Suggestions for a nearly 9 year old please.

[zenrat]

I need help!

What's a good 1/48 aircraft kit for a nearly 9 year old?
He's currently building the Airfix 1/48 Spitfire & /Me 109 starter set with his Dad and i'd like to get him another kit for xmas.
I was thinking a Vietnam era jet this time.  A MiG 21 or a Phantom for example (although it could be any nationality).
I'd like it to be not too complex and without any nasty surprises (bad fit, flash, overly complex construction, poor instructions etc).
I've got high hopes for this one as his dad is a former modeller who is willing to spend time with him showing him the basics.
Any suggestions?

[Old Wombat]

I'd suggest the Tamiya 1/48 F4D Skyray. Mine went together easily & the parts count is probably lower than most piston-engined planes - plus it looks cool.

[NARSES2]

I'd suggest the Tamiya 1/48 F4D Skyray. Mine went together easily & the parts count is probably lower than most piston-engined planes - plus it looks cool.

I've built their 1/72 kit which is a lovely build and I assume one is scaled up/down from the other ? As for looking cool, it certainly is a good looker 

[scooter]

I'll second the Tamiya Ford. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.  I'll have a look for one.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

[Old Wombat]

Head start:

BNA don't have any in stock: https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-tamiya-models-tm-61055-1:48-douglas-f4d-1-skyray?zenid=c0bc02c89e16d19df2075c5909be9a78

HLJ do, but they're in Japan: https://www.hlj.com/1-48-scale-douglas-f4d-1-skyray-tam61055

ModelKitsOnline appear to have them in stock, too, & are in Aus: http://www.modelkitsonline.com.au/pages/main/dataDisplay.php?Key=687&Group=Aircraft

[scooter]

Thanks folks.  I'll have a look for one.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Tomcats are also nice.  I recall building a few around that age.

[zenrat]

Head start:

BNA don't have any in stock: https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-tamiya-models-tm-61055-1:48-douglas-f4d-1-skyray?zenid=c0bc02c89e16d19df2075c5909be9a78

HLJ do, but they're in Japan: https://www.hlj.com/1-48-scale-douglas-f4d-1-skyray-tam61055

ModelKitsOnline appear to have them in stock, too, & are in Aus: http://www.modelkitsonline.com.au/pages/main/dataDisplay.php?Key=687&Group=Aircraft

Thanks mate.

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.  I'll have a look for one.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Tomcats are also nice.  I recall building a few around that age.

They are.  And there are some very nice 48th kits of them too (albeit in the wrong scale).  But are any suitable for a nearly nine year old?

[Old Wombat]

Sorry, mate, only built 2 jets in 1/48 - the Tamiya F4D Skyray & the Kittyhawk F9F-8 Cougar.

The Skyray is definitely younger modeller friendly, the Cougar definitely isn't.

Images of one of the Tamiya F-14 kits built on the BNA site:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-tamiya-models-tm-61118-1:48-grumman-f-14d-tomcat?zenid=51f6ad3d0d0e51941ff249e43873118e

And a HobbyBoss version showing sprues from the same source:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-planes-hobbyboss-models-hb-80367-1:48-f-14b-tomcat?zenid=51f6ad3d0d0e51941ff249e43873118e


(Edit)

PS: I haven't built them but the HobbyBoss A-7 Corsair kits I have (A-7E, TA-7C & A-7K - I had an A-7D but I sold it to Volkodav a year or two ago) look OK & don't have a ridiculously high parts count.

The HobbyBoss F6F-3 Hellcat I built ... year before last? ... went together well, which bodes well for the build-ability of the company's products.

[Andrew Gorman]

When I was almost 9 I was throwing together Lindberg and Hawk kits .  The Lysander and Winnie Mae were favorites of mine then, and are apparently available in Australia:
https://www.frontlinehobbies.com.au/brand/lindberg
When I was more recently attending a lot of 8 to 10 year old's birthday parties, I bought a case of Polar Lights Batplane kits to rope in the youngsters.  It's a fun kit, and cheap on eBay- a few showed up on eBay.au with free shipping. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks for all your input.

After due consideration I have ordered a Tamiya Skyray.  Mainly because Womby assures me it's got a low parts count and a good fit but also because it's such a cool shape.