You can check the kit timelimes on scalemates too. Generally they are pretty reliable.

A higher product number would be an obvious hint but the problem is that sometimes they take an old kit, add some figures or gas cans or something and slap on a new product number.

One way that will work is to ask here, in this forum.
Another option is to ask Google about reviews, some reviewers will actually mention if a new kit is a combination of old stuff with some new pieces.
Some 1970's Tamiya are actually OK even if some of them now faces competition from other brands/manufacturers.

/ Robin

Thanks for reminding me!
How could I have forgotten ScaleMates!

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Their stash manager also serves as a sobering and embarassing reminder on how many unbuilt kits we have

It's always a good idea to ask here before you buy. Sometimes it is not so clear- some post-1980s panzer IV kits used the 1985 hull

I have stopped counting kits in the stash, now I count the cubic feet instead
/ Robin

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I have stopped counting kits in the stash, now I count the cubic feet instead
/ Robin

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Surely that should be cubic metres?

Personally I'm contemplating a shift to metric tonnage...

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It's always a good idea to ask here before you buy. Sometimes it is not so clear- some post-1980s panzer IV kits used the 1985 hull

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You mean "1975" hull. Any Tamiya Panzer IV released before the 1990s has the ancient early 1970s motorized hull. 1994 saw the new Panzer IV J and H and the Whirbelwind and Mobelwagen both saw iterations on that hull. (But also on the 1970s hull so confusion there without Scalemates at your finger tips)

Then there's the new 2010s hull for the Panzerjager IV and Brumbar. Easy to tell there as it three return rollers and there's no sign of Tamiya doing a straight gun tank.

Yeah, it's confusing as it can get. Gets worse with the fact that some 1970s Tamiya kits are still respectable kits with some after market like the Sdkfz 222 or even that Sdkfz 251. It's so bloody cheap these days compared to everything else.

But stay away from Tamiya Shermans unless you love filling empty fender overhangs and making lots of wire grab handles.

How does the easy eight Tamiya stack up?

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But stay away from Tamiya Shermans unless you love filling empty fender overhangs and making lots of wire grab handles.

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Good info - I noticed that on the Sherman's broken grabs and those big gaps! I have the new easy eight euro unopened and a dragon "bulge". How does the easy eight Tamiya stack up?