Introduction
This blog post was originally written back in 2020 and a lot has changed in the model world since then.
First, Revell USA is a shell of its former self having been bought and sold numerous times over the past decade. As well, Model Master is officially a dead product which was often sold side by side to Revell in retail stores.
Secondly, with the supply chain shortages and consumer interest changes both Hobby Lobby and Michaels have significantly changed their product offerings.
With that said, I can NO LONGER recommend Hobby Lobby or Michaels for model kits. Michaels product offerings are essentially non existent and Hobby Lobby seems to have doubled-down on Gundam – which to be fair can be fun but they are not traidional kits. Most of all, keep in mind your mileage may vary but don’t expect to find a lot of good offerings from either store.
So while this post is essentially deprecated, I’ll instead refocus on some really awesome kits that beginners and veteran modelers alike will really enjoy – as well as where to get them. You can find the original post pertaining to Michaels and Hobby Lobby at the end.
Getting Started
One of the most common questions that gets posted in the Modelmakers group on Reddit and the Mediocre Model Group on Facebook is “what model should I buy?”. To answer that question we’re going to look at some affordable and well engineered kits that are fun to build and won’t cause you to sweat about ruining them. Trust me, I understand the concerns of shelling out $100 dollars on a Great Wall Hobby F-15 just glue some parts backwards or completely botch the paint job.
Keep in mind that with so many kits out there for sale it can be a bit of a game of Russian Roulette. Some are older than your grandparents and others go together about as well as melted Legos. You can guess what happens next when a new modeller buys one of these kits and starts to assemble it – They’re met with immediate disaster, frustration, and then they promptly run it over with a lawn mower. I’m certainly not new to the hobby but I’ve “Hulk smashed” my fair share of half built kits.
Each kit below will be linked to it’s respective Scalemates page. Scalemates is the ultimate archive resource for scale modellers so it will be a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with it. It includes reviews, kit production history, albums, guides, and more! Here is a link to my own Scalemates page.
So, in no particular order, here are the top model kits beginners should buy!
5. Tamiya F4U-1D Corsair (1/48) ~$28.00
The Tamiya F4U-1D is the best Corsair kit in the hobby despite being tooled in 1996. It fits very well, the part count is manageable, and has a lovely sea blue scheme. For beginners the darker color can help hide construction defects but those should be minimal with how well the kit goes together. It also goes together fairly quickly and at 1/48 scale it’s the perfect size.
I also highly recommend any of their other Corsairs in the range which you can see on the Scalemates timeline.
You can see my build of the Corsair HERE and you can follow along with the build log HERE!
4. Airfix A-4B Skyhawk (1/72) ~$25.00
The Airfix A-4B Skyhawk is great value kit, which I routinely see sold for sub-$20 dollars, and most of all Skyhawks are always a fun little aircraft. The kit fits reasonably well but has some minor issues. Nothing you can’t overcome, though. It has an assortment of included weapons, the decals are well made and won’t give you fits, and the scheme gives you some opportunities introduce color and challenge your masking skills.
It’s a quick build that won’t leave you disappointed.
I have a detailed review of the kit HERE and you can check out the finished product in my Model Showcase.
3. Tamiya M1A2 Abrams (1/48) ~$30.00
The Tamiya M1A2 Abrams is a great introduction into modern armor. As with all things Tamiya it has a truly excellent fit, respectable part count, and has a simple paint scheme that will allow you throw it together quickly and then beat it up with weathering. Another plus, for beginners, is that the tracks are molded together as a few pieces. Gone is any intimidation of having to glue individual tracks together! At 1/48 it’s a great size to work with and a reasonable price until you choose to move on to 1/35.
You can check out my rendition of this kit in the Model Showcase.
2. Tamiya M4A3E8 Sherman ‘Easy Eight’ (1/48) ~$30.00
The ‘Easy Eight’ Sherman is a fantastic kit. Although, I was reluctant to add it to the list because I think 1/48 & 1/72 WWII armor is a wee bit small. Regardless you can’t deny that quality engineering and it’s one of the most popular subjects of all time in scale modelling.
The kit should go together reasonably, has great details and casting textures, and has mostly molded together tracks. It will require some effort but shouldn’t be too difficult.
1. Bandai Star Wars X-Wing (1/72) ~$30.00
This one stays from the original list, because for Sci-Fi kits it can’t be beat. This time though we’ll go with the OG X-Wing and not the Resistance one. For Star Wars kits it doesn’t get any better than Bandai. Full stop. Their kits essentially snap together, come pre painted (the sprues are colored), and include both decals and stickers. It’s the whole package for a modeller of any skill. Feel free to repaint them though, as that is something most do. The kits are also extremely detailed and include a display stand.
If you love or even hate Star Wars, you need to get at least one Bandai kit. You’ll instantly fall in love.
Original Big Box Store Picks
5. Revell F-22 Raptop (1/72) $24.99
The Revell F-22 is a solid entry to modern jets. It has a great balance of features and detail including open/closed gear bays, open/closed weapon bays, and a host of missiles. It’s also a fairly large kit as people don’t realize just how big the Raptor is. So you almost get 1/48 bang for 1/72 buck.
This is also a kit where the fuselage closes vertically making seam cleanup easier for beginners.
One of the main draw backs is a complex paint scheme, poor fit of the weapon bay doors, and intakes.
4. Revell F-15E Strike Eagle (1/48) $49.99
Not to be confused with the F-15C Oregon ANG that makes the rounds, this F-15E is a solid entry into the 1/48 scale range.
New(ish) tooled in 2000 this kit features a good deal of recessed detail, a host of weapons, and fits together fairly well. Most may have difficulty with the intakes (what is it with Revell and intakes?) but it still builds into a very nice aircraft.
Don’t let the price spook you. Michaels regularly has coupons or deals to get this Eagle well below retail price.
3. Airfix Curtiss Tomahawk Mk.IIB (1/72) $9.99
These new tooled Airfix kits are perfect for beginners. They’re simple, quick, and easy builds.
The Tomahawk is no exception. Is goes together very quickly, has well defined recessed detail, and doesn’t have any troublesome areas.
Detailed this kit is not. Expect out of scale panel lines, sparse cockpit, and simplified parts. Which makes it perfect for beginners.
See for yourself, as this model is posted in the showcase.
2. Bandai Star Wars X-Wing (1/72) $29.99
For Star Wars kits it doesn’t get any better than Bandai. Full stop. Their kits essentially snap together, come pre painted (the sprues are colored), and include both decals and stickers. It’s the whole package for a modeller of any skill. The kits are also extremely detailed and include a display stand.
If you love or even hate Star Wars, you need to get at least one Bandai kit. You’ll instantly fall in love.
1. Airfix P-51K Mustang Mk.IV (1/48) $29.99
1/48 WWII kits are some of the best for beginners. Not a lot of fiddly parts, basic shapes and logical flow of assembly.
While probably not the most accurate kit, this Airfix P-51K is best kit you can buy from Hobby Lobby for beginners. You get fantastic (though probably out of scale) recessed detail, a very nice paint and decal scheme, a good assortment of weapons, and the engineering and fit is very good. Most should not struggle with this and it includes enough parts and sprues to keep you entertained.
With that we have the top model kits a beginner should buy from Hobby Lobby. Some things I’ve noticed is that inventory is constantly changing. For example, I once picked up the newer Academy Super Hornet and Phantom off the shelf but never saw them stocked again.
Things to Consider
With that we have the top model kits for beginners from big box stores Some things I’ve noticed is that inventory is constantly changing, especially at Hobby Lobby. For example, I once picked up the newer Academy Super Hornet and Phantom off the shelf but never saw them stocked again. However, you want to give Michaels a try they have had the same inventory for YEARS. Don’t expect any changes there.
Above all else, one thing to always consider is to stick to newer tooled models. There’s a lot of older kits that aren’t worth building. Some may even have their box refreshed to look newer, like Academy’s F-16A which I would not recommend. Remember, ScaleMates is your friend!
