I've been buying Sci-Fi, fantasy, and figure kits for years and am considering getting back into armor. (I sold all my AFV kits years ago, including my Tamiyas).

As such, I have read reviews on the 1/35 Tamiya M1A2 SEP TUSK 2 and Tamiya 1/35 JGSDF Type 10. I see that the 1/35 M1A2 SEP TUSK 2 is split into two popular paths...Dragon's M1A2 SEP with Legends resin TUSK 2 kit, or the more expensive Tamiya M1A2 SEP TUSK 2, but without any anti-slip coating.

I prefer a as-close to 100% OOTB accurate kit where I don't have to buy anything really extra, OR if I do buy aftermarket, it fits and works without much headache, and has great value.

I also read that the best OOTB Tamiya kit is the Leopard 2A6 (but that was before the Type 10 kit came out).

Could anyone offer me any best OOTB modern MBT recommendations and the best online stores to get them from? I just want to build the kit without worry. Thanks!

I don't know if the Dragon M1A2 plus the Legend TUSK conversion is really cheaper than the Tamiya kit. I wrote the review for Armorama and was quite happy with the Tamiya offering. I simply added the antislip which was not that hard to do.

Olivier

If you can find one, Dragon's M1A1 AIM (#3535) kit is very nice.

Depends if you want an easy enjoyable build or not.

The Tamiya Type 10 is really good, so was their "old" Type 90.

And the relatively recent Abrams Tusk, M1A2, Challenger 2, Tiran and Enigma from Tamiya are all OK kits, that can be found at reasonable prices if you buy from Japan or Hong Kong.

Cheers,

Christophe

You're pretty much spoiled for choice nowadays.

I also recommend Tamiya's Leclerc, Academy's K1A1 and Merkava 4 LIC, Meng's Merkava 3 and T-90s.

I am currently building Tamiya's JGSDF Type 10, and it is an absolute joy; great detail and excellent fit. The only drama I ahve had is breaking one of the delicate guard rails for the enviromental sensor, but that was my clumsiness not a flaw with the kit. You can get this kit as a package deal that already includes the DEF Model upgrade set, which I would highly recommend as it gives you the necessary PE mesh for the turret baskets and the PE works and looks so much better than the Tamiya-supplied plastic mesh. The DEF Model upgrade also comes with more realistic headlights, prismatic stickers for the various optics, and a set of self-adhesive wheel masks. All the PE in this set is very user friendly as well.

The new 1:35 scale M48A2 kits from Revell are very decend. Casting structure is a bit on the heavy side but otherwise great kits that go together well.

Revell/Italerie Leopard 1A5 is well done. The add on armor has incorrect mountings but otherwise a fine kit.

I prefer the Dragon M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP (also looking forwad to the forthcoming M1A2 SEP v2) are far superior to the Tamiya kits. They have much better details, molded-on anti-slip, PE in the kit, and lots of extras. To me, the Legend TUSK sets are not difficult to work with.

I'm with Gino and Brendan.

I have at least one of all the kits mentioned and agree with most of what has been said. My observations are the Dragon M1 kits, 3535,3536 are probably the most complete, and so avoiding the aftermarket route. The Tamiya LeClerc is a dream especially with the metal wheels, add the gun from Voyager and you are there. The Meng T90 kits are things of beauty and some of the Trumpeter kits should not be overlooked, especially, T-64 and and T-80 variants. The Tamiya Leopard 2A5 & 2A6 kits are really nice as is the Type 90, which can be had at a bargain at shows. Mine was $15 recently and there were several more at the same show.

Are you committed to a MBT? If not, look at the Meng M2A3, nothing needed to add with a complete interior and engine, though the Orochi set with metal tracks and barrel are worth it.

It is a great time to be a modeller of modern armour at the moment.

Thanks for the replies.

I figure if I waited this long for a modern armor kit, I might as well wait for the Dragon M1A2SEPV2, the latest and greatest Abrams. Anyone have any idea when this kit will release?

Hi Peter - it's already out. Check out Hobby Search:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10297205

...and HLJ:

http://www.hlj.com/product/CYVCH3556/Mil

Wow, thanks for the FYI! Cool!

Awesome! I wasn't tracking that it was out already either.