Small Scale Military Headquarters

I have a friend who is really into tanks. I would like to get him a 1/18th scale tank, but to be honest I don't know much about them. If you guys had to pick what you consider the nicest 1/18th scale tank out there, which one would it be? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Is he into Modern? WWII?

Thanks, I forgot to mention he is into WW2 tanks.

Have to go with the Tiger - yes it has some early features mixed with some later, but it is a beast, sturdy (unlike the Panzer IV), has a ton of detail and a working interior! That gets 'em every time..

After that I might say the bbi Sherman - easy to get a hold of and also has a ton of features, engine access, extra shells, plus a great tanker fig.

digger wrote:After that I might say the bbi Sherman - easy to get a hold of and also has a ton of features, engine access, extra shells, plus a great tanker fig.

Exactly what I was going to say. The BBI Sherman was my first 1:18 tank.

Yep - Tiger is my first choice - then BBI Sherman

As has been expressed by everyone else, the Tiger is definitely my first choice It is the best tank made by 21c to date, or by any other 1:18 manufacturer for that matter. Apart from the usualy features (rotating turret, elevating gun, rolling tracks) all the hatches open, the turret comes off to reveal a detailed interior, and the engine cover and radiator grilles also open. Your friend won't be disappointed!

I would suggest either the solid gray or the Eastern Front cammo version. The winter one has a nice paintjob as well, but is a bit more limited in the display/diorama situations it can be used in. The winter and eastern front schemes are the easiest to find, however.

My second choice? The M-41. Its not a WWII tank, but does not look out of place in a WWII setup and it also has the full interior, engine, hatches, etc. My third choice would have to be the BBI Sherman.

Tiger....Tiger....Tiger....It's my fav

My money is on the Panther. It is one sexy beast. It may not have the bells and whistles of the Tiger but it is far better looking. Now if they had the King Tiger out already that would be the ticket.

Tiger.

Panther.

M-41

BBI Sherman

Availability? Tiger's are plentiful, and reasonable Panthers are getting expensive (until and if 21C rereleases this beautiful piece), cheapest is M-41 (good tank with an interior...so what if it wasn't WW2, the, Combat TV always had M-41's painted up as Tigers, and they looked good). BBI Sherman worth whatever you can pay for it MIB beca,use of all the goodies that come with it.

Unlike planes, tanks don't take up much room and on a shelf you don't have to worry about one falling from a cieling hook or your cat walking over it or knockng it off a shelf . What's with cats anyway, curling up behind our 1/18 stuff? Sorry, I went OT.

TTT

I'd go with the gray Tiger as a first choice then the BBI Sherman as a close runnerup.

If your friend is *really* into WWII tanks, chances are that he knows about the Tigers, Panthers, Sherman, etc.

IMHO, giving him a Tiger as an introduction to the 1/18 scene is probably not a good idea. Despite all of its "details", it's the most toyish 1/18 tank that 21st has produced. It has plenty of major inaccuracies that a person with minimal knowledge about Tigers will immediately notice.

The Panzer IV, followed by the Panther, is the most accurate and well-detailed tank that 21st has produced so far. It's not perfect, but it's good enough that many WWII tank buffs would go, "Wow!" for it.

Maybe you can get him an RC version too.

pickelhaube wrote:My money is on the Panther. It is one sexy beast. It may not have the bells and whistles of the Tiger but it is far better looking. Now if they had the King Tiger out already that would be the ticket.

they're great - but i'm holding off just hoping this long wait means the new one will have the interior. Of course once a new Panther comes out the secondary prices on the old ones will dip a bit.

The non-RC PZ IV is very nice - and dicast - I left her out because of no interior. The Tiger does have its flaws - but still my favorite tank.

Tiger Tank because of the interior.

Mark

Have to go with the tiger. Man that thing is cool

Threetoughtrucks wrote:you don't have to worry about one falling from a cieling hook

Wait, your not supposed to hang your tanks from the ceiling?

Different strokes for......

TTT

Eastern Front Tiger!

If it were me I would first find out what he really likes, for example: Allied or Axis, Shermans, Tigers, etc.

My fav of the WWII 1/18th scale tanks is the late Tiger I and the Pacific Sherman. Of course then there is the New Millennium Panzer IV and someone has some new armor coming out which I thought included the King Tiger but I may be mistaken.

Jeff

The BBI Sherman has become harder to find. After the TRU's online sell off, I haven't been able to find one in the stores or on Ebay.