peterairfix
SMF Supporter
1/32 Aircraft recommendations
- Thread starter peterairfix
- Start date
Wow, that’s a big question.
I have built well over 70 1/32 aircraft over the last 12 years or so.
What is right for you very much depends on what you want.
The 1/32 Tamiya Tomcat is an old kit that is not up to their later kits. I have not built it myself, choosing instead, the Trumpeter F14. Being Tamiya you should still find it a fun build.
As for other Tamiya 1/32 kits:
modern jets first;
The F15 is a good kit, again an old one but newer and better than the F14. With this be careful of a ridge on the top wing/fuselage join. Perhaps join the top wing to the fuselage before adding the lower wing.
The F4 is a good but old kick, again not one I have built.
The F16 is the best of a Tamiya’s 1/32 jets and has all the great fit and engineering we have come to expect from Tamiya.
Then we have their 1/32 scale WW2 warbirds. These are simply some of the best aircraft kits produced by any company in any scale. Tamiya have so far produced the following:
Mitsubishi Zero (two versions)
Supermarine Spitfire (three versions, Mk VIII, Mk IX and Mk XVI)
P51Mustang (three versions, a D, a D/K and a F51 Korean War bird)
Corsair (three versions including a birdcage and later versions)
Mosquito (one version, a fighter/bomber and an amazing kit)
Other brands to look out for:
Zoukei Mura - these are outstanding kits, though their later ones are better than the early ones. They have a unique engineering style that helps you understand how the original aircraft were constructed and the instructions are simply the best you can get. They have superb detail, right down to their ‘signature’ moulding in the pistons to the engine blocks, yes each in the correct position. A bit of a show-offy gimmick perhaps. I tend to build my models ‘closed up’ apart from canopies that I mostly prefer to be open to display detail but these offer all the internal structure and detail so you can have open panels. I do love these and have built several.
Kotare are worth a mention. They have just started releasing models starting with an outstanding Spitfire Mr1. These are the old Wingnut Wings team.
Hong King Models have produced some good kits in 1/32, notably a B17 G and F, a Lancaster as a Mk I/III, Grand Slam or Dambuster version, a B25, do335, A20 Havoc (Boston version about to come).
ICM, Italari, Trumpeter and Hobbyboss all produce interesting kits, many of them excellent.
Revell also produce in 1/32. I am not a big fan of theirs, even their newer ones. But they have produced a new Hurricane that’s pretty good and their AR196 is very good as well.
There are others who produce in 1/32 but the above are the most notable.
A few pics of some of my 1/32s.
Zoukei Mura Raiden and Ta152
Trumpeter P47, Avenger, Dauntless, and Swordfish
ICM Gladiator and I-16
Tamiya F16, Mosquito, Corsair, Mustang, Zero and Spitfire the Corsair is a conversion to an FAA clipped wing bird.
Hobbyboss Sturmovik
A few of my favourites Peter. Enjoy manscale.
I have built well over 70 1/32 aircraft over the last 12 years or so.
What is right for you very much depends on what you want.
The 1/32 Tamiya Tomcat is an old kit that is not up to their later kits. I have not built it myself, choosing instead, the Trumpeter F14. Being Tamiya you should still find it a fun build.
As for other Tamiya 1/32 kits:
modern jets first;
The F15 is a good kit, again an old one but newer and better than the F14. With this be careful of a ridge on the top wing/fuselage join. Perhaps join the top wing to the fuselage before adding the lower wing.
The F4 is a good but old kick, again not one I have built.
The F16 is the best of a Tamiya’s 1/32 jets and has all the great fit and engineering we have come to expect from Tamiya.
Then we have their 1/32 scale WW2 warbirds. These are simply some of the best aircraft kits produced by any company in any scale. Tamiya have so far produced the following:
Mitsubishi Zero (two versions)
Supermarine Spitfire (three versions, Mk VIII, Mk IX and Mk XVI)
P51Mustang (three versions, a D, a D/K and a F51 Korean War bird)
Corsair (three versions including a birdcage and later versions)
Mosquito (one version, a fighter/bomber and an amazing kit)
Other brands to look out for:
Zoukei Mura - these are outstanding kits, though their later ones are better than the early ones. They have a unique engineering style that helps you understand how the original aircraft were constructed and the instructions are simply the best you can get. They have superb detail, right down to their ‘signature’ moulding in the pistons to the engine blocks, yes each in the correct position. A bit of a show-offy gimmick perhaps. I tend to build my models ‘closed up’ apart from canopies that I mostly prefer to be open to display detail but these offer all the internal structure and detail so you can have open panels. I do love these and have built several.
Kotare are worth a mention. They have just started releasing models starting with an outstanding Spitfire Mr1. These are the old Wingnut Wings team.
Hong King Models have produced some good kits in 1/32, notably a B17 G and F, a Lancaster as a Mk I/III, Grand Slam or Dambuster version, a B25, do335, A20 Havoc (Boston version about to come).
ICM, Italari, Trumpeter and Hobbyboss all produce interesting kits, many of them excellent.
Revell also produce in 1/32. I am not a big fan of theirs, even their newer ones. But they have produced a new Hurricane that’s pretty good and their AR196 is very good as well.
There are others who produce in 1/32 but the above are the most notable.
A few pics of some of my 1/32s.
Zoukei Mura Raiden and Ta152
Trumpeter P47, Avenger, Dauntless, and Swordfish
ICM Gladiator and I-16
Tamiya F16, Mosquito, Corsair, Mustang, Zero and Spitfire the Corsair is a conversion to an FAA clipped wing bird.
Hobbyboss Sturmovik
A few of my favourites Peter. Enjoy manscale.
Barry, did you forget the Ta-152 pic?
Pete
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
Crikey thanks for your input I an currently drawn to trumpeter ee lighting and p38 but I will see how I get on with tomcat
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
Had that one so I no how dire it is
It is there Pete, second one down.
The EE Lightening has some poor reviews, do Google them. Shape issues included. The P38 is a nice kit, look at my build.
boatman
SMF Supporter
WELL Peter while im waiting to get tiger back to the pond in 6 months i have an was goin to build my super tomcat in 1/32 scale but if you are goin to do one then i'll stand back an let you do yours as i can then see the pitfalls an learn from you on how to build mine but it would be nice to see you do the e/e lightnig as ive always loverd that plane as its been a good part of my younger life
atb
chrisb
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
I just needed to look at one review and that's saved me a lot of money one to avoid me thinks
Oh yes, sorry.
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
Not for me but thanks
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
Now I've done it I have just ordered a hk models 1/32 Lancaster
boatman
SMF Supporter
WOW Peter whats that the lanc with full interioa ? costin 600 quid ?
an will you be goin to finish that big enterprise ? as i would love to see that finished fantastic model that is
chrisb
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
I don't think it's the full interior as it's only cost £300 and as for the enterprise watch this space
boatman
SMF Supporter
AN Peter what was the review like about the big 1/32 E/E LIGHTNING as i would love to build one in that scale an a mk 6 as ive built the 1/48th E/E LIGHTNING an that turned out very good but was not a mk 6
chrisb
OK Peter im watchin this space waiting an could you tell me about that lightining ?
chrisb
It’s not the HKM that’s £600,‘that’s the Border Models Lanc (which will be my next build). The HKM 1/32 Lanc is ‘only’ about £350.
peterairfix
SMF Supporter
I only looked at one review but it put me off lots of fit issues l think the builder had to scratch build a lot of missing small intakes the air intake was way off lots of other things this is the one I looked at
boatman
SMF Supporter
