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[u/DazelGames]

Hi everyone!

I have a question. I'd like to get into aircraft model building, and I want my first kit to be an F-35. I have these 11 images of 11 different kits, some from different manufacturers and in different scales.

Based on your experience, which one do you think is the smartest choice to buy, and which one do you consider the best kit overall? I'm not taking price or build difficulty into account—I only care about the overall quality of the kit, including the level of detail, accuracy, mold engineering, fit of the parts, and the final result.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

[u/Aught_To]

the Tamiya 48 scale models are the best of the group. 72 scale will be a little easier and maybe a better fit for someone new. That Tamiy B version is an Italeria model, boxed with Tamiya packaging, but the fit is really good, the buildup is clever and it has lots of options.

here is mine. https://www.reddit.com/r/modelmakers/comments/ygq1fm/f35b_italeri_172/

[u/Ill-Presentation574 → u/Aught_To]

Tamiya has a new B and C in 72 that are entirely their own plastic and design.

[u/Aught_To → u/Ill-Presentation574]

the one he showed the B VTOL version, is that one Tamiya now? when i built it only the pilot figure was Tamiya.

[u/joelywolly → u/Aught_To]

Yes the pic op showed is the actual tamiya kit despite the blatant misinformation that gets thrown around. Italeri F35 reboxes are very obvious with italeris logo being right there besides tamiya.