Your top ten kits to buy for the novice modeller?

[McColm]

Thanks for your suggestions.

[bluedonkey99]

I think  key points are engagement, entertainment & educattion,

I started in the 70s as a boy with Matchbox & Airfix (some painted, most not - built and decalted au naturale) mostly building things that interested my, therefore planes and tanks mainly. Some sci-fi,ships, even figures like the "black prince" etc. I never got into cars or trucks, although some friends that was all they modelled. REvell/monogram along the way.

I even recall a diecast kit, did Corgi or Dinky do some king of self assembly & paint 1/72 tornado in the late 70s? (probably worth a fortune now is still sealed in mint packaging?

I dont know if my exposure to Japnese kits was due to lack of availability or cost? (obv back then i wasnt paying).

I recall subjects that were cool and/or could be identified with were order of teh day, ranging from the classic Airfix DR1 Triplance, Spitfires,Bf-109/262s etc.

I think for initial kits that you can discount the fact that Kit A or Kit B isnt technicall correct in this aspect or that, its about developing interest and skills - not breeding JMNs form day one on the basis that x or y cant be builts as its wrong for this or that reason?

The person you are seeking to bring into the modelling fold?  What are their interests in life? For those areas that you have knowledge or exposure to choose wisely. For areas of interest or subject matters that you are less at home with use the resources available on forums such as this, or on the basis there will be a kit review of some description out there somewhere on the web then seek them out.

Like wine or food, your not going to get a youngster to appreciate some of the finer, exotic or rewarding dining options without their pallette being developed and matured over time by suggestion and experimentation.

however, if the basis is to stimulate a lively debate (and, nothing wrong with that) then job done.... this one seems to be developing quite nicely.

cheers
BD99

[McColm]

Thanks for that oh mighty one.

[grayman]

Might I suggest that for armour kits, the older Tamiya kits be considered? Their T-34 and Leopard 1 kits are very straightforward, build up quickly and are widely available. For the big kids amongst us, they are even cooler when the electric motor is included in the box 

For aircraft and small-armour, I agree that Airfix, Revell (nice memories of the 1/72 Sopwith Triplane, Macchi Saetta and Curtis P-36), Matchbox (especially the Seafox, Spitfire IX and Tempest/Fury) and Hobbyboss (aircraft) represent good value. Some of the old Monogram (P-51B) and Testors kits (P-47) are simple, enjoyable and cheap.

At the really small end, the older Crown ship and aircraft kits have a big fun coefficient. Haven't seen these in years though

[McColm]

Are there any car/truck kits you can reconmend?

[tigercat]

Introduction to Biplanes
I'd say the Revell/Matchbox Swordfish

[Hobbes]

Are there any car/truck kits you can reconmend?

Cars: there are some snap-tite kits available. Revell and Airfix (maybe others too) have car kits that are fairly easy, see the skill level as marked on the box. I've done a Mercedes S-class that was just a floor pan and a body. Maybe 25 parts in all.

Trucks: 1/24 trucks are large and complicated. Recent Italeri offerings are a bit simpler, with a one-piece chassis. Still, expect a large number of parts. The next smaller scale is 1/72, with lots of fiddly small parts, so that's not ideal either. 1/87 may be a better bet.

[Weaver]

For small wheeled armour, the Italeri Alto Zero range are good because they offer the option of fully detailed suspension for modelling purposes or simplified tough suspension for wargaming. Get something like a Puma and you can see what's involved in the full suspension but if you don't feel up to it, you can put the simple stuff on instead and still have a nice model (and the start of a spares box too....)

Likewise, the HaT Armourfast range are good value (two tanks in a box) and very simple with one-piece tracks etc.., but they are nicely detailed and paint up well.

[Jacques Deguerre]

Are there any car/truck kits you can reconmend?

Obviously not 10 of them but among my personal favorites would be the Revell/Monogram 1/24 scale '37 Ford Tudor sedan and any of the 1/25 '32 Ford kits the same company has done based on their mid- '90s tooling. For the '32, my favorite versions are the Tudor sedan and the 3-window coupe.

[Jacques Deguerre]

I'm treadhead so let's see if I can name ten kits.

1- Monogram 1/32 scale M4 Sherman "Hedge Hog" and....
2- Monogram 1/32 scale M4A1 Sherman "Screaming Mimi".
(Both kits are fairly easy to build, robust and not too "fiddly" except for that damn seam across the transmission housing.)

3- Tamiya 1/35 scale Centurion Mk. III
4- Tamiya 1/35 scale Leopard 1
5- Tamiya 1/35 scale M48A3
6- Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 75 mm gun Sherman
(I would give a slight edge to the current production version of this kit but the original tooling is almost as good and often quite a bit cheaper.)

Ooops! I just realized I need to get ready and head out the door but I'll try to think of my remaining four and post them up later. Sorry for those who find this list too "American-centric" but I'm simply trying to pick from amongst dozens of good but not too complex kits. More later...!