model, probably looks horrible, but I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

Italeri Dukw and LVT A4 for whatever the didn't have any issues or any I recall. While the track was stiff and tight, I didn't have the issues I have read about. The fit on the Dukw was nice and didn't need any fixing, which was good cause I didn't know how to do that at the time. I haven't had the bad luck others say with Italeri armor, now there aircraft are a different story, YMMV.

That one, very fine, exquisite crisp detail, perfect fit many options. Pit Road surpassed themselves on that kit. Some say there is no such thing as a perfect kit but this one comes real real close.




Cheers,

Christophe

For me it was the Tamiya 1/35 SOMUA S35.

If I count BOTH accuracy and ease of assemble, the best kit ever are AFV Club M2A1 105mm Howitzers. Real Gems!

Adam

1 italeri M47 and 2 collector's edition Leopard 1A4s, altho I did replace the tracks with workables on both. old, but still some of the best kits italeri released