TanksPopular pick
Build the machines that made history
BuildAnArmy helps you find the right military model, whether it is your first Tamiya tank, a brick-built battleship, a die-cast rifle or an RC warbird. Every product is sorted, labeled and explained, so you know exactly what you are getting before you click through to Amazon.
Made by the team behind the Statewide USA military history channel.
35in-depth guides
53k+words of original advice
1,633models sorted and labeled
Start here
More guides →New to model building? These explain the tools, scales and brands so your first kit goes well.
BeginnerHow to Build Your First Plastic Model Kit: Tools, Glue and Paint
Everything a beginner needs to build a plastic military model kit: the six tools that matter, which glue to buy, how to prime and paint, and the…
Read guideBasicsModel Kit Scales Explained: 1/35, 1/48, 1/72, 1/350 and 1/700
What 1/35, 1/48, 1/72, 1/350 and 1/700 mean, how big each model actually ends up, and which scale to choose for tanks, aircraft and…
Read guide
BasicsModel Kit Brands Explained: Tamiya, Revell, Trumpeter, COBI and More
Which model kit brand should you buy? What Tamiya, Revell, Trumpeter, Hobby Boss, Academy, Hasegawa, Italeri, COBI and Goat Guns are known for, and…
Read guide
BasicsModel Kit Glossary: 75 Hobby Terms Explained, A to Z
Plain-English definitions of 75 scale modeling terms, from Ausf. and sprue to photo-etch, Zimmerit, link-and-length tracks, silvering, washes and…
Read guideThe history behind the models
More guides →Famous tanks, aircraft and warships: how the versions differ, how to spot them, and which kit shows which one.
TanksTiger I: History, Production Versions and the Best Model Kits
How to tell an early, mid and late Tiger I apart, which Tamiya, Revell and block set kits show each version, plus the Tiger II, scale choice and…
Read guide
TanksM4 Sherman Variants Explained: Which Kit Is Which
M4, M4A1 or M4A3? 75 mm or 76 mm? Learn to identify Sherman variants, from the Easy Eight and British Firefly to Israeli Super Shermans, and the kit…
Read guide
TanksT-34 vs Panther: Eastern Front Rivals and Their Model Kits
T-34/76 or T-34-85? Panther Ausf. D, A or G? How to identify each version of the Eastern Front rivals, plus the Jagdpanther, and the right kit for…
Read guide
TanksM1 Abrams vs Leopard 1 and 2: Versions Explained and Model Kits
How to tell an M1 from an M1A1, M1A2 or SEP TUSK, and a Leopard 1 from a Leopard 2A4 or 2A6, with the right Tamiya, Revell, block set and RC models…
Read guideAircraftP-51 Mustang: P-51B vs P-51D vs F-51D and the Kits to Build
How to tell a P-51B from a P-51D and a Korean War F-51D, which markings fit each, and which Mustang kits, block sets and RC planes show which…
Read guide
AircraftSpitfire Marks Explained: Mk I, II, V, VIII and IX Model Kits
The Spitfire marks explained: how to spot a Mk I, II, V, VIII and IX, the correct RAF camouflage for each period, and which Spitfire kits depict each…
Read guide
AircraftZero vs Corsair: Pacific Air War Versions and Model Kits
The A6M Zero Model 21, 32, 22 and 52 and the F4U Corsair -1A, -1D and -4 explained: how to spot each, correct paint and markings, and kits for every…
Read guide
AircraftF-14 Tomcat Model Kits: F-14A vs B vs D and the Top Gun Kits
F-14A vs F-14B vs F-14D explained, the Top Gun connection, which Tomcat kits and block sets show which version, and how to choose 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32…
Read guidePainting and techniques
More guides →Step-by-step help with painting, decals and weathering.
TechniquesHow to Paint a Model Tank, Step by Step
The order of work for painting a model tank: primer, base coat, camouflage by brush or airbrush, decals, wash, dry-brushing, chipping, tracks and…
Read guide
TechniquesHow to Apply Model Decals Without Silvering
Make decals look painted on: gloss coat, soaking, Micro Set, Micro Sol and Mark Fit setting solutions, fixing silvering and wrinkles, and sealing the…
Read guide
TechniquesWeathering for Beginners: Washes, Dust, Rust and Mud
Weathering basics: panel line washes, filters, dry-brushing, pigments, rust, mud and exhaust soot, plus how much is right for tanks, aircraft and…
Read guide
TechniquesAirbrush Basics for Model Builders
Airbrush basics for modelers: brush vs spray can vs airbrush, single vs dual action, compressors, thinning, cleaning, safety and your first practice…
Read guideKnow what you are buying
The biggest surprise for new builders is finding out a kit needs glue and paint. Every product here is labeled by type. Not sure which is right for you? Compare all model types.
Glue + paint needed
Plastic model kits
Parts on frames that you cut, glue and paint. The most detailed option. Glue and paint are sold separately. What you need.
Nothing extra
Block sets
Snap-together bricks with printed details. No glue, no paint, great for gifts. Block set guide.
Nothing extra
Die-cast and puzzle kits
Metal or wooden display models that go together with no glue or paint. Die-cast guide.
Ready to run
RC models
Ready-to-run tanks, planes, helicopters and ships. Charge and play. RC tank guide.
Shop by category
See everything →Tanks, aircraft and warships from WWI to today, plus RC models, dioramas and the tools to build them.
Popular right now
Browse best sellers →The models buyers are choosing most, based on recent sales and reviews.
AircraftPopular pick
Revell SR-71 Blackbird
WeaponsPopular pick
Goat Guns M1 Garand "Patton", Die-Cast Build Kit
RC ModelsPopular pick
RCGEAST Foam Fighter Jet
TanksPopular pick
Nifeliz M7 Priest Self-Propelled Gun
AircraftPopular pick
Tamiya F-16CJ Fighting Falcon
WeaponsPopular pick
ROKR AK-47 Rubber-Band Rifle
TanksPopular pick
Nifeliz King Tiger Tank
How we choose
We list real military subjects from trusted brands and leave out spare parts, duplicates and poorly rated listings. "Best sellers" ranks items by recent purchases, review volume and rating, so the models people are actually happy with come first. No brand pays for placement. More about our method.
Watch the history behind the models. Statewide USA covers the tanks, aircraft and ships you can build here.
Visit the channel