_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Best German Tank For Beginner?
STLDALE
Visit this Community
Missouri, United States
Joined: January 16, 2011
KitMaker: 96 posts
Armorama: 52 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 02:17 AM UTC
I will be starting my first tank, a Tamiya Early Sherman, tomorrow and after that I want to do a German tank in 1/35 an am wondering which would be the best one to do.
I want a 1/35 scale good fitting kit that I can paint in the all gray color scheme.
Thanks.
Removed by original poster on 09/16/17 - 21:30:19 (GMT).
petbat
Visit this Community
Queensland, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2005
KitMaker: 3,353 posts
Armorama: 3,121 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 03:04 AM UTC
Hi Dale

Welcome to the hobby.

It depends on what your preferences are, as to what recommendation to make. If you are a beginner are you concerned with detail, accuracy, the cost, etc?

You chose well with Tamiya the first time around. Whilst older kits and not as detailed, they are generally reasonably priced and have a name for quality and fit.

If you want fewer parts, good fit, and a tank that looks like a tank, try Tamiya's Panzer IV Ausf D. It is a very old mould so, if you want to up the ante a bit, Tamiya's Panzer 3 Ausf N may be a better option. More recent and it does come with an aluminium barrel and a little photo etch if you want to try your hand at that.

Dragon's Panzer 3 Ausf J may also be something to consider.

Dragon has also partnered with Platz to produce the IV D in a "fewer parts, lesser details, lesser (slightly)cost' product too. Their earlier IV kits have a LOT of parts, and can be a bit finicky to build, but again, if you want to stretch yourself, you can try them - any Panzer IV Ausf A, B, C, D or F1 would fit your grey colour bill.

I suggest you look at a few reviews online and use them as a guide

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/tamiya/tam35290.html

Stug option?:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/tamiya/tam35281.htm
GazzaS
#424
Visit this Community
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 03:07 AM UTC
Hi,
Any of the Tamiya Panzers in Gray box art will be nice, easy builds. The older Pz. II, III, and IV all go together nicely.

Really, it's hard to go wrong with Tamiya.
Jupiterblitz
Joined: December 30, 2007
KitMaker: 885 posts
Armorama: 796 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 06:17 AM UTC
German tank in 1:35, Panzergrau, easy to build, well engineered, good details.

I recommend either

Tamiya's early Tiger

or

Dragon's Panzer IV Ausführung D
obg153
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: April 07, 2009
KitMaker: 1,063 posts
Armorama: 1,049 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 06:47 AM UTC
Welcome to the wonderful world of AFV's! You said the Tamiya Sherman would be your first tank build, but is this your first kit build ever? I'll chime in with the others guys and say Tamiya is your best option for starting out. Easy builds, clear instructions, and decent accuracy. I'd avoid any Dragon kit until you've gained experience with armored stuff. Dragon makes fine kits, BUT, they have l-o-t-s of parts(many of which you won't use), and their instructions have a rep for being confusing and sometimes flat-out wrong. You can often find Tamiya kits on e-bay for less than half of what you'd pay for other kits. Post some pics of your Sherman. You'll find lots of folks willing to help on this site.
Scarred
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 11, 2016
KitMaker: 1,792 posts
Armorama: 1,186 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 08:44 AM UTC
I agree with Tamiya but I'd go with the Panther any variant. Tamiya ease of build with fairly decent detail.
alanmac
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 01:07 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I agree with Tamiya but I'd go with the Panther any variant. Tamiya ease of build with fairly decent detail.



The original poster said, quote

"that I can paint in the all gray color scheme."

so that would exclude the Panther as it was produced after the change of colours.
Lakota
#123
Visit this Community
New Mexico, United States
Joined: November 17, 2008
KitMaker: 1,202 posts
Armorama: 635 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 07:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi,
Any of the Tamiya Panzers in Gray box art will be nice, easy builds. The older Pz. II, III, and IV all go together nicely.

Really, it's hard to go wrong with Tamiya.


I would have to agree with Gary. But my question is, "How much of a beginner are your skills?" Tamiya kits sometimes can be a little more price-wise. I would recommend any kit that you can pick up inexpensively on EBay or a swap meet. The important advice we could give you is, "Build it." The best kit is the one you finished. Look at the parts count by researching on the internet, the less parts the more likely you are to finish the kit.
If you built Tamiya's Sherman you are on the right track to enjoying the hobby. Good luck and I hope we hear from you in the future.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"
Scarred
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: March 11, 2016
KitMaker: 1,792 posts
Armorama: 1,186 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 07:32 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I agree with Tamiya but I'd go with the Panther any variant. Tamiya ease of build with fairly decent detail.



The original poster said, quote

"that I can paint in the all gray color scheme."

so that would exclude the Panther as it was produced after the change of colours.



Yeah, I forgot that part.
Byrden
Visit this Community
Wien, Austria
Joined: July 12, 2005
KitMaker: 2,233 posts
Armorama: 2,221 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 07:47 PM UTC

Quoted Text


I recommend either

Tamiya's early Tiger





Tamiya's instructions tell you to paint that kit grey, for one of the decal options.
But I'm pretty sure they are wrong.

David
ericadeane
Visit this Community
Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
Armorama: 3,947 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 10:28 PM UTC
Although technically, panther tanks are out of the question, please do not get the Tamiya Panther ausf A kit. Just simply the worst but popular 1/35 kit extant IMHO.
Hohenstaufen
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 13, 2004
KitMaker: 2,192 posts
Armorama: 1,615 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 16, 2017 - 10:39 PM UTC
A nice safe option would be Dragon's Pz III E/F. It has seperate track links, all the colour options are Panzergrau, it even comes with some figures (kit No 9111, a Cyber hobby Orange Box option). There are quite a few parts due to the tracks,but not too mad and it builds up nicely.
ALBOWIE
Visit this Community
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 04:12 AM UTC
FOr a beginner I would not be doing a DML kit, they are masterpieces with numerous parts, excellent detail etc but their instructions are confusing and construction challenging needing good skills. For the beginner I would go with any of the following Tamiya Kits:
Tigers (Not the 70's release)
King Tiger (Not the 70's release)
Panther G's or D
Jagdpanther (Not the 70's release)
Pz III M/N
Pz II (Not the 70's release)
Stug III
Pz IV J or H (Not the 70's release)
JgdPz IV/70
Pz IV D
Jagdtiger (Not the 70's release)

These will all result in a nice kits and will not frustrate the builder as would most late DML kits
Al
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 05:16 AM UTC
Pzkpfw II Ausf B or C, Pzkpfw III L or N are the only real grey painted Tamiya options unless you want to do the Tiger I fruhe.

If you want to go open topped there is the Marder III or Wespe. The Pzkpfw IV D is ancient going back to 1974 or so. There is a Dragon simplified assembly Pzkpfw IV D kit but I'm not sure which one it is other than the most recent release? It was done as a entry level kit for Girls und Panzer fans who were balking at the standard Dragon smart kit.

The older 1990s era Dragon Pzkpfw III like the Cyberhobby orange box Ausf E/F is a straightforward kit and an easy build but not necessarily for a beginner accustomed to Tamiya.

Honestly, I'd go for the Tamiya Tiger fruhe and go with the grey one, scheme accuracy be damned. Do what you want and have fun but don't bite off more than you can chew. All too easy to get frustrated in this hobby.
Thirian24
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 05:30 AM UTC
If you're not dead set on grey, Taymiya's Pz IV J is a really nice kit. I enjoyed it a lot. There is also a Pz IV H that has the schurzen side armor.
GazzaS
#424
Visit this Community
Queensland, Australia
Joined: April 23, 2015
KitMaker: 4,648 posts
Armorama: 2,248 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 10:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text

If you're not dead set on grey, Taymiya's Pz IV J is a really nice kit. I enjoyed it a lot. There is also a Pz IV H that has the schurzen side armor.



LOL, Dustin! Never throw a man straight into schurzen. I hate those dang things.

Gaz
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 10:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

If you're not dead set on grey, Taymiya's Pz IV J is a really nice kit. I enjoyed it a lot. There is also a Pz IV H that has the schurzen side armor.



LOL, Dustin! Never throw a man straight into schurzen. I hate those dang things.

Gaz


And zimmerit!
petbat
Visit this Community
Queensland, Australia
Joined: August 06, 2005
KitMaker: 3,353 posts
Armorama: 3,121 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 12:45 PM UTC
As you can see you get a lot of opinions here, and most follow the same pattern, often repeated in some way. However the consensus for you is - Tamiya.

Jump in, have fun and be proud of whatever you achieve.
Thirian24
Visit this Community
Oklahoma, United States
Joined: September 30, 2015
KitMaker: 2,493 posts
Armorama: 2,344 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 05:30 PM UTC
Lol, the J schurzen wasn't bad and I didn't add the zimm
stevieneon
Visit this Community
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 24, 2009
KitMaker: 144 posts
Armorama: 143 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 07:17 PM UTC
Yup.....agreed.....Tamiya. Panzer ivd, panzer iif/g or early Tiger in panzer grey.All have excellent fit and are easy builds. And cheap too. Great to practice on.
bill_c
Staff MemberCampaigns Administrator
MODEL SHIPWRIGHTS
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: January 09, 2008
KitMaker: 10,553 posts
Armorama: 8,109 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 - 07:44 PM UTC
Tamiya Pz. III.
TopSmith
Visit this Community
Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 06:06 AM UTC
I agree with Bill. The Pz. III was a fun build.
erichvon
Visit this Community
England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 17, 2006
KitMaker: 1,694 posts
Armorama: 1,584 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 10:58 AM UTC
Dale if you want an easy but decent build of a panzer you can paint grey go for either the Tamiya II, III or IV. Tamiya's kits fit together nicely, their instructions are clear, they're cheap by comparison to a lot of manufacturers and they're easy which as a beginner is what you want. Don't buy something like a Dragon kit despite what some have suggested, as that will cause you problems as a beginner and has the potential to put you off the hobby. They're nice kits in general but the instructions are crap, there are often fit issues and the part count can be quite high. You need something straightforward that's not going to give you a headache. Once you've got used to building and are more confident about your skills maybe then. Tamiya is where most of us started out and I still occasionally build some of their kits as they're enjoyable and with a bit of work can turn out looking great. That's what I'd do anyway. Go for a Tamiya kit as there won't be any problems for you.
Bravo1102
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 11:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

German tank in 1:35, Panzergrau, easy to build, well engineered, good details.

I recommend either

Tamiya's early Tiger

or

Dragon's Panzer IV Ausführung D



The Dragon kit in this post DR6873 is the Dragon/Platz simplified kit. Look at the link. It has all the sprues pictured. If you want a nice simple Pzkpfw IV D in grey This is the kit

A beginner can easily do this kit and it's far superior to the old Tamiya Pzkpfw IV D. Click on the link and it's this specific Drsgon/Platz kit.

Anything else by Dragon is not for the beginner.
 _GOTOTOP