Best Model Kits for Adults 2020 – Plastic Scale Models Review

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned modeler, there are some outstanding kits that allow you to build impressive looking models that you can display.
It’s always wise to do a little research before choosing a kit. Fortunately, we’ve included a review of some of the best plastic model kits for adults on the market. We concentrated mainly on good fit kits, so the building process would be calm and enjoyable.

Best Model Kits for Adults 2020

Tamiya – North American P-51D Mustang – Best Historical Customizable Plane

Our first model is a 1/32 scale USAAF plane. It features all the decals and the color finishing guide for a traditional Air Force plane, plus one standing and one seated figure. You’ll have to purchase extra paint yourself. It uses photo-etched parts for some realism, which adds to the depth of the build.

Why We Like It

The pieces are durable and should offer a good challenge if you’ve got a little bit of model building experience. The guide allows you to customize paint, but you could also modify the paint to specific types of USAAF planes that use the same body type.

Tamiya is known for high quality and detailed kits, and this one doesn’t disappoint. The full-color guide of the actual P-51 in

Why To Doubt

If this is your first model experience, you might find it a little frustrating. The pieces are numbered and straightforward, but the kit assumes you’ve got some building experience. The scale might be 1/32, but the size of the plane itself makes the pieces on the small side.

Who It’s For

Intermediate builders who love detail and love paint customization should find this build very rewarding.

Hasegawa – F-22 Raptor – Best Modern Fighter Jet

Our second model is an aggressively styled Raptor at 1/48 scale. It does include decals mimicking an in-service F-22 and a pilot figure with two helmets.

Why We Like It

Modern Air Force battle planes are just cool. This one was commissioned in 2005, so your build includes a weapons bay and cockpit that can be displayed open or closed. Hydraulic assembly lifts the canopy. It includes ejector seat rails, extensive hydraulic lines and ductwork, plus plenty of other details. Photo-etched parts help build realism.

Hasegawa included decals for a few in-service plans including “Hat in the ring 1st FW Commander’s aircraft 94 FS 1st FW USAF 2009” and “302nd FS Captain’s Aircraft USAF”. This isn’t just a generic F-22, which many builders should find exciting.

Why To Doubt

The instruction booklet is only grayscale, which we find disappointing. Although it’s clear for building, you are missing a lot of detail by leaving out color instructions.

It’s still not very appropriate for most beginner builders although there may be exceptions. The instructions assume you have some experience. The scale makes many of the pieces very small, so building may require tweezers. If this is your first time, it may be needlessly complicated.

Who It’s For

Intermediate to advanced builders who don’t mind extremely tiny parts will love the detail on this modern fighter jet. If the thought of getting out your magnifier makes you excited, this is a model for you.

Dragon – M1A2 SEP – Best Tank Model Kit

Here’s a fresh change of pace from planes. This model is a tank. It includes all the pieces for 1:35 scale tank, but you’ll have to invest in the paint and glue yourself. It does come with some accessories to get you started.

Why We Like It

This is the number one tank in the US military. Dragon Models accomplished a lot of detail with a few PE parts plus some aftermarket options. The anti-slip coating really helps when maneuvering tricky pieces together.

The detail gets us excited about this model. In a 25-year-old Tamiya version, for example, the rear hull is one piece. In this kit, it’s 20. Major panels are loose, which gives you the freedom to open them up wide to add aftermarket pieces.

Why To Doubt

It’s a lot to handle. The gun recoil action, for example, may not be essential for the kit and add some needless headache trying to get it set just right.

The instructions are way too crowded. If you don’t have any experience building, they’ll make your eyes cross. We’d like to see some space in the instructions just for comfort.

One minor gripe we have is the guidance teeth for the tracks. You’re going to have to glue them in one by one. If you love detail work, that might be fine, but we’d prefer moving on to something more exciting.

Who It’s For

US Army enthusiasts looking for a more detailed build of an Army classic should find this one plenty engaging.

Tamiya – Mitsubishi A6M5/5a Zero Fighter (Zeke) – The Closest To Perfection

The Tamiya modeling company has provided exceptional model kits since 1948. It’s grown to become one of the most trusted manufacturers for quality and customer service. The Mitsubishi A6M5/5a Zero kit is a is a great conversation piece.
It’s a 1/48 static scale replica of the most highly built Japanese aircraft. A classic copy to display, this kit represents breakthrough technology: The Zero underwent a series of victories and was the first carrier aircraft to defeat land-based aircraft.
The kit is made of light gray plastic. It’s an accurate depiction with precise details of the Mitsubishi A6M5/5a Zero.
Included are 21 grey parts for assembling four pilot figures, three decals, a three-part canopy, 8 clear parts and 115 pieces for the aircraft assembly.

We recommend this for medium to advanced skill modelers, and it’s not for children under four years of age.

Tamiya – German Tiger I Initial Production – A Perfect Small Replica

This German tank appeared in North Africa in 1942. It’s a 1/35 scale replica of the tank and has realistic details, mimicking the appearance of the actual tank. In addition, it comes with a lifelike captain.

Users appreciate the quality that comes with Tamiya model kits. For instance, the parts fit perfectly and it comes with blow up diagrams and clear steps for constructing the model. It also has a flexible track and four unique decals.

This particular model kit is highly recommended for excellent part quality, realistic details, and ease of use.

Revell – F-15E Strike Eagle – For Those Willing to Pay A Little More

Revell is a trusted name among modelers and has been around since 1943. This 1/43 scale kit replicates the F-15 E Strike Eagle aircraft, which first appeared on the scene in 1986. A US Airforce fighter and bomber aircraft, it’s equipped with sophistication, like the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, also known as LANTIRN, technology.

We highly recommend this kit. Although this kit comes with a whopping 192 parts, they’re medium-sized, making it faster to assemble. It’s also quite accurate. However, it doesn’t come with glue and paint.

Academy – T-34/85 No. 183 Factory “Berlin 1945” – Suitable for Beginners and Experts

The Korean based company, Academy Plastic Model Co., Ltd, has been providing hobby model kits since 1969. The T-34/85 No. 183 Factory WWII tank was instrumental in the Soviet Union’s tactics to stave off German forces. With the help of the tank, the Soviet Union defeated Germany in the epic Battle of Berlin. The details are exclusive to the Nizhniy Tagil Factory 183 establishment, which was the largest T-34 tank producer.

We would recommend this model kit because it’s great for experts and beginners. It has a simple design but some more challenging assembly as well, such as the application of the photo-etched screens. It is a little more expensive than most, but it won’t break the bank.

Tamiya – Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) Lang 1/35 – Best WWII Model

The Jagdpanzer was a WWII tank destroyer. It’s suitable for beginner modelers, but this isn’t a toy. It includes all plastic pieces for one model, but you’ll have to supply all the paint and glue yourself. If you’re a beginner, make sure you’re prepared.

Why We Like It

The pieces come together easily, and there aren’t as many as there would be in an intermediate or advanced kit. It’s a quick build for an experienced builder or an excellent way for a beginner to get his or her feet wet.

Why To Doubt

An advanced builder might find it a little simplistic considering the number of parts for other kids, but it is a good weekend project. Link and length tracks would have been a nice touch because of Tamiya’s experience with tracks, but this is probably personal preference. The full-length tracks certainly do the details justice.

Who It’s For

WWII enthusiasts should find the build engaging, but we’d steer this one towards beginners and intermediate builders.

Revell – Star Trek – USS Enterprise NCC-1701 – Best Sci-Fi Ship Model

Let’s leave the world of historical models and get into something exciting. The USS Enterprise is one of the most famous spaceships of all time, and this model has plenty of detail from the movie version. It comes with 91 parts, but you’ll have to invest in the paint and glue yourself.

Why We Like It

It’s the USS Enterprise! Besides the cool factor, it’s a good weekend build as a break from the dense detail of historical warships or airplanes. There’s something to be said for just a fun, nerdy build.

Why To Doubt

Some of the parts don’t quite fit together, which may leave you scrambling to find an alternative solution. The lighting option is fantastic, but the execution is a headache.

The warp engines are challenging to mount because of the way everything lines up once you’ve completed the appropriate sections.

Who It’s For

Do we need to say Star Trek fans? Obviously that audience, but we also recommend this kit as a practice in adding aftermarket lighting to models.

Revell – Pirates of The Caribbean – The Black Pearl – Great for Movie Enthusiasts

This Revell kit lets modelers capture the essence of the mythical Black Pearl of the Pirates of The Caribbean series. It comes with all the necessities a modeler needs to replicate the real ship.

It measures just over 10 inches long and stands a bit over 9 inches high. The model is a 1/150 version of The Black Pearl and has 112 parts. It comes equipped with the following: figurehead, guns, flag chart, anchors, boat, display stand, stern, shrouds, masts, yarn for rigging.

This model kit is recommended for you if you enjoy an easy construction and the famous Pirates of the Caribbean series.

Revell – Star Wars – Millennium Falcon – Best Kit for Beginners

Now we have the other most famous spaceship of all time, Han Solo’s precious Millennium Falcon. This 85 piece kit snaps together in about an hour and is excellent for Star Wars enthusiasts and model building beginners.

Why We Like It

It comes with two satellite dishes, one circular like the traditional model, and one rectangular that matches the newest movie. It’s one of the best snap together models you can get considering the price and the detail involved.

Why To Doubt

You may have to file some of the pieces down to get them together. While the box says suitable for ages eight and over, we think it still may be a little frustrating for that age. You’ll probably have to shave a few of the pieces to prevent breaking them while snapping them together. With some supervision (and minor intervention), a patient eight-year-old could handle it.

Who It’s For

Kids with plenty of supervision, Sci-Fi enthusiasts, and builders without a lot of time on their hands should be perfectly happy getting this one put together.

Tamiya – Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune – Great for Car Fanatics

Also from the highly esteemed Tamiya company, the Nismo R34 GT-R Z-tune kit is an ideal pastime for sports car fans. It’s modeled after the limited Z-tune edition of the Nismo R34 GT-R supercar. Scaled at 1/24, this kit includes detailed box art and Tamiya fun facts about the car model.

We recommend this model kit for its realistic design and flawless parts, which fit together perfectly. Because there are not so many parts and details, it’s best suited for those who are beginner model builders.

Tamiya – U.S. Destroyer DD-445 Fletcher – Great for An Easy to Intermediate Challenge

The Fletcher Destroyers were first constructed in 1939 during World War II and were later used during the Korean War as well.

This replica is a minute version of the actual Fletcher with a scale of 1/350. Although it’s such a small scale and has the dimensions 12.9 x 1.3 x 4.1 inches, its design accurately represents the original. It comes with between 160 and 170 pieces and is fully equipped with weapons, a hull, decks, and superstructure

We recommend this one for its exceptional detail in relation to its size. This one is also a fairly easy construction although some of the pieces are quite small.

Revell – Big Boy Locomotive – Perfect Static Train Kit

Aside from being made by a respected company, the Big Boy Locomotive has a number of features that make it popular among train enthusiasts. These American trains were quite large and long and separated into two classes. They were first built in 1941, and they began to dwindle in 1961. These models are a great way to maintain their memory.

The package includes 87 parts, and it takes average skill level to complete. The Big Boy Locomotive is scaled at 1/87 and its wheels move. It has a detailed engineer’s cab, and you can choose between two Union Pacific decals.

Revell – Airbus A380 – An Advanced Kit

Revell’s Airbus model kit is an advanced kit requiring a substantial time commitment and a good knowledge of model building. It’s a realistic commercial plan inspired by the Airbus A380 with 163 parts and at 1/144 scale.

Why We Like It

A lot is going on with this kit. The plastic pieces are smooth and do fit together nicely. It includes a ton of detail and moving parts that should make an impressive display if you can manage to finish it all. Molding is well done even with complex contours.

It comes with decals for the A380 logo, and the rest is customizable. You could match the paint to any number of airlines using this enormous plane, (or even ones that don’t. It’s all up to you!)

Why To Doubt

Revell rolled this kit out before the actual plane was introduced so some details may be speculative. It’s going to require a lot of pre-planning before you put it together and a lot of research if you plan to paint it.

Who It’s For

Advanced builders ready to take on the challenge of building an enormous model may find this one a worthy use of time.

Buyer’s Guide

If you’re considering taking up model building or just want to know more about the hobby, there are a few things to consider. In most cases, purchasing a model kit is just the beginning. There are a number of tools you’ll want to have handy before you begin. Some tools include paint, glue, and tweezers. We have also provided some useful tips to help you combat issues that could occur along the way.

Know Your Skill Level

• Beginner: Kits at this skill level are generally easy to assemble. They usually include Snap-On parts and molding tools like paint and glue. However, some may not include paint and glue. Usually, there are less than 100 parts to assemble. These kits may have more than 100 parts, but the pieces might be larger.
• Intermediate: Kits at this level are suitable for intermediate modelers. Pieces are small and numerous (more than 100).
  At this level, you’ll see a big difference in the number of details. Kits may still have the details you would see in the original structure. Kits at this level are great for collectors, and they usually have more than 100 parts and take hours to complete
• Advanced: There’s no rule that says an advanced level kit can’t be completed by a beginner who is up for a challenge. These kits typically contain hundreds of pieces with fine details. Painting and molding are usually a requirement. They are exact or virtually exact replicas.

Understanding the Scale

Models, which are small versions of a real item, are scaled down. It can be thought of as shrinking the original; Replicas still contain the same external (and sometimes internal) aspects, just in a smaller package.
For instance, if the real-life Big Boy train was 132 ft, the model would need to be much smaller, such as a 1/87 scale. This means the model is 1/87 of the original size. The larger the bottom number, the more the size has been reduced.
Since the majority of the structures being modeled are quite large, most model kits are between 1/20 and 1/500 scale.

Static vs. Movable Models

One mistake that modelers make is assuming a model will be movable. The fact is that most models are static, meaning they are incapable of simulating a moving vehicle. However, some static models will have some movable parts, like wheels and wings.

Starter Kit

Make sure you’re well-prepared before you start your first project. There’s nothing worse than having all the anticipation shattered by not having enough tools. The following are some essentials for modeling.

• Paint: Not all kits include paint, so it’s a good idea to have at least one type of paint on hand in a variety of colors. First is acrylic paint, which is water-based, making it easier to clean up. This type of paint is ideal for beginners. Enamel paint, on the other hand, is oil-based and isn’t so easy to correct if a mistake is made.
• File/Sander: Any modeler will eventually encounter rough edges. This may happen when detaching the pieces from the track. It’s also good to file down the surfaces of the parts to avoid a lumpy paint job.
• Cement/Glue: These come in both liquid and paste forms, and are required for more difficult kits. Easier kits don’t require glue since the parts are often snap-ons.
• Tweezers: It’s common to come across users who complain that the pieces are too small. This is to be expected since models are much smaller versions of the object being modeled. Tweezers come in handy because they easily grasp parts too small for human hands to handle.
• Hobby Knife: To make it easier to remove the pieces from the sprues to which they are attached, it’s good to have a sharp knife on hand. Otherwise, you’ll risk damaging the pieces by pulling and twisting it away from the sprues.

Now that you are familiar with some of the best kits, you are on your way to a building. Be sure to consider the information in the buyer’s guide to ensure you have the most gratifying experience.