Hi fellas,

I was hoping to get your opinions on which of the options for SU-85 and SU-100 would be better. I know Tamiya have some ancient ones which I've ruled out. Miniart have a nice looking SU-85 Mod 1943 with crew but I've heard the Dragon SU-100 is excellent.

I'm not interested in interiors and I'm not a fan of a lot of PE and super detail. My favorite brands are Tamiya and Meng, thats the level of detail and complexity I'm comfortable with.

My experience with Dragon is there always seems to be one thing about the kit that lets it down. My only experience with Miniart are the figures and smaller kits such as a farm cart and they have a lot of flash, like really bad.

Anyway, thank you, I appreciate any comments.

The Dragon kits are what you're looking for.

Kits bearing the "Premium" label have PE but you can complete the kit even without it AFAIK. If you're lucky, you might still be able to pick up the original boxing without the PE and retooled parts.

You want Dragon kit 6075. Here is my BLOG and references to help you decide what to do.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/98372#812672

Thanks fellas. Do you know where I can find either kit? My usual sources have come up empty. Are they still in production?

Dragon 6359 was the premium reissue. You may have better luck finding that one. The recent Egyptian SU-100 is the re-reissue but I don't know how different that is from the German version.

Several copies of 6075 on eBay. I have seen them for sale at local shows from private (not store) sellers. They are around.

I'm partial to Tamiya's SU-122 and SU-85.

How do you think they compare to modern kits?

There's no comparison..... Those Tamiya kits are nearly 40 years old and lack the details of the mind art or dml offerings.

I like them. Tamiya led the way back in the day. They put out kits no one else offered. They lack the detail in some areas, but with some extra effort and today's after market parts they can be brought up to today's modern kits detail or better.

Also they are easy to find and cost alot less than some of the newer kits.

What about the Tamiya suspension and hulls being totally disproportionate to allow for motorization?

Missing details is one thing but the shapes are all off and you get a really mistaken impression of the sit and look of the real thing comparing the venerable Tamiya to recent Mini-art and Dragon offerings.

Any Tamiya kit, even the old ones, can be made to look like a nice model.

Old Tamiya kits, especially those meant to be motorized, are often dimensionally incorrect. To some it is a real bother, to others it is not an issue. Take a look online at pictures of the kits and builds from them and make your own informed choice.

Tamiya kits will build easier but will be more toylike.

Entirely your choice, build what you like.

1/35 #6415 Dragon SU-85M kit....has both magic tracks ,85mm & 100mm variants. PE etc...