what is the most easyist tank to build

I am not much of an expert since I have only built the one I am suggesting ... BUT, I'd have to say it is the Tamiya Panzer II F/G.

The reason I say that is because it is relatively inexpensive (less than $10 US) and there are alot of things you can do to practice modelling skills such as:

1. Drilling out the gun barrel and muffler
2. Use putty to fill in the motor holes on the bottom of the tank
3. Use styrene to fill the gap above the tracks
4. Use wire for detailing lights
5. Practice fade panelling and weathering techniques as well as pastels and not worry if it gets ruined (not a $30 model!)
6. Practice stripping mold lines
7. Practice painting the figures (5 altogether)
8. Do nothing advanced and it still looks alright as it is very forgiving when building it

Well, that's my two cents worth. I am sure there are others that people will list, but as my intro to this hobby, I am very happy with it and am still using it to work on my techniqe for figures, armor and soon to be, dioramas. Not bad for the money.

GR8Voyager

thanks

Tamiyas KV1B weekend project one color what else could you ask for!! Really an Easy fun build...

Rick

I would reccommend most Tamiya kits, specifically the T-72 or the Leopard 2A5, both were great kits and went together very easily.

Corporal,

For my 2¢ commnet, try any of the newer or littler Tamiya kits. Any of the newer ones like the M-26, T-55 etc. can be built to a nice kit OOTB (Out-Of-The-Box). And, do not forget their smaller kritters such as the Kubelwagen and Styers.

Dave

I mostly agree with the others. Get a newer Tamiya model. The Pz II and KV-1B are older kits (why they cost less) and I wouldn't consider them as "easy" a build as newer ones, as far as fit is concerned (Tamiya was always top of the line, though, so if price is what you mean by easy than go ahead). Probably the easiest build I have had has been Tamiya's Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G. It's very straight forward with no tiny details like you find in the Marder or Wespe with their open tops and the vehicle itself is of a simple design (it doesn't even have a turret). The only problem with it is that meshes are not included for the grilles. These you would either have to purchase photoetched metal parts for (Tamiya makes them and your model store could probably get them in) or cut the right shapes out of a mesh like material and do it yourself (the mesh that Tamiya supplies with their Cromwell kit - another easy build - would work well).

Nic

I agree with the fact that Tamiya have the most easy tanks to build. My first tank was a Tamiya Stug III G. Its simple and the fit gives no problem. You can paint it in a desert scheme that is only one colour (RAL 8020). The tracks are vinyl of one piece each one very simple to mount. When finished it looks great.

I haven't really built any of the newer kits yet and I am sure they fit well, but in defense of the older Tamiya Panzer II, there isn't much of a problem with fit with the exception of a slight gap in the front glacis plate connecting to the hull but that was it. Also in terms of ease, there were relatively few parts and the instructions were straight forward (although my kit was missing english instructions). And, yes, the price was right

Has anyone else who has built this kit felt that the parts did not have a good fit or that it was not easy to build? If so, I can't wait to build the newer ones because I definitely enjoyed building this one and I too will look into some of the ones you all suggested.

GR8Voyager

I've got a 9 yr old and a 13 yr old, both with several years and a multitude of snap and glue kits under their belts. Knowing that our young friend Cartridge is an 11 yr old boy, I think suggesting a $35-50 Tamiya kit like the Leo 2A5 or T-72 is ludicrous.

Some of the later Trumpeter kits like their M1A1/A2 series or the multitude of T-54/55 variants would be a better entry level kit. They tend to run under $20, build fairly easily, have decent detail and also come motorized.

Also some of the lower end Italeri kits like their tried and true M4A1 Allied Standard Tank or the recently re-released M36B1 Jackson would fit the bill but would be trickier builds than the Trumpeter kits.

Older Tamiya kits like the original M41 Walker Bulldog, PzKpfw II Ausf. F/G, PzKpfw III M/N, PzKpfw IV Ausf. D, M113A1, M3 Lee, Sgt. York or the Patton M48A3 are good too, although they are pushing the envelope in price for someone so young.

Walk before you run. Not being able to crank out a $40 kit that looks like the box art may be a deterrent to a budding builder. Most likely there is someone on this board that can donate one of the older Tamiya kits to assist in this endeavor. Most of my "starter kits" were passed on to my son and daughter.

BTW, the PzKpfw IV is a joint venture for the two of them and they already dislike the multitude of little roadwheels of the panzer IV chassis.

What I remember to be very easy to build are:

- the old Tamiya M3/M5 Stuart (they are very small)
- the Italeri M7 Priest (it's quite bigger than the previous)
- don't remember the manufacturers, but once I built a Jagdpanther that was really esay to put together

The first two options are cheap ones too.

Well said Sabot...most people forget that not all of us here are over 18.

I would think a good place to start would be a Tamiya M4A3 kit. Not the new reboxed kits, but the old standard. I know there are a few problems with it, but it was a good build.

Or else DML's M1A2...it is cheap and is also a good kit...and fewer parts than the Trumpeter kit.

Good point Sabot, but he does seem pretty interested. I know I liked to buy the best when I was young and didn't have much skills because the finished product still looked way better (these were in the days when I didn't fill gaps or do anything for weathering). It was still worth it to me. I suppose, though, that if you don't get a big allowance (not that I did, I was very frugal ) you might not want to spend the money on new Tamiya kits, because they are indeed expensive. Maybe after a few cheaper kits though, working on the techniques you learn here, you should treat yourself to one of the really nice ones, cartridge. They can be really fun to build and, I believe, the easiest, strictly speaking. I'd still have to say go with old Tamiya kits, though (the kit# and copyright date can tell you that). You might want to stay away from Dragon kits as they have individual link tracks which you might find a little madening at first.

Nic

I just think, being a parent of five children aging from 17 to 6, that a mom won't buy an 11 year old a kit that costs over $30. Some of the kits recommended cost almost as much as a new scooter, bike or video game.

Having been a kid recently, I think cartridge knows how to twist mommy's arm for that Famo he's been wanting

Nic

Squadron is selling theM-41 Waker Bulldog for $10.50. An easy to build, look great kit. I built mine stock and ws pleased with the results. I think Phoenix is still selling the old Italerie M4a1 for $10 as well.

Well the Tamiya WWII US Jeep Went together Pretty Easily for me and fun to put together I Got mine for about $5 On a Hobby Lobby Half off on plastic model sale. And not many things to paint and colors needed all I needed was my Model Master Dark Green.Black,Leather,Dab of red. Thats all I needed for mine And it looks pretty good But id suggest listening to the other guys #:-) But The reason mine prolly went together so easily because ive been modelling for a long time MY First kit was a Glue one Then started doing warhammer 40k Models. Now Dont Take my advice until someone else suggests my suggestions cause im just the 13 year old on the board So ya might wanna take Suggestions From someone older then me since they probally have more experiance then me and spell better. -Dave Out