Modeling is a hobby that you can begin at any age. It will give you thousands of challenging and satisfying hours as you learn new skills and crafts. But what are the fifteen best model kits for beginners? I decided to find out.
What are some of the best and most interesting model kits for beginners? First, choose a model that corresponds to the level you feel you are at– with level one being the easiest and five the hardest. Pick a model that you have an interest in whether it be in autos, planes, boats, military or others.
There are so many different choices of model kits we will take a look at five different types and find three recommended choices in each category.
Automobiles: Skill Level: 1 and 2
1- Revell/Monogram Ford Police Car Build and Play Skill Level 1 for Beginners Model Kit. Crown Victoria police cars can be found all over the country so this is a popular model. Modern snap kits are very easy to assemble. Designed for ages six and up, this kit features police light bar, rear seat divider, snap construction, (no screws or glue required) and rolling wheels.
2- Revell 1:24 Shelby Mustang GT350H. This skill level 2 Mustang has the GT instrument cluster, dual exhausts, 4-speed transmission and the highly detailed 289 cid. Not a snap together so it requires glue and paint. This kit is perfect for learning the gluing and painting skills needed to progress in your modeling hobby.
3- Revell Model T “Black Widow” Ford Model T pickup hot rod. This is a skill level 2 model kit, which typically indicates there will be no need for extensive cutting or sanding, and painting is optional but you will need to glue it. Before you start it is always a good idea to look through the instruction manual first.
Airplanes: Skill Levels 1 and 2
1- Revell 1:48 Spitfire MKII. This plane is a skill Level 2 that is 1/48 scale with a wingspan of 8- 9/10 inches, length 7-2/5 and has 34 parts. Also features a detailed cockpit area, landing gear, water-slide decals.
Originally a seaplane, the Spitfire won a competition to become the R.A.F.’s number one fighter. It proved to be more than a match for the best that Germany could muster. Its kill ratio was 10 to 1 in the skies over England.
Level 2 Revell SnapTite A-10 Warthog Plastic Model Kit.
Learn to plan and evaluate a project by snapping together the pre-painted pieces and applying authentic decals, no paint or glue required. Includes a display stand. Model scale is 1:72 and is recommended for ages 8 years and up.
Easy snap assembly and multicolored parts – no painting, no glue needed. This kit also includes a desktop display stand.
3- Revell SnapTite F-18 Blue Angels Plastic Model Kit. Easy snap assembly and multicolored parts – no painting, no glue needed. Recommended for ages 8 years and up.
The sleek F-18 fighter is used extensively by the U.S. Navy, but is probably best known for its use by the Blue Angels aerobatics team. Features: Easy snap-together construction, parts molded in color, special decal sheet with one set of authentic markings and a bonus set of custom graphics such as lightning bolts and shark jaws.
Boats and Ships: Skill Levels 1 and 2
1- Revell 1:426 USS Arizona Battleship This ship is a skill level 2 with 133 parts. Finished model is seventeen inches long and three inches wide. It is molded in gray, positionable guns and turrets. Requires paint and glue (not included).
Complete deck fittings, including searchlights, motor launches and whaleboats, rangefinders, ladders, cranes, and tripod masts with observation nests. Finely engraved planking and plate detail.
This model is very detailed and easy to assemble. The instructions are clear, and the paint scheme was easy. It is an excellent reproduction of the Arizona. The turrets of the guns actually turn.
2- Revell SnapTite The Black Diamond Pirate Ship Model Kit: The perfect collector piece for history buffs! This package contains twenty-six plastic pieces, molded in color, peel ‘n stick decals and measures at 11-1/4 inches long. Scale of the ship is 1:350. Skill level: 1. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Have fun while easily snapping this set together in about an hour. Features a 1-piece hull for easier construction. Proudly display your completed ship on the included engraved stand.
3- Revell 1:72 Pt-109 PT Boat: Simple and affordable, the Revell PT Boat is a nice introductory set for a youngster getting into the hobby. The instructions are solid, and it’s a great way for a novice to learn some nautical history and practice the fundamentals of assembling pieces and doing some painting.
There are 83 pieces molded in dark green that includes four torpedo tubes, two twin 50 caliber machine guns, a 20mm cannon and a life raft. Contains clear assembly instructions with a detailed synopsis of President John F. Kennedy’s exciting and dangerous voyage.
Includes a display stand, water-slide decals, four crew figures, and three rudders. Propellers and shafts are also included.
Military
1- Tamiya 35346 1/35 US Medium Tank M4A3E8 Sherman Plastic Model Kit: The “Easy Eight” was a favorite for its smooth ride. It has excellent detail, but the assembly is simplified. The cast effect detail on the turret looks great, plus the welded hull surface is highly accurate. Single pin T66 tracks are highly accurate, and the included commander figure is in a realistic pose.
Clear parts are used to recreate light lens and cupola vision block parts, further upping the realism of this kit.
It is a fast and easy build but the detail is astounding. The texture on the turret and areas of the hull give it an great touch of realism.
This kit is great for a first or second build.
2- MPC World War II Military Jeep Model Kit: The Army’s versatile workhorse-authentically detailed with extra parts. Scale: 1/25Skill Level: 2 (ages 10 and up).
Authentic military and medic markings included. Glue assembly and paint required. Bonus parts for surrey top version. Molded in white and clear with water-release decals.
Build three ways: stock command Jeep, armed with 105 recoilless rifle or 50 cal machine gun! Detailed parts: straight six engine, shells, heavy cleated vinyl tires, detailed chassis and undercarriage, 50 cal. machine gun, 105 recoilless rifle, radio and gas tank.
Early CJ Jeeps were used for lots of different reasons, from farming, plowing, to ditch digging. But no matter how you build it, it will be worth the extra work to make it more accurate.
3- Buffalo Amphibian & Willys Jeep: Military model kit that will need to be assembled and painted. Paint and glue to be bought separately Skill level 2 that fairly easy with 107 parts. Scale : 1:76.
This cleated-tracked landing vehicle was designed for the US Army initially, but then was also used by the British Army in NW Europe. The track design enabled it to travel through water as well as on land. This box also contains the ever reliable, multi purpose Willys Jeep.
Other Types of Models
1- Revell Snaptite Build and Play Star Wars: The Last Jedi Millennium Falcon: The kit includes 19 easy snap together pieces that provides maximum detail and durability. No tools, paint or glue needed for assembly.
This product is packed with features such as light up Hyper drive Motivator and all new battle action sounds ranging from small machine gun fire to a roaring takeoff through hyperspace!
This authentic 85-1668 captures all the detail and nuance of the vehicles as they appear on the silver screen!
2- Revell 85-8883 1/4 Visible V-8 Engine Plastic Model Kit, 12-Inch: This 1/4 Scale Visible V-8 Engine Plastic Assembly Kit from Revell is the winner of the 2008 Parents Choice Award and Silver Honor – 1995 Doing & Learning Toys.
What better way to see how an internal combustion engine works than to be able to see all of the parts move! As you turn the crank, each of the parts move, just like the real thing. The Visible V8 Engine features moving pistons and connecting rods. A hand crank operates the pistons, camshaft rocker arms and valves.
The kit includes a rubber fan belt and vinyl ignition wires. Also included is a display stand and screwdriver for construction. A superb educational tool on the inner workings and construction of a V-8 engine! This is a skill level 3 model, recommended for ages 12 and up.
3- Meccano Erector, Ferrari FXX-K, S.T.E.A.M. With the Erector by Meccano Ferrari FXX-K model building kit, young builders can create their own race car! This model kit includes everything needed for construction, plus stick-on decals for the finishing touches.
Build a sleek replica of Ferrari’s high-performance race car! This building kit gives young builders real tools to piece together durable nuts, bolts and wheels to create their very own Ferrari FXX-K model!S.T.E.A.M. TOY:
As kids assemble with this kit, they’ll apply principles from science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Kids will strengthen their hand-eye coordination, problem-solving and fine motor skills, while using their imagination!
The Erector by Meccano Ferrari FXX-K S.T.E.A.M. This is a skill level two model for ages 10 and up.
Related Questions
Who makes model cars? There are currently around 200 model kit makers in the world. Some of the most well-known are Revell, AMT, MPC, Monogram, Johan, Revell of Germany, Tamiya, Hasagawa, and Moebius.
What are model car scale sizes? The “scale” of a model is its size relative to the size of the “real” version. So compared to a 1:24 scale model, the real version is 24 times larger in size.
Are model car kits fun to build? Building a model kit is one of the most rewarding hobbies – and in our opinion, the best. No other hobby allows you to recreate scale models of real-life (or fictional) items with such detail.
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