"Starting WWII gaming - tanks" Topic

I was thinking about getting some tanks for my 7 yr old to paint and possibly game with.

I don't have a preference on scale, I would be willing to consider 15mm, 20mm (1/72nd scale) or 28mm. Although I would probably prefer 15mm or 20mm from a cost and storage standpoint.

Are there any manufacturers that have tanks that are fully assembled or that are easy to assemble (i.e. that only have a few pieces to glue together) as I am not a fan of putting together multi-piece models. I just want something that can be quickly assembled (or requires no assembling) that my son can paint and then game with.

Also if any one has suggestions on rules that would be helpful. My thought was to start with some tanks at first and if he likes it then slowly add in infantry etc.

Have you considered going the 'plastic army men' route? Those tanks don't need painting and are pretty much indestructible.

lots of cheap 'snap fit' tanks from Zvesda

7 year old – plastic army men without a doubt.

They are much harder to swallow or stick in your ear.

Just ask your local paediatrician.

Not interested in the large plastic army men. He has some of those but wants something similar to what I have with painted wargaming figures.

I will take a look at the Zvesda tanks.

Any other suggestions?

1/144th tanks.

Victrix is due to release them any time now.

Others make them too in metal, or the prepainted plastic ones.

They're the perfect size for little hands.

Armorfast and Pegasus makes 1/72nd tanks, 2 tanks for about $10 USD, assembly is minimal.

15mm QRF tanks, all metal, not plastic. Typically just a few pieces: two treads, hull, turret, maybe a gun barrel. Some come with a fiddly .50 cal or searchlight, I'd just toss those for your purposes.

GAModls. 15mm and no assembly. Inexpensive and made of resin so longer barrels are flimsy but I like them.

gamodls.com

Airfix – as a 7 year old in the 70's I spend hours and hours of "gaming" with them – all periods of history…..

Ready to Roll tanks from the Rapid fire stable?

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. I will have to look these up.

I appreciate the help.

Armourfast make a nice range of 1/72 WW2 tanks, two per box, cheap and your boy can build them with you.
Rapid Fire are a good set of rules that have simple tank mechanics, Operation Warboard also has good rules for tank on tank combat.

1/48 resin from Blitzkrieg + What a Tanker …

For 7 years old I would suggest 20mm.

That's 1/72 scale.

It is very inexpensive for figures. Most are of a polyethylene (soft) plastic, so will not break very easily.

The scale allows him to build onto it as he grows adding more detailed vehicles.

At this age he's going to want to set them up in the dirt outside. A far more realistic gaming table!

The less detailed and more resilient the vehicle the better at that age. Companies used to make diecast metal vehicles in that scale (ie Matchbox Battle Kings, Dinky Toys) and soft plastic (Airfix, Atlantic).

Today they're more expensive as they are out of production.

Armourfast kits seem like they may be a very good option. 2 kits per package and not a lot of small parts (the less small parts the less breakage) and you and him can paint them.

A Chinese company, 4D, makes inexpensive kits in this scale, as well. Their newer stuff is far better than their first.

Airfix made lots of really fun 1/72 structures to play with.

link

Many of them, especially the WW2 ones, can be easily found today without the figures or vehicles (they made them in 3 types, just the building, building with figures and just the building alone).

The link above will show you the enormous amount of figures available in that scale.

Try a search for Fabbri diecast tanks, most are Russian however there are a few Lend Lease models which would build up an allied force. There were loads kicking about a few years ago when The Works were selling them for a couple of quid

My oldest grandson is 7 years old, definately plastic, more durable but not indestructible, his 5 year old brother proved that. They are a lot more durable than my 15mm metal figs though.
I'd like to say Airfix but WHERE THE HELL CAN YOU FIND THEM??? I used to love my Airfix plastic soldiers and Roco Mini Tanks, pre-built all of them. When I got a bit older I even bought the Airfix plastic model kits.

<Quote> I'd like to say Airfix but WHERE THE HELL CAN YOU FIND THEM??? </quote>

I started with Airfix figures and RoCo Minitanks in 1965.

However, these days, you can do way better than Airfix alone for figures. For an idea of the ranges, go to

plasticsoldierreview.com

For Airfix models:

link