Where they made calculations for all major manufacturers of wooden ship model kits (mainly sailboats). Since then, a lot of water has passed under the bridge, a lot has changed, so it is no longer possible to use that information, it is too outdated. And so that you don’t get into trouble when choosing, we decided to compile new review. It will include only European manufacturers. You can read about Chinese manufacturers of wooden ships in, and the only decent American manufacturer of wooden models (ships and airplanes): (Model Airways - airplane models made of wood) after a change of management is now practically bankrupt, so we will not take it into account. It’s well written about the Japanese company, there’s nothing to add.

Let's start with the clear favorites and end with the outsiders.

Over the past ten years, the Italian manufacturer of wooden ship models has not only not lost its potential, but has also increased it, getting ahead in comparison with all other manufacturers. Now, to the question “what is the best on the market of wooden sailboat models,” we will bravely stand up to our full height and, heroically looking into the distance, answer: “or three models of the company - , “. Why does it have priority over everyone else?

Primarily due to the material (wooden slats). If Spanish manufacturers ( , ) have slats that are poorly matched in color, have uneven edges, may be crooked or of different sizes, then he doesn’t allow himself to do this (not ideal, of course, an experienced ship modeler and champion of various competitions will still be dissatisfied... but, strictly between us, they are just terrible nitpickers). Only the company has such quality slats. The slats are made of loose wood, the slats are clearly not enough, and the slats in general only have light ramin.

Secondly, it is worth noting the quality of small parts (guns, blocks, deadeyes, threads, anchors, etc.). They are also noticeably better than other manufacturers of wooden ship models.

Next up: the assembly instructions are very informative and detailed. There are exceptions, but for the most part the instructions are clear and readable. And the instructions for the new models in the Victory Models series (,) are simply pleasing to the eye. Still, computer developments are making themselves felt. According to the instructions, only a Spanish company can approach (and, objectively speaking, sometimes overtake) Amati.

Range. Amati has not only models that we can safely recommend for the first time (,), but also models that we are not ashamed to offer to an already experienced modeler (HMS Fly, Mercury). Well, after building Vanguard, you will either understand the futility of existence (in the sense that other models will seem primitive), or move on to . To once again understand the futility of existence.

OcCre has clear instructions with step-by-step photographs, making these models indispensable for beginners.

As a rule, OcCre has a decent supply of material (slats), which is also important for the first time.

OcCre provides ready-made sails, which many other European manufacturers do not have. Yes, the sails are lousy in our opinion, but, firstly, “our opinion” is the opinion of serious bearded ship modellers, and secondly, they are free. And in this situation, as you know, bleach is like cottage cheese.

You can even summarize the principles on which you need to base your choice of your first model:

1) we are deeply convinced that for the first time the most important thing is to finish the model, not to be disappointed halfway, not to put the project in long box. We need to FINISH!

2) and therefore historical authenticity, elaboration of small things fade into the background.

3) clear assembly instructions are extremely important (since building a wooden model of a sailboat is very different from assembling plastic or paper models) and a supply of materials (in case you spoil something at first or want to redo it).

OcCre ship models have good instructions, and material stock. Plus, the quality of the frame parts is decent - you don’t have to trim or redo them simply because they were cut crookedly. This means that OcCre models are perfect for those who want to try their hand at ship modeling.

And also free sails.

Another Spanish company. More precisely, the former Spanish one. Now all its production is in China. Most likely, we could say the same thing about it as about OcCre. But "Made in China" negated all the advantages.

Artesania Latina has a very wide range of wooden ship models, but after they moved production to China, we have many complaints about the completeness of their models. Very, very often the Chinese either don’t put something in or put in the wrong thing. Moreover, this applies not only to cheap, but also to expensive, top-end models.

Another aspect of Chinese manufacturing is that they are always cutting corners. Over the past five years, first the model stands disappeared from the kits, then the instructions for assembling steel were on a CD rather than on paper (savings, however!), and now the drawings are not in A1 format, but in A3 format. But this should be a full-size drawing from which dimensions must be taken. And, of course, the packaging was no longer good. Typical Chinese cheap option. However, prices remained at the level of European models. Therefore, Artesania Latina is systematically losing its market share. An excellent example for those who want to increase profits only by cutting costs.

The third and last Spanish company is . This is a small division of the larger company Diset, which specializes in children's products. Children's specificity has left its mark on the wooden models of Constructo sailing ships. Firstly, Constructo’s line of wooden ship models is not developing; there have been no new products for a long time. This is understandable; this is not a core asset. Secondly, the quality of Constructo is stable, it has not fallen for ten years. In general, Constructo has its strengths (very informative assembly instructions), but also its weaknesses (the use of mahogany slats (they bend very poorly, and their color gives finished model ship "souvenir" appearance), weak casting, often single hull plating).

The Italian company has changed little in recent years. Therefore, everything that was said about her in our first article can be said now. The only exception is that at the current level of quality, the casting of wooden ship models from Corel does not look good. Very washed out. But the line of wooden models of sailing ships of the 17th-18th centuries is very rich. In 2007-2008, Corel, seeing a decline in demand for its products, decided to expand into the segment of small, cheap models. But she failed. All three Corel sailboat models (,) turned out to be very mediocre.

Another Italian company is . Unfortunately, it never recovered from the 2008 recession. There are no new products, the quality of materials (wood) is very mediocre. The instructions remained at the level of the 70-80s of the 20th century. Even before 2008, Mantua began gradually replacing individual slatted deck planks with laser-etched decks in its wooden ship models. There have been attempts to improve assembly instructions, but these attempts have been very weak. In general, Mantua is unlikely to survive, because... Constantly raising prices is not a way out of the deadlock. It's a pity, Mantua has interesting ship models that have no analogues from other manufacturers.

When starting bench modeling for the first time, the first impression of the model and tool is very important. It is this indicator that provides incentive for further development in this kind of hobby.

After you have purchased everything necessary tools and decided to choose their first scale model. To do this, you need to decide on the price, complexity, quality of parts, scale and painting scheme.

Well, the first thing you have to deal with is the genre (theme) of the models. Think carefully about what theme you want to collect scale models for. Maybe you want to furnish a shelf with cars or tanks, planes or ships. Don't take a model if you don't like it, take the model that you are interested in and motivated to build.

Price of set with bench model

Model prices can vary: from the cheapest to the most expensive. You shouldn't buy kits that are too cheap because they are of poor quality, and there is no point in buying very expensive models because they might be too complicated for you. Even a well-prepared beginning modeler makes mistakes, which is a learning process. Therefore, you need to buy a set of average price to experiment for the first time, so that it will not be so offensive when the result is completed. There is a company called Zvezda. The models of this company are of an average price range and of quite acceptable quality.

Choosing a model scale

If you want to collect armored vehicles, then buy a model in 1:35 scale, remember that the smaller the scale, the larger the assembled model will be. At 1:35 scale the tank will be approximately 25 by 10 cm.

Optimal scales of the assembled model:

• Armored vehicles – 1:35
• Cars – 1:43
• Aviation – 1:48
• Fleet – 1:350

Difficulty in assembling models

There is no need to buy prefabricated models with photo-etched and resin parts. Look in the store for models with only plastic sprues (molded polystyrene).
You will gain modeling experience over time.

There are also kits with a huge number of parts from the company Dragon, which produces amazing kits, but you should not buy it yet, as they are too expensive and complex. The average number of parts for this set is 600-700 pcs. For your first assembly, models from the Japanese company Tamiya are perfect for you; these are models of excellent quality and at a fairly reasonable price. contain a normal number of models and after assembling such models it is not always necessary to treat them with putty.

Painting scheme for the prefabricated model

Beginning modelers should consider that many models have their own paint scheme. Therefore, you should not buy tanks with complex camouflage, since painting the camouflage will require. Therefore, for the first time, buy a model with a single-color paint scheme, and next time buy a model that is a little more complex.

Happy modeling!

>> >> Bench modeling. Model selection

The online store Arma-models.ru invites you to purchase for yourself or as a gift to friends who are passionate about design, inexpensive prefabricated models of tanks and armored vehicles produced by Dragon, Takom, MiniArt, Zvezda, Trumpeter and a number of others. Perhaps we will not be mistaken if we call this segment of our assortment the most in demand. After all, military equipment is an outstanding example of engineering and rapid technological progress.

Important! We sell not wooden, not metal, but plastic scale models of T-72 tanks, IS-7, "Mouse" and other military equipment, characterized by a high degree of detail and ease of assembly; and even though they do not have radio control elements, they are fun and interesting to build.

What do we offer?

Copies of military equipment used by world powers in different eras. For example, on the virtual showcases of our online store there is a model of the first English tank, which appeared during the First World War. This Mk.1 has an unusual diamond shape and is good at crossing wide trenches.

At the same time, we have something to offer for assembly to all modellers who are interested in scale models of tanks and military equipment from the Second World War (you will find photos, prices and reviews of those who have already built them in the product catalog card). In this category we present the American M4A2 Sherman III, used in all combat zones, the light German Panther, as well as the famous Soviet T-34. It was with the help of the latter that during the first battles, Russian troops were able to shock the enemy with the invulnerability of their equipment.

Why should you choose our online store?

Firstly, we have a large selection. The basis of this section is made up of more than 800 sets that are of interest to both beginners and experienced designers. The assortment includes prefabricated models of tanks IS-7, T-14, Maus and a number of other construction kits, made in the most popular scales 1:16, 1:35, 1:43, 1:72 and 1:100. The size of the finished product depends on which one you choose. If you need a copy of the equipment to complete your home collection, then you should give preference to a set in a scale of 1:100 or 1:144. At the same time, from us you can buy a prefabricated model of the T-90, IS-2 tank or any other real-life equipment, as well as fictional vehicles that are part of a virtual game, for example, the E-79.