Home › Guides › Model Kit Brands Explained
Model Kit Brands Explained: Tamiya, Revell, Trumpeter, COBI and More
BuildAnArmy is reader-supported. When you buy through our Amazon links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Brand matters a lot in scale modeling. Two kits of the same tank can be completely different experiences: one falls together in an evening, the other fights you at every step. Here is a quick guide to the brands you will see most often in our catalog and what each is known for.
Tamiya (Japan)
Tamiya has a reputation for excellent fit and clear instructions, which makes it the brand most often recommended to beginners. Its 1/35 Military Miniature series is one of the largest ranges of tanks and figures, and its 1/48 aircraft are widely regarded as some of the easiest builds available. Tamiya also makes paints, cements and tools.
Tamiya Tiger I Early Production
Tamiya F-16CJ Fighting Falcon
Tamiya Battleship Bismarck
Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, 40 ml
Revell (Germany and USA)
Revell has a huge catalog covering aircraft, ships, tanks and cars, from simple snap kits to large, detailed models. Quality depends on the kit's age: some are decades-old toolings, while modern Revell kits can be excellent. Revell is particularly strong in large aircraft and German subjects.
Revell Stuka Ju 87G-1 Tank Buster
Revell SR-71 Blackbird
Revell Avro Lancaster Mk.I/III
Revell U-Boat Type VIIC/41, Premium Edition
Trumpeter and Hobby Boss (China)
Sister companies with enormous ranges, including many subjects nobody else makes: obscure ships, Soviet armor, modern vehicles and big-scale aircraft. Detail is usually high and part counts can be large. They suit builders with a few kits behind them.
Trumpeter USS Texas Battleship
Trumpeter USS Lexington CV-2 Aircraft Carrier, 1942
Academy, Hasegawa and Italeri
Academy (South Korea) offers good-value aircraft, armor and ships with reliable fit. Hasegawa (Japan) is known for fine aircraft and Japanese warships. Italeri (Italy) has a broad range of military vehicles, aircraft and some unusual subjects like landing craft.
Academy USS Enterprise CV-6, Battle of Midway
Academy USS Indianapolis CA-35 Heavy Cruiser
Hasegawa IJN Aircraft Carrier Akagi
Italeri LCVP with U.S. Infantry, D-Day
COBI and brick brands
COBI focuses on historically accurate brick-built military sets with printed parts. Other brick brands such as Nifeliz, Reobrix and MISINI make larger, often cheaper sets. Read our block set guide for the details.
Goat Guns and die-cast weapon kits
Goat Guns makes miniature die-cast metal firearm models, usually around 1/3 or 1/4 scale. They screw and snap together in under an hour, have moving parts like bolts and magazines, and cannot fire anything. They are popular desk pieces and gifts.
Goat Guns M1 Garand "Patton", Die-Cast Build Kit
Goat Guns Sniper Rifle, Black, Die-Cast Build Kit
Goat Guns SVD Dragunov, Die-Cast Build Kit
Goat Guns FN SCAR, Die-Cast Build Kit
RC brands
For RC tanks, the Heng Long platform is the backbone of hobby-grade 1/16 tanks and is sold under several store brands. Supdex and similar brands make popular toy-grade tanks. For aircraft, E-flite and Rage R/C are established hobby brands, while Volantex, LEAMBE and others make beginner-friendly foam warbirds. See our RC tank and RC warbird guides.
Quick summary
| Brand | Best for | Skill level |
|---|---|---|
| Tamiya | First kits, tanks, 1/48 aircraft | Beginner to expert |
| Revell | Big catalog, large aircraft, German subjects | Beginner to intermediate |
| Trumpeter / Hobby Boss | Rare subjects, ships, Soviet armor | Intermediate |
| Academy | Good value aircraft and ships | Beginner to intermediate |
| Hasegawa | Aircraft, Japanese ships | Intermediate |
| COBI | Accurate brick-built sets | All ages |
| Goat Guns | Die-cast weapon miniatures | Anyone, no tools |
You can filter every page by brand. Open any category and use the Brand filter on the left.
Old tooling vs new tooling
A kit's box art and release date do not always tell you how old the molds are. Many brands re-release kits that were first tooled decades ago. Older toolings can have raised panel lines, simpler cockpits and fit problems; newer ones have recessed panel lines, finer detail and better engineering. Reading recent buyer reviews is the quickest way to tell, which is one reason our best-seller ranking weighs review volume and ratings.
Paint and tool brands
For paints, Vallejo (Spain) and Tamiya are the most common choices in military modeling, and both make sets matched to WWII colors. AK Interactive and Ammo by Mig specialize in weathering. For tools, Tamiya cutters and tweezers have a strong reputation, and X-ACTO knives are a standard. Browse them on our Tools & Paint page.
Vallejo WWII German Infantry Paint Set
Tamiya Sharp Pointed Side Cutter
X-ACTO #1 Precision Hobby Knife
Tamiya Weathering Master Set B: Snow, Soot, Rust
Go deeper:
Quick answers
Which model kit brand is best for beginners?
Tamiya is the most common recommendation thanks to its fit and instructions. Academy and modern Revell kits are also good choices.
Are cheaper brands worth it?
Often, yes, especially for subjects the big brands do not make. Read recent reviews to check fit and missing parts.
Do all brands need the same glue and paint?
Yes. Polystyrene kits from every brand use plastic cement, and any hobby acrylic or enamel paint will work on them.
Keep reading
BasicsModel 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 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 guide
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 guide