Top 15 Prefabricated Model Manufacturers

The best manufacturers of prefabricated tank models

The assembly of military equipment is almost the most popular trend in modeling. Many manufacturers produce dozens of kits for creating German, Soviet and other popular tanks, artillery, howitzers, etc. In this section, there are manufacturers producing the most popular, affordable and high-quality models, among which every modeler will find something interesting for himself.

4 meng model

The rating of the best prefabricated model manufacturers is opened by the relatively young company Meng Model, established in 2011. The Chinese manufacturer originally specialized in pigments and paints for modellers. And only then he began to expand the range of models of his own production. This is what won success among amateurs and even professionals. Meng Model strives to maximize the detail of each model and match the real prototypes.

The company produces sets of various equipment, parts for dioramas, spare parts and much more. In addition to models of tanks and other equipment, the manufacturer produces various entourage trifles: engines, machine guns, containers, boxes, and so on. Due to this, you can realize literally any fantasy without creating the missing elements yourself. The company strives for perfection and tries to bring the models to the ideal, even with limited resources. Therefore, she deserved a place in the ranking, despite the short period of work.

3 Trumpeter

The Trumpeter brand doesn't excel in great detailing or a perfect match to historical originals. It did not win its market share at all. The company's models are the most affordable, simple and mass-produced option, which is ideal for beginners and amateur modellers. You can buy it literally in every store, and tanks are assembled very easily. At the same time, the quality of performance does not suffer so much as to turn away from the manufacturer. But it is enough that professional modellers do not like the brand and do not consider it a "copy" (corresponding to a real prototype).

Trumpeter literally flooded the market with tanks, aircraft, self-propelled guns and other military equipment. Some copies of real cars can only be found from this manufacturer - in fact, an exclusive, for which he receives third place. Trumpeter models are designed for users who are willing to ignore small inconsistencies with the original tank (for example, subtle differences in size, wrong rivets, and so on).

2 mini art

In second place is the brand, which lagged behind the leader quite a bit. MiniArt is a Ukrainian brand that was created in 2001 in Simferopol. In the 2010s, the company, according to experienced modellers, was not distinguished by the high quality of models of military equipment. However, over time, the manufacturer confidently made it to the "major league": in terms of detail and accuracy, it almost caught up with the popularly beloved Dragon. At the same time, the prices of the Ukrainian manufacturer for individual models are higher, although many goods remain cheaper.

The company specializes mainly in military kits, but is not limited to vehicles. In the assortment you can find dioramas, miniatures from the fields of World Wars I and II, famous and not very historical figures. Every month, the manufacturer releases several new sets in different categories: tanks, buildings, human figures, and so on. There is even a special category “What if…?”, in which the company sells impossible prototypes of military equipment: for example, ball tanks.

1 Dragon

Dragon is a brand that is rightfully considered the best in detailing models of armored vehicles. Professional modelers most often choose kits from this particular manufacturer. Differs in high quality of cast details and unsurpassed study of each element. The company has been in existence since 1987, and currently has created more than a thousand different models of military equipment and more. The manufacturer pampers buyers with collections of equipment of its own design: Warbirds, Dragon Armor, Space, etc.

Prefabricated models of tanks and other armored vehicles under the Dragon brand often have much more details than similar kits from other manufacturers. This allows you to better work out each element. However, novice modelers can also treat themselves to products from an objectively better brand: for the inexperienced, there is the Smart Kit series, in which there are significantly fewer individual parts, but at the same time the detailing does not suffer. Therefore, even professionals use the brand's kits, even if sometimes they remake them to suit their desires.

The best manufacturers of prefabricated ship models

Building model ships is one of the most serious hobby options.Such kits have significantly more elements that are more difficult to assemble, paint and bring into line with the original. In addition, boats and ships are often significantly larger than planes, cars or tanks. Therefore, it is more difficult for beginners to collect them. So manufacturers of prefabricated ship models usually focus on a more experienced audience, releasing complex and elaborate ships.

4 Zvezda

Russian manufacturer of prefabricated models, one of the most common on the market. It strives to flood the market with sets of varying degrees of elaboration and detailing. Therefore, brand products are the most affordable in stores and on online platforms. Zvezda is an "entry level" brand, inexpensive and affordable. Ideal for those who do not pursue detail and simply collect simple models at their leisure. Although more experienced buyers will find a suitable ship to create a base and further refinement.

Among the sets of Zvezda ships, there are both completely "copy" and beautiful, and frankly unsuccessful options. Frankly cheap goods are suitable for those who do not strive for 100% correspondence between the model and the original, as well as for beginners and children: they are often assembled without glue and from a minimum of parts. They will help you understand what modeling is and try yourself in this hobby. More expensive kits are for those who are already serious about building ships. They are more complex, have a large number of elements and are better developed.

3 modeler

Another domestic manufacturer whose ships have gained fame among fans of collecting ship models of varying complexity.There are many impressive sets in the assortment - for example, the Titanic liner or the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. At the same time, it is not too difficult to assemble such models, which will please beginner shipbuilders. The number of parts is less than that of more popular manufacturers. However, the detailing is practically not affected. At the same time, the cost of small models is more than acceptable.

In the reviews, beginners and amateurs actively praise the brand's products, but they clarify: in some situations, you will have to work with a file. Some parts may not be fully deburred or have minimal defects. In addition, some older models are made from rather thin plastic, so you should be careful with them. In general Modelist is an excellent choice for those who want to try their hand at modeling, but do not want to overpay for the first experience.

2 Revell

A serious and old brand that has been producing models since 1953. During this time, hundreds of sets of various equipment, aviation and navy were created. Among the models there are both frankly children's boats, consisting of a minimum of parts, and serious sets with high detail. The manufacturer produces all types of ships - civil, military, sailing and submarines. Therefore, every modeller will easily find a suitable ship for any purpose - for example, for the usual collection from the box or subsequent sawing.

The brand is actively developing new ship models. The German quality of the sets pleases even experienced buyers. Detailing on serious models does not suffer, conformity with prototypes is usually close to 100%. Although incorrect models are still found - in order to avoid buying, we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the materiel.Revell often plays with non-standard scales: in the assortment you can find ships in 1:96, 1:146 and so on.

1 AMATI

The company is not for beginners and not for fans of plastic bench models. AMATI is for those who are ready to assemble a real sailboat from thousands of the smallest elements. The assortment includes wooden ships of different eras and of varying complexity. The company is striking in its fertility - it has almost the largest number of models on the market. And periodically releases new ones. There are even quite unusual models available: Viking drakkars, galleons, pirate ships and so on. The difficulty of each set varies from very easy (by ship model standards) to extremely difficult.

The brand has objectively the best wooden ship models on the market. Literally everything is good in them: high-quality wood of slats and other elements, chic execution of metal elements, striking historicity and inspiring quality. The instructions are translated into Russian, which makes assembly easier and more understandable. The brand is not exchanged for trifles, so every detail is made with maximum efficiency. That is why AMATI is so loved by professionals.

The best manufacturers of prefabricated car models

Building cars opens up a lot of opportunities both in collecting and experimenting, and in creating full-fledged radio-controlled models. Car models are produced by almost every brand in our rating. We have selected four of the most successful manufacturers whose kits are worth paying attention to.

4 ICM

Opens the rating of the best manufacturers of prefabricated vehicles Ukrainian little-known brand ICM. The company started producing models in 2003, having presented more than 40 sets of various equipment in a few years. The company seeks to fill the gaps in the market by producing car models that no one has taken before. But she also has popular sets. That is why the Ukrainian brand is able to please even an experienced model collector: in its assortment you can find something that other manufacturers do not have.

If the early kits of the Ukrainian manufacturer were not of high quality, then the newer kits may well compete with the middle peasants and some market leaders. ICM has greatly increased the quality of production, reduced the amount of flash and improved the detail of every detail. In addition, complex sets can now contain very thin, almost transparent elements. Detailed even inconspicuous elements, which increases the "copy".

3 heller

A French manufacturer that equally produces both modern mass cars and racing cars or retro cars. The company is not the best on the market, but it produces a large number of different kits, which satisfies most modellers. Most of the assortment is occupied by French brands of varying degrees of "old age", many unpopular models are not found in other brands. Although there are also working vehicles (tractors, tractors), albeit much less.

The quality of the kits "walks" depending on the date of production and cost. Old cheap models often lack high detail. Newer options are more developed, but also more expensive.However, both of them have high-quality sprues without defects and strong plastic. Often the details do not need to be finalized - they already assemble normally and fit snugly together without a file and look decent without putty. In general, the quality pleases, even if it does not come close to the market leaders.

2 Bronco

Fame for this serious brand was brought by models of armored vehicles. However, there are not only tanks in the assortment. The manufacturer will please with high-quality models of cars - mainly military ones, although there are also civilian cars. The latter are mostly German retro cars of the 30s and 40s. Brand kits are ideal for those who want to find high-quality military vehicles. Here Bronco will please: there are trucks, and armored cars, and jeeps.

It is believed that the company produces some of the highest quality kits in terms of detail and correspondence to prototypes. However, this applies to more or less large and expensive sets. Cheap and old ones are no longer so pleasing, so you should focus on the year of manufacture and cost. Prefabricated Bronco models will take their rightful place on the shelf or diorama of any militarist. Especially if the modeler decides to refine them to the ideal, which is required in rare cases.

1 Aoshima

Aoshima is a manufacturer that has been pleasing modellers for decades. The company was founded in 1923 and still occupies a leading position in the model market.During this time, she has released hundreds of different models of cars, aircraft and armored vehicles. And the assortment is still actively replenished. First of all, it is the brand's cars that deserve attention: they are really almost always the best on the market. The workmanship is amazing: every small element is present, so you rarely need to finish something with your own hands.

The manufacturer produces interesting prefabricated models of cars of different brands, times and classes. In the assortment you can find both some old trailer and a modern sports or tuned car. There are even non-standard modifications of production cars and decent motorcycles, scooters, etc., which pleases collectors. You can find almost anything on sale, and many cars are exclusive to the model market.

The best manufacturers of prefabricated aircraft models

3 Italeri

Third place in the section is occupied by Italeri, an Italian brand that has given the lion's share of the assortment to aviation models. The company's products are quite expensive compared to many other manufacturers. But she's really worth it. The company pays attention to the detailing of each riveting on the body, so the stitching is of very high quality.The brand carefully monitors the state of the production line: even old models, judging by the quality of sprues, periodically receive mold updates. Due to this, there is almost never flash or other defects on the parts.

The plastic is strong, smooth and easy to assemble. The pieces fit together almost perfectly. It's nice that Italeri understands that people can give their products to modellers. And therefore, they made it easier for those who choose it, and in some sets they immediately put not only the model itself, but also glue, suitable paints and brushes. However, not all sets are like this, so you should choose a gift carefully. Alas, recently the range of aviation has not been updated as often as we would like. However, even old models can satisfy any fan of assembling aircraft models.

2 Tamiya

An excellent manufacturer specializing mainly in kits for all modellers - both beginners and amateurs, as well as professionals. Some joke that it is enough to shake the box and the model will already begin to assemble. In fact, the joke is not far from the truth: Tamiya kits are ideal for beginner modellers, as they are easy to assemble and have excellent instructions. The manufacturer has quite a lot of aviation models: there are both completely new aircraft of our time, as well as biplanes from the times of the Great Patriotic War, and helicopters from different eras.

The brand combines Japanese quality and manufacturability in production with a relatively low cost of sets in its products. You can buy a decent aircraft model as a gift or for self-assembly without overpaying.The level of detail and "copy" will please even experienced modelers: the manufacturer responsibly approaches the creation of each set, carefully considering even small things like rivets and other small details.

1 Hasegawa

Hasegawa is one of the best companies in terms of model detailing. Every smallest rivet has been worked out, not to mention the full-fledged paneling of the hull and cockpit. Little needs to be done manually - the plane already looks decent out of the box and will not disgrace the modeler. The joining of parts is also pleasing: the models practically do not require finishing with putty, since they ideally fall into place and do not form a gap. Therefore, even experienced modellers praise the manufacturer for the quality of castings and model development.

In general, about the models themselves, we can say that they are really high-quality, "copy" and pleasant to assemble. Hasegawa almost always not only illustrates in detail how to assemble the aircraft, but also supplements the instructions with several color options. Even the absence of the Russian (and sometimes English) language does not interfere - and so everything is clear. The manufacturer supplements the kits with several colorful decals at once. However, they are quite thick and uncomfortable, and therefore an inexperienced modeller may find it difficult to weld them on.

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