Review | Aircraft kits for 15mm wargaming | WWII & Modern

[@johnkelley9877]

Great idea! The 1/144 kits have improved a lot since the 1990's and many are excellent kits such as the Revell F-15E in 1/144 scale. Thanks for sharing this.

[@smoothbrush4722]

Zvezda kits are so reliable to build easy and cheap.

[@FogofWar]

They are great.

[@thehood3885]

Good video Harry. I ended up binning my MicroWings Stuka, it was a shocker with loads of flash and very poor joins. I am quite proud of my Zvezda Po-2 though, a great little kit. However another great option are the pre-painted 1/144 Japanese ‘gashapon’ aircraft kits - brands such as F-Toys and Bandai. Some are largely complete and the detail and paint jobs are excellent. A little pricey but a great shortcut especially for the (ahem) older gamer - with my eyes I have enough trouble painting 1/100! There are loads for sale on eBay and there is a pretty comprehensive list of the many kits available on the kampfgruppe144 website.

[@FogofWar]

I hear you about the "older gamer" issues. My eyesight is just starting to go for close-range work. I'd better start wargaming in 1/35th.

[@MrPolicekarim]

@@FogofWar LOL! You'd need a football field!

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

I post some more experiences I made with "replacement" kits for Team Yankee: I build and painted a F-16 B by Trumpeter in 1/144 for my (veeery slowly) growing Israeli force. A bit more expensive than Academy models but an excellent kit. Building the landing gear doors closed needed some cutting and sanding but that was expected. The kit also came with drop tanks only but also with (empty) weapon stations. So if you want some bombs etc. you have to buy them seperatly. Of course a bit out of the original timeline of TY but that's the way the game goes. If you are looking for a F-16 in 1/144: Recommended. I build (and will paint soon) a F-15 by Academy in 1/144 as second Strike Aircraft for my Israelis (out of the timeline too, but, well, that's what I wanted). I build and painted some of those cheap kits by Academy. This needed a bit of sanding and, yes, that took some time. But this is the best kit by Academy in 1/144 I build so far. I could do the landing gear doors closed nearly perfect... well perfect for a war gamimg kit. Again: If you are looking for a F-15 in 1/144 for your force in TY: Recommended.

[@FogofWar]

The Academy F-16 looks terrible, as does their MiG-23. Glad to hear the Trumpeter one is better. Sounds like the Academy F-15 is OK, though. Thanks for sharing this.

[@kaipoh265]

The Zvesda Po-2s are decent. I got a few of them for my Night Witches RPG campaign!

[@FogofWar]

They are a nice kit. I bought mine to do a Night Witches guest video on @Modelling For Advantage

[@MrPolicekarim]

@@FogofWar What is MODELLING FOR ADVANTAGE please?

[@pwntehnoobs]

The great kits from Platz/Eduard are also available in 1/144 and those are just of pristine quality. I am going to use them as much as possible for any faction where it is possible and with 7-8 euro's per kit it is way cheaper.

[@FogofWar]

I saw a couple of these the other day. They are very expensive here in Australia, but maybe not so expensive elsewhere. Shipping to Australia just makes everything expensive.

[@pwntehnoobs]

@@FogofWar Yeah I hadn't considered that. Eduard is EU based so although they are rebranded Platz they are still quite cheap, like i said 7-8 euro is cheap relative to the 25 euro for 2 battlefront planes. Maybe Platz is a bit cheaper for you due to being Japanese? Still I like getting the alternatives because you have a transparent canopy and more detail over the older resin models. Btw I really like to use scalemates for both my scalemodelling as well as finding planes for flamesofwar.

[@BrushQuill]

A nice little look at the available kits out there. I have a 1:144 Dragon helicopter which was a nice model and not huge number of bits. Didn't the website say the helicopters were 1:100? Just thinking would need to be careful if mixing battlefront and non battlefront rotor aircraft

[@FogofWar]

I haven’t seen the Dragon ones. I must have a look. And you are correct. Choppers in TY are 1/100.

[@HerrRoehrich]

I wouldn't call the cheap Revell kits 'easily available', at least not anymore. All toy shops and online modelling stores I could find no longer carry the Microwings line at all. I was lucky to get a Typhoon and Stuka back in the day when they were still around, but sadly I missed out on the Me 262 and FW190 kits. I simply cannot find them anywhere, anymore. Anyone got any pointers?

[@FogofWar]

Hi HerrRoehrich. In Australia it has been my experience these Revell kits are in good supply in local hobby shops. I always see loads of them on the shelves. However it is entirely possible your experience is different. Plus, as I said of the Academy kits, they were common on shelves up until 6 months ago, but now they seem to have dried up. Maybe Revell is the same.

[@theofficerfactory2625]

I found the proper GR.3 harriers through a general search but they're old and can mostly be found on eBay.

[@FogofWar]

Probably the Mark1 kit. An expensive option, I believe. Any good?

[@theofficerfactory2625]

@@FogofWar No clue. I'll get a flight's worth to see.

[@perreterecon]

Nice video as usual, ive seen correct perdiod harriers in 1/144 from a manufacturer i cant remember, but they are quite pricy.

[@FogofWar]

Mark1? Was that the brand/manufacturer?

[@perreterecon]

@@FogofWar yes, 21 euros the model 😱

[@FogofWar]

21 Euros? That like a hundred millionty billion Australian dollars.

[@perreterecon]

@@FogofWar dont want to know that in pesetas

[@Thomas-dr9nn]

FoW Kits were always so pricey compared to those zvezda kit and others for almost the same quality, so why bother? Btw great video mate, greetings from Canada!

[@covini4142]

I buy 3rd party, even overseas its cheaper. Its sad i like battlefront but the prices are too high

[@FogofWar]

Battlefront have always struggled a bit with aircraft kits. The current plastic idea is OK, but the kit complexity will put a lot of people off. Greeting from Australia.

[@onlyplanes8242]

awesome, if possible can we see ww1 airctaft or tanks

[@FogofWar]

I tend to do WWII through modern, but WWI is an interesting idea. I'm not sure what's available in 1/144 aircraft for that period. I'm just off to Google now to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@lordcypher7922]

Thanks for this as I really want a flight of Jaguars for my British and MIG27s for my Soviets

[@FogofWar]

I've seen both of these available, so you should be good!

[@lordcypher7922]

@@FogofWar thank you I will have a look

[@thestumpinator5774]

Are there any 1:100 alternatives for those that want more accurately scaled aircraft?

[@FogofWar]

There are *some* 15mm or 1/100 scale kits. For example, I think there's a Victrix Tempest in 1/100 scale. But 1/144 is more common.

[@thestumpinator5774]

@@FogofWar Shame because I am just a bit iffy with my Su25's for my Soviet army

[@thestumpinator5774]

@@FogofWar Thanks for the help though!

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

Some nice ideas. I was thinking the same way. I am (slowly) working on a syrian force in TY. So I painted the first Su-25 in syrian colours. In game I will use the usual stats for the Su-25 which are soviet support. I also painted a Su-22 by Academy in syrian colours. So I like the idea of using differnt colours or even planes that fit better to your force. For sure that's more a question to "minor" nations. To keep the game balanced you have to use the original stats of the original plane. But if your opponent agrees this is a good way to add some unique variety to your force. Well, to cut a long story short: I agree with you. Good idea.

[@FogofWar]

Certainly using different aircraft to "proxy" for other planes is great. I have some Skyhawks I want to use for Team Yankee. They can stand in for Harriers for my Australians.

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

I bought a P-47 Razorback in 1/144 by Eduard for an american force I just start. It is a very nice kit. Because my friend and me play FoW V3 still I need just one. But even in V4 were you need two of them they are much cheaper than BF's P-47. And they are plastic, no resin/metal kits. I prefer plastic and like BF's plastic very much, But I am quite sure these kit by Eduard is a better option (even if you have to buy the stands seperatly), a better option because of the decals too. Because I am planing to use it as a wargaming piece I didn't build the cockpit and cut off some pieces as the pilot's tube and the antenna (they will be broken during gaming that's for sure). At the moment it is on my painting table still but I am sure it will turn out great. ...just wanted to tell another option...

[@FogofWar]

Interesting. I haven't seen inside any 144 Eduard kits. Thanks for the information!

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

@Fog of War I have a MiG-21 by Eduard in 1/144 in my Pile of Opportunities too. But their packaging is a bit unusual. They are not boxed but come in a plastic bag A5 sized. They look like a sealed magazin with a gimmick.

[@jaybe2908]

The Eduard is a rebox of the Platz kits (which are hard to buy in Europe ) , they are as good as it gets with great decals. I have a load to paint, I also have a load of the Revell ones which are not so great imo, I think its worth spending a bit more not just for the better detail but also on the easier build experience.

[@trekanbelluvitsh]

@@jaybe2908 Yep. The choice of decals is excellent. Ine more chance for any wargamer to personalize your force. Great kit, great decals, great prize. There is nothing more you can ask for.

[@onlyplanes8242]

do revell still make micro wings ?

[@FogofWar]

I believe they do. The moulds are from the 1970s. But moulds go in and out of production regularly.

[@GhostMaker00]

How are y'all making flight stands I need some.

[@FogofWar]

I’m just using Battlefront flight stands at the moment. But I guess making some wouldn’t be too difficult.

[@vickyking3408]

I just got a Revell Tempest at 1:144, for my 15 mm, but sadly disappointed at the scale will stick to 1/100 scale

[@FogofWar]

Fair enough. You have to do what works for you and your hobby. But the BF resin aircraft are 1/144th I believe, aren't they?

[@vickyking3408]

@@FogofWar I buy die cast aircraft models not cheap but "pretty" I have a great Skyraider with full armament, for Vietnam, aircraft for WW2

[@philb3549]

Makes sense to me. If the plane's ever on the ground next to a vehicle (which is the only time the scale matters)... then something's gone horribly wrong?

[@FogofWar]

You have to dive low to use the bayonet on the nose...

[@Ralai14]

Any brand makes 1/100? I would like to make scenery with cheap destroyed planes.

[@UNSCPilot172]

There are quite a few, though availability, price and quality jump around. Some of the best I've seen is Victrix, who make a Ju87 Stuka G-2 and Hawker Typhoon in nice plastic, with clear canopies and really large flight stands for various poses and heights. Each box comes with 3 planes/stands and decals, but each is a different camouflage scheme, so you can't have them all be in the same flight. Those go between $25-40. Doyusha makes kits that are pre-painted on the sprue, so all you have to do is cut them out and assemble it. Those are more $25-30 per plane, but if you like the scheme it comes with, then you don't have to spend money or time to basecoat and decal them. Model train company Faller has a line of 1:100 kits from back in the 60's and 70's of mostly WWII German planes, from the Storch to He-111, but they're not very accurate kits, with raised instead of sunken detail and markings stamped onto the model itself. They tend to command the same prices as modern 1:72 or 1:48 scale kits however. UPC has a decent selection of craft, but are also very old, and seem to be kinda on the rare side. InAir makes a $20 1:100 B-17 G that while not very detailed, probably would look fine as a wreck given some weathering and custom work. Revell makes a surprising amount of cold war/modern aircraft in this scale, ranging between $10-30 on average. Heller focuses on cold war French aircraft. Tamiya has a mixed range of cold war helis and planes, but it's a small lineup.

[@FogofWar]

Wow. What an excellent and comprehensive answer. Thank you. I knew about Victrix and some of the kits like Revell, but had no idea about some others. I have also seen some resin 1/100 kits from wargame manufacturers. Subjects like Horsa gliders and so on.

[@Subcomandante73]

Not a fan of the Revell 1/100 helicopter kits. Zvezda are okay, and great value.

[@FogofWar]

I must admit I haven’t seen their helicopter kits in this scale. I’ll take your word for it.

[@pbeccas]

Nice review. Are you buying these kits from Tactics or online?

[@bradleycoles9018]

in 1 pic there is a tactics price sticker on it 5.58

[@FogofWar]

Some are from Tactics. Mostly the Zvezda ones. I got the Revell Harrier from Hobbytech in Myaree. Otherwise from my forest hideout it is mostly eBay orders.

[@GhostMaker00]

I paid $8 for 4 F16s for my dutch and $12 for 6 x SU fitter for my Russians in TY and $6 for 2 stukas

[@FogofWar]

Nice buy! Well done.

[@ernst-udopeters1637]

Well done. I am planing to replace my West German Tornados with Revell Alphajets. I am planing to use 4 and I just happen to receive my last one. As you said: the flight stands need to be bought extra. I did get mine from Battlefront because the ones from Litko and other accessory makers just don't quite work out for me. Regarding the lack of cards, Battlefront has started to sell the cards on their own in nation packs. For FOW you can get packs for each nation after D-Day. Same thing with WWIII: Team Yankee. Right now you can get Brits, US, and Soviets, with WestGermans being released in March.. I think. BTW you pointed out the version discrepancy for the Brit Harriers. You CAN actually get the proper Harrier GR. 3 with the laser nose. The model is being made by Mark 1. Here is a link (www.hannants.co.uk/product/MKM14488). that I used for my purchase.

[@FogofWar]

Thanks for that. I have seen the Mark1 Harrier kit, but the cost of that is only just below buying a real Harrier surplus and having it do fly-overs of the table. At least, from Australia it is. Not sure about elsewhere. Good luck with your Alphajets. Tidy little aircraft.