I'm still not all that well versed on what kits are best and which are not. Therefore, I'd like some opinions on the following kits before I add them to my "unbuilt kits" collection...Mainly interested in knowing how accurate they are and if there are any significant modifications necessary...I'm not a rivet counter, but I like lots of detail and prefer to build as accurate as I can within reason...

Trumpeter - MIAIAH Abrams ($15.99 at LHS)

Italeri - M60A3 ($24.99 ay LHS)

Italeri - M4A1 Sherman ($18.00 at LHS - possibly slated for use in "Up Front" campaign)

Thanks guys!

Trumpeter M1A1HA is a nice cheap kit with a lot of extra's... The plastic is a bit cheap-feeling (dunno how to say this in english) and has a lot of flash.. but because of it's cheapness it is a fun kit to build, just needs a lot of sanding and putty...
Also it needs a BIG turret fix if you want to make it look a bit accurate...
pics of my Trumpeter M1A1HA (the one in NATO 3-tone);
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showgallery.php?cat=12646&ppuser=3422

Hi 11 Charlie,
I don't know about the Trumpeter kit, however, the Italeri kits are a good value for the price. There are some inaccuracies in the kits. Since you're not a rivet counter, you'll be ok. If you were a rivet counter there are many aftermarket sets available for these kits.
Or...you might want to try Tamiya or AFV Club for the American stuff. A bit more pricey, but worth it and much more accurate. I don't think there is a kit produced that is 100% perfect. There will always be aftermarket items for every one! I like Italeri because it is so cheap and they have a lot of interesting subjects that no one else will touch. I'm a big German armor fan...they do a lot of German stuff.
Soooooooo....I guess what i've been trying to say is....I really don't think you can go wrong with the Italeri stuff. I hope I didn't confuse you more than I appear to think that I might have already somehow maybe have been attempting...What was I saying?
Nevermind...Have a great one!
Bodeen

A respectable Abrams kit, not the best but a decent model at that price.


Rebox of the old Esci M60A3 kit, the best M60 kit on the market that builds into the latest (last) version used by US forces. You may be confused here since Italeri reboxed the Esci M60A1 and Esci IDF M60A1 Blazer. Revell of Germany reboxed the Esci M60A3. The ex-Esci Italeri M60A1 is the best M60A1 kit on the market, but it builds into an older US Army variant and not into the later variant used by the USMC during Desert Storm.


One of my all-time favorite Sherman kits. It holds up well for its age.

Thanks for the information. That's exactly what I was wanting...looks like I'm going shopping!

For more detailed info about Trumpeter Abrams kit you can check my Abrams kit comparison article: http://vodnik.net/index_feat.htm.

Pawel