I’ve built couple of 1/48 Zevda kits and the fit, detail and finish is excellent. Only gripe was the tiny parts, smaller than pin head. Other than that I really enjoyed to building them.
Ok thats the idea I got from watching a couple Zvezda build here on YT - They generally look like really nice kits with great molds/fit, but like you said maybe some high part counts. Anyways, I'm looking forward to it and having something unique on the shelf when its done! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Congratulations and thank you for a channel that has brought so much enjoyment to me this year - best wishes for 2025! Tamiya Hellcat one of the favorite things I’ve built…the Academy Hellcat, not so much lol really looking forward to the B17 series!
@@BrettG64 thanks Brett! Now I need to decide if I want it decked out with stowage or go for a cleaner look. Value gear makes a couple pre molded sets for the m18 and it’s always so tempting 😂 Happy new year!
Thanks for watching and commenting - If you have Instagram, check out the account, builtbywikander. he has a 1/6 scale RC tractor that he films wandering through the forests and mud puddles, its so awesome! 🤣
Lots of interesting subjects coming up,i have built both the Comet and M18 and yes they are great.Sadly they where destroyed when we moved to our new apartment last year.I will start to post my modelling on my rc channel if you are interested to see what i am working on.Have a happy new year and have a great continued week 👍
Yeah I have heard nothing but raving reviews from both of those kits. I bought the Comet like a year ago and was all gung-ho to build it, but I had a Cromwell in my stash that I decided to build first, so I thought like it'd be the same tank back to back. Sorry to hear about your model loss, thats terrible! The only good news is its an excuse to buy 2 new ones! I'll definitely give your channel a follow, I do love me some RC!
Some good choices there; I built the Airfix B-17G several times, using different color schemes, one of which was lifted from the Revell B-17F, and the other I got out of a book. I remember making an efarier version of the Tamiya Hellcat as well. I've seen good things about Zvezda, which, being Russian, seems to specialize in Russian subject matter; if I'm not mistaken, they, along with Tamiya, make a Shturmovik in 1/48 scale.
Thanks for commenting Nick - I've been trying to decide for the better part of a year how I want to paint that B17. I feel like you gave me the right answer though, I have to build a couple! The hobby store I go to has one of the Zvezda Shermans right now and at first glance it looks like a really nice kit. I don't know much about them, but yeah they have a great/unique lineup. Happy New Year, may it be filled with more models 🤣
I sure hope so, I'm really excited about that one. Nothing quite like looking inside the fighting compartment and seeing the tiny tank shells :) Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks Tim, that was a gift from my wife, so I could become more organized and not have my stuff sprawled out all over the table 🤣 Etsy has some great organizational stuff. Happy New Year!
The TAKOM kits are superb value for money, especially compared to the ones from, f.i., Dragon, who's kits have been INSANELY high priced for a long time now, like €90 for a Tiger I kit.... That's almost THREE TAKOM Tiger I kits for one Dragon kit... with the SAME level of detail. I too dread the number of wheels on Tiger, Tiger II, and Panthers 🤣 But modern tanks & IFV's are not that great either, as far as number of wheels go 😉I always have a handful of kits on the bench, which allows me to always work on something while another has paint drying, or some other reason why they are on hold. I currently have 6 kits on the bench: Jagdpanther = 32 wheels M1 Abrams = 32 wheels Bradley = 24 wheels Leopard 1A5 = 32 wheels Leopard 2A6 = 28 wheels (and one 1:48 UH-60 Blackhawk, but luckily that has only two wheels 😁) That is NOT counting the sprocket and idler! While I am writing this comment, I am looking at 148... ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY EIGHT! wheels on my bench.................. 😱😱 The rows of cocktail sticks, with a dab of white-tack and a wheel on them, look insane! And not very inviting to work on, to be entirely honest. So, it is an understatement to say I was not looking forward to sanding and painting them all... 🤣 The sanding part has been done now, and yes, I too got actual cramps in my fingers while sanding the lot 😉 Anyway, great video! Cool subjects! And looking forward your productions in 2025! 👍👍 Happy New Year!!
Holy road wheels!! Reading that made my hand hurt just thinking about it 🤣 You'll have some beautiful models when its all said and done though! I do the same thing, I always have 2-3 kits that I'm working on. I've found that letting things fully cure just results in so many less mishaps down the line. Letting enamel washes or oils fully dry, etc. That way too you can work on what you feel like working on. On the topic of value though, Takom is really hard to beat. Just thinking about the amount of plastic that goes into the box, plus metal gun barrels and some other modern options they give us. The big thing I'd like to see if Takom is a little improvement in their instructions. I think what makes Tamiya instructions so good is the angles they give you. Takom could put a little bit more work into that, but then again, maybe that's what makes them such a bargain. Happy new year and thanks for watching!
@@malemodeler7 Hahaha! Yes, those road wheels are really something 🤣 Same here with letting paint fully cure. I never just do the "dry to touch" thing. Many people absolutely have issues with paint jobs because they don't seem to understand the difference between letting paint dry and letting paint cure. Letting it cure also removes pretty much any need for varnish layers. Cured paint is hard as rock, and will not "re-activate" when using ANY type of paint, including enamel weathering products. The last time I added a coat of clear/varnish between paint / weathering layers was... never! 😉 Agreed! TAKOM is currently my absolute favorite in terms of value for money, and I also fully agree on what you said about their instructions. Those are not very good, unfortunately. They are not a show stopper, but they could certainly do better on those. Having said that, I know about creating manuals/instructions using orthographic CAD projections, and yes, it is a lot of work and not easy. I used to work for a metal manufacturing company that makes large industrial heat exchangers and filtration systems. A lot of those end products had to be shipped to the plants in parts, to be constructed on-site. One of my tasks was making the build instructions for the customer's construction crew. It's a hell of a job to make manuals that are clear and can be easily followed by people that have no intricate knowledge of the parts themselves. The manual maker always has knowledge of how they were manufactured and also know exactly how they must be constructed. It is very hard to convey that knowledge clearly and concisely, to a third party, without automatically assuming too much knowledge and understanding on the customer's side. Build instructions are an art form in their own right. Anyway, thanks again for the video. Very enjoyable 👍
@@_--JohnVK--_ Thats what I figured - in terms of the instructions. With my extremely limited experience with CAD, I can only imagine it's difficult like you're saying. I guess that's why these build videos are important and so helpful on YT :) It's always so nice to see other peoples builds, learn what you can and get their perspective and see what they did to conquer the problems. Long live modeling!
As for Airfix, unfortunately short-shots (that's what they call those incompletely molded parts on the sprue), are a fairly common thing on Airfix kits. Never had a missing part, though. On the upside, Airfix is pretty good in providing replacement parts. So, your replacement should definitely be arriving soon 👍
I knew someone would have a clever name for it :) I had never seen that before in terms of it not completely filling. I have to imagine that I somehow lost the part, but I guess it could've fallen off in the factory before going into the plastic? You're right though, they are great at replacing it and I should have it in like a week which is perfect!
Welcome and thanks for watching Jeff! I just checked out and subbed your channel as well. Lots of good videos from the looks of it in there. Looking forward to sharing in each others builds this year! Thanks for watchin'
Haha I know it’s noob numbers, but my wife already thinks 15 is crazy enough 🤣 I want a closet of like 300 to choose from Thanks for watching and happy new year!
I had a major missing part on an Airfix Spitfire. The fit was problematic too. Instructions not that clear so Airfix are bottom of my manufacturer list. They couldnt replace the missing part either.
I've built a lot of airfix kits, second only to maybe Tamiya and I have had my fair share of moments where I had an issue. The newer stuff not really, but the older kits yes. Did you reach out to spares@airfix.com? They're usually pretty good about replacing parts, unless the kit has been discontinued and then they can't of course :( If you ever give them a shot again, I'd suggest some of their newer stuff if what you had been building were older molds. Anyways, thanks for watching and commenting! I have a soft spot for airfix, as maybe my first 10-15 kits I ever built were all airfix.
@malemodeler7 a friend of mine scratch built the missing eirleron for me, rivets included. Otherwise there would be a chunk missing on one wing. Airfix weren't any help too btw, that's why the whole experience has tarnished them for me. I've recently discovered other brands for the first time on the internet and have even bought models by them. The only other company I was aware of prior to that was the excellent Tamiya from over 30 years ago.
@@antonyeastham4564 Thats a good friend to have right there, impressive! Sorry to hear about your experience with airfix. Like I said, I've had problems with them as well, but never with Tamiya! Only problem I ever had with Tamiya, they rectified and sent me a brand new windshield. It was my fault too - I put a fat thumb print on the windshield with some extra thin glue and they sent me the entire clear part sprue for free.
You come across like you haven't just started in the hobby, so I'm surprised that you include kits from Tamiya. In my opinion, they are kits that individuals with little experience would start with as they aren't that detailed, and the fit of pieces don't line up.
I've never built a Zvezda kit before, I'm just obsessed with the look of the artillery tractor. Have you had bad experiences with them? We don't have access to them where I live. I've only ever seen 1 in store before, so I have nothing to base it off. based on what I saw, there aren't really any other options to get that exact vehicle, but the sprues and everything look very nice! Happy new year and thanks for watching & commenting!
@@malemodeler7 It's a russian company and not wanting to support anything russian they are not available . I will not buy anything from them. Nice list otherwise .
@@kcox3090 i hope so for your sake! Thatd be a beauty of a kit I'm sure. Makes me think i need to add a helicopter to my stash. Thanks for the view and comment, happy new year!
I’ve built couple of 1/48 Zevda kits and the fit, detail and finish is excellent. Only gripe was the tiny parts, smaller than pin head. Other than that I really enjoyed to building them.
Ok thats the idea I got from watching a couple Zvezda build here on YT - They generally look like really nice kits with great molds/fit, but like you said maybe some high part counts.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to it and having something unique on the shelf when its done!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Can’t wait to see your build videos for these!!
I hope I don't disappoint! Thanks for the view and comment, I guess I'll see you on the next build!
@ I’ll be there!!
Congratulations and thank you for a channel that has brought so much enjoyment to me this year - best wishes for 2025! Tamiya Hellcat one of the favorite things I’ve built…the Academy Hellcat, not so much lol really looking forward to the B17 series!
@@SchmidtJim thanks Jim, glad you enjoyed the videos and hope I can do the same for you in 2025. Happy new year!
Great lineup of kits, amigo. Really looking forward to the M-18.And Happy New Year!
@@BrettG64 thanks Brett! Now I need to decide if I want it decked out with stowage or go for a cleaner look. Value gear makes a couple pre molded sets for the m18 and it’s always so tempting 😂
Happy new year!
I agree 100% with building the STZ-5! I have it in one of the on line model companies cart ready to buy!
Thanks for watching and commenting - If you have Instagram, check out the account, builtbywikander. he has a 1/6 scale RC tractor that he films wandering through the forests and mud puddles, its so awesome! 🤣
You've chosen a great lineup. I'm looking forward to seeing how they turn out. Happy Modeling ~ Cory
Thanks Cory, can't wait to get these and many others built in 2025 - Thanks for watchin'! Happy New Year!
Excellent choices. Enjoy your builds.👍
Thanks Michael, appreciate the comment and view, Happy New Year!
Lots of interesting subjects coming up,i have built both the Comet and M18 and yes they are great.Sadly they where destroyed when we moved to our new apartment last year.I will start to post my modelling on my rc channel if you are interested to see what i am working on.Have a happy new year and have a great continued week 👍
Yeah I have heard nothing but raving reviews from both of those kits. I bought the Comet like a year ago and was all gung-ho to build it, but I had a Cromwell in my stash that I decided to build first, so I thought like it'd be the same tank back to back.
Sorry to hear about your model loss, thats terrible! The only good news is its an excuse to buy 2 new ones!
I'll definitely give your channel a follow, I do love me some RC!
Thanks,much appreciated!🙂@@malemodeler7
Some good choices there; I built the Airfix B-17G several times, using different color schemes, one of which was lifted from the Revell B-17F, and the other I got out of a book. I remember making an efarier version of the Tamiya Hellcat as well. I've seen good things about Zvezda, which, being Russian, seems to specialize in Russian subject matter; if I'm not mistaken, they, along with Tamiya, make a Shturmovik in 1/48 scale.
Thanks for commenting Nick - I've been trying to decide for the better part of a year how I want to paint that B17. I feel like you gave me the right answer though, I have to build a couple!
The hobby store I go to has one of the Zvezda Shermans right now and at first glance it looks like a really nice kit. I don't know much about them, but yeah they have a great/unique lineup.
Happy New Year, may it be filled with more models 🤣
That Hellcat is going to be pretty awesome to build.
I sure hope so, I'm really excited about that one. Nothing quite like looking inside the fighting compartment and seeing the tiny tank shells :)
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you for getting back to me, and happy New Year to you as well. I'm glad I gave you an idea for the B-17. What hobby shop are you talking about?
Centerline Hobbies - it's on Cape Cod if you know the area in New England. Great shop with a great model selection and a great staff!
When I see the video of your workbench? It inspires. Thanks 👍
Thanks Tim, that was a gift from my wife, so I could become more organized and not have my stuff sprawled out all over the table 🤣
Etsy has some great organizational stuff. Happy New Year!
The TAKOM kits are superb value for money, especially compared to the ones from, f.i., Dragon, who's kits have been INSANELY high priced for a long time now, like €90 for a Tiger I kit.... That's almost THREE TAKOM Tiger I kits for one Dragon kit... with the SAME level of detail.
I too dread the number of wheels on Tiger, Tiger II, and Panthers 🤣 But modern tanks & IFV's are not that great either, as far as number of wheels go 😉I always have a handful of kits on the bench, which allows me to always work on something while another has paint drying, or some other reason why they are on hold.
I currently have 6 kits on the bench:
Jagdpanther = 32 wheels
M1 Abrams = 32 wheels
Bradley = 24 wheels
Leopard 1A5 = 32 wheels
Leopard 2A6 = 28 wheels
(and one 1:48 UH-60 Blackhawk, but luckily that has only two wheels 😁)
That is NOT counting the sprocket and idler!
While I am writing this comment, I am looking at 148... ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY EIGHT! wheels on my bench.................. 😱😱
The rows of cocktail sticks, with a dab of white-tack and a wheel on them, look insane! And not very inviting to work on, to be entirely honest.
So, it is an understatement to say I was not looking forward to sanding and painting them all... 🤣
The sanding part has been done now, and yes, I too got actual cramps in my fingers while sanding the lot 😉
Anyway, great video! Cool subjects! And looking forward your productions in 2025! 👍👍
Happy New Year!!
Holy road wheels!! Reading that made my hand hurt just thinking about it 🤣 You'll have some beautiful models when its all said and done though!
I do the same thing, I always have 2-3 kits that I'm working on. I've found that letting things fully cure just results in so many less mishaps down the line. Letting enamel washes or oils fully dry, etc. That way too you can work on what you feel like working on.
On the topic of value though, Takom is really hard to beat. Just thinking about the amount of plastic that goes into the box, plus metal gun barrels and some other modern options they give us. The big thing I'd like to see if Takom is a little improvement in their instructions. I think what makes Tamiya instructions so good is the angles they give you. Takom could put a little bit more work into that, but then again, maybe that's what makes them such a bargain.
Happy new year and thanks for watching!
@@malemodeler7 Hahaha! Yes, those road wheels are really something 🤣
Same here with letting paint fully cure. I never just do the "dry to touch" thing. Many people absolutely have issues with paint jobs because they don't seem to understand the difference between letting paint dry and letting paint cure.
Letting it cure also removes pretty much any need for varnish layers. Cured paint is hard as rock, and will not "re-activate" when using ANY type of paint, including enamel weathering products. The last time I added a coat of clear/varnish between paint / weathering layers was... never! 😉
Agreed! TAKOM is currently my absolute favorite in terms of value for money, and I also fully agree on what you said about their instructions. Those are not very good, unfortunately. They are not a show stopper, but they could certainly do better on those.
Having said that, I know about creating manuals/instructions using orthographic CAD projections, and yes, it is a lot of work and not easy.
I used to work for a metal manufacturing company that makes large industrial heat exchangers and filtration systems. A lot of those end products had to be shipped to the plants in parts, to be constructed on-site. One of my tasks was making the build instructions for the customer's construction crew. It's a hell of a job to make manuals that are clear and can be easily followed by people that have no intricate knowledge of the parts themselves. The manual maker always has knowledge of how they were manufactured and also know exactly how they must be constructed. It is very hard to convey that knowledge clearly and concisely, to a third party, without automatically assuming too much knowledge and understanding on the customer's side.
Build instructions are an art form in their own right.
Anyway, thanks again for the video. Very enjoyable 👍
@@_--JohnVK--_ Thats what I figured - in terms of the instructions. With my extremely limited experience with CAD, I can only imagine it's difficult like you're saying.
I guess that's why these build videos are important and so helpful on YT :) It's always so nice to see other peoples builds, learn what you can and get their perspective and see what they did to conquer the problems.
Long live modeling!
As for Airfix, unfortunately short-shots (that's what they call those incompletely molded parts on the sprue), are a fairly common thing on Airfix kits. Never had a missing part, though. On the upside, Airfix is pretty good in providing replacement parts. So, your replacement should definitely be arriving soon 👍
I knew someone would have a clever name for it :) I had never seen that before in terms of it not completely filling. I have to imagine that I somehow lost the part, but I guess it could've fallen off in the factory before going into the plastic?
You're right though, they are great at replacing it and I should have it in like a week which is perfect!
Just found your channel and subbed I’ll be checking your videos out nice top 5 kits
Welcome and thanks for watching Jeff! I just checked out and subbed your channel as well. Lots of good videos from the looks of it in there. Looking forward to sharing in each others builds this year! Thanks for watchin'
15 in your stash. Oh you sweet summer child.
Haha I know it’s noob numbers, but my wife already thinks 15 is crazy enough 🤣 I want a closet of like 300 to choose from
Thanks for watching and happy new year!
I had a major missing part on an Airfix Spitfire. The fit was problematic too. Instructions not that clear so Airfix are bottom of my manufacturer list. They couldnt replace the missing part either.
I've built a lot of airfix kits, second only to maybe Tamiya and I have had my fair share of moments where I had an issue. The newer stuff not really, but the older kits yes. Did you reach out to spares@airfix.com? They're usually pretty good about replacing parts, unless the kit has been discontinued and then they can't of course :(
If you ever give them a shot again, I'd suggest some of their newer stuff if what you had been building were older molds. Anyways, thanks for watching and commenting!
I have a soft spot for airfix, as maybe my first 10-15 kits I ever built were all airfix.
@malemodeler7 a friend of mine scratch built the missing eirleron for me, rivets included. Otherwise there would be a chunk missing on one wing. Airfix weren't any help too btw, that's why the whole experience has tarnished them for me. I've recently discovered other brands for the first time on the internet and have even bought models by them. The only other company I was aware of prior to that was the excellent Tamiya from over 30 years ago.
@@antonyeastham4564 Thats a good friend to have right there, impressive! Sorry to hear about your experience with airfix. Like I said, I've had problems with them as well, but never with Tamiya! Only problem I ever had with Tamiya, they rectified and sent me a brand new windshield.
It was my fault too - I put a fat thumb print on the windshield with some extra thin glue and they sent me the entire clear part sprue for free.
3:48 damn……
Thanks for watching Tony! Happy New Year and I guess I'll see you on the Comet build!
You come across like you haven't just started in the hobby, so I'm surprised that you include kits from Tamiya. In my opinion, they are kits that individuals with little experience would start with as they aren't that detailed, and the fit of pieces don't line up.
No way, you used the Yakuza font in the thumbnail.
@@guypowerstrength5837 do I have to specify that male modeler is not in the yakuza 😂😂 happy new year! Thanks for watching!
When I saw Zvezda in top stopped watching
I've never built a Zvezda kit before, I'm just obsessed with the look of the artillery tractor. Have you had bad experiences with them?
We don't have access to them where I live. I've only ever seen 1 in store before, so I have nothing to base it off. based on what I saw, there aren't really any other options to get that exact vehicle, but the sprues and everything look very nice!
Happy new year and thanks for watching & commenting!
@@malemodeler7 It's a russian company and not wanting to support anything russian they are not available . I will not buy anything from them. Nice list otherwise .
@@malemodeler7 No, he's just being a stupid nationalist who can't keep geopolitics out of modelling.
A Mi-28 is the one model I am hanging on to appear.
Let's hope it will be soon.
Cheers/ :-)
@@kcox3090 i hope so for your sake! Thatd be a beauty of a kit I'm sure. Makes me think i need to add a helicopter to my stash. Thanks for the view and comment, happy new year!